Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach, Hawaii is located on the island of Maui. Referred to as "the world's most perfect beach" by author James Michener, Hamoa Beach offers gray sand beaches, 4,000 foot cliffs, and red bromeliads that dot the beach and add a touch of vibrancy and color.
Hamoa Beach can be found just outside of Hana and is surrounded by lush vegetation and dramatic sea cliffs. The beach offers a long strand of soft grey sand Just offshore from the beach is the island of Alau.
Hamoa Beach does not provide a lifeguard, despite the fact that it does occasionally receive a high surf and the waves break right to the shore. Therefore, visitors to the beach must swim at their own risk. Water activities that are popular on the beach include snorkeling, swimming, boogie boarding, bodysurfing, and diving. The shorebreak, however, can make body surfing and boogie boarding difficult at times.
The beach itself does not offer parking facilities. Instead, visitors must park on the nearby Haneo Road and then walk down the stairs to the beach. For those staying in the Hana-Maui hotel, the beach can be reached by a shuttle bus that is ran exclusively for guests. Despite the fact that the hotel is actually located fairly far away, it also offers some facilities to resort guests on the beach.
To reach Hamoa Beach without the convenience of the shuttle bus, visitors must take Hana Highway toward the Pools at O'heo and Kaupo. When they reach Haneo'o Road, they need to turn left until coming upon the cars parked along the road. If the beach happens to not be busy, finding the beach can be a bit more difficult as it requires watching for the stairs that lead to the beach or the small pavilion located on the side of the road.
For those looking to eat some fresh Hawaiian fruit, there are a few stands along the side of the road. These stands are based on the honor system, which means you choose the fruit you like and make your payment without an actual person manning the stand.
The natural beauty of Hamoa Beach, Hawaii combined with the relative solitude and quaint charm of honor system fruits stands all combine to make a visit an unbelievable beach vacation. It's no wonder Michener referred to this magnificent jewel as the most perfect beach - it truly doesn't get much better.
