Baby Beach Lahaina, Maui: A Toddler’s Paradise

PLEASE NOTE: Baby Beach, Lahaina, was directly impacted by the Maui wildfires and is no longer accessible to the public. I have chosen to keep this post active in hopes that one of our favorite places will return one day. I will update this post accordingly.

A few beaches on Maui are perfect for toddlers and young kids. We’ve tried them all, and our favorite is Pu’unoa Beach in Lahaina, better known as “Baby Beach.”

(Not to be confused with Baby Beach in Paia, Maui, another great option if you have littles in tow. However, Paia has more waves in comparison and can get pretty windy in the afternoon.)

Why We Love Baby Beach, Lahaina

Baby Beach is centrally located and walkable from Lahaina town. And yet, you will not encounter many tourists here. While there are more picturesque beaches on Maui, Baby Beach is beautiful and hard to beat if you have toddlers who like to wander and play on their own terms.

Maui can boast some pretty big swells, and bringing a baby or toddler to a beach with big waves can be stressful, defeating the whole purpose of a day spent by the sea.

The exposed off-shore reef break at Baby Beach provides a barrier from the waves. It remains shallow for dozens of yards, allowing toddlers to run and play without constraint. This also means that the sun warms the water quickly, making me a happy mama who is more likely to splash around and play with them. Happy mama, happy kids. Happy vacay.

How to get to Baby Beach, Lahaina

If you type Baby Beach into Google Maps, it will take you to the north entrance, a small dirt parking lot.

This is a convenient place to park and set up, but there’s a lot of underwater coral and rocks on the north end of the beach. While it is possible to see through the clear water, it’s also possible for kids to scrape their legs and feet if they’re not paying attention.

Less coral is found on the south end, giving me more peace of mind and making it easier for kids to swim and splash about. The entrance to this side of the beach is in the middle of a residential neighborhood. A small pathway is located at the intersection of Front Street and Kai Pali.

Close parking is possible but can be tricky on a busy day. I recommend dropping your pesky baby gear off at the pathway while someone else parks. This typically gives me enough time to lug our stuff down the small path (rent a wagon!) and start setting up before my kids ask for their 100th snack of the day

Things to Do at Baby Beach, Lahaina

Float

This is my favorite place to bring an inner tube, laze on the water, and soak up the sunshine. Our boys could spend all day playing in a simple Costco float.

Snorkel

While there are far better options for snorkeling on Maui, the water at Baby Beach Lahaina is clear and free from big waves, making it an excellent place for kids to practice wearing a mask and putting their faces in the water. In addition, there are some colorful fish to see, and sometimes a Hawaiian Sea Turtle will come to say hello.

Snorkel gear rentals are affordable, and many offer kid sizes. If you’re interested in this, I would rent gear at the beginning of your stay and keep it in the car for wherever your adventures take you.

SUP

This is a great beginner spot for Stand Up Paddleboarding on Maui! Just steer clear of the reef. There are many places to rent boards around the island.

Laze

Remember that you are on vacation! Permission to chill, mama! Lay around, build sand castles with your kids, and admire the view. You will see many boats in the distance, along with the islands of Molokai and Lanai.

Tips for Baby Beach, Lahaina

Touching or standing on the reef kills marine life and can easily scrape the bottom of your feet. Please pay attention to your surroundings and encourage your kids to do the same.

The current here is usually mellow, but if you’re floating along and not paying attention, you could find yourself in a hairy situation.

There are no showers at Baby Beach, Lahaina. This may not sound like a big deal, but it can feel that way when dealing with a sandy sugar cookie baby bum. Consider keeping a gallon of water and a stack of towels in your car. It’s far easier to rinse them off and apply a fresh diaper from the trunk of your rental car than it is at the beach.

What Should I Bring With Me to Baby Beach, Lahaina?

Baby Beach tends to be hot and without much shade, so plan accordingly. The following list is what we bring with us:

Must Haves:

•Plenty of water

•Snacks

•Reef-safe sunscreen/UV protectant shirts

•Sun hat

•Big blanket to lie on

•Beach toys

•Pareo (sarong)/Towels

Optional:

•Wagon to transport stuff

•Shade tent

•Beach chairs

•Floats and/or bodyboard

•Snorkel gear

•Speaker for music

Happy Kids, Happy Parents

I’ve never left Baby Beach without a smile on my face. Despite the possibility of delayed parking and the shortage of bathrooms and showers, this experience is always worth it!

What Baby Beach lacks in adult convenience, it makes up by giving your kids an outdoor aquatic playground. Not having to hover over them or wonder if they’re going to be knocked out by a wave allows everyone in the family to relax and enjoy themselves.