Key Point
Dr. Beach recently released his list of the Top 10 Beaches in the U.S., and one popular Hawaiian beach came out on top—and it even made an appearance in The White Lotus.
Maui, Hawaii’s second-largest island, is famous for its plethora of beaches, and each one has its own unique features and reasons to visit. When it comes to the best one, however, Dr. Beach, a coastal ecologist and certified expert in beach destinations, has made his official recommendation.
Every year, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman—a scientist, author, professor, and director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University—releases his list of America’s Best Beaches, and Wailea Beach, which came in at No. 2 overall, was his top pick in Hawaii.
He’s used the same ranking system for decades, and evaluates each beach based on a series of factors, including water temperature, sand softness, views and vistas, and well-kept grounds. And Wailea Beach, a stretch of sandy shore tucked between the Grand Wailea, Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort and the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea (yes, the one featured in the first season of The White Lotus), hit the mark in a number of categories.
“Wailea Beach is a series of five pocket beaches, which are part of the Wailea resort complex that is mandated to provide a public right-of-way for visitors,” Dr. Beach said in his report. “The white coral sand beach gently slopes offshore and is great for snorkeling when the ocean is calm. The swanky hotels are set back far from the beach, providing a [beautifully landscaped] park, adorned with tropical vegetation and flowering bushes and trees.”
Given its proximity to both resorts, the beach is typically a bit more on the crowded end of the spectrum. You’ll find people lounging in beach chairs, boogie boarding, body surfing, swimming, and sipping tropical drinks from Wailea Surf Haus. There’s even whale watching in the winter months. If you are getting in the water at Wailea Beach, be aware of the surf and any rip currents. According to Maui Guidebook, south swells can lead to hazardous water conditions.
Even though the resort properties bookend the beach, it’s still open to everyone, not just guests of the hotels. Visitors are welcome to use the public parking lots, bathrooms, showers, and the paved walkway that runs the entire length of the beach.
If you’ve already visited Wailea Beach but want to check out other Dr. Beach-approved Hawaiian destinations, you have a few choices. Poipu Beach on Kauai (No. 3), Kaunaoa Beach on the Big Island (No. 8), and Lanikai Beach on Oahu (No. 9) all made the top 10.
You can see the full list of 2025’s Top 10 Beaches at DrBeach.org.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
