Trip Planner: USA / Hawaii / Maui / La Perouse Bay

La Perouse Bay, Maui

4.8

#22 of 31 in Beaches in Maui

La Perouse Bay or Keoneʻoʻio Bay is located south of the town of Wailea, Hawaii at the end of Makena Alanui Road (State Highway 31) at. The bay's Hawaiian name is Keoneoio. It was later named for the French explorer Captain Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse. In 1786, La Pérouse surveyed and mapped the prominent embayment near the southern cape of Maui opposite the island of Kahoolawe. The bay is the site of Maui's most recent volcanic activity. The rounded peninsula that dominates the northern half of the bay and extends up the coast a short distance was formed about 900,000 years ago by an eruption of basaltic lava that originated in the southernmost landward expression of the Haleakalā Southwest Rift Zone. A small string of cinder cones extending inland to the northeast marks the axis of the rift zone.La Perouse Bay lies directly south of the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve. Fishing is prohibited within the reserve, which is home to many endemic and other fish species, marine mammals, green sea turtles, and coastal plants. The area contains many archaeological sites, including fishing shrines, salt pans, and heiau, or religious platforms. The road ends at the parking lot/entrance to the seashore and marks the start of the King's Highway, a trail that circumnavigated the island, originally built by Piʻilani and later improved by Governor Hoapili, sometimes called the Hoapili trail.

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Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

128 reviews

CoastalBadger

June 23, 2017

We came here by accident and were glad we did. It's a long drive down a narrow road, with wonderful views and two great food trucks. Wear shoes. Don't turn your back on the ocean. Right after we left ... more »
ParrotsCove

June 4, 2017

Just after a local man complained that Kihei was very crowed, we heard we could get away from the crowds by driving down to La Perouse Bay. In about 20 minutes, we are down a small, bumpy road with fe... more »
ssmlutah

June 4, 2017

A local in a boutique store told us about this place. It is at the end of Makena Road. There is a little parking lot. You just walk south on the path. It is an easy hike/walk for small kids. YOu will ... more »

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