22.jpg

3 Best Maui Beaches for a Romantic Elopement in Paradise

Everybody has an opinion on which Maui beaches have the best views or the best mix of lava rock and swaying palm trees for an elopement ceremony and photography session. Some people prefer the west side of Maui like Kapalua or Napili bay, others like the south side of Maui; Kihei / Wailea / Makena, for the ease of parking and expansive sandy beaches like Po'olenalena (AKA Chang's beach). They all have their charms, but I want to highlight the three beaches that I have found to best combine incredible views, ease of access, and relative seclusion for a perfect Maui elopement, family portrait session or wedding photo shoot.

To get additional information on these and other great locations for your Maui Wedding, elopement, or family portrait session, please drop us an email or call us on the phone: 1-808-385-2247 and we can talk story, no hassle, no pressure. You can view our services and pricing on our website. Mahalo!

Makena Cove Wedding

#1: MAKENA COVE

Also known as Secret Cove (not so secret any more), this beach is spectacular and is so beautiful and evocative of paradise that it has been featured in numerous television ads from Visa to Nationwide insurance. Makena Cove is recommended for small intimate elopement ceremonies only since it is about as large as a big backyard and parking is very limited. Mornings, as you can see from the photo to the left, is a time when very few people are here and there is an incredible sharp contrast with saturated colors, the islands of Kahoolawe and Molokini Crater visible off shore, the clear blue pacific offset by black lava, and the occasional turtle swimming by or Humpback whale spouting offshore during winter. And yes, winter IS the best time of year to be here! Sunset wedding ceremonies at Makena Cove, are also spectacular with intense colors in the sky toward evening and generally cooling temperatures as the clouds roll in and the sun sinks into the ocean.

Wedding couple on Maui

#2: Paipu Beach (Secret's).

Secret's, not to be confused with Secret Cove, is called Paipu beach and is accessed by a narrow path from the parking lot of another well known and popular Makena beach. This path is not marked and somewhat hidden and since it is a little rocky and uneven means that there are usually very few people at this stunning location. Paipu beach is another perfect location for an intimate Maui elopement and we often use it as a back up location in case of rain, crowded conditions, or beach wash out at Makena Cove. This beach is also in South Maui and has a good size parking lot. We like to use it for small groups but everybody has to be steady on their feet and you must be wearing flat shoes. The path is very uneven and narrow but not very long and when you come around the point the view will take your breath away!

Elopement ceremony on Maui

#3: Baby Beach, Lahaina.

Tucked away in a neighborhood off Front St. in Lahaina and just steps away from shopping, restaurants, and island activities lies a small stretch of beach known as Baby Beach. It's name derives from the fact that the water is always calm due to an offshore reef that absorbs the energy from the incoming waves and creates a kind of lagoon experience perfect for keiki to learn how to swim. This beach is not very well known by non locals which makes it a great choice for small ceremonies or morning family portrait sessions. There's a beautiful stand of coconut palms at the south end which creates a dramatic and tropical background perfect for a professional photo shoot.