The best beaches for family photos on Maui
The best beaches for family photos on Maui are the calm, golden-sand ones on the south and west shores, where the light is soft and the water is gentle enough for little kids. Here are our favorites, when to shoot each one, and how we keep your gallery looking private even on a busy beach.
Wailea Beach
The classic. A wide golden crescent on the sunny south shore, fronting the Four Seasons and Grand Wailea, with easy access and calm water. It is our most-requested Maui beach for a reason. If you are staying nearby, here is more on a Wailea family session.
Polo Beach
Just south of Wailea Beach by the Fairmont Kea Lani, Polo is quieter and a little tucked away, which makes it lovely for smaller families and anyone who wants fewer people in the background.
Mokapu and Ulua
These calm south-shore coves near the Andaz are gentle and protected, which toddlers and new walkers appreciate. Soft sand, easy footing, pretty light.
The Kihei beaches
Central, accessible, and packed with easy family beaches, the Kamaole beaches in Kihei are a practical pick if you are staying in town. Here is what a Kihei family session looks like.
Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay
Over on west Maui, Kapalua Bay and Ironwoods are calm, protected coves ringed by soft sand and greenery. They are among the prettiest spots on the island for photos, and yes, we cover west Maui too.
When to go, and what to know
We photograph at sunrise or sunset only, when the light is soft and the beaches are calmest. Parking at the popular beaches fills early, so plan ahead, and pack a non-nano mineral sunscreen, since Maui only sells the mineral kind. Our Hawaii family packing list covers the rest. You do not need to scout any of this yourself. We hold the permits and send a location guide after you book.
How we keep it looking private
Maui’s best beaches are shared. Aislinn edits every Wilde Sparrow gallery by hand, and part of that work is removing the strangers and the clutter from your final images. So even on a busy evening, your photos come back looking like you had the beach to yourselves.
Ready for Maui family photos?
Tell us where you are staying and we will match you to the right beach. Check availability for your dates. Reach out here.
Best Maui beaches for family photos: quick questions
What is the best beach for family photos on Maui?
It depends on where you are staying and your group, but Wailea Beach and Polo Beach are reliable favorites on the calm south shore. Tell us your resort and we will match you to the right spot.
Which Maui beaches are best for little kids?
The calm south-shore coves like Wailea, Polo, and Mokapu have gentle water and easy footing, which little ones handle best.
Do you photograph on west Maui?
Yes. Kapalua Bay and Napili Bay are beautiful, calm coves, and we photograph families there as well as on the south shore.
When is the best time for beach photos on Maui?
Sunrise or sunset, when the light is soft and the beaches are quietest. We send the exact timing for your date after you book.
How do you handle crowded beaches?
We time your session for the quiet light, and Aislinn removes strangers and clutter by hand in editing, so your gallery looks private even on a busy beach.
Written by Aislinn Chalker, founder of Wilde Sparrow Photography. I have photographed families on Hawaii’s beaches since 2012, our team holds more than 200 five-star reviews, and our work has been published in Click Magazine. Learn more about us.
