Perks of the South Maui Lifestyle

Maui has a wide variety of beautiful areas to suit everyone’s distinguished interests. However, as a Hawaii Life Realtor and South Kihei homeowner, I can personally validate the many perks of living in South Maui. If this is an area you are unfamiliar with or you are eager to hear about the area from a homeowner’s perspective, then I highly suggest you keep on reading.

To start, South Maui stretches from Maalaea to Makena! I will share my favorite perks, and if you have your own, I’d love for you to share! Living in South Maui, you are sure to feel like every day is a vacation.

Walkability and Activity

Wake up to feel the crisp air and birds chirping as you walk down South Kihei Road to grab a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll. Bike lanes and nicely established sidewalks line the South Maui coast! A walkability score of 11/10 creates ease for tourists and residents alike.

Walk directly from your condo to the beach in a matter of minutes, grab dinner or shave ice, or hit the Wailea Beach Path to get your fitness on while soaking up views of marine life, pristine landscaping, and some of the most world-renowned resorts!

Any interest in surfing, rollerblading, or skateboarding? Check out Kalama Park to see it all. You can even hop on a boat trip with friends or family out of Maalaea Harbor or Kihei Boat Landing!

Convenience

Living in South Maui offers an exceptional location to quickly access all necessary needs. There is no need to leave South Maui unless you are experiencing a medical emergency, you need to access the airport, or in my case… Kahului Safeway & Costco, for better gas prices.

South Kihei offers a plethora of essentials such as doctors’ offices, dentists, DMV, pharmacies, urgent care facilities, churches, gyms, schools, Ace Hardware, grocery stores, and veterinarian clinics; you name it!

If you wish to access other parts of the island, here are some approximate commute times from South Kihei so that you can gain a sense of distance:

• Maui Memorial Medical Center: 30 min
• Kahului Airport: 26 min
• Target: 22 min
• Costco: 25 min
• Front Street, Lahaina: 45 min
• Kaanapali Beach: 49 min
• Paia: 34 min
• Up Country Farmer’s Market: 34 min

Beaches

South Maui beaches are phenomenal… where do I even start. South Maui beaches typically offer public restrooms, BBQ grills, freshwater rinse showers, picnic tables, and some even provide reef-friendly sunscreen!

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Kamaole 1, 2, & 3: Three beautiful Kihei beach parks right across the street from dining, shopping, and beach gear rentals. This is one of the best spots to Stand Up Paddleboard; I recommend early in the morning before the wind picks up.
• Keawakapu
• Ulua and Mokapu
• Wailea Beach
• Polo Beach
• Maluaka (this is my all-time favorite, trust me, visit, and you’ll see why!)
• Big Beach, aka Makena Beach
• Secret Cove Beach

Diverse Home Selection

Living in South Maui gives you a vast choice of property to fit your desires perfectly. Whether you prefer the low-maintenance condo lifestyle, a stand-alone house, a neighborhood with strict HOA Requirements, or somewhere with fewer restrictions, a gated community, or maybe the oceanfront lot in Makena is the one for you; South Maui has it all.  Some wish to live right where tourism and activity exist, while others prefer a more secluded and peaceful environment. Everyone seems to find a spot that provides a unique charm to bring out the best version of themselves.

Please get in touch with me to further discuss your preferences and discover neighborhoods that best match your taste!

(June 2023 Update: Check out this beautiful new listing in a pet friendly complex in South Maui.)

Shopping

South Maui offers nearby shopping for everyone!

Want to support local? Find quaint boutiques and souvenir shops located at Rainbow Mall, Kamaole Shopping Center, or Kihei Kalama Village.

Wishing to treat yourself at Maui’s luxury outdoor mall? Check out The Shops at Wailea. With 66 stores, multiple dining options, and an open aired tropical atmosphere, The Shops at Wailea are sure to check all the boxes. Don’t let me forget to mention the extraordinary weekly events such as a Polynesian Show, Ukulele Lessons, Coconut Husking, Papa Hula, and more! These events are so fun to attend and FREE! Lastly, to top off your excellent shopping experience, grab a delicious waffle cone from the famous Lappert’s Hawaii Ice-cream, conveniently located by the Hawaii Life Office! *wink wink*

Restaurants

South Maui has plenty of casual restaurants, and numerous Wailea resorts offer the public spectacular and upscale dining experiences. I can walk out of my condo and take a 10-minute stroll down the street to multiple dining options, from Mexican to Thai to Italian cuisine! If walking is a little further than you’d prefer, I can promise you plenty of options within minutes of driving; This is especially nice when you have had a long and exhausting day at work or in the sun and wish to find somewhere nearby!

Here are my favorites:

• Best Breakfast: Kihei Cafe, Nalu’s South Shore Grill, The Beach Buzz Cafe, The Cinnamon Roll Place, Acai Bowl from Hawaiian Moon Natural Foods
• Sweet Spots: Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice, Lappert’s Hawaii Ice-Cream
• Casual: Monkey Pod, Pita Paradise, Fred’s Mexican Cafe, Manoli’s Pizza Company, 808 Deli (perfect for taking to the beach)
• Upscale: Duo, Ferraro’s, Spago, Morimoto Maui, Nick’s Fish Market, Matteo’s, Gannon’s
• Favorite bar with a view: Lehua Lounge (Call the Andaz front desk to see what evening’s live music will occur.)

Sunsets

Want to make it your goal never to miss a Maui sunset? Easy to do when you live in South Maui. From gorgeous golds, lavenders, robin egg blues, and bright terracotta, you will see a nightly masterpiece painted in the sky as the sun falls into the horizon!

Watch the sunset from:

• Sugar Beach
• Waipuilani Park
• The famous “Sunset Wall” located at Kamaole 2
• Grab your beach chairs to join the fun on the large grassy lawn of Kamaole 3 Beach Park! This tends to be a nightly tradition for many!
• Enjoy my go-to choice of the well-manicured grassy park in front of Kihei Surfside Resort. Lovely spot!
• Have a romantic sunset evening at Secret Cove Beach in Makena

Dog Friendly

South Maui is extremely dog friendly! Many pet owners will walk their dogs in the morning and evening when the temperature is cool. Have your dog on a leash and ensure to pick up after your pet. As a result, your pup will be welcome almost anywhere! With the many beaches, grassy fields, and scenic paths discussed above, your four-legged friend will be in heaven! Have your pup treated like a rockstar at Nalu’s, or go to That’s a Wrap Cafe to order you and your PET a delicious, fresh-tasting meal!

If your dog is a social butterfly, check out the spots below:

• Keonekai Park: Around 5 pm nightly,  you will see this field become a pet party! Owners mingle while their dogs run and play to get all their energy out! There is even a small swimming pool for the babies to splash around!
• Kenolio Dog Park: A well-maintained, fenced-in, and off-leash dog park. There are two areas that are intended to safely separate large and small dogs during playtime.

Want to Know More About South Maui?

I hope you enjoyed learning some of South Maui’s many benefits! Please reach out if you have any questions or comments! I am here to help with all of your Maui real estate needs!