Wailea Beach; Wailea, Maui

[Note - I've reviewed this beach before and having visited again today, I feel my previous review was too kind. Read it here.]

Wailea Beach is something of an odd creature; a picture perfect tropical beach at first glance but hides something of a sinister underbelly. Okay, maybe not ‘sinister,’ but Wailea Beach isn’t everything the hotels that flank it – The Grand Wailea, the condos at Wailea Point and The Four Seasons  – would like you to believe it is.

Wailea Beach before 9am.

At first, Wailea Beach appears to be a beautiful quarter-mile stretch of smooth sand. This is true. However, if you think this is a great place to relax, then you must be a tourist: Wailea Beach is the most tourist-trafficked beach on Maui’s south side, which is okay if that’s your thing. Wailea Beach is a perfectly good spot to be crowded alongside other tourists and play in the typically soft waves that lap the shore here. It’s also a good place for novice snorkelers who are afraid of the water to practice, novice divers making their first dive, and novice stand-up paddleboarders eager to run over the former two groups of novices.

What ruins Wailea Beach besides the tourists, at least for me, is the ocean off of beach; it’s polluted, clear at shore but murky beyond 100 feet, has terrible coral growth and hardly any fish when compared to almost every other beach on Maui. Much of this has to do with the number of tourists spraying sunscreen on and then running right into the ocean, to say nothing of the run off from the development right on shore. With the ocean being no good here, is there really any reason to go to Wailea Beach?

The people watching can be good; it’s a little bit like watching zoo animals

Don't fall into the gorilla's cage!

who think they’ve been freed run amok. You can even people watch from afar as there is a nice grassy hill between the beach and its public beach parking access hardly anyone uses. Other than that, I don’t feel as though Wailea Beach has many redeeming qualities. You may have to travel further afield if you want to hit a better beach, though I will warn you that Polo Beach – a little further to the south along the Wailea beach path – is actually a worse beach than this one. Oh well, it’s the price you’ve paid too much for convenience. 

PS - Have you heard about the shark attacks here? No? Yeah, the hotels and tourist industry try to keep that kind of stuff under wraps...

Parking: Public Parking is the very next right after passing the Grand Wailea's parking area. There is limited spaces up front closer to the beach but there is overflow parking which will take you an extra -gasp!- minute or two to walk from. 

Secret Hike, Maui

My buddy and I went on a hike the other day that was quite enjoyable. I could tell you where it is but given the recent crackdown on hikers in Hawaii lately*, the most I can tell you is that it is along Hana Highway between mile markers 1 and 40 and may or may not be end at O’Opuola Point. It is a place apparently only locals know or will tell you the location of when they are plied with enough alcohol and pizza. I’ve heard of it referred to as the “Huka to the Puka” hike and “Puka Hike” but since there is virtually no info on this besides some Youtube videos, the designation is clearly made up, no doubt named by stoners who got lost in these parts. (The resulting trail was worn by their attempts to get back to Hana Highway, which they would have easily found had they headed in the opposite direction from the ocean. That’s my guess.)

[* “Too many” hikers are getting hurt or dying on hikes on private and government land, thus prompting law enforcement to act. Nevermind that way more people die just driving around here, or get bit by a shark, or die swimming/snorkeling, or get hurt stepping on sea urchins. Nevermind there is inherent risk every time you leave your house. Go after the hikers. That’ll teach everyone!]

At any rate, the trailhead – marked by any one of a million nondescript gates in the area – takes you through about 20 minutes of low lying jungle branches before opening up to a view of a rocky outcropping and a small rocky beach in a valley below to your right. There is a spur trail that apparently leads down to that beach, but

my buddy and I did not explore it this day. (You can’t see that beach in my video here, but it’s there.) As we neared the rocky outcropping, the terrain gets steeper and ropes are involved. The rope work here makes the Chutes and Ladders rope climb look like child’s play and if you don’t have decent upper body strength, climbing back out – especially near the bottom near the exposed lava rocks – is going to be a minor headache. (The ropes, mind you, are exposed to the elements out this way and are a bit rough on the hands, so you might want to take gloves.) Fortunately, it was dry this day and the ground cooperated. Frankly, I cannot see doing this hike in wet conditions due to the steepness of some of the trail and many exposed plant roots, to say nothing of dealing with wet rocks if you’re not wearing water shoes. I was not this go ‘round.

When we got to the bottom, we worked our way towards the left and around the corner to a sea cave. If the

surf is not up, you can swim across the ‘channel’ to the other side. I have seen a video in which some young men swam into the cave and were jumping off the rock therein and, no surprise, someone had to be medi-choppered out. Don’t be stupid; respect the ocean or something will go wrong. If you do elect to swim across the ‘channel,’ there are olivine pools and a very cool lava archway around the bend to the left. There is another beach you can see from the archway, but it doesn’t look as inviting as the first one I mentioned.

Having gone early, my buddy and I had the place all to ourselves though on the hike out we did run into some more people, evidence of the trail’s growing popularity. I hope they had fun and no one got hurt. And remember, pack it in, pack it out. Respect the land. Aloha.

Wailea Beach, South Maui

Wailea Beach is a long and wide stretch of soft sand nestled between the Four Seasons and the Grande Wailea in Wailea, south Maui. Whether or not you think this is a good beach depends upon what activities you have in mind. This beach is a great location for sitting and soaking up the sun, playing in the waves thanks to the sandy bottom that extends yards into the water, playing with a ball in the waves, and people watching. If you so desired, there is even enough room in the early hours to set up a volleyball net between the resorts. If you like easily accessible beaches where you can sit or build sand castles in fine, velvety sand, Wailea Beach is a good choice. However, if you are looking for good snorkeling or diving, you may want to seek out another beach.

A view of the south end of the beach.

As Wailea Beach fronts two prominent hotels, the beach and surf can get crowded fast. The beach serves as a popular place for touring kayakers, canoers, and paddle-boarders (SUPs) to shove off. The waves here tend to be somewhat more prone to strong currents than other south Maui beaches. This appears to be the effect of each end of the beach's rocky points being more flat than pointy, as is the case at many other beaches where the arrangement of a beach’s rocky points serve to protect you from currents. This aside, another strike against Wailea Beach is that I have not found the variety of fish or as many turtles as other nearby beaches. The coral is terribly beat up here as well, which I suspect is due to waste run-off from the hotels. The south end of the beach (your left if looking out to sea) features an extensive field of this coral and the water tends to be calmer on this side. Problem is, you have to swim at least 100 yards away from shore to see any remotely colorful coral. The north end of the beach does not have as much coral, which will cause you to stay near the rocky shoreline where the surf is typically rougher. However, if you follow the right side north towards Ulua beach, the water may get rougher but you will be rewarded when you spot the Turtle Town amid the better coral hugging this edge. Overall, this makes the snorkeling better at the north side of the beach as long as you are comfortable snorkeling; if so, attempting to swim in this direction shouldn't be too challenging.

If you don’t mind crowds, I’d say Wailea Beach is a perfectly respectable beach if you don’t want to stray far from your nearby resort, though I contend that there are better beaches a five-to-ten minute car ride away. I would beware of reviews of Wailea Beach that say the snorkeling and diving are fantastic or that this beach is uncrowded; these observations have never been true in my experience. There is a hill behind the south end of the beach near the public parking area that is good spot for a picnic since you can easily spot whales during whale season, or you can just watch the strange characters that walk by on the beach path. If you want to take a walk, the Wailea Beach path is easily accessible from either end of the beach. There are no lifeguards here but the gentlemen staffing the cabanas and activities booth are surely able to help in an emergency. Finally, there is a bathroom facility and rinsing area at the south end of the beach by the public parking lot.

Looking north onto Wailea Beach from the beach path.

Directions

Drive south on Wailea Alanui until you pass the Grande Wailea. The first right past the Grand Wailea is the public access parking lot. If you don’t see any parking in the lower lot, there is a large parking lot hidden to the right after you've made your initial right turn and descended towards the parking lot. Conversely, if you find no parking in the lower lot, the hidden parking lot will be on your left as if you were going to leave the parking lot. If you're driving south and you see the Four Seasons, you've driven past the public parking lot.

Looking south onto Wailea Beach from the beach path.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in Maui

When it comes to getting out and paddling around on the water, your two main options are kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (or SUP for short). I strongly prefer SUP for a variety of reason: First, SUP gives you more of a full-body workout as opposed to just the upper body when you kayak. Second, getting into and out of the water with an SUP when you want to snorkel or swim is much easier than it is with a kayak. Third, you get better views of the land when you’re standing up, as opposed to sitting down in a kayak. (You also have a better view of what is beneath you on an SUP.) Fourth, it's easier to lie down and get some sun on an SUP. If there are any advantages to ocean kayaking, I would say it is easier to keep any gear you have with you dry and it is an easier vessel not to fall off or out of. Kayaks are also generally faster, though long SUP boards can be fast if you have the strength to paddle these heavier boards up to speed. Short SUP boards are more maneuverable than their larger brethren due to their size and lower weight, but are more difficult to balance on and require more strokes to go the same distance a longer board goes under similar power. Short and/or skinny SUP boards are generally for the more advanced stand-up paddleboarder. Here in Maui, your only option is to SUP on the ocean which is a little different than on a lake. Here are some tips on choosing a board, how to paddle, and which locations off the Maui coastline are best for SUP.

Headed south from Kam I, Kihei.

Your first concern when choosing to SUP is whether you will be able to stand and maintain your balance. If you suspect or know you have poor balance, opt for a board that is at least 30” wide and 10’ long. The longer and/or wider a board, the more stable it will be for you. Note that the downside to this is that such boards are heavier and will not be as easy to carry. Also make sure your board has traction foam on top or you’re going to slip right off your SUP unless you’re wearing non-slip rubber boots. Your paddle itself should be approximately six inches taller than you and float if dropped in the water (though, I don’t know of any retailer or rental agency that would give you a non-floating paddle). At the end of the board should be a leash which attaches to your ankle so that if you fall, the board doesn’t get away from you. There should also be a hand hole in the middle of the board’s top for carrying the board by hand. (If not, carrying a board around just became a two person operation.) Last, if you are not a strong swimmer or think you are going to fall a lot, you may want to wear a life vest or other floatation device, though most people don’t paddle out far enough for this to be a huge safety issue.

Next is getting the board onto the water. Observe conditions; if the water looks too rough to enter, wait and see if the waves are just coming in sets and put the board in the water when the waves calm down. [Keep in mind that as general rule, the surf is usually rougher in south Maui in the summer while the west and north sides of the island are calmer, and vice versa in the winter.] When you put the board on the water, guide it out until you are in at least knee deep water before getting on. When you get on, do not stand up right away. Get onto the board in a kneeling position as you push the board toward open water and begin quick, short strokes to get yourself past any breaking waves as quickly as possible. Once you’ve cleared any shore break and the water is a little flatter, you will want to put your hands forward on the board (paddle across the front of your body in your hands) and “hop” into a standing position in the center of the board, legs shoulder width apart. If you try to stand one leg at a time, standing will be much more difficult. If you are too forward on the board, the rear of the board will rise. If you are too far back, the front of the board will rise. Also, keep your head up and looking out towards the horizon. One of the main reasons people fall is because they are looking at their feet. Looking towards the horizon stabilizes you.

That's not me.

It’s time to put your paddle in the water and start paddling. First, keep in mind that your top hand is going to provide the power and your bottom hand is going to help guide the stroke. Keeping the paddle’s angle facing forward/away from you, stick the entire end of the paddle into the water so that your top hand begins the stroke parallel to the water. Your hands should be as far apart as is comfortable. It may be tempting to hold your hands close together, but this will result in a weaker stroke. Also, keep your knees a little bent; this will help you generate power from your stronger back muscles than your weaker arm muscles (plus, keeping your knees straight will only help you pull yourself off the board). Follow through with the stroke as far as is comfortable. If you fall off, get back on and try bending your knees more; if you have a high center of gravity, falling off an SUP more is to be expected. Regarding steering, rowing on the right side will turn you towards the left and rowing on the left will turn you towards the right. You want to paddle on both sides to go straight, though currents and wind conditions often influence just how much you paddle on any given side. I’ve been in situations where I’ve been paddling on my right side due to the current only to turn around, have the wind change direction, and find myself still paddling continuously on the right side! You can also steer by dragging your paddle in the water, which will turn you toward the side you are dragging the paddle on. If the wind kicks up, as it often does in the afternoons, you may have to return to a kneeling position so that stronger winds don’t blow you out to sea. (You can also lie down and paddle with your hands in a dire situation.) If the waves get too bumpy when you are out on the water, try to remember that keeping the front of your board perpendicular to the waves is a much more stable option than being parallel to the waves.

As for the particulars when it comes to SUP-ing around Maui: Cove Beach at Kalama Beach Park in Kihei is almost a beginner’s paradise, where the shore break is small and there are two SUP rental companies directly across the street (Maui Wave Riders and The Surf Shack). There are some rocks near shore but nothing too bad unless you try to launch or come in at the boat ramp a little bit to the north of the beach itself. From Cove Beach you can either go north towards Maalaea Harbor (once you’ve gone out far enough to navigate the shallow coral) and see lots of turtles or south towards the Kam beaches where the surf tends to be smoother further out. On the west side of the island, Launlopoko Beach Park is considered a good place to launch from, though I think that if you head north from this location there is too much boat traffic and other water activities going on to suit my tastes. Further north, Kapalua Bay is way too small for all the SUP activity that goes on there and I consider it a safety hazard. Other areas you should avoid include Maalaea Harbor due boat traffic and the high winds that travel south between Haleakala and the West Maui Mountain. High winds are also a concern when it comes to La Perouse Bay. High winds and unpredictable surf are a concern for the north, north-eastern, and east shores of Maui as weather usually approaches the island from this direction. While there is no limit as to how far you should go out on the water, keep in mind that currents and wind patterns can change quickly. Until you’ve built up some experience, I would suggest staying under 700 yards off shore.

The wife, taking a break.

There is some “surf etiquette” to keep in mind while on the water. First, respect the wildlife; give turtles and whales plenty of room to maneuver (by law it is 100 yards for whales). Second, slow down, steer around, or stop for snorkelers; they cannot see you nearly as well as you can see them. Third, give surfers plenty of room. Frankly, they seem to hate paddleboarders for some reason, probably because many beginner SUP-ers try to ride their waves when finished for the day. Lastly, fast moving boats should slow down or give you a wide berth if they approach, but you surely cannot always count on this so prepare to be rocked in their wake.

When coming in for a “landing” as I call it, choose a non-rocky area where the waves are breaking the least. Paddling with the incoming waves can be fun as you get propelled forward quickly, but try to get off the board when you are in waist deep water and guide the board in for safety. And don’t get distracted by any big blue fish you see in the water when landing. Getting distracted during landing can result in getting run over by your board in knee deep water, as I quickly learned hurt my pride as much as my head. Pick up your board and carry it onto the beach as quickly as possible so that the shore break doesn’t make getting the board out of the water any tougher than it has to be. Overall, SUP is a little more challenging than kayaking but I find it more rewarding. I hope you do, too. See you in the water!

Kamaole Beach I, II, II

Kamaole Beach I, panoramic view

Kamaole Beach in South Kihei is actually three beaches separated by rocky points. Kamaole Beach I – the northern most beach – is the best of the three, given its length and width. Kam I is also the best of the three beaches for snorkeling where either end is good though the northern point is slightly better in terms of coral. To be frank, though, I generally do not like snorkeling the northern end of the beach (which is also known as Charley Young Beach for reasons I don’t understand since it’s technically the same beach…). That is because locals often fish from the rocky area on the north end of the beach and I get nervous about getting caught in their lines. Although I’ve never heard of that happening, I’d just a soon not be their first human catch-of-the-day. Kam I has a parking lot right off the road on the beach side but this parking lot is small and fills up quickly. Chances are you’ll either have to park on the street or in the dirt patch across the road. Either way, you’re still very close to the beach. And, if you get hungry or need a drink, there is an ABC store right (convenience store) across the road at the Chevron gas station.

Kamaole Beach II, north looking south

Kam II is a different story. It’s much shorter than either Kam I (but still bigger than Kam III) and doesn’t have any personality in my opinion. The rocky point on the south side of the beach is still good for snorkeling but that I think is all Kam II has going for it. That and Fred’s restaurant/Moose McGillycuddy’s bar is right across the road, if that can be considered a good thing. There is no parking here other than road side parking.

Kam III is okay but this less protected beach (due to the less pointy rocky ends) makes it prone to stronger currents than its companion beaches. As such, it’s not as good for snorkeling but is better for boogie boarding when the surf is a little up. Kam III is instead defined by its large lawn towards its south end, making it a good place for a picnic or to toss a ball or Frisbee around. It’s not uncommon to see locals holding huge birthday parties here. On weekends, you’ll almost always see a bouncy castle for the kids here, as well as the Maui “wrestling club” wrestling early in the morning, and a prayer service on Sunday mornings. [I admit I have always secretly wanted to get in on the wrestling action but am rightly afraid the locals will kick my ass with prejudice. For me then, the prayer service should be held before the wrestling group meets.] As with Kam II, there is only road side parking here.

Kamaole Beach III, panoramic view

What I like about the Kam beaches collectively is that because it’s all vacation rentals and locals in this area, you don’t get the snootiness that sometimes rears its head down in Wailea. The Kam beaches are also better for sunsets than the Wailea area beaches since you get a better look at Molokini due to the angle of these beaches and you get a better look at whales during whale season from the Kams. Although all three beaches are very close to the road, you rarely hear the traffic. When you do, it’s usually because you’re at Kam II.

All three Kamaole beaches have lifeguards and bathroom facilities.

DIRECTIONS: Right off South Kihei Road between the Chervon gas station and the Kihei Boat Ramp. Can’t miss ‘em.

Keawanaku Beach, South Maui

This is a beach in south Maui hidden south of the lava fields of La Perouse Bay. It is sometimes referred to as ‘Death Beach’ by my wife due to the large, dead, bleached pieces of coral that she thinks looks like skulls against the beach’s black and green sand. It’s very secluded here; not many people visit this beach since it’s only accessible by hiking in or by boat. The people who do go here usually appear later in the day it seems. I’ve been to this beach at least half a dozen times and have only seen a small handful of people in the morning hours, when is when I usually go (since the winds really pick up around La Perouse Bay after 10am or so). Chances are if you come here early, you’ll be by yourself. That can be a good thing or bad thing – good if you just want to sit quietly in the sun or shade of the trees, or bad if you try to swim here. Fact is, of all the times I’ve been here I’ve only seen the water calm enough to enter once. Unfortunately, I did not have my snorkel gear with me. Too bad, because the underwater topography and fish you can see from up on the rocks to the left side of the beach look like it would make for amazing snorkeling. The right side, though, I wouldn’t go near even if the water was calm seeing how one rogue wave would smash you against the jagged rocks. (The wave action tends to push water into the rocks on the right and drives that energy across the beach – not safe! And, if you get in trouble out here, help is a long ways off.) Still, I love going to this beach since it is quiet and secluded and even mostly protected from the trade winds that blow through this area 99% of the time. If you want to see a nice slide show video of this beach, click here for Hawaiian O’Brian’s site.

 

Directions: From La Perouse Bay, hike along the shore to the south/left. You’ll eventually come to a lava field where ahead of you, you will see some trees WHICH IS NOT KEAWANAKU and a rock wall on your left. Turn left through the wall before you walk into that tree-y area (which hides its own rocky beach, fyi) and about 100 feet in turn right at the sign so that you’re on Hoapili Trail/King’s Highway. This rocky ‘highway’ can have loose footing but believe me, it’s nothing compared to walking through the lava field itself. (You did bring footwear you don’t care about, right?) Go about .75 miles on this trail and to your right you’ll see the beach. You can’t miss it; it’s an oasis in the lava field. Turn right on one of the worn paths to the beach. Oh, one more thing, BRING WATER and maybe some food. There ain’t no civilization out this way.

Ulea Beach and Mokapu Beach, South Maui

Ulea Beach and Mokapu Beach: (It’s really just one beach separated by a few trees and a bit of lava) I’ve somehow managed to miss visiting this beach until late 2012. I didn’t know what I was missing! This is a fantastic beach that fronts several luxury condos in the Wailea area. At about a quarter mile long featuring good views of Molokini and Lanai, the swimming here is fantastic, particularly in the middle of the beach where it is sandy and as long as you stay within the confines of the rocky points. The snorkeling is great, too; both ends feature beautiful coral and a high fish count. Now, I’ve heard people argue that the north end of the beach is better for snorkeling but personally I’ve had better luck finding turtles and eels around the rocky point to the south. I have also found that the further out you go, the stronger the current and wave action is at this beach, though I don’t know why that would be. (Most south Maui surf is pretty safe most of the time. I don’t know what’s different here.) The north end of the beach is popular with divers, so be aware of that if deciding to set up camp at this end. As for the little spit of sand called Mokapu Beach on the north side of Ulua Beach, I can’t say that I find it is anything to talk about other than it connects you to Keawakapu Beach if you want to take about a mile long walk along the beach(es). There is another walkway above the beach, a paved path that extends past this beach north to the southern end of Keawakapu Beach and south going past the Grand Wailea to the Fairmont Kea Lani. This path, known as the Wailea Beach Path, is about 1.5 miles from end to end.

I will inform you that this beach gets crowded, especially on the weekends. Now keep in mind that this beach has only one small parking lot for its public access. So if you want to come here from outside Wailea you’ll want to get here by nine in the am to snag a spot. From the parking lot then, it’s a short walk to the beach. There’s a rinse off area and restrooms between the parking lot and beach but there are no lifeguards here.

Driving directions: Drive south on Wailea Alanui Drive. Make your first left past all the construction for the Andaz hotel (still under construction as of Jan. 2013). Welcome to Ulea Beach’s small parking lot. If you see the Shops at Wailea, you’ve gone past the parking lot. If driving north on Wailea Alanui Drive, it’ll be your second beyond the Shops at Wailea. 

Maluaka Beach, South Maui

Maluaka Beach, south end looking north

Maluaka Beach is without a doubt, one of my favorite beaches in the world. Sometimes called Makena Beach – which is incorrect; Makena Beach aka Big Beach is further south – is a nice stretch of white sand that fronts the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. I like this beach because during the week it’s usually not crowded at all and as such, is generally quieter than most Maui beaches. Yes, sometimes a snorkel tour boat roars and lands itself smack dab in the middle of the beach to pick tourists up, but that’s usually as loud as it gets. And of course, the earlier you get to this beach the quieter it is. (Get there before 10am and there’s hardly anyone ever here.) This beach has a small amount of shade on its south end where a tree shadows a lawn overlooking the beach and has a small cluster of trees shadowing the rocky point at the north end.

What’s best about this beach is the snorkeling; it’s simply great for beginners and intermediates. The water is usually tame here unless the trade winds are kicking or it has just rained, which can make the water murky. As with any beach, the surf can be a little cloudy near shore anyway but usually the further you go out, the clearer the water becomes. As a snorkeler, you’ll want to head to either end of the beach’s rocky points, though I feel the south end of the beach is way better in terms of coral and the chance to see turtles (which is not to say the north end of the beach is not worth snorkeling). But, if the water is too rough for snorkeling and you still want to splash around, just grab your boogie board. I never go to the beach without one, even if I just use it to sit on or put my gear on.

Lastly, since the ocean is usually agreeable in south Maui, particularly in the winter months, the waters down this way are good for kayaking and paddleboarding. You can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards from the activities kiosk near the south end of the beach, but it’s much cheaper to rent gear from places like Maui Dive Shop, Snorkel Bob’s or Boss Frog’s and bring those items yourself.

Oh, I almost forgot! If you want to explore a bit, walk the rocky shoreline towards the south and you’ll find a black sand beach. If you’re thinking about going up and over that red hill you see here (Pu'u Olai), keep in mind two things 1) The slopes are very steep on this side of the hill and 2) on the other side of the hill is Little Beach, where nudists frolic. You’ve been warned!

Maluaka Beach, north end looking south

Driving directions: Assuming you’re not staying at Makena Beach and Golf Resort, drive south on Wailea Alanui Drive. If you want to go to the north end of the beach, veer to the right onto Makena Road. [If you miss the turn you can turn right on to Honoiki Rd, then left onto Makena Road.] When you see Keawalai Congretional Church on your right, immediately past that you will see a parking lot on the left. Parking is free and there are restrooms here. Then, keep walking down the road a few hundred feet until you see the beach access on your right. [Note: If bringing a lot of gear to the beach, you may want to drive to the access point and drop the stuff off with whomever you came to the beach with.] If you want to go to the south end of the beach, you can actually keep walking down the road until you get to a paved path that crosses in front of the hotel, or drive to the other end (recommended). To do that, go past the initial right onto Makena Road and take the next right onto Makena Road, which is past several roadside vendors. This road will take you to another free parking lot which you will see on your right, or there are a few slanted parking spaces near the turn around point a few feet further on. Walk the path toward the hotel, then turn left when you see the beach. There are restrooms at the entrance to the beach, too.