6 Popular Nude Beaches in Hawaii (You Must Visit)
Most people associate Hawaii with the most beautiful and the most serene beaches, and with good reason. The beaches are what attract approximately 10 million visitors to Hawaii each year.
One fact that many people aren’t aware of about Hawaii’s beaches is that not all their beaches are traditional. Hawaii has quite a rich nude beach history, and there are some popular clothing-optional beaches in the state of Hawaii.
These beaches are popular in the “Aloha State,” and many of the millions of annual visitors spend time enjoying these beaches where they’re allowed to fully disrobe and take in the sun
There are many reasons why people enjoy visiting nude beaches, but one of the most popular reasons is because of the feeling of freeness that is felt. Most nude beaches are full of very welcoming people who refrain from judging the bodies of other people. Therefore, you will see people at nude beaches with imperfect bodies, but it doesn’t matter.
Nude beaches often help these people feel better about themselves because they can walk around naked without fear of being ridiculed. If you’re going to be visiting Hawaii soon and want to experience some of its nude beaches, here is an overview of the best nude beaches in Hawaii. This guide will provide you with directions to these beaches, dos and don’ts, amenities, and much more.
1. Little Beach (Wailea)
Located adjacent to Makena State Park, Little Beach is one of the best nude beaches in Hawaii. In fact, it’s been referred to as Maui’s most famous nude beach. Locals and visitors alike have been enjoying this wonderful beach for years, and it got its name because it’s located right next to Big Beach, which is several times larger than Little Beach. Despite its small size, you shouldn’t underestimate its magic. You must visit this beach for yourself to fully understand exactly how amazing it is.
Hours of Operation for the State Park:
5 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Little Beach closes at 7 p.m. on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends.
How to Get to Little Beach
Little Beach is located at:
Wailea Alanui Dr, Wailea, HI 96753
(808) 276-8002
Taking a bus to Little Beach is possible, but the last bus stop is 4 miles away from the beach. This would require you to take an Uber, Lyft, or taxi the remainder of the way.
Driving there is easy, and once you arrive, there’s plenty of parking. Little Beach is considered to be a hidden gem, and one of the reasons it’s a clothing-optional beach is because of its complete seclusion. Big Beach is a traditional beach that is also located inside Makena State Park, and you must follow a 0.3-mile trail from the parking lot of Big Beach to get to Little Beach. The trail is somewhat rugged, so it’s important to wear sturdy and supportive shoes.
Food and Beverages
If you plan on staying for an extended period, you will want to bring your own food and beverages, as Little Beach has no concessions or restaurants.
Amenities
Once you leave Big Beach and crossover to Little Beach, there are no amenities. This includes restrooms, lifeguards, concessions, etc. So, if you need to use the facilities or go to your car for some reason, you must make the short 0.3-mile trek back to Big Beach. Amenities while at Big Beach are:
- Parking
- Lifeguard
- Picnic area with tables
- Restrooms (port-a-potties)
- Concessions
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Little Beach is at Sunset because that’s when crowds tend to die down.
Dos & Don’ts
- Do expect to pay admission to gain entry into the state park: $10 per car and $5 per person (non-residents)
- Do respect the privacy of others by not gawking
- Do practice safety and common sense, as there are no lifeguards on Little Beach
- Do keep in mind that Little Beach is an “unofficial” clothing-optional beach. Authorities are aware of what’s going on, but public nudity is not legal in Hawaii
2. Kehena Beach (Clothing Optional)
Kehena Beach is another clothing-optional beach Hawaii has. Located on the coast of Puna, Kehena Beach is a natural-made nudist retreat. Though public nudity hasn’t been legalized in Hawaii, an earthquake in the 70s rendered this beach quite difficult to reach. As a result, naturists who aren’t intimidated by the challenging trek to reach the beach have claimed it as their private nude sunbathing oasis.
Hours of Operation
24 hours a day
Getting to Kehena Beach
Kehena Beach is located at:
HI-137, Pahoa, HI 96778
Driving to the beach is relatively easy, and there is a small parking lot available. There is public transportation in the area, but no bus or train will take you the entire way to Kehena Beach. You must get a taxi or Uber to take you the rest of the way.
Once you arrive in the area, there is still a trail that you must take to reach the ocean. The steep, hilly trail consists of many sharp rocks, and when they’re wet, it can get slippery, making the trek even more dangerous. While the walk to reach the ocean is pretty intimidating, most people feel it’s very much worth it once they reach the ocean.
Food & Beverages
You must take all your food and drinks when visiting Kehena Beach because it’s so secluded and private that there are no food trucks or concessions available.
Amenities
There are no amenities available at Kehena Beach, due to its location, but most visitors and locals don’t mind.
The Best Time to Visit
Weekdays are typically the best time to visit Kehena Beach if you want a crowd-free experience, as weekends are quite busy.
Dos & Don’ts
There are no posted Dos and Don’ts for this beach, but keep this one “do” in mind:
- Do practice safety and common sense when using the trail to reach the beach. You could fall to your death
3. Polo Beach
This is yet another wonderful place to go nude sunbathing in Hawaii. Polo Beach is popular for many reasons, and the main reason is the fact that it’s a clean, well-maintained beach with two separate parts of the beach: the main part is for “regular” beachgoers, and the more remote section of the beach is for the clothing-optional lovers.
Polo Beach offers many convenient amenities, and it’s quite private, making it easy for beachgoers to enjoy themselves while in the nude. Restrooms and the parking lot are located a short walk away from the non-clothing optional section of the beach. Polo Beach is somewhat smaller than many other beaches in Hawaii, but it’s no less enjoyable or beautiful.
Getting to Polo Beach
Polo Beach is located at:
Waialua, Hawaii 96
It’s easy to drive to Polo Beach, and once you get there, you can either park in the parking lot or on the side of the road and then take the trail to the beach area. To get to the nude beach area, there will be a path that you need to take north for about 1/8 of a mile.
If you aren’t driving, there are several hotels nearby that may offer shuttle service to and from the beach.
Hours of Operation
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Food & Beverages
Unless you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels where there are restaurants and stores, you should take your food and drinks, as there are no on-beach concessions or food trucks.
Amenities
- Shaded parking
- Restrooms
- Showers
- An upscale resort with condos
- Picnic areas with tables
- Concessions (inside nearby hotels)
The Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Polo Beach is early in the morning because the later it gets, the more crowded it is.
Dos and Don’ts
While there aren’t any posted rules or dos and don’ts for this beach, you should follow common rules that apply to any clothing-optional beach.
- Don’t stare at others and make them feel uncomfortable
- Don’t engage in any behavior that could be considered sexually inappropriate, or you could get arrested
- Do refrain from leaving valuables in your car due to the high number of thefts in the area
- Do wear sunscreen (reef safe) because there is full sun
4. Donkey Beach (Clothing Optional)
Donkey Beach is another lovely clothing-optional beach Hawaii has, and it has some pretty unique features. Many people rave about the sand and the overall beauty of the beach, but it’s not the best choice for swimming. The waves are very rough, which is why conditions aren’t ideal for snorkeling or swimming. Donkey Beach got its name because donkeys and burros were used in the past to transport cane to fields.
Getting to Donkey Beach
Donkey Beach is located at:
Kapa’a, HI, United States, 96746
To get to Donkey Beach, you should take Highway 56 N toward Anahola. Parking is available at mile marker # 12, then there will be a ten-minute walk to the beach.
People either drive or bike to Donkey Beach, and there are plenty of bike rentals available in the area. No bus or train goes to Donkey Beach.
Once you arrive at the parking lot, there is a pretty steep downward trail that needs to be taken to reach the beach area. Once many people see the trail, some leave. However, if you’re careful, you can reach the bottom in about 10 minutes or so, where you will experience paradise.
Food & Beverages
There are no concessions available, so be sure to bring your food and drinks if you plan to visit long.
Amenities
- Parking
- Restrooms near the parking lot – To use the restroom from the beach, you must climb up the steep trail
Hours of Operation
There are no posted hours, so you can visit Donkey Beach whenever you’d like.
The Best Time to Visit
Since the trail to reach Donkey Beach is so steep and potentially dangerous, not many people visit the area. This is one of the reasons why it became a clothing-optional beach, because of its secluded and hard-to-reach location. Therefore, any time is good to visit this beach.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do practice safety when walking to the beach
- Do bring and use plenty of sunscreen, as there is no shade available
- Don’t wear flip-flops or swim shoes on the trail to reach the beach. You need shoes with support
5. Beach 67 (Unofficial Nude Beach)
Naturists absolutely adore this beach, despite the fact that it’s not an official nude beach. Beach 67 is located close to another beach, Beach 69. Beach 69 is more of a family-oriented beach, and it’s not uncommon for people from Beach 69 to call the authorities if they happen to notice people in the nude at Beach 67, so be cautious if you plan to visit Beach 67 and sunbathe or swim in the nude. It’s a good idea to have a coverup nearby in case authorities do happen to come while you’re visiting.
Getting to Beach 67
Beach 67 is located at:
Old Puako Rd, Kamuela, HI 96743
(808) 464-0840
The beach is particularly difficult to access, but once you arrive, there are two easy entrances to Beach 67, and it only takes a minute or so to reach the beach from the parking lot. People drive to Beach 67 or bike. There are no buses or trains available to take you to the beach.
Food and Drinks
Beach 67 is very remote, and there are no restaurants, concession stands, or food trucks nearby. Therefore, plan accordingly and take food and drinks if you know you’ll be there for a while.
Amenities
- Parking
Amenities at the nearby beach, Beach 69 are:
- Showers
- Restrooms
- A few picnic tables
- Natural shade
Entry fees
Parking ($10 per vehicle fee)
$5 entry fee for non-Hawaiian residents
The Best Time to Visit
Beach 67 (and 69) are pretty busy in the afternoon, so the best time to visit is during the morning hours. During the morning hours, the water is at its calmest, and visibility is amazing.
Hours of Operation
7 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
Dos and Don’ts
- Do remember that this beach is not private, nor is it an official clothing-optional beach
- Respect others
- Do remain on the “67” side If you choose to enjoy being in the nude
- Don’t go to the other beach (69) without clothing, or you could face arrest
6. Makalawena Beach (Unofficial Nude Beach)
Located on the Big Island, Makalawena Beach is an unofficial nudist haven because it can’t be accessed by car. For this reason, this gorgeous beach that is full of white sand is often secluded, making it the perfect place to frolic around in the sand and the water without wearing a stitch. This is a beach that you want to visit if you’re up for a long, rugged hike. There are two trails available, one is 4 miles roundtrip, and the other is 2.2 miles roundtrip.
Getting to Makalawena Beach
Makalawena Beach is located at:
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Again, there is no road access to Makalawena Beach, so you must take a long hike or use an off-road vehicle to get there. To take trailhead #1: Take Hwy. 19 north of Kailua-Kona and Kona International Airport. There is a dirt road located just south of the paved road to Kua Bay. This is the road you need to take to reach Makalawena Beach.
The road is located between mile markers 88 and 89. If you’re on a 2-wheel drive vehicle, parking is available just off the highway before the terrain becomes very rough. If you’re riding a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you can continue for another 1.6 miles of extremely rough terrain.
You will know you’ve arrived when you reach a gate and a small parking area. This area is located just north of Makalawena Beach. Of course, you could also walk to the beach using this trail, but be prepared for an intense hike. The path is pretty level, despite its roughness, which should make walking somewhat easier.
To take trailhead # 2:
This route is a lot easier, but good hiking boots and some stamina and endurance are still required. Take Hwy. 19 north of Kailua-Kona and Kona International Airport. Look for the road to Mahai’ula Bay between the 90 and 91-mile markers. This route includes picnic tables and restrooms. The only reason anyone would take the other route instead is if they’re in prime physical condition and seeking a challenge.
Food & Beverages
Due to the extreme remoteness of Makakalawena Beach, there are no restaurants, concessions, or food trucks available. Although Trailhead 2 has a restroom, there is no water available for drinking.
Hours of Operation
24 hours
Amenities
- Parking at Trailhead # 2
- Restrooms at Trailhead # 2
The Best Time to Visit
There are no best or worst times to visit this beach, and there are no posted hours. So, anytime you want to make the hike there and back is a good time to visit.
Dos and Don’ts
- Do take any trash with you upon leaving
- Do swim if the water is calm
- Do practice typical safety skills during your hike and while enjoying the beach
- Don’t forget your sunscreen, as there is usually full sun, although the palm trees at the beach do offer some shade
So, if you’ve been to some of the naked beaches in Florida, you must visit some of these nude beaches in Hawaii. There’s just something magical about playing in the sand and swimming without wearing a stitch of clothing. It can be very liberating, freeing, and amazing to the people who are brave enough to experience it.
