Maui, Hawaii
Paia Secret Beach
Paia Secret Beach is a small clothing-optional cove on Maui's North Shore, tucked between Paia Bay and Baldwin Cove.
- Lesser Known
- Local Favorite
About this place
Paia Secret Beach is a small clothing-optional cove on Maui's North Shore, tucked between Paia Bay and Baldwin Cove. It's the quieter sibling to the public-park beaches on either side — most casual visitors never realize it's there. The sand is soft, the swell is North Shore-typical (bigger in winter, more swimmable in summer), and the cove is small enough that you'll usually see only a handful of other beachgoers on any given day.
This isn't a destination beach — it's a local-knowledge spot. The clothing-optional convention has been established for decades on the Kahului-side end of the beach; the Paia-side end (near the old World War II pillbox) is generally treated as clothing-expected. Like most Maui clothing-optional beaches, the practice is tolerated rather than officially sanctioned — Hawaii state law technically prohibits public nudity, but enforcement at this beach has been minimal for years.
The crowd is mostly Maui locals, some long-term visitors, and the occasional curious traveler who's followed the directions. Weekday mornings are quietest. There are no facilities, no lifeguards, and no signage indicating clothing-optional use — you have to know what you're looking for. The wooded approach from Paia Bay keeps the casual foot traffic out, which is part of the appeal.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Mostly Maui locals — North Shore residents who walk over from Paia town, long-term visitors who've learned the spot, and a few clued-in travelers. Weekend mornings see a handful of regulars. Local families occasionally fish from the rocks at the east end. It rarely draws crowds even in peak tourist season — the access is just inconvenient enough to filter.
How to find it
Park at Paia Bay (the main public lot at Paia Bay Park, between the highway and the beach in Paia town). Walk to the west end of Paia Bay's sand and continue through the small wooded area along the rock seawall. The path opens onto the Secret Beach sand after about 100 metres. Coordinates 20.9154, -156.3887 will put you in the general area.
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Etiquette & ground rules
Stick to the Kahului-side end of the beach for nude sunbathing — the Paia-side end (by the old pillbox) is treated as clothing-expected. No photo or video. Pack out everything; there are no trash facilities here. Respect local fishermen who use the beach on weekends — they have priority on the rocks. Keep volume down; this is a neighborhood beach, not a party spot.
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