Makena Beach

Why Couples Pick Makena Beach for a Maui Wedding

Makena Beach sits at the southern end of Maui, past the last resort, past the last golf course, where the road narrows and the lava fields begin. Locals call it Big Beach. The sand is wide, golden, and stretches about a third of a mile between two lava rock points. There are no buildings behind it, no restaurants, no gift shops. Just kiawe trees, naupaka bushes along the dunes, and the Pacific.

That lack of development is the whole appeal. When you stand at the waterline during a ceremony, there is nothing man-made in your line of sight. The horizon is clean. On clear days you can see Kahoolawe and Molokini crater offshore. The lava rock formations on either end of the beach give photographers natural frames and texture that you cannot replicate at a manicured resort lawn.

Makena faces west-southwest, which matters. It gets some of the best sunset light on the island. The golden hour here runs long because the sun drops slowly toward the ocean without any mountains in the way. Colors shift from warm gold to deep coral to soft purple. Most couples time their ceremony to start about 45 minutes before sunset, which puts the vows right in the middle of that light.

The Practical Side of a Beach Wedding at Makena

Beach weddings on Maui require a permit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The fee is between $50 and $100 depending on your group size and what you plan to set up. Apply at least two to four weeks before your date. If you are keeping it simple, just an officiant and a small group standing in the sand, you may not need one. But the moment you add chairs, an arch, or a photographer working commercially, the permit is required. We handle the paperwork as part of our full wedding planning service, so you do not have to navigate the state website yourself.

A few rules to know. No amplified sound on public beaches. Your officiant will need to project, which is usually fine for groups under 50, but worth thinking about if the trade winds are blowing hard that day. No alcohol is allowed on public beaches in Hawaii. That means your champagne toast happens at the reception venue, not on the sand. And because this is a public beach, other beachgoers will be around. We position ceremonies toward the south end where foot traffic is lighter, and by late afternoon most sunbathers have left.

Parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. The main lot at Makena State Park can be full by 3 PM. We coordinate arrival logistics so your guests know exactly where to park and which trail to walk down. There are restrooms at the parking lot but nothing else in terms of facilities. No shade either, so for midday events (which we do not recommend here), plan accordingly.

What to Wear and How to Prepare

This is a barefoot venue. Sand gets into everything. Heels sink. Dress shoes look out of place. Most couples go barefoot, and their guests follow. Lightweight fabrics work best since the trade winds will tug at anything heavy. Veils can be dramatic here, billowing in the breeze, but secure them well or consider a shorter style. Hair should be pinned if you want it to stay put. If you want it to blow around and look effortless in photos, let it.

Makena is also one of the windier beaches on the south shore. A ceremony arch needs to be staked or weighted. Open-flame candles are a no. Hurricane lanterns work. Your florist should know that delicate arrangements may not survive a strong gust, so hardier tropical flowers like plumeria, protea, and anthuriums hold up better than roses.

Pairing Makena With a Reception Venue

There is no reception space at Makena Beach. That is the one real limitation. The ceremony happens on the sand, and then everyone moves to a separate location for dinner. This is standard for beach weddings on Maui and actually works well because it gives the evening a sense of progression. Ceremony at the beach while the sun sets, then a short drive to a restaurant or private estate for the reception.

Popular pairings include restaurants in Wailea (a 10-minute drive north), private estates in Makena, or even a beachfront restaurant like Merriman's on the west side if you want to stay near the coast. Some couples do a cocktail hour at their hotel while the photographer takes the two of them to the lava rock outcroppings for portraits, then everyone meets up for dinner. The flexibility is part of what makes this venue work.

For couples considering eloping on Maui, Makena is the most popular choice on the island. An elopement here can be as simple as the two of you, an officiant, and a photographer. No permit needed for a group that small with no equipment setup. The whole thing takes 30 minutes and the photos last forever.

Best Time of Year for a Makena Beach Wedding

South Maui is the driest part of the island. The rain that hits the north shore and upcountry often does not reach down here. June is the single best month for outdoor ceremonies at Makena, with an average of only 0.3 inches of rain and sunset around 7:15 PM. May, September, and April are also strong choices. Winter months bring slightly higher rain chances and bigger ocean swells, which can mean rougher surf noise during your vows, but also more dramatic skies.

Whale season runs from December through April. If your ceremony falls in that window, there is a real chance of seeing humpback whales breaching offshore during your vows. It has happened. It is not something you can plan for, but it is worth knowing about.

Makena Beach is one of the most affordable Maui wedding venues because the venue itself is free. Your costs are the permit, your officiant, your photographer, flowers, and whatever you set up. That keeps the ceremony budget low, which frees up money for the reception, the photographer you really want, or activities for your guests during the rest of the trip. For a full breakdown of how the numbers work, take a look at our budget guide.

Who Makena Beach Is Right For

Makena works best for couples who want the setting to be the main event. If you are drawn to the idea of sand between your toes, salt air, and an uninterrupted ocean horizon, this is your place. It is ideal for elopements, intimate ceremonies under 50 guests, and anyone who values natural beauty over built environments. It does not work well for large weddings, formal dress codes, or couples who want everything in one location. But for the right couple, there is no better spot on Maui.