Paia Maui – North Shore Maui

Explore Paia Town, Restaurants, Inns & More

Visiting Pai‘a & Maui’s North Shore

Most people who visit Maui stay in the leeward areas of Kihei (South) or Kaanapali (West). These are the dryer sides of the island with calm waters and cream colored beaches. These are the iconic locales known throughout the world as “paradise” in Maui. However there are often more places to experience on the island than one vacation can ever cover. One of these places is Maui’s north shore.

Maui Beaches North Shore Baldwin visitors

North Shore Maui Beaches
Baldwin, Baby Beach, Hookipa
Paia Town
Charley’s, Rockin’ Brews, Mana Foods
Accommodations
Paia Inn, Lumeria Maui, VRBO

You may know of this side of the island if you’re a surfer or windsurfer. Many national and international ocean sports competitions are held here at the world famous Ho’okipa Bay just outside the wonderfully bohemian surf town of Paʻia (pronounced Pa-ee-ah).

You may have gotten a glimpse of this area if you’ve ever been on a road to Hana adventure for the day but Paʻia and Ho’okipa Bay really deserves some time of their own. For those of us who live either upcountry (Makawao, Haʻiku, Pukalani, Kula) or in Paʻia town itself, this north shore area is our “country”, meaning away from the larger towns and resorts of the island.

Maui’s North Shore Beaches

Baldwin Beach Park

Baldwin Beach Park is just outside of Paʻia and this big and somewhat remote beach makes it a favorite with locals. Many a BBQ at sunset happens here while the Keiki (children) play in the rough shore break. The ocean conditions on the North Shore are very different from the resort areas. It means that the rip currents are strong and even though it may look like fun swimming just a few yards from the sand it can be a chore to get back on solid ground so be careful!

Baby Beach At Spreckelsville

Baby Beach in Spreckelsville (which is a little closer to Kahului) is protected from the rough north shore surf by a shelf of reef 20 or so yards off the beach. These calm waters are ideal for kids and babies, hence the name Baby Beach. It’s not easy to find as it’s a dead-end road through a residential neighborhood, so it’s best to ask for directions before venturing out to find it.

Ho’okipa Beach Park

Ho’okipa Beach Park is world renown but still has the old Hawaiʻi “country” vibe where resident families, surfers, and fisherman all gather on the beach to enjoy Maui’s lifestyle at it’s best. It has a great lookout just off the Hana Highway with a decent sized parking lot on a cliff overlooking the entire bay. If the surf is up, it is pretty easy to spend hours here watching the action. Down below at the beach parking lot, it can get crowded, and the residents take up most of the pavilion tables as they have done for generations. Unless you’re surfing (the waves can get huge here), it’s best to stay up top.

Paʻia Town

Surrounded by sugar cane fields the town of Paʻia has a population of fewer than 3000 people. However it’s amazing how much of a variety of restaurants and funky boutiques are everywhere in this one-stoplight town. The dining here is everything from take-out casual to full-on fine dining. You may even spot a celebrity or two around town. The reason so many famous people love Maui is that of the unpretentious, laid-back vibe. The locals hardly bat an eye when celebrities do impromptu drop-ins at the local watering holes in town. It’s is a fun place to be, and people from all over the world come here to surf in the day and dine in the afternoons and evenings in this funky little tropical town.

Paia Food & Restaurants

Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon

Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon, located on the main drag of Hana Highway, is well known for great breakfast items (the Mahi Mahi eggs Benedict is amazing!) served through the lunch hours. The bar lights up on weekend evenings as they host a wonderful live music stage favored by some of the island’s most famous north shore residents. It’s not unusual to see Willie Nelson or Steven Tyler hanging out here and occasionally sitting in with the local bands!

Rockin’ Brews

A recent addition next door to Charley’s is Rockin Brews. It’s cavernous seating area combined with tasty pizzas and burgers with dozens of beers on tap has become a local favorite in the last year and a half. Craft beer is taking off in Maui and this is a great place to sample some fantastic made on Maui beers.

Mana Foods

Mana Foods is a fully loaded health food and grocery store in town that is well worth a stop in for some amazing produce and healthy to go dishes from their deli. It’s a perfect stop for grabbing some delicious fresh fruit or healthy munchies before or after some beach time. Plenty of hippies, young and old, can be seen shopping here daily which gives the place an old 60’s style vibe. Of course the same could be said for the whole town!

Where To Stay – Paia Inn, Hotels & Accomodations

There are no big hotels or fancy condos on the north shore, and that’s just how the locals like it. You can find some rooms at the Paʻia Inn in town or find various vacation rental houses and cottages, which add to the country feel of this side of the island. There are also some fantastic retreats nearby in the Haʻikū and Makawao areas many of which are world class and minutes away. Lumeria Maui is a wonderful yoga retreat located between Paʻia and Makawao and is an amazing property on this lush side of the island. It’s the type of place that can introduce you to a new lifestyle as they share the Aloha spirit of health and happiness!

Also there are plenty of vacation rentals such as cottages and private homes. Check out airbnb for everything from a single room to oceanfront villas!

Well, there you have it. Even though it may take a Maui vacation or two before you’re ready to venture out into the “country,” Paʻia and the north shore area are well worth your time!

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Paia Maui – North Shore Maui

Visiting Pai‘a & Maui’s North Shore

North Shore Maui Beaches

Paia Town

Accommodations