La Perouse Bay
La Perouse Bay
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
216 reviews
Excellent
139
Very good
65
Average
10
Poor
2
Terrible
0
kenpelzel
Colorado40 contributions
Jan 2020
What had been a truly unique venue has become a parking lot with porta potties. I guess I would still recommend going, especially if you like to see beach front jammed with multi-million dollar mansions and a little bit of Maui's unique history. Suggest reading about the Bay before going.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spitzy135
Buffalo, NY944 contributions
Sept 2022
You need to be highly motivated to drive to La Perouse Bay. If you are a tentative driver, this is not for you. You drive through the lava fields on a very bumpy narrow road to get there. It’s supposed to be paved, but it is not in good shape. It was not a fun drive. You need to be careful not to drive on any of the lava debris, which is very sharp and can damage your tires. In some narrow areas it was hard to pass oncoming traffic. We felt committed to driving the road all the way to the Perouse parking area since the road was too narrow to turn around without possibly driving on the lava.
Once we arrived at the parking area we found it to be a real mess. The parking lot is unpaved with piled up rocks, large holes and ruts everywhere. There wasn’t much parking here, and it was very crowded. We decided to turn around and leave, which wasn’t easy. I’d hate to get a flat here, you’re in a very isolated area and it’s pretty hot and windy too.
If you’re not up to this drive, you can still drive to the Ahihi Marine Preserve which is before the lava fields. The road is a little narrow in spots, but very driveable at this point. It is really beautiful here and we enjoyed visiting that area.
We’ve driven all over Maui, including the Road to Hana, the Nakalele Blowhole up north and the southern route to see the sea arch. We really enjoyed those scenic drives. The Perouse Bay drive was nerve-wracking for us. FYI, just want others to be informed of what you’re getting into.
Once we arrived at the parking area we found it to be a real mess. The parking lot is unpaved with piled up rocks, large holes and ruts everywhere. There wasn’t much parking here, and it was very crowded. We decided to turn around and leave, which wasn’t easy. I’d hate to get a flat here, you’re in a very isolated area and it’s pretty hot and windy too.
If you’re not up to this drive, you can still drive to the Ahihi Marine Preserve which is before the lava fields. The road is a little narrow in spots, but very driveable at this point. It is really beautiful here and we enjoyed visiting that area.
We’ve driven all over Maui, including the Road to Hana, the Nakalele Blowhole up north and the southern route to see the sea arch. We really enjoyed those scenic drives. The Perouse Bay drive was nerve-wracking for us. FYI, just want others to be informed of what you’re getting into.
Written November 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,401 contributions
May 2022
La Perouse Bay or Keoneʻōʻio Bay as it is called by the locals is at the very end of a long and bumpy road that passes through the Ahihi Kinau Reserve. When we reached the end there was a lava block monument to French explorer Captain Jean-François de Galaup who discovered this bay in 1784, a horse corral, and some old Hawaiian archaeological sites.
We parked our car and walked around the shoreline with its rocky beach and blow holes looking for dolphins, we did not see any
This is as far as the road goes, if you wish to continue along the south coast you have to walk, it is also the start of the King's Highway (Hoapili trail), a trail that circumnavigated the island.
As there are no stores here, we brought an ice chest with lots of water and our lunch.
TIP: Wear sensible shoes not flip-flops or sandals if you are going to get out of your car.
As the lava rock is very sharp
Please would you give a thumbs up below if you found this review informative? Thank you
We parked our car and walked around the shoreline with its rocky beach and blow holes looking for dolphins, we did not see any
This is as far as the road goes, if you wish to continue along the south coast you have to walk, it is also the start of the King's Highway (Hoapili trail), a trail that circumnavigated the island.
As there are no stores here, we brought an ice chest with lots of water and our lunch.
TIP: Wear sensible shoes not flip-flops or sandals if you are going to get out of your car.
As the lava rock is very sharp
Please would you give a thumbs up below if you found this review informative? Thank you
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JHRedSox
Lexington, KY102 contributions
Aug 2021
Went down around sunset to stargaze. Brought our beach chairs and some pizzas and waited for the stars to come out. Went on a day when the forecast called for clear skies and limited moonlight. There is zero light pollution here. Lo and behold, the Milky Way was visible as soon as it was dark. Was an amazing experience. The teens were in absolute awe.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irawine
Benicia, CA637 contributions
Apr 2023
My wife and I hiked the trail by La Perouse Bay on Maui. It is essentially an exercise in negotiating a very extensive lava field. While relatively flat, it can be a challenge to deal with all of the loose lava. Nevertheless, we enjoyed the hike and some of the scenery was quite lovely. You are out in the open during most of this hike so prepare accordingly.
Written April 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
Maui, HI2,493 contributions
Jan 2021 • Friends
Wonderful place to walk/hike/snorkel/swim in lava rock and kiawe trees.
VERY HOT! Take a lot of water if you intend to spend much time or go very far. A couple years ago I walked/hiked over 4 miles in and it can get rough if it’s sunny with no wind.
Be sure to wear very stable shoes, lots of uneven rocks and if you step on a kiawe thorn it will go through a flip flop like a hot knife through butter. Won’t feel good.
The parking gets full and the lit is very rough but there’s a lot of parking and there is a porta potty.
Be careful of the blow hole, don’t get too close and watch for the wild black goats!
VERY HOT! Take a lot of water if you intend to spend much time or go very far. A couple years ago I walked/hiked over 4 miles in and it can get rough if it’s sunny with no wind.
Be sure to wear very stable shoes, lots of uneven rocks and if you step on a kiawe thorn it will go through a flip flop like a hot knife through butter. Won’t feel good.
The parking gets full and the lit is very rough but there’s a lot of parking and there is a porta potty.
Be careful of the blow hole, don’t get too close and watch for the wild black goats!
Written January 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lisakeg
Allentown, PA273 contributions
Jun 2021
At the end of a dirt road is the bay. The is the last stop on the south coast. Blow holes
and rocky beaches. Bring lots of water if you intend to go out to the point and back.
Raw nature away from everything.
and rocky beaches. Bring lots of water if you intend to go out to the point and back.
Raw nature away from everything.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Momar C
8 contributions
Dec 2023 • Couples
Beautiful landscape. Not a hard drive at all. The road is a little bumpy and not well maintained, but it’s not at all to be compared with the road to Hana or anything like that. At all!! It’s a paved road, but just be mindful of the rocks that are on the road. You can maneuver around them. Most can be avoided. The trip is worth it to see this beautiful area. Very peaceful and soothing area.
You won’t be disappointed.
You won’t be disappointed.
Written December 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kellie Shepherd M
bothell, wa28 contributions
Dec 2012 • Family
Awesome drive and must see for the adventurer! Road ends at beautiful lava flats and trails along a rustic coastline along lava flats. We had sandals...not the most comfortable so only went about 1/2 way. Goat herds followed us and we found a delightful trail across the lava to a cliffside fishing area...gorgeous place to sit and listen to the surf. On the drive back we set up our beach chairs in a little nook along the road and ate our picnic lunch while dipping our feel in the tidepools. The highlight of my day was watching a Hawaiian man with his two small sons fishing next to us. A truly cultural and beautiful experience.
Written December 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ono O
Fremont, CA2,745 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Who would have ever thought that there was a place on Maui that was home to hundreds of wild goats. At the end of the road that passes through Wailea, Makena and the most recent lava flow on Maui from 1790 - the Ahihi Kinau Reserve, the constantly narrowing and increasingly bumpy road takes you to a parking lot right next to the water' edge. There is a rock monument to Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, who the bay was named after, who was the first European to set foot on Maui. He was quite the world traveler, but came to a sad end (look him up, very interesting). there are no facilities here, you are on your own. The The Hoapili Trail heads to the left as you are facing the water, and cross the lava field littered with the remains of Hawaiian walls. Wear walking or tennis shoes, not flip flops. Soon you will come to a grove of mesquite trees and the goat make their home there. They are not afraid of humans, but are not aggressive or interested in having an encounter with you. If you get o close, they just walk slowly away. It was fun to watch the young ones scamper around and play with each other. While not smelly, there was just a waft of 'goat' in the air. A really interesting walk. Plan on 1-2 hours max.
Written October 11, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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