Kaihalulu Beach
Kaihalulu, also known as Red Sand Beach, is a dramatic cove on Maui's eastern coast where crumbling red cinder cliffs drop down to a stretch of deep crimson sand, enclosed by a natural lava rock breakwater. The contrast between the rust-colored geology, the vivid turquoise water pooled inside the reef, and the lush green ironwood trees makes almost every composition work in your favor. Shoot from the far end of the beach looking back toward the cliff face to capture the full sweep of color, or get low near the waterline to emphasize the saturated sand in the foreground. Midmorning light hits the cliffs directly and brings out their red tones best; overcast days can also work well by preventing harsh shadows in the enclosed cove. The trail in from Hana is short but narrow and slippery, so wear shoes with grip and bring a wide to standard zoom lens. (Hana, Maui, Hawaii, United States)
