Po'olenalena Beach
Po'olenalena Beach is a long, curving stretch of golden sand on Maui's southwest coast, offering some of the island's most rewarding sunset photography with the silhouettes of Kaho'olawe and Molokini crater sitting right on the horizon. Face west in the late afternoon and you can frame the setting sun between the offshore islands, with warm light reflecting across the shallow, glassy water that extends far from shore. The rocky outcroppings at both ends of the beach add foreground texture and are worth exploring for tide pool details or breaking wave shots. A wide angle lens works well for capturing the full sweep of the bay, while a longer focal length lets you compress the distance and pull those islands closer to the sun. Parking is available at two small lots off Makena Alanui Road, and arriving 30 to 45 minutes before sunset gives you time to scout the best position along the shore. (Wailea-Makena, Maui, Hawaii, United States)
