9 Best Maui Instagram Spots for Families


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Best Maui Instagram spots

Aloha! | E Komo Mai

Heading to Maui with your family? You’ll want to capture those special moments with amazing photos. And finding the best Maui Instagram spots is easy with a little planning.

Maui has stunning backdrops – from beaches to rainforests.

This diverse landscape has palm trees and photo opportunities that you and your family will treasure forever.

The Best Maui Family Photo Shoot Locations

Finding the right location for the perfect photo to take back home or to share on social is far from easy. That’s where we come in – This list of best Maui Instagram spots is here to save the day, and you’ll be taking great pictures! Read until the end to know all the best spots.

Haleakalā National Park

Haleakalā National Park is the ultimate photo backdrop. The summit of the Haleakalā Volcano has 360-degree views, so it feels like you’re on top of the world. Imagine your family sitting above the clouds with endless views behind them.

The park has forests, volcanic rock formations, and crater views all in one place, so multiple photo ops in one location. Sunrise and sunset at the summit are especially magical with colors in the sky and the perfect setting for amazing photos.

Don’t forget to check out the trails and lookout points for even more photo opportunities. Whether you’re capturing candid shots or posed portraits, Haleakalā National Park has beauty and memories that will last a lifetime.

The best trip you can join is the Haleakala sunset tour in Maui, and we recommend booking as soon as possible as these tours sell out very quickly.

Kapalua Coastal Trail

The Kapalua Coastal Trail is a photographer’s dream, with views of the Pacific Ocean, rocky coves, and during the winter months, whales. Needless to say, the winter months are the best moment to book a whale-watching tour in Maui,

This trail hugs the coastline so you’ll have photo ops at every turn. The trail is flat and easy to walk so perfect for families with little ones.

Capture the ocean views, cliffs, and rugged coastline as you walk the trail. The combination of natural beauty and accessibility means you’ll get great shots of everyone in the family.

The serene atmosphere and picturesque settings make it the perfect spot to capture family memories against the Maui landscape.

Makena Cove (Secret Beach)

Makena Cove, also known as Secret Beach, is a secluded paradise for family portraits. With white sand and turquoise water, it’s a beautiful backdrop.

This beach is less crowded than other South Maui beaches so you’ll have the privacy you need for a perfect photo shoot. The lava rock formations and serene setting make for a unique and intimate atmosphere.

It’s the perfect spot to capture the beauty of Maui. Whether you’re capturing candid shots of the kids or posed family portraits, Makena Cove is a special and picturesque spot that will make your photos pop.

Baldwin Beach Park

Baldwin Beach Park in Paia is home to Baby Beach, a protected lagoon perfect for family photos.

The calm, shallow waters of Baby Beach are a safe and beautiful spot for little ones to play and splash while you capture those childhood moments.

Baldwin Beach also has great sunset opportunities so consider an evening photo session.

The soft sand, gentle waves, and colorful sunsets make for a magical setting for your family portraits. Pack a picnic and make a night of it, capture the golden hour while enjoying a family evening out.

Ironwoods Beach

Ironwoods Beach (also known as Oneloa Beach) along the Kapalua coast is a rugged and beautiful spot for family photos. With rocky outcroppings, sandy stretches, and the Ironwood tree forest, this location has multiple photo ops.

The scenery is dramatic and you’ll feel like you’re in another world. Limited parking and rugged terrain make it not suitable for very young children but older kids will love exploring the unique landscape.

Ironwoods Beach is close to other West Maui locations so it’s an easy add-on to any photo schedule. Capture the raw beauty of Maui’s coastline with the contrast of lava rocks and ocean waves.

Polo Beach

Polo Beach in front of the Fairmont Kea Lani Hotel is a great spot for family photos.

The calm waters and gentle waves create a reflective surface during golden hour perfect for those beautiful glow shots.

The beach is framed by palm trees, lava rocks, and lush greenery so it’s a picturesque setting for your portraits. The soft sand and serene atmosphere make it a great spot for the kids to play while you snap away.

Polo Beach has natural beauty and tranquility so your family photos will be both beautiful and memorable.

D.T. Fleming Beach Park

D.T. Fleming Beach Park in West Maui is a great spot for family photos. With tall palm trees, clear views of Molokai and Lanai, and beautiful beach scenery it’s a photographer’s paradise.

The waves can get rough so not suitable for swimming but the surf adds to the drama for the backdrop.

Capture the kids playing in the sand or the whole family enjoying the view. The diverse scenery at D.T. Fleming Beach Park combined with the beauty of Maui will make your family photos lively and fun.

Ulua Beach, Wailea

Ulua Beach in Wailea has multiple photo ops with soft white sand, rocky coves, boardwalks, and gentle waves.

Perfect for families with little ones as there’s plenty of parking and restrooms nearby. This is a popular spot so consider a sunrise session to avoid the crowds.

The early morning light is soft and flattering and the peaceful atmosphere makes for a relaxed and enjoyable photo shoot. Ulua Beach is a favorite for beautiful family memories.

Ho’okipa Beach Park

Ho’okipa Beach Park on the North Shore is known for the Hawaiian green sea turtles and world-class windsurfing.

This beach has great photo ops with waves crashing in the background and surfers riding the waves. Not suitable for swimming due to strong currents but the action is exciting and fun to watch.

The beach can get crowded with surfers and windsurfers but watching from a distance makes for great shots of the activity. Ho’okipa Beach Park’s unique energy is perfect for capturing family memories.

Conclusion:

Maui has so many picture-perfect spots to capture those family moments. Whether you’re summiting Haleakalā or Makena Cove, there’s a backdrop waiting for you.

Each spot has its own unique charm, from the dramatic cliffs of Ironwoods Beach to the gentle waves of Baby Beach in Baldwin Beach Park.

Plan your visits during the best light and fewer crowds and you’ll make the most of your photo shoots. With a little planning, you’ll have beautiful memories and photos to treasure forever. Enjoy Maui and happy snapping!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Best Beach to take Family Photos in Maui?

Truth is, there’s no one best spot because all Maui beaches have their own charm. If you want that quintessential Hawaiian look, head to South Maui beaches like Makena Cove with its white sand.

For a more dramatic backdrop, Ironwoods Beach in West Maui has cliffs and Ironwood trees.

What’s the Best Time of Day to Take Photos in Maui?

Hands down, early morning or late afternoon are the best times. These times have the softest, most dreamy light. Photographers call this the “golden hour” which is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.

What’s the Number One Thing to See in Maui?

While beauty is subjective, many agree that watching sunrise or sunset from the Haleakalā Volcano is an experience you won’t soon forget. Imagine you and your family above the clouds – How’s that for a photo session?

To watch the sunrise you’ll need to get up early as it’s about a 2-hour drive from most West Maui hotels and resorts. But it’s an amazing and unique Maui experience you won’t want to miss.