DT Fleming Beach, Maui: Visit Without Staying at The Ritz
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DT Fleming Beach is well-known on Maui among both locals and tourists. The beach is popular for surfing to the north and bodyboarding and playing in the waves to the south.
It gets its name from David Thomas Fleming, the man who introduced pineapple to West Maui. While it’s also known for being the beachfront of the Ritz Carlton, you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy its sandy shores. All beaches in Hawaii are public, even when they sit right in front of a resort.
This beach makes our list of the best beaches on Maui because it has a little bit of everything. You can relax on the long sandy beach, catch shade under the ironwood trees, or bodyboard in the waves. Plus, you will find Maui lifeguards here!
DT Fleming Beach Overview
| DT Fleming Beach Amenities | |
|---|---|
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Parking | Lot with about 40 spots and additional spots across the street, Paid Parking |
| Lifeguards | Yes |
| BBQ Grills | Yes |
| Picnic Tables | Yes |
| Playground | No |
Who is DT Fleming Beach Best For?
This beach is excellent for anyone who loves bodyboarding or bodysurfing. That being said, it’s not a great beach for snorkelers. During the summer, it can also be a great place for swimming.
Good bodyboarding is slang for a rough shore break. Check conditions with the lifeguards before heading out. This beach is best for strong swimmers.
DT Fleming Beach provides ADA parking, restrooms, and a paved pathway to the beach. See our Guide to a Handicap Accessible Hawaii for details.
Is DT Fleming Beach Good for Swimming?
Yes, in the summer, this beach can be great for swimming! There are separate areas for swimming and surfing, so swimmers are safely out of the way of surfers. During the winter, you’ll want to stick to strolling along the beach.
Northwest Maui (north of Ka’anapali) can experience strong currents and a rough shorebreak during the winter months. Although conditions don’t change every day, they can change quickly.
Want to get a good look at this beach? It’s the first one we talk about in the video below!
Is DT Fleming Beach Good for Snorkeling?
This isn’t a beach we would pick for snorkeling because the waters can be rough, reducing visibility and making snorkeling underwhelming and dangerous. Check out our favorite snorkel spots on Maui if this is a deal breaker for you!
How To Get to DT Fleming Beach
It’s situated on Honokahua Bay in Kapalua, just over a mile walk or a 2.5-mile drive from Napili Bay (Napili is a better snorkeling spot if you’re looking for something nearby). It’ll take about an hour to get here if you’re coming from South Maui.
DT Fleming Beach Parking
DT Fleming Beach Park has a metered parking lot with handicapped parking. There are many parking stalls available, but it can get crowded during the busy seasons.
The parking fee at DT Fleming Beach is $29 per day. You pay via a QR Code posted on signs in the parking lot. The daily parking fee plus service fees comes to about $34 per vehicle. The parking fee goes to the Maui Lifeguard pension fund.
Note: Are you interested in staying at the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua? The luxury hotel practically has D.T. Fleming Beach to itself. See our Wailea vs Kapalua Guide for details on staying in these two luxury hotel areas of Maui.
Things to Do at DT Fleming Beach
The most popular thing to do at DT Fleming Beach is to visit the Burger Shack Kapalua. The restaurant is part of The Ritz Carlton Maui (home to a great Maui luau) but is open to the public. Sit on their patio to take in the view of the beach, enjoy one of their famous milkshakes, and have a burger.
Our favorite thing to do is park at the beach and then hike the Mahana Ridge Trail. The trailhead starts near the cute, green Kapalua pre-school chapel. The moderate hike takes you above Kapalua for stunning views. Go for a swim after the hike!
Our Maui Wayfinder Itinerary shows you how to make a day of visiting this part of Maui.
DT Fleming Beach is connected to the Kapalua Coastal Trail near Dragon’s Teeth. Follow the trail to the south, past the Burger Shack, and out onto the peninsula you can see from outside the beach.
Find even more to do in Kapalua and Napili.
DT Fleming Beach Safety
There is a lifeguard on duty, so always pay attention to posted flags and heed any warnings from the lifeguard. In the winter, you may just want to walk along the beach for a lovely sunset rather than a swim.
Know Before You Go Snorkel Safety
Swimming and snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean should not be taken lightly. To keep you safe, please know your health limits, swim with a buddy, never turn your back on the ocean, and read and obey posted signs. Check HIOceanSafety.com for ocean conditions at lifeguard beaches.
Places to Eat Near DT Fleming Beach
If you get hungry, you won’t want to miss the Burger Shack at the Ritz Carlton Kapalua. Their milkshakes are to die for, so don’t skip it on your visit.
Visit DT Fleming Beach and More
There are more amazing activities right around the corner! Here are some of our favorites:
- Napili Bay Beach: 3 miles away is Napili Bay, one of the best snorkel spots on Maui with 2 restaurants on site.
- Kapalua Ziplines: Just 1.5 miles away from this beach, you’ll have a blast at this zipline course – Erica sure did!
- Tales of the Kapa Moe Luau: Located at the Ritz Carlton just a short walk away, this luau makes our list of the best on Maui!
- Check out our activities directory for more options!
