D. T. Fleming Beach – an unusual name for a beach on Maui, but definitely worth visiting and spending an afternoon sunning and snorkeling.Named for an early pineapple plantation owner, D.T. Fleming beach is just off Hwy. 30 at mile marker 31 and is considered one of Maui’s best beaches. In fact, the D. T. Fleming Beach Park was recognized as American’s Best Beach in 2006, and it’s easy to tell why with the weekend crowds.
D. T. Fleming is on the north side of the Ritz Carleton in the Kapalua area of West Maui, and you can rent snorkel equipment at the resort. The park has a large parking area as you enter from Hwy. 30, and has clean personal restroom and shower facilities. In fact, there are numerous picnic tables and a large grassy area where you will often see weddings being performed almost daily.
The beach is over a mile long and has a sandbar that ends at the water’s edge. Sea cliffs line both sides of the beach, with the calmer water being to the north end of the bay. A lifeguard stand with several lifeguards sits almost in the middle of the beach area.
D. T. Fleming beach is known as a haven for body surfers and boogie boarders, but there is some good snorkeling on the east side of the bay. As you face the ocean, head over to the right-hand side of the beach, and enjoy clear water with a good variety of sea life.
The best time of the day to snorkel at D. T. Fleming beach is the early morning. By noon the waves will pick-up in size, often getting up to 4-5 feet in size. Late in the day, the surfers and boarders will take over the middle part of the beach.
The last time I was at D. T. Fleming beach, the waves were pretty strong and I was snorkeling in fairly rough currents. I noticed the red flags stuck in the sand, a warning that the waves might be rough. Staying close to the rock formations, I found a wide variety of colorful fish and sea urchins.
As you enter the water, there is a steep decline from the sandbar into the ocean. The water is not deep until you are out about 75 feet, and you’ll see many locals just floating around enjoying the views of the island of Moloaka’i.
I’d suggest you stay pretty close to the shoreline when snorkeling, going no further than 200-300 feet from the edge of the water. There is plenty of sea life close to the rocks and some amazing coral reef life like the bright red pencil urchin and the Black Sea Cucumber. You’ll recognize them both when you see them!
For an all-around beach that offers snorkeling, body surfing and boogie boarding, it’s hard to beat D. T. Fleming Beach. It’s easy to see why it consistently wins awards, and may just be one of America’s top beaches again soon.
SUGGESTIONS
* Check with the lifeguards if you are planning to snorkel. They are friendly and helpful with water conditions on that particular day and the locations for the best snorkeling.
* As you drive past the Kapalua area on Hwy. 30, drive slow up to mile marker 31. No sign is visible on the right-hand side of the road, but you’ll see an entrance sign for D. T. Fleming Beach Park to your left.
* Keep your fins in your hands until you enter the water. Float out a little bit and then put them on your feet, as the steep decline in the sandbar makes it difficult to walk with fins on your feet.
BONUS
D. T. Fleming is before Maui’s well-known Honolua Bay. A great day would be to snorkel first at Honolua Bay in the early morning, and then go to D. T. Fleming Beach Park for the late morning and afternoon sunshine. The wide, sandy beach is better at D. T. Fleming beach, and there are trees providing mid-day shade from a normally hot sun.