The Swayze Approved Collection
The Ultimate Guide to Dog-Friendly Maui
Curated. Loved. Approved by Swayze.
There are countless lists online claiming to feature the "best" dog-friendly places on Maui.
This isn't one of them.
The Swayze Approved Collection isn't based on ratings, popularity, or advertising. It's built on something much more important: How a place actually feels for a dog.
Swayze taught us that dogs experience the world differently from us. They don't care if a beach is famous. They don't care how many stars a hotel has. They notice the cool grass beneath their paws, the breeze coming off the ocean, a quiet place to rest in the shade, the kindness of a stranger, and whether they feel safe enough to be themselves simply. Those became our standards.
Today, every place we recommend is evaluated through the same lens that Swayze taught us.
What Makes Something Swayze Approved?
Every recommendation is thoughtfully considered using the qualities we believe create the very best experiences for dogs and the people who love them.
Calm Environment
Is it peaceful, or does it feel crowded and overwhelming?
Dog Friendly
Are dogs genuinely welcomed, or merely tolerated?
Comfort
Is there shade, water, room to explore, and places to rest?
Accessibility
Is parking easy? Are the paths comfortable for senior dogs and puppies alike?
Scenic Beauty
Because some moments deserve to be remembered forever.
Authenticity
We only recommend places we've experienced ourselves or businesses we've come to genuinely trust.
If we wouldn't happily bring Swayze there, it wouldn't earn our recommendation. As our journal grows, so will this collection.
Our Favorite Beach Walks
Wailea Beach Path (link)
Our favorite. Perfect for sunrise. Perfect for sunset. Miles of ocean views. Sea turtles. Beautiful landscaping. Easy walking. Great for older dogs
Keawakapu Beach (link)
Wide beach. Soft sand. Beautiful morning walks. Connects Kihei and Wailea
Kamaole Beach Parks - Kam 1, 2, or 3 (link)
Great grassy areas. Ocean views. Easy parking
Poʻolenalena Beach (link)
Quieter than many South Maui beaches. Excellent morning walk
Baldwin Beach Park - Upcountry visitors (link)
Beautiful long walks. Less crowded than many tourist beaches.
Quiet Parks
Keopuolani Regional Park (link)
One of Maui's largest parks. Excellent walking paths. Open green space.
Kenolio Dog Park (link)
Dedicated off-leash area. Great for social dogs.
Wailea Neighborhood Greenways (link)
One of the hidden gems of South Maui. Beautiful landscaping. Very quiet. Perfect for relaxed evening walks.
Dog-Friendly Coffee
Akamai Coffee (link)
Outdoor seating. Fantastic coffee. Friendly atmosphere.
Lava Java (link)
Local favorite. Outdoor seating.
Belle Surf Cafe (link)
Perfect after a morning walk. Outdoor patio.
Maui Coffee Roasters (link)
Another excellent stop if you're near Kahului.
Outdoor Restaurants
Monkeypod Kitchen (link)
Beautiful lanai. Excellent location.
Nalu's South Shore Grill (link)
One of our favorites. Great live music. Relaxed atmosphere. Outdoor seating.
Cafe O'Lei (link)
Several locations. Outdoor dining.
Three's Bar & Grill (link)
Outdoor patio. Close to beaches.
Paia Fish Market (link)
Great after exploring Paia.
South Maui Gardens (link)
Feels like a movie set with all the flowers, food trucks, open space, and tons of parking. One of our favorite places! Farmer’s market on Thursdays
Walking Trails
West Maui Forest Reserve (link)
Makawao Forest Reserve (link)
Ohai Trail (link)
Waihou Spring Trail (link)
Harold W Rice Memorial Park (link)
Veterinarians & Emergency Resources
South Maui Animal Clinic (link)
South Shore Vet Care (link)
Kihei Vet Clinic (link)
Animal Care and Wellness Center (link)
At Home Animal Hospital (link)
Maui Vet Clinic (link)
Hawaii Poison Center (link)
Groomers
Club Pet Concierge (link)
Big Waggle Grooming Salon (link)
Paradise Doggy Dayspa (link)
Doggie Stylz Grooming (link)
Pet Stores
The Pet Shop (link)
More Than a Guide
This isn't just about finding places that allow dogs. It's about discovering places where they belong. Places where life slows down. Where conversations last a little longer. Where strangers stop to say hello. Where your companion feels just as welcome as you do. That's the Maui we hope every visitor experiences.
Through the Heart of Swayze
When people ask why we created Wailea Dog Retreat & Boarding, the answer is simple. Everything we do is inspired by one extraordinary little dog who changed the way we see the world. Swayze taught us to notice the details. To move a little slower. To appreciate quiet moments. To choose connection over convenience. The Swayze Approved Collection is our way of sharing those discoveries with you.
Whether you're visiting Maui for a week or have called these islands home for years, we hope these recommendations help you create unforgettable memories with your companion. Because in the end, the places we remember most aren't always the most famous. They're the places where we felt most alive. And those are exactly the places Swayze would have chosen.
Follow Along
We're constantly exploring Maui and adding new discoveries to the Swayze Approved Collection.
If you have a favorite dog-friendly beach, restaurant, hike, or hidden gem, we'd love to hear about it.
After all, the best adventures are the ones we share!
