Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Kaanapali Beach
Maui Beaches
Spectacularly beautiful and only a mile long, Ka’anapali Beach commands everyone's attention. This beach hosts the most luxurious hotels in town. Additionally, the beach serves a plate full of activities such as hiking, sailing, swimming, and sunbathing, making it one of Hawai'i's top beaches.
Overview of Kaanapali Beach
Ka'anapali Beach includes soft, golden sand and gorgeous water. Along this stretch of coast, you find many hotels flanking the beach. Ka'anapali Beach harbors endless opportunities for water sports lovers. Black Rock slices across the beach and is a popular spot for snorkelers and scuba divers to earn their certification. Other options for water play include parasailing, windsurfing, and jet skis.
Head to Black Rock, at the north end of the beach, for a boat tour of the marine life in this area. Plus, visit the booths on Kaanapali Beach, where you can sign up for snorkeling, boat excursions, kayaking, sailing, the Sheraton Luau, surfing lessons, and water equipment rentals.
Directions to Kaanapali Beach
Ka’anapali is located only a few miles northwest of Lahaina Town. Take Highway 30 West from Lahaina for approximately 2 miles. Continue on Kaanapali Parkway until you reach the beach on the left.
Essential Tips for a Great Kaanapali Beach Visit
During the high tourist season, public beach access is difficult. Tourists must pay to park in a secure lot. The best time to find a parking spot is early in the morning. Furthermore, leave your valuables at your hotel, not your car, when visiting the beach. Thieves gravitate to these tourist spots for easy picking. The surf can sometimes get rough in winter, and lifeguards will post red flags if the water is too dangerous to enter.
Kaanapali Beach Amenities
The hotels, resorts, and golf courses provide specific amenities like restrooms and showers.
If you only take one photo of a beach while you are visiting Maui, may it be this one.
Have Fun at Kaanapali Beach
Family Activities at Kaanapali Beach
Spend your time relaxing on Ka’anapali Beach. Named “America’s Best Beach,” this popular destination has something for everyone. Enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, just relaxing on the sand, or taking a stroll along the beach walkway.
Kaanapali Beach Activities
Snorkeling: Places to snorkel around the island include Ka’anapali and Black Rock.
Cliff jumping: Ka’anapali Beach is a favorite cliff-jumping site for locals and visitors alike! Head to Black Rock cliff.
Catamaran tours for whale-watching: Whales flock to the shallow waters around Ka’anapali, making it one of the best places on Maui to whale watch. Catamaran tours launched from Ka’anapali Beach will take you up close to whales in the winter months.
Sunset: At Ka'anapali Beach, you can watch the sun settle behind Lanai, with views of the green flash visible in clear skies.
Shopping: If you want to shop on Maui, don’t miss Whalers Village mall. This shopping center features Kate Spade, Louis Vuitton, several jewelry stores, an ABC Store, kiosks, and specialty stores!
Play Golf & Tennis: Golf enthusiasts will want to swing away at the Royal Ka’anapali and Ka’anapali Kai courses, which offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Royal Lahaina Tennis Ranch provides an unforgettable experience for tennis enthusiasts.
Nightlife: In the evening, Ka’anapali features a range of dining and shopping options. Whether you want to hear some live entertainment or buy souvenirs from Whalers Village, the choices are endless.
Nearby Attractions and Sights
Honolua Ridgeline Hike: For all hikers, you will undoubtedly enjoy this trek! This easy-to-moderate hike offers excellent overlooks of the area's stunning terrain. On tour, you will discover Maui’s ecology and culture. The trailhead departs out of Napili, a quick jaunt away from Kaanapali. . The trek leads to Honolua —a region famous for its waves and rich Hawaiian history.
In this intimate hike through one of West Maui’s most scenic wildernesses, a team of passionate naturalists will lead you on an intimate journey across striking vistas and incredible flora and fauna, where you’ll learn about Honolua’s cultural and environmental importance.
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