Kaanapali Beach, Kaanapali | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
KĀʻANAPALI, WEST MAUI / HAWAIʻI, USA
A long walk on golden sand
Kāʻanapali Beach.
Start in Kahului, follow the highway west, and spend a day between the sand, the coastal path, and Puʻu Kekaʻa.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / WEST MAUI
Kāʻanapali,
at the water’s edge.
Kāʻanapali Beach follows Maui’s west coast beneath coconut palms, with the lava-rock point of Puʻu Kekaʻa at its north end.
Start with a walk by the water and leave time for a shaded lunch. When the ocean is rough, the paved beach walk still gives you views across the channel.
ON THE WORLD MAP
On Maui’s west shore.
Kāʻanapali Beach, Kāʻanapali, Maui, Hawaiʻi
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Kahului.
Start in central Maui
From Kahului, head across central Maui and follow the highway around the island’s western coast.
Photo: ideatrendz · CC BY-SA 2.0Get around Kāʻanapali
The paved resort walk connects the public shoreline approaches and Whalers Village. Start from a signed public access if you are driving.
On the beach
Check for posted conditions and swim only where conditions allow. The state’s current list identifies staffed county beaches if you want a lifeguard. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
Kāʻanapali has signed public access, a paved coastal walk, and food and shops close to the sand.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
From Honoapiʻilani Highway
Turn onto Kāʻanapali Parkway and follow signs to public shoreline parking. Spaces are limited. Read the posted terms for the commercial garage if you use it instead.
Check public shoreline access ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
From the paved walk onto the sand
Some approaches have steps. Check the county map and signs to find the best route for your group. The last stretch is loose sand.
03 / THE SAND
Golden sand and lava rock
The open center is sandy. At the point and along rocky edges, footing and waves change quickly. Wear sandals on hot sand and keep back from breaking surf.
04 / FOOD & WATER
Food and drinking water nearby
Whalers Village and the adjacent resort walk have dining and shops. Carry water onto the sand and check opening hours before you rely on a specific café.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Rent from beach operators or bring shade
Beach operators offer equipment and resort guest service varies by property. Check rates and availability. A hat and cover-up give you shade on the walk.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Restrooms and rinse-off access
Restrooms are available at Whalers Village. The county shoreline map lists showers at selected access points. There is no county lifeguard tower on the main resort stretch.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Kāʻanapali Beach.
Kaanapali’s long shoreline
Puʻu Kekaʻa anchors the north end of the sandy stretch.
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us01 / EARLY
Start with the beach walk
Follow the shoreline while the air is cool. Use the signed public approaches and keep resort-only access clear.
02 / IN THE WATER
Check the surf from shore
Stay out if there is a strong swell, current, or advisory. Avoid the rock point and boat lanes.
03 / MIDDAY
Find a place for lunch and water
Leave the exposed sand for a meal or a cool drink, then return by the paved walk.
04 / LATE DAY
Look west from dry ground
Stay for the view across the channel. Observe the resort’s sunset ceremony from a public vantage point and leave the rocks to the performers.
Leave room to change the plan when the wind or waves pick up. The paved walk, shops, and an inland stop are options when the water is rough.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four more beaches nearby.
Two are close to the main Kāʻanapali stretch. The others make separate outings farther north.
Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park
A county park just south of the main resort stretch, with sand and rocky sections along the shore.
- Best for
- A picnic or a beach with a staffed tower
- Facilities
- Parking, restrooms, showers, and lifeguards
- Good to know
- Check the posted flags and stay clear of canoe launches.
Kahekili Beach Park
A sandy shore north of Puʻu Kekaʻa with reef offshore and a grassy park behind it.
- Best for
- A shore walk and a picnic
- Facilities
- Parking, public restrooms and showers
- Good to know
- There is no county lifeguard tower. Check the wind and waves before entering.
Nāpili Bay
A crescent of sand between two rocky ends in a residential and resort area.
- Best for
- A morning shore walk
- Facilities
- Limited public street parking and dining nearby
- Good to know
- There is no county lifeguard tower. Stay off the reef and heed posted warnings.
Kapalua Bay
A sandy cove framed by two points, with a paved approach from the public parking area.
- Best for
- A walk with a coastal-trail extension
- Facilities
- Public parking and restrooms near the approach
- Good to know
- Arrive early for parking and check local conditions. There is no county lifeguard tower.
Distances are straight-line from Kāʻanapali Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three ways to see West Maui.
01 / KĀʻANAPALI
Stop at Whalers Village
Check the program for hula, ʻukulele, or weaving. The open-air center is an easy stop from the beach walk.
Whalers Village events ↗02 / KAPALUA
Walk the coastal trail
Follow the signed route past lava headlands. Stay on the path, bring water, and check for closures before setting out.
Kapalua trail information ↗03 / MĀʻALAEA
Visit Maui Ocean Center
Make a stop on the drive from central Maui. The aquarium explains how the islands’ reef ecosystems work and offers an indoor option on a rough-ocean day.
Plan an aquarium visit ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Kāʻanapali Beach and West Maui.
The marker is on the main resort shoreline. Zoom out to see Puʻu Kekaʻa, the highway, and the coast north toward Kapalua.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
West Maui beyond the sand.
Walk the headlands, look inland toward the mountains, and learn about the coast’s history. Check local guidance before visiting areas of Lāhainā that are rebuilding.
Kapalua from above
Beyond Kaanapali, the coast bends around headlands and small bays.
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us
Kapalua’s rocky coast
The coastal trail looks across weathered headlands and open water.
Photo: chadh · CC BY 2.0
The West Maui Mountains
The mountains rise inland from the coastal route.
Photo: Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us
A place in Lahaina history
This archive photograph shows Hale Paʻi, the historic printing house on the Lahainaluna campus.
Photo: Joel Bradshaw · Public domain06 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
HONOKŌWAI
Aston Kāʻanapali Shores
$ Budget · About $250–$340 nightly on sampled direct rates
The property offers hotel rooms and larger suites. Check which room types have kitchens if you want to make breakfast before heading south.
Aston Kāʻanapali Shores official site ↗KAHULUI
Maui Seaside Hotel
$ Budget · About $280–$325 nightly on sampled direct rates
Use this harborfront hotel for an early flight or a late arrival. Allow about an hour for the drive to Kāʻanapali.
Maui Seaside Hotel official site ↗KAHANA
Sands of Kahana, Unit 355
$$ Mid-Range · About $400–$490 nightly on sampled direct rates
This managed two-bedroom condo has a kitchen and private lanai. Check the cleaning fee and note that the unit uses ceiling fans.
Sands of Kahana, Unit 355 official site ↗NĀPILI
Nāpili Shores Maui by OUTRIGGER
$$ Mid-Range · About $475 nightly on a sampled direct rate
Choose a studio or a one-bedroom if you want a kitchen. The property is north of Kāʻanapali and works well for a stay with a car.
Nāpili Shores Maui by OUTRIGGER official site ↗PUʻU KEKAʻA, KĀʻANAPALI
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
$$$ Upscale · About $550–$575 nightly on sampled direct rates
Stay at the north end of the main resort shoreline. Compare room locations if you want to be near the paved walk or the beach access.
Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa official site ↗KAPALUA
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua
$$$$ Luxury · About $1,020–$1,340 nightly on sampled direct rates
The resort offers rooms and suites with lanais and sits north of Kāʻanapali. Compare the room category and property fees when you check dates.
The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Summer is generally drier on the west coast. Winter swells can change conditions at the waterline. Check the surf forecast on the day you plan to go. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
Dining near the beach walk
Whalers Village is a convenient place to stop for food and water.
Photo: Gaylon Yancy · CC BY 2.0What to order
Try a fish taco, a plate lunch, or a bowl with a locally grown side. Ask what the kitchen is serving as its fresh catch.
Local habits
Book resort dinners ahead. Take a dry shirt or cover-up for meals, and leave extra travel time if you are dining away from the resort area.
A LITTLE HAWAIIAN
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Aloha
- Hello or goodbye
- Mahalo
- Thank you
- Kai
- Sea
- Keiki
- Child or children
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
KAHULUI
Tin Roof
$ Budget · About $10–$21 per person for a sandwich or bowl
Pick up a mochiko chicken sandwich or a rice bowl near the airport. It is a convenient takeout stop before the westbound drive.
Tin Roof official site ↗HONOKŌWAI
Papi’s ʻOhana
$ Budget · About $9–$10 per person for a pastry
Stop at the bakery for a savory croissant or a cinnamon roll. Check hours for the bakery and pizza counter separately.
Papi’s ʻOhana official site ↗KAHANA
Dollie’s Pub & Café
$$ Mid-Range · About $19–$30 for a sandwich or a pizza to share
Order a sandwich or share a pizza in Kahana. The posted menu includes salads and nonalcoholic drinks.
Dollie’s Pub & Café official site ↗NĀPILI
Sea House Restaurant
$$ Mid-Range · About $19–$32 per person for selected lunch plates
Try a mahi mahi sandwich or Baja fish tacos for lunch. Check the resort’s menu for the hours of each service.
Sea House Restaurant official site ↗CENTRAL KĀʻANAPALI
Hula Grill Kāʻanapali
$$$ Upscale · About $39–$74 per person for selected seafood entrées
The dining room at Whalers Village serves wood-grilled fish and Maui-grown sides. Book ahead if you want a table around sunset.
Hula Grill Kāʻanapali official site ↗KAPALUA
Merriman’s Kapalua
$$$$ Luxury · About $59–$95 per person for selected dinner entrées
Try the macadamia nut-crusted catch or a lobster dish. Check the dinner menu and reserve ahead for the waterfront dining room.
Merriman’s Kapalua official site ↗08 / WEST MAUI AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Monkeypod Kitchen
Take a break from the beach walk for a snack, dinner, or one of the alcohol-free drinks on the menu. Monkeypod Kāʻanapali menu ↗
Duke’s Beach House
Go for a table by the water and small plates or dinner. Check the family menu and current opening hours. Duke’s Maui menus ↗
Maui Brewing Company
The resort restaurant has food and nonalcoholic choices alongside the brewery menu. Leave time to get back to your stay before dark. Kāʻanapali restaurant and menu ↗
The paved walk is convenient when you are staying along the shoreline. Arrange a ride ahead of time if your accommodation is farther away.
09 / MAUI EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Maui Marathon
In spring, runners gather in West Maui for races that start in the Kāʻanapali area. Check the organizer’s course and road notices before you travel.
Maui Marathon program official site ↗World Whale Day
In winter, Pacific Whale Foundation organizes activities across Maui about humpback whales and ocean conservation. Look for the public events on the organizer’s program.
Pacific Whale Foundation event ↗Currency / US dollar
Hawaiʻi uses the US dollar. Bring a card and a little cash for small purchases. Review posted fees before using a garage or rental service.
US currency denominations ↗10 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for a long day by the water.
THE KĀʻANAPALI BEACH KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Maui Palm bikini with a loose cover-up, a hat, and sandals for hot sand.
On the beach walk
Carry a water bottle and wear shoes you can walk in. Use sun-protective clothing and mineral sunscreen. Maui County sunscreen rules ↗.
In town
Bring a dry shirt or cover-up when you head to a café or restaurant.
11 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the main gateway. Allow about an hour by road to Kāʻanapali, plus extra time for traffic.
Is there a lifeguard on the main beach?
The county’s lifeguard list does not show a tower on the main resort stretch. Check the list before you choose where to get in the water.
Can I use the beach without staying at a resort?
Yes. Follow a signed public shoreline access or use the paved beach walk. Parking and private resort facilities have separate rules.
Is there a paved walk along the shore?
Yes. The path links the resort area and Whalers Village. Check signs for step-free approaches if you want to reach the sand.
What if the surf is rough?
Stay out of the water and use the paved walk, visit Whalers Village, or make an indoor stop at Maui Ocean Center.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Palm leaves on cream.
Worn on Maui.
A scoop-neck top and high-waisted bottoms with a soft green palm print. The existing product gallery features the set on Maui.
Explore the Maui Palm bikini ↗
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