Kāʻanapali Beach

Kāʻanapali Beach is known for its soft white sand, extensive length (3 miles), and offshore views. There are many ways to spend a day at Kāʻanapali, including a range of beach activities as well as seaside dining. Below is everything you need to know to plan your trip.

Take your pick: there are 3 miles of gorgeous white sand beaches fronting Kaʻanapali. Image credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Overview of Kāʻanapali

Kāʻanapali Beach is located on the leeward (western) coast of Maui, just north of the town of Lāhainā. A variety of hotels and resorts line this 3-mile white sand beach, connected to shops and restaurants by a sea-side walking path. Facing west, it offers wonderful views of the sunset each night; By day, you can take in views of Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi, which sit less than ten miles offshore, across the blue waters.

Beach Activities

There are many activities to enjoy at Kāʻanapali:

• Beach bumming
• Boat Tours
• Eating, Drinking, and Shopping
• Snorkeling
• Watching the Sunset
• Walking

Beach Bumming

Looking to sit in the sand all day? Kāʻanapali, with its offshore island views and dramatic sunsets, offers space to spread out upon its fine white sand.

Once you get to the long, white-sand beach fronting Kaʻanapali, it’s difficult to leave! Image credit: Jeffery Simpson, source.

Related: See our list of Maui beaches for more ways to dip your toes in the sand and sea.

To the ocean! Boat Tours and Kayak rentals

Many catamaran and other sailing vessels call Kāʻanapali home and depart right from the beach. Step out of your beach chair and onto a boat for a scenic sail. Companies include Trilogy, Sail Maui, UFO Parasail, Hula Girl Boat Charter, Wake Maui, and more. If staying in Kāʻanapali, check with your hotel about the closest operator. Kayak and snorkel rentals are also available in Kāʻanapali.

Eating, Drinking, and Shopping

Whaler’s Village, an outdoor marketplace with many shops and restaurants, sits on the shores of Kāʻanapali. Post up on the beach out front, and when you’re ready for a break from the heat, head into Whaler’s for some food and drink, or a refreshing respite in an air-conditioned boutique.

Whalers Village in Kaʻanapali. Image: Whalers Village website.

Snorkeling

Kāʻanapali’s main snorkel spot is located out front of an area known as “Black Rock,” named after the black rock peninsula and cliffs that form a small cove. There is great snorkeling along the rocks just a few strokes from shore.

Located at the end of Ka’anapali Beach lies one of the best beginner snorkeling spots on Maui: Black Rock. Photo by Justin Busa on Unsplash

Watching the Sunset

Kāʻanapali offers a wonderful sunset experience with expansive views and a big, empty sky. Each evening at sunset, the Sheraton puts on a historical reenactment, which includes torch lighting and an impressive cliff dive. Great for families.

Sunset cliff dive at Black Rock. Photo by Andre Gaulin on Unsplash

Walking

Do not underestimate the beauty of beach walking. Many beaches in Hawaiʻi are small and compact, but Kāʻanapali stretches on for three miles beside its blue waters. Have a walk to get some exercise and take in the different views and vibes the beach offers.

Kaʻanapali Beach stretches a gorgeous mile of coastline filled with powder white sand, gentle waves, and stunning views of the island’s West Maui mountains. Photo by Josh Williams on Unsplash.

Visitor Tips

Here are some tips for visiting Kāʻanapali:

• If you plan to beach bum it, consider staying in Kāʻanapali. It’s perfectly fine to day trip to Kāʻanapali (though parking could drive you mad), but if you plan to spend a lot of time there, you might as well take up residence and enjoy the convenience and walk-ability of the nearby hotels.
• If you need shade, bring it. Kāʻanapali is a wide-open beach, with nary a tree, and those seeking shade will have to bring their own umbrella.
• If you’re on a budget, bring your own food. Whaler’s Village has good options for food and drink (Hula Grill, Leilani’s), but you will pay a premium. To save some cash, bring along a beach-friendly meal (poke is a good local option) and save your money for a rainy day.
• Get out on the water. You can’t beat the experience of departing the beach on a catamaran, and sailing off the west coast of Maui is particularly beautiful thanks to the presence of many offshore islands, including Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi.
• If you prioritize personal space, stay away from Whaler’s Village. It tends to be a gathering place and the most crowded and active part of Kāʻanapali. If you want peace and solitude, avoid setting up shop in this area.
• There are activity centers where you can rent gear. Stop by the Snorkel Store, Kayak Kāʻanapali, or one of the hotel’s activity centers to rent snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and more.

How to Spend the Day at Kāʻanapali

Thinking about planning a day?

If you’re staying in Kāʻanapali, things will be very easy for you. Simply wake up and enjoy a coffee on your ocean-facing balcony, then walk downstairs to the beach and find your slice of sand.

Those driving in will have to plan a bit more carefully. Public parking in Kāʻanapali is a bit tricky due to a dearth of spots, and you have to know where you are going. Each hotel is required to offer a certain amount of public parking spaces, for example, and there are other tricks to the trade. We recommend reading this guide to parking in Kaʻanapali before setting off to make your arrival as easy as possible.

Kaʻanapali beach is a popular hangout and famous for cliff diving, snorkeling, and scenic walks along the 3-mile shoreline. Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Once on the beach, we recommend taking in your surroundings. The islands of Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi offshore, and the long white coastline. If you plan to visit a restaurant for lunch, set up shop closer to Whaler’s Village for access to restaurants and shops. If you’re looking for activity, find yourself closer to Black Rock, where snorkeling and other explorations await. Anywhere in between is great for general beach bumming, swimming, and book reading. We do recommend bringing an umbrella if you desire shade. Some hotels rent them, but not always to the public (guests only); We recommend calling ahead as these policies tend to change over time.

Normally, we would offer the suggestion of enjoying a beach day in Kāʻanapali and then heading over to Lāhainā for a sunset happy hour. However, due to the devastating fires of August 2023, we sadly must omit that for now.

Seeing the sunset from Kāʻanapali is highly recommended, and it’s even better if it’s as part of a sunset sail. Consider getting out on the water for a memorable evening.

North of Kāʻanapali Beach is Kapalua. There the climate turns a bit more tropical, with roads winding their way over jungle-covered cliffs. To break up the day or spend a morning out of Kāʻanapali, head up and visit one of the beaches or hikes in Kapalua, such as the Kapalua Coastal Trail and Honolua Bay, the latter one of the top snorkel spots on Maui and reachable by a short walk through the coastal rainforest.

Snorkelers and a catamaran in Honolua Bay, one of the few sheltered bays to snorkel on Maui. Image credit: Edmund Garman, source.