Ka'anapali Beach
Ka'anapali Beach
4.5
About
This stunning three-mile stretch of sand is regarded as one of North America's best beaches, and it's easy to see why. This former Hawaiian royal getaway has crystal clear waters perfect for snorkeling and surfing, against a backdrop of lush mountains. Don't miss the daily cliff diving ceremony at Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock), held on the northern end of the beach at sunset.
For the best views of the beach, take a scenic flight at sunset. If you visit in winter, be sure to take a whale-watching tour. It gets busy, so visit early in the morning for fewer crowds and to snag a good spot on the sand. – Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Top ways to experience Ka'anapali Beach
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
93 within 5 kms
Attractions
107 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- ShonBoardman, Ohio11 contributionsA perfect beach experienceWe visited Ka’anapali Beach in December, the weather was perfect ( mid 80s ). We utilized several of the many free access parking areas where it was a short walk to access the beach. The sand was perfect and the beach was incredibly clean and large enough for folks to spread out giving you the feel that you had the beach to yourself at times. The water was very clear for snorkeling and checking out the many corral combinations, we swam with the sea turtles everyday. Ka’anapali beach was a daily stop for us - a must do on any trip to Maui. Remember to bring some swimming shoes or flippers as the corral can be very sharpVisited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 8 December 2022
- Rebekah W17 contributionsBeautiful beachThis was one of our favorite beaches to visit. It was beautiful, with soft sand! Downsides: Not where I would pick to snorkel, lots of people because of all the resorts. Tip: All resorts in Kihei are required to supply a certain number (about 10 from what we saw) free beach parking spots so, drive down to the resorts and look around for "Beach Parking" to hopefully snag a spot. Start early!Visited December 2022Written 14 December 2022
- DannyWassermanVirginia Beach, Virginia4,241 contributionsStunning views are just the Beginning !We spent a whole day on the beach. We got lounge chairs, snorkeling eqpt, and fins and were just estatic. The views are amazing and the water is so clear. The beaches are clean and the people were so friendly. I even got burnt up. HA HA.Visited December 2022Written 21 December 2022
- BRENDA H6 contributionsWould stay here every time I visit Maui. There is no place like home……except here. Thank you KBH for a wonderful time.If we should come back to Maui 100 motet I es I would stay no where expect here. The staff is so friendly they make you feel like you are at home. The greatest so beautiful and immaculately kept. Rooms so clean and serviced daily I just love it here. This is actually our 2nd time hereVisited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 28 December 2022
- LifeaslaurieLSt. George, Utah56 contributionsTropical fish, turtles, and whales… ocean waves and the best of Sunsets.This is such a beautiful beach… there is ample sand and grass to sit on and really great snorkeling… there is one downside, getting in and out of the water to go snorkeling is very difficult. The waves on shore will toss you like a rag if you don’t watch for the right moment. The fish and turtles are plentiful… it feels really safe to go out far. The whales jumping in the distance is a wonderful way to just sit on shore and relax. Parking can be tricky, this beach is nestled between two hotels and they don’t offer many beach parking spots. Overall, this is my favorite beach in the area.Visited January 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 29 January 2023
- Iowabiker24 contributionsBest beach in this area.Beautiful beach! It is long and has lots of high end restaurants. Great for kids. We parked in the ramp at Whalers Village, walked the beach and ate at Hula Grill where we got parking validated.Visited February 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 17 February 2023
- Cindy PAnoka, Minnesota30 contributionsWindy but relaxingSpent the afternoon lunching and nature watching. Several whale breeches, a bird that looked like a roadrunner (probably a plover). numerous roosters and hens scratching around the picnic tables. This was a wayside park that was on the beach. Very high winds that day. Watched windsurfers and wave surfers.Visited February 2023Written 20 February 2023
- bil2cg7 contributionsPure HeavenPure heaven, fabulous views and delicious waters with unreal sunsets! It was one of our best beach experience ever. In fact, this year we will be back again even if we are coming from very far away, from Switzerland:)Visited August 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 March 2023
- James Y7 contributionsKa’anapali and Maui are Amazing!We love Maui. This was our second time to stay in Ka”anapali. It is a wonderful location about an hour from the airport and about an hour from Wailea. We spent 10 days there on this trip. The waves were unusually large for that time of year, it is usually much calmer during May. We were able to go out snorkeling and enjoyed a few days at the beach. One of our favorite finds was Pa’ako Beach. The waterfalls and hike at Haiku are a must! I highly recommend a vacation here.Visited May 2022Travelled with familyWritten 16 March 2023
- Traveler3102553 contributionsBeach ReviewBeautiful stretch of beach. Clean, calm water, beautiful views. We love that it’s never too crowded. Black Rock is a short walk away and it’s fun to see people jump from it!!!! Snorkeling is great. The sunsets are to die for !!!! Go. Now!!!!!!Visited May 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 15 May 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
9,429 reviews
Excellent
6,807
Very good
2,020
Average
478
Poor
92
Terrible
32
smhr
Pickering, Canada277 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Nice beach. Good place to go. There is free parking available but it is limited. Will recommend the place
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fireweed25
Edmonton, Canada231 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Loved Kaanapali Beach north of Black Rock. The beach was quieter and swimming and snorkelling were still good. We stayed at the Maui Eldorado so spent a few days at this beach. Without even snorkelling, saw turtles swim by every day as well as a monk seal.
The water was warm and clear and the sand soft; beach was clean. Nice views. There was enough wave action most days for body surfing or boogie boarding. It did get deep quickly and even in gentle waves they would take you out a bit so you couldn’t touch bottom. My teens were fine but keep a close eye on small children here.
The water was warm and clear and the sand soft; beach was clean. Nice views. There was enough wave action most days for body surfing or boogie boarding. It did get deep quickly and even in gentle waves they would take you out a bit so you couldn’t touch bottom. My teens were fine but keep a close eye on small children here.
Written 1 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cwgl1968
Walnut Creek, CA4 contributions
Jul 2023
We spent a few days here on this beach, so clean, not rocky (no need to wear water shoes) and 10 ft away from tropical fish, great to go snorkeling here! This beach was conveniently located right by our resort, such a pretty place, lots of families come here. I got a floatie to use and that was awesome just floating around.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MDF
6 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Absolutely beautiful beach and waters. Not too many rocks to make walking/swimming in the ocean uncomfortable. Very enjoyable.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy H
84 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Love this beach on Maui- our fav at hotel where we always stay and play - gorgeous views - soft warm sand and just the best beach
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laurie S
Maitland, FL99 contributions
Aug 2022 • Solo
Actually visited during June through August of 2020. Just locals, I was fortunate to spend the summer here with my adult kids. No tourists was interesting experience and since I’m from Central Florida it was an awesome break.
Great to experience this beach as it was, not many people on the beach. Everyone kept to their own group.
Lovely place to visit and swim, maybe jump off a rock into the ocean.
Great to experience this beach as it was, not many people on the beach. Everyone kept to their own group.
Lovely place to visit and swim, maybe jump off a rock into the ocean.
Written 18 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JcDub
25 contributions
Jul 2023
This beach is absolutely beautiful. The sand is clean and the water is turquoise and clear. It was a bit crowded but we found an area closer to the Sheraton that was pretty open. I imagine the snorkeling is amazing.
Written 4 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michel K
Littleton, CO2 contributions
Jun 2023
Very beautiful and clean beach. Not very crowded despite being Mid-June. Great location near resorts, hotels, restaurants and shopping. Lacks more public parking.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave W
3 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
Great beach with amazing natural living coral and plenty of wildlife to view from snorkel gear. We decided this was our favorite beach on west Maui
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jldavis65
2 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Lovely beach in late May / early June. We stayed at the Royal Lahaina Resort so access was easy. Not crowded at all. It was fun watching the efoilers on the water. Water was clear and plenty of beach to enjoy.
Written 10 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does the Paki Maui hotel still exist?
tony l
Vancouver, Canada3,566 contributions
I believe they still in business , very old building , need a major up grade , personal option , I would not stay there if you pay me , please read the TripAdvisor reviews ! remember you pay what you get! good luck .
ChrisannLI
Mount Sinai, NY
Could anyone suggest another beach for day trip from Kahului cruise ship port. Google maps say 45 min ride one way to Ka’anapali Beach.
robarabian
Simi Valley, CA17 contributions
Waliea / Makena beaches are beautiful, 20 minutes from the port / ship.
Can you rent chairs/umbrellas on the beach?
Charles
Columbia, SC510 contributions
Most hotels have them available to rent along with cabanas
ArtVandelay-NJ
Montville, NJ11 contributions
While I’ve read that Kaanapali Beach is beautiful, I’ve also seen reports that people are getting cuts all over their feet from coral when then go in the water. How much of that is exaggerated and are water shoes highly recommended or do most get along just fine without?
Tacomafam
Tacoma, WA16 contributions
Kaanapali beach is huge, so that may be true in some section of the beach…? But that has not been my experience in my favorite section of the beach — nearer Black Rock. We never use water shoes.
Patricia H
Colleyville, TX44 contributions
We are going there next month. For those of you who have been to Maui this year, what COVID test die you take and where did you get it?
DaayTrippers
Saugerties, NY241 contributions
We used CVS but it did not arrive on time so we used the United Airlines service at the SFO airport. Pricey but fast and efficient - we will use them again this year if still required. We live on the East Coast so options are limited.
Companion777288
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Hola Alicia. Necesito saber a que distancia está la playa del puerto para cruceros. Y si es lejos que medio de transporte te lleva. Cualquier otra cosa que nos recomiende hacer. Voy en un crucero y toca un día lahaina. Gracias
David-Lori-89
Louisiana907 contributions
Hi sorry I am just seeing this. If you havent cruised yet we just took a cab to Ka'anapali beach and rented beach chairs umbrellas. Taxis are readily avalable to take you back to the port. Ka’anapali Beach – 3 Miles north of pier. You can also take Maui bus #25 ($4 all day pass) or a cab ($20 one way) to Whalers Village for shopping and restaurants. (Suggested: lunch at Hulu Grill or lunch at Leilani’s and their Hulu Pie, both restaurants are in Whaler’s Village) Walk thru Whalers Village to the Beachwalk and walk north towards Black Rock for beach and snorkeling. Rent cabana/beach chairs from Hal Huaka’I water activity center at Ka’anapali Beach Hotel for $45 includes 2 beach chairs and 1 umbrella. Then go further north to snorkel at Black Rock.
Where is there public parking at Kaanapali Beach?
291neils
midland, mich43 contributions
i stayed at hotel RESORT KAANAPALI ALI parking garage for their guest.
CopperKingMansion
Butte, MT11 contributions
Where is there public parking near Black Rock?
Tony D
Sandy, UT36 contributions
If you're going to be a black rock most restaurants and shops in Whaler's Village will validate...so park in the mall parking.
Margo A
4 contributions
What are the best moderately priced snorkeling tours? Are there a lot of fish to see by just snorkeling off the beach?
tspencer9
Dawson Creek, Canada52 contributions
Honestly, I’ve taken a snorkeling trip and I didn’t enjoy it.... I felt like most of the tour was just time spent on the boat and the actual snorkeling was minimal. I found we saw everything right off the beach! Try Kapalua Bay or Kameole III! Loved both of these and saw huge turtles!
viagens2012
Huntington Beach, CA182 contributions
Hello, we will be coming to Mayo on Saturday and we are staying in Kaanapali. I had never been to Hana because I’m afraid to get sick with the windy road. Any tips? Any short way to get there? Thanks
Minnie M
Kentucky157 contributions
Only one road and I'd highly recommend leaving early, taking drinks/snacks (or even pack a lunch), and stopping when you can. My husband suffers from motion sickness and he drove. We took our time and stopped occasionally to sight-see. It helped that he was driving also, rather than riding. Go slowly (for safety reasons as well). We got to Charles Lindberg's grave-site where most people turn and go back because the road gets tighter and rougher in places, but we continued on around the southern end of the island. We did not have any problems but drove cautiously especially around corners. It was beautiful. I recommend that you give it a try. If it bothers you, you can always stop and go back. But again, if you drive slowly (which you really have to anyway) and stop frequently, get out and walk a bit from time to time, you should be fine.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Ka'anapali Beach
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Ka'anapali Beach:
- West Maui Coastline Audio Driving Tour (From ₹ 1,665.56)
- West Maui: Self-Guided eBike, Hike, and Snorkel Excursion (From ₹ 5,828.20)
- Romantic Sunset Champagne -Private- Maui Air Tour: Intimate & Spectacular! (From ₹ 28,217.80)
- Private South & West Maui Beaches Tour (From ₹ 89,010.16)
- Snorkel Vessel 25 Guests on Private Charters from Kaanapali Beach (From ₹ 2,59,560.07)
- Hotels near Ka'anapali Beach:
- (0.05 km) The Whaler on Ka'anapali Beach
- (0.18 km) OUTRIGGER Ka'anapali Beach Resort
- (0.19 km) The Whaler Maui-Suite 802-Spectacular Ocean Front
- (0.24 km) Aston at The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach
- (0.19 km) Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
- Restaurants near Ka'anapali Beach:
- (0.15 km) Cliff Dive Grill
- (0.15 km) Hui Hui Restaurant
- (0.17 km) Teppan-Yaki Dan
- (0.17 km) Chunky Paniolo Hawaiian Food Truck
- (0.20 km) Black Rock Steak and Seafood