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Ultimate Travel Guide to Kaanapali, Maui (2025 Update)
Kaanapali is a gorgeous resort town with miles of sandy beaches. In fact, most of Kaanapali is a beautiful white sand shore - the beach alone is over three miles long!
So, if you’re hoping to lodge right on the beach or just looking for a beach with plenty of breathing room, this is a great place to visit.
About The Kaanapali Travel Guide
In this guide, we’ll give you all of the essential information you will need to plan a visit to Kaanapali.
We’ll also profile the hugely popular Kaanapali beach including facilities, parking, crowds, and more.
For more about this area, explore our West Maui Coastline Tour. It guides you through the West Maui Mountains with stops at beaches, hikes, and viewpoints.
Why Kaanapali Beach?
Photo by Andrew Bain on Unsplash
Kaanapali Beach is a beautiful three-mile white sand beach that runs along the town.
You’ll find shops, restaurants, and a beautiful boardwalk just behind the beach.
If you’re looking for seaside accommodation, there are plenty of oceanside hotels to choose from.
Kaanapali Beach has a full range of facilities including lifeguards on duty, bathrooms, and public parking (although it usually fills up by 8 a.m.).
State law also requires that beachfront resorts and hotels offer beach access parking. The parking here is paid parking and will cost you around $4 per hour.
Every evening just before sunset, Kaanapali Beach hosts a traditional cliff diving ceremony.
During this ritual, the diver lights torches along Black Rock Cliff before taking the plunge.
Black Rock Cliff, on the northern end of the beach, is also a great snorkel spot.
The tropical fish hug the rocks, so you can snorkel up and down along the rock wall to swim with them.
This is a great snorkel spot for beginners as the wall provides a natural break against the rough waves.
RELATED: History of Kaanapali Coast: How it has Changed
When to Visit Kaanapali, Maui for the Best Experience
Kaanapali, like the rest of Hawaii, has beautiful weather all year round. Compared to the more southern regions of the island such as Wailea, it's slightly cooler and rainier - but don't pack those rain boots just yet.
During the summer months from April to October, daily highs range from the low-to-mid 80s.
During this season, you can expect between two to four days of rain per month.
From November to March, daily highs dip into the high 70s and rain picks up during these winter months.
At night, temperatures sit in the high-60s to mid-70s year round.
Best Hotels and Resorts in Kaanapali for Every Budget
Kaanapali is certainly a resort town. If you’re looking for beachfront lodgings, you’ll have no trouble finding accommodations here. Prices range from $800 to $1,000 per night for extremely luxurious options like:
- Marriott's Maui Ocean Club
- The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas
- Hyatt Residence Club
The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is right on Kaanapali Beach and offers a full range of resort amenities. The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa might have the best location of any resort right on Black Rock Cliff.
Royal Lahaina Resort and the Ka'anapali Beach Hotel are the two most affordable options with prices in the $200-ish range. Both are beachfront establishments.
You might also consider popular options like:
- Aston Kaanapali Shores
- Aston Mahana at Kaanapali
- Kaanapali Beach Club
- Kaanapali Alii Resort
- Honua Kai Resort & Spa
- Maui Kaanapali Villas, or
- Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa
Best Restaurants and Local Eats in Kaanapali
Leilani's on the Beach; Photo by Alexandra Tran on Unsplash
You’ll find plenty of great places to eat in Kaanapali. If you’re looking for a quick bite, be sure to check out Hank’s Haute Dogs, one of our favorite Hawaii-based restaurants.
Otherwise, you can head to any of these restaurants knowing you’ll receive a delicious meal:
- Roy’s
- Leilani's on the Beach
- Hula Grill
- Joey's Kitchen
- Tiki Terrace
- Teppan-yaki Dan
- Round Table Pizza
- CJ's Deli & Diner
- Castaway Cafe
- Pulehu, An Italian Grill
- Pailolo Bar & Grill
- Duke's Beach House Maui
RELATED: Traveling to Maui? Here's What You Need to Know
Golf
There is a beautiful 36-hole golf course in Kaanapali, which features surreal views of the Pacific Ocean.
So, if you’re hoping to get some golfing in be sure to look into Kaanapali Golf Courses. KGC is known to be quite challenging, so bring your A-game.
Best Things to Do in Kaanapali
Zipliners leave the platform; Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Dana Edmunds
If you’re looking for more adventures, activities, and experiences to fill your time, there’s plenty to do in and around Kaanapali. Here are some of our favorites:
- Zipline
- Attend a Luau
- Visit the West Maui Forest Reserve
- Snorkel
- Rent a Stand-up Paddleboard, Surfboard, or Kayak
- Whale Watch
- Cliff Jump from Black Rock
- Go Shopping
- See a Magic Show
- Art Gallery Hop
- Parasailing
- Check Out the Kaanapali Boardwalk
FAQs About Kaanapali
How far is Kaanapali from the Road to Hana?
Kaanapali is about 45 minutes from the closest access point to the Hana Highway. To get there quickly, take Highway 30 south, then cut across the island via Highway 380, continuing onto Airport Road and turning right onto Hana.
RELATED: Road To Hana Travel Guide
Why Stay in Kaanapali?
Kaanapali offers a less crowded alternative to larger towns like Lahaina. It's cooler than Wailea or Kihei, with more affordable beachfront accommodations and a three-mile-long beach. Perfect for those wanting to stay close to the water without the crowds!
When is the Best Time to Travel to Kaanapali?
The best times to visit Kaanapali are during the shoulder seasons: September and mid-to-late January. For surfing, winter offers the best waves, while whale-watching peaks from late November to April. Always respect the environment and marine life!
Plan Your Visit to Kaanapali with Shaka Guide
Plan your visit to Kaanapali with Shaka Guide! Explore cool beaches, fun stories, and amazing views on our West Maui Coastline tour. It’s super easy to follow and makes your trip extra fun. Don’t just see Kaanapali—experience it! Get the tour today and start your adventure!
Visiting Maui? Shaka Guide has 6 tours on the island. Check them out here!
We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.
For more on how to be a safe and responsible traveler when you visit Hawaii, click here.
For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our West Maui Coastline Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.
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