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Ka'anapali Beach

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
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Fireweed25
    Edmonton, Canada257 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beauty Beach
    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.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 1 November 2023
  • Jeff H
    Juneau, Alaska42 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Outstanding beach and a must see on Maui
    The beach and the views are amazing and we love the island of Maui. We were two couples who stayed in Kihei for a week. We loved the Kihei area as very nice beaches and more affordable condos, stores and entertainment. We drove to Kaanapali beach for the day and it took about 45 minutes with a cool drive along the coastline. We had lunch/drinks at one of the restaurants on the beach and walked the beach. It had been about 10 years since we visited Hawaii and we can see why Maui is paradise. We need to go back before 10 years passes again.
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 December 2023
  • 19diane68
    65 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful sunsets on Kaanapali Beach
    Stayed at Hyatt Residence Club on Beach. Absolutely gorgeous, clean beach. Not wide due to erosion. Direct view of Lanai for sunsets. Never really crowded, whale spouts in evidence this time of year. Very relaxing
    Visited December 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 2 January 2024
  • Hannah
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Does not disapoint!
    Now is the time to go! Just got back from Maui and this beach was definitely a highlight of our trip :) It says 2-3 hours, but if you want to really enjoy it...4 hours is not wasted time: snorkeling along the rocks, the beach was expansive and not overly crowded (mid-beach find a palm tree to lie under - so peaceful!), the weather was near perfect, and the food was pretty tasty beachside with live Hawaiian music! Stock up on sunblock and water shoes (for the rocks if snorkeling). As beautiful as this area is...the contrast driving there was heartbreaking as you can't miss the utter loss and damage of the recent fires. When you see it you will realize that these words are a gross understatement and the people who live and work here are amazing. The service, hospitality we received here couldn't be beat and such a beautiful place to visit!
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 January 2024
  • Christi S
    North Richland Hills, Texas33 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Kaanapali Walking Path
    This review is written from a night trip along the trail that runs in front of the hotels. Kaanapali Walking path The path is nice and well kept. However, at night it is dark and you should take a flashlight. Also, there is a colony of cats along the hedges. There are lots of cats and they are not afraid of humans. We used the trail at night to walk along the resorts.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 January 2024
  • MNice
    Bloomington, Minnesota5,413 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    How can we rate one of the most beautiful beaches a 4/5?
    We love this beach. We were unable to get out in the water for a couple days due to high surf, but today it was gorgeous and the whales were giving a spectacular show. You can hear them talking under the water by ducking your head under the water. So why not rate this beach 100%? It’s not the water, the sand, the whales or obnoxious beach goers. It’s the Hawaiians themselves who have let half the most beautiful beaches in the world become places for vagrants to live in giant piles of trash. We left Oahu hoping to get away from this scourge which brings a sore on the landscape everywhere. It’s not as bad on Maui, but definitely the government fails to make this a concern throughout the islands. The water is beautiful, you don’t need wet shoes, the place is gorgeous; come and enjoy and try not to look behind you at the locals disrespect for the environment.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 February 2024
  • Maria V
    San Jose, California7 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    So beautiful, but dangerous
    Beautiful beach. Silky soft sand and calm blue water. My only issue is the coral. You need to really watch your step when swimming. Unfortunately, i stepped on one, and my foot still hasn’t completely healed yet. I mean, i went there 9 months ago! Other than that, very nice.
    Visited July 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 March 2024
  • Chris K
    Ankeny, Iowa14 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tourists still welcome on Kaanapali?
    Have come to Kaanapali beach yearly in April for 5 or more years. This year we were disappointed in the tent community on the beach in front of whalers village protesting short term rentals in Maui. Seems there could be more pressing fire related issues that might warrant tents on the beach...short term rentals affect housing world wide. Although perhaps Maui after the fire is more unique and would be better off if tourists did not come here so much to give the locals more space on their island.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 April 2024
  • Carrick M
    39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stunning
    Ka'anapali Beach on Maui is stunning! The golden sands, clear waters, and vibrant marine life make it perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Black Rock is a highlight for cliff jumping and snorkeling. Convenient amenities and great nearby dining and shopping at Whalers Village. Gorgeous sunsets cap off an unforgettable experience. Highly recommended!
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 30 May 2024
  • Mildred B
    Long Beach, California39 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Breathtaking!
    Ka'anapali Beach is absolutely breathtaking! The sandy shores and transparent waters are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Black Rock offers thrilling cliff-diving opportunities. Convenient facilities and dining options nearby enhance the experience. Spectacular sunsets are the icing on the cake. Strongly recommended!
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 30 May 2024
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 ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles9,462 reviews
Excellent
6,829
Very good
2,030
Average
479
Poor
91
Terrible
33

elitass
Cali, Colombia54 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
I like this beach, tan sand, beautiful blue water. However it was a little crowded, there are a lot of resorts around and for us was very difficult to find a public parking lot -the one we found had around 20 spots. It doesn’t have public showers, restrooms or changing rooms, so if you are not staying in one of the resorts around will be difficult to hang out in here for the day.
Written 11 January 2020
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.

Dan C
Ventura, CA299 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
This a beautiful stretch to beach above black rock and Kaanapali resort and hotel area. It has restrooms and showers and a wonderful boardwalk, just off the white sandy beach, that you can wander along for miles. Snorkeling is also good here and most of the time you will see scuba divers in the area too. Plenty of parking and just a great place soak up some sun and enjoy the day.
Written 29 March 2020
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.

Lynne H
Kelowna, Canada158 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
This is a nice, wide sandy beach. Entry to the water is all sand but it gets very hot so surf socks are recommended so you don’t burn your feet. There is great snorkelling all along the beach but the best snorkelling is at Black Rock. If you go out around the point, there’s a shallow area with tons of fish. There are also lots of turtles that hang out just off the beach. The variety of fish is amazing: I even saw a moray eel. The surf can be very strong so I don’t recommend swimming when they have the red flags up but on calmer days, this is a great beach to swim and snorkel. There are lots of resorts along the beach and lots of amenities like restaurants, washrooms and showers. There is limited public parking that fills up before 8 am so expect to pay for parking unless you get there really early - I recommend getting there really early because the snorkelling is best first thing in the morning.
Written 12 May 2022
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.

illuminated2010
Canada90 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
Not sure about all the hype around this beach. We visited in May, waters were rough with very strong waves. With waves crashing hard on the beach, it created a drop off. So this is not a flat beach, at some parts of this beach there is a 1m drop towards the sea. Not a good beach even for a stroll as it is not flat and you will get covered in sand when that rogue wave comes crashing over you.

This beach is not recommended for young kids as the surf is strong. Not too relaxing as it is crowded and you can hear constant yelling by parents at their kids to stay away from the sea.

Over rated.
Written 3 May 2022
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.

RonnyC2723
Dallas, TX85 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022 • Family
Kaanapali Beach is the most beautiful in the world.I have explored beaches almost throughout the world and have found none better. The sands are beautiful and the sunsets are gorgeous. Taking a cruise offers breathtaking rainbows and a chance to outrun porpoises or watching whales in the winter. It is always fun simply to see an occasional storm blanketing the high mountain ranges in the mornings or evenings. Amazingly there are no trash or litter. God help you if you are caught littering. No one does however. I’m also amazing that though there are crowds, it’s never crowded. Solitude is available everywhere. Come watch the Black Rock diver jump from Black Rock located directly behind the Sheraton Hotel. Have a romantic dinner at the Hula Grill or Monkepod. Shopping at whalers Village is fun, especially during the early evenings,
Written 6 August 2022
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.

on_the_go_98765
Tucson20,572 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
Over the many years that we have been coming here, beach erosion has increased and it is obvious when walking the Hyatt-to-Sheraton strip of beach. Near the Hyatt, areas are cordoned off and the tiny bit of beach they did have is almost nonexistent now.

Around the Marriott and down to the Sheraton, the situation is better but not perfect. Steep shelf ledges show just how active that erosion has been and continues to be.

This stretch of beach has it all: dining places, Whalers Village, kiosks to rent whatever is needed to pursue water activities, and more kiosks to schedule a catamaran cruise or sightseeing trip.

The surf is a bit rougher near the Marriott and gets more gentle down towards Black Rock. Water temperature is pretty cold in the winter but that doesn't seem to deter people from getting down under the waves.
Written 3 February 2022
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.

Clare
Toronto, Canada53 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Beautiful beach with a GORGEOUS sunset! The ocean was a bit rough but not intimidating at all. There’s a lot nearby too. If you’re on this side of Maui I highly recommend taking some time to enjoy this beach.
Written 29 February 2020
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.

Alta Martis
Curaçao24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
Best beach I’ve been to so far (and I live on an island).
The sand is sparkly and soft, the water is crystal clear and has a perfect temperature.
It’s a relatively long beach, so there’s enough room for everybody to relax in their own space.
My husband and I were there last February and were delighted to see a few whales swimming there. (Of course not too close to where we were swimming, but close enough to be seen with the bare eyes.) The sun also sets beautifully at this beach.
If you want to relax on soft sand, swim comfortably in clear water and enjoy a romantic sunset, this is the place to be.
Written 6 April 2020
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.

TahitiZ
Milwaukee, WI2,120 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
We love Ka'anapali Beach and for the first time we were able to visit in February. There is a walkway along the beach which seems to go on forever. The sunsets are beautiful and in February we were able to see so many whales everywhere!
Written 28 March 2020
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.

Chuck M
San Diego, CA212 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
There its a reason why Ka'anapali Beach was once the "playground" for Hawai'i's royalty and Ali'i. This area of Maui is stunningly beautiful, and is rich in the history and heritage of Hawai'i.
The beaches are great! Wide open and safe. The resorts are also first-rate.
Ka'anapali offers something for nearly everyone, but beach lovers will truly love this area. Swimming, snorkeling and cliff diving are top attractions at Ka'anapali Beach. However, at least on my visits over the last 30 years, there is not much in the way of surfing here. Surfers are better off traveling further up the westside of Maui (Kapalua, for example) for waves.
Granted that Ka'anapali Beach can get crowded from time to time, but that shouldn't set you back too much. Just plan your visit carefully, and try to avoid "prime time."
There are plenty of places to dine, shop and drink in the Ka'anapali Beach area. Although some of these places are on the expensive side, don't worry about it. Its only a 10-15 drive down to Lahaina town.
In sum, there is really no downsides to Ka'anapali Beach or the local resorts. If you are planning to visit Maui, this is a wonderful area in which to base your vacation out of.
Aloha & have fun in the "place of kings and queens!"
Written 10 April 2021
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.

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