For resort vacationers on Maui’s west side, Kāʻanapali Beach is the main attraction. With three miles of white sand beach, gentle waves and extended walking path surrounded by restaurants, shops and hotels, its ground zero for crowds of visitors. Puʻu Kekaʻa (commonly known as Black Rock) divides the beach between the lively south side and the quieter north side. In the evening, it becomes a stage for cliff jumping and a torch-lighting ceremony hosted by Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. During whale-watching season, Kāʻanapali Beach provides a front row seat to spotting humpback whales from the shore. If you aren’t staying at one of the Kāʻanapali resorts hugging the coastline, this beach can be difficult to access. Just south of The Westin Maui Resort & Spa, Kaʻanapali and “resort row,” you’ll find a section of the beach used primarily by canoe clubs that has ample free parking. If you type “Kāʻanapali Beach” into Google Maps, this is where you will arrive. If you are looking for more action, Whalers Village is the place hundreds of visitors and locals flock to daily for cocktails, food, shopping and free events right on the beach.
Water Activities
Kāʻanapali Beach is a 3-mile-long stretch of white sand on Maui's west side. The soft sand, clear blue water and light surf make it one of the most swimmable beaches on the island. The ocean floor is sandy, making a gentle entry for children and elders.
The stretch south of Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock) — running from the Sheraton past Whalers Village down to the Hyatt Regency — is the busier, more resort-fronted section and the one most visitors picture when they think of Kāʻanapali. The water here is generally calm, with a mild shore break ideal for boogie boarding and swimming. Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours. To the north of Puʻu Kekaʻa, you’ll find Kahekili Beach Park, which is quieter and less crowded — a good choice if you want space and don't need resort action nearby.
Snorkeling is best in the morning when the ocean is calmest. Winter and spring bring calmer overall conditions on the west side of the island, and those months also bring humpback whale sightings offshore. Catamaran whale-watching tours launch directly from Kāʻanapali Beach during those months.
- Best snorkeling spot: Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock)
- What you'll see underwater: Sea turtles, fish and coral
- Rentals available on the beach: Stand-up paddleboards (SUP), snorkeling gear, jet ski, beach umbrellas, boogie boards
- Whale watching: November to April
- Book Parasailing
- Book Canoe paddling
- Book Boat tours
| Kāʻanapali Beach Quick Facts |
The Kāʻanapali Beach Walk
The concrete walking path along the Kāʻanapali resort strip connects shops, restaurants and hotels. It runs approximately 1.3 miles from the Sheraton in the north to the Hyatt Regency at the south and is accessible 24 hours a day at no charge.
The walk is flat, fully paved and accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. It passes directly in front of all the major resorts and connects seamlessly to Whalers Village at roughly the midpoint — making it easy to step off the path for a meal, a drink or shopping. Along the way, the islands of Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi are visible offshore, and at sunset the views down the full length of the beach are spectacular.
Early morning when the beach is quiet is the best time to walk it. You'll often share the path with local residents and hotel guests getting a workout in before the day heats up. At sunset, the walk fills up, tiki torches flicker outside the restaurants and the Sheraton cliff-diving ceremony draws a crowd near Puʻu Kekaʻa.
