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Kaanapali
ℹ️Practical info — Kaanapali
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Visit Black Rock for snorkeling early in the morning before the crowds and winds pick up.
- Get your parking ticket validated at Whalers Village by making a purchase.
- Watch the daily cliff diving ceremony at sunset at Black Rock.
- Always keep a respectful distance from the Honu (sea turtles) resting on the beach.
🍽 Food
Macadamia nut ice cream pie found at major beachfront restaurants.
Excellent at local fish markets or grab-and-go resort delis.
A traditional, filling Hawaiian plate lunch served at nearby local diners.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
A major open-air shopping and dining center right on the beach.
Look in local ABC stores or specialty shops for great edible souvenirs.
A quieter stretch of sand just north of the busy main resort area.
Especially peaceful for a sunrise stroll before the resort wakes up.
Water temperature…
Kaanapali was Hawaii's first master-planned resort and remains one of the most prestigious areas on Maui. Its centerpiece, Ka'anapali Beach, features three miles of white sand and was once named 'America's Best Beach.' At the northern end of the beach lies Keka'a Beach, famously known as Black Rock. This site is significant in Hawaiian lore and is the location of a daily sunset cliff-diving ceremony. The waters around Black Rock are crystal clear, providing exceptional snorkeling right off the shore. Kahekili Beach Park, also known as Airport Beach, is a bit further north and has a more relaxed pace with excellent coral reefs accessible from the sand. Families often frequent Honokowai Beach Park for its calm waters and grassy picnic areas. The Kaanapali Beachwalk provides a scenic route for strollers and joggers, leading to Whalers Village, a premier oceanfront shopping and dining complex. Located on Maui’s western shore, Kaanapali is about a 45-minute drive from Kahului Airport. During the winter months, the area serves as a spectacular vantage point for humpback whale watching. With its combination of luxury amenities, historical significance, and natural beauty, Kaanapali provides a quintessential Hawaiian vacation experience.
- Location: United States
- Top sights: Black Rock Beach · Ryan Staub Gallery of Glass · Hanakao'o Beach Park
- Nearby: Lahaina (4 km)
- Population: ~1.045 (2026)
Geography
Facts
- Hawaii's first planned resort
- Daily cliff diving ceremony
- Whalers Village shopping hub
- Prime whale watching spot
- Iconic Black Rock landmark
- Three-mile long sand beach
- Two championship golf courses
- Former royal retreat area
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
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Sights in the town Kaanapali (6)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best snorkeling in Kaanapali?
What is Whalers Village?
Is there a beach boardwalk in Kaanapali?
When does the cliff diving ceremony take place?
How is parking managed in Kaanapali?
Kaanapali: where is it located?
Kaanapali: what is there to see?
Kaanapali: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
