Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Unlike the bays of the Kapalua/Napili section of the island, the beaches in Ka'anapali are
long, wide, and lined by resorts. Much like Kapalua, however, the wind can often be a
factor here in the afternoon, so it's best to get your water activities in early before the trade
winds start blowing.
Ka'anapali Beach
Few stretches of Maui shoreline are more iconic than famous
Ka'anapali Beach.
This
long, uninterrupted expanse of sand is lined from end to end with world-class resorts, it
was voted as the number one beach in the United States in 2003, and it's the pulsing epi-
center of the West Side's see-and-be-seen crowd. It should come as no surprise that the
area is a constant hotbed of activity. Pick any island beach activity: surfing, snorkeling,
scuba, snuba, paddleboarding, volleyball, parasailing (summer), or whale-watching
(winter), and you'll find it on Ka'anapali Beach. A paved pathway runs the length of the
beach and is popular with joggers in the morning.
The best snorkeling is found at Pu'u Keka'a (Black Rock) in front of the Sheraton at
the far northern end of the beach. Most of the water sports such as surf lessons take place
at KP Point in front of the Ka'anapali Ali'i, and the beach volleyball court is in front of
the Sheraton on the north end of the beach. For bodyboarding, the best area is between
Whalers Village and Pu'u Keka'a. Since the beach faces directly west, it can pick up waves
any time of the year. Be careful on days with big shorebreak, however, and use common
sense.
Another favorite activity at Ka'anapali Beach is cliff jumping off Pu'u Keka'a. While
this 20-foot jump is popular with visitors and locals, the rock is one of the most sacred
places on the island for native Hawaiians who believe it's an entry point for a person's soul
passing from this world into the next. To jump off Pu'u Keka'a is to mimic the soul at the
moment of death, a legend still told during the evening torch lighting ceremony that takes
place before each sunset.
