Maui - Hawaii with Kids - page 285

6 Beaches
For beach toys and equipment, head to Activity Warehouse ( & 800/923-4004;
www.travelhawaii.com), which has branches in Lahaina at 578 Front St., near
Prison Street ( & 808/661-1970 ), and in Kihei at Azeka Place II, on the moun-
tain side of Kihei Road near Lipoa Street ( & 808/875-4050 ). Beach chairs rent
for $2 a day, coolers (with ice!) for $2 a day, and a host of toys (Frisbees, volley-
balls, and more) for $1 a day.
WEST MAUI
KAANAPALI BEACH
Four-mile-long Kaanapali is one of Maui's best beaches, with grainy gold sand
as far as the eye can see. The beach parallels the sea channel through most of its
length, and a paved walk links hotels and condos, open-air restaurants, and the
Whalers Village shopping center. Because Kaanapali is so long and broad, and
because most hotels have adjacent swimming pools, the beach is crowded only
in pockets—there's plenty of room to find seclusion. Summertime swimming is
excellent. The best snorkeling is around Black Rock, in front of the Sheraton,
where the water is clear, calm, and populated with clouds of tropical fish.
Facilities include outdoor showers; you can also use the restrooms at the hotel
pools. Various beach-activities vendors line up in front of the hotels. There are
no life guards. Parking is a problem, though. There are two public entrances: At
the south end, turn off Honoapiilani Highway into the Kaanapali Resort, and
pay for parking here; or continue on Honoapiilani Highway, turn off at the last
Kaanapali exit at the stoplight near the Maui Kaanapali Villas, and park next to
the beach signs indicating public access.
KAPALUA BEACH
The beach cove that fronts the Kapalua Bay Hotel and the Coconut Grove Vil-
las is the stuff of dreams: a golden crescent bordered by two palm-studded
points. The sandy bottom slopes gently to deep water at the bay mouth; the
water's so clear that you can see where the gold sands turn to green and then
deep blue. Protected from strong winds and currents by the lava-rock promon-
tories, Kapalua's calm waters are ideal for swimmers of all ages and abilities, and
the bay is big enough to paddle a kayak around in without getting into the more
challenging channel that separates Maui from Molokai. Waves come in just right
for riding, and fish hang out by the rocks, making it great for snorkeling.
The beach is accessible from the hotel on one end, which provides shaded sun
chairs and a beach-activities center for its guests, and a public access way on the
other. It isn't so wide that you burn your feet getting in or out of the water, and
the inland side is edged by a shady path and cool lawns. There are no lifeguards
here; outdoor showers are stationed at both ends. Parking is limited to about 30
spaces in a small lot off Lower Honoapiilani Road, by Napili Kai Beach Club,
so arrive early. Facilities include showers, restrooms, lifeguards, a rental shack,
and plenty of shade.
SOUTH MAUI
Wailea's beaches may seem off-limits, hidden from plain view as they are by an
intimidating wall of luxury resorts, but they're all open to the public by law.
Look for the SHORELINE ACCESS signs along Wailea Alanui Drive, the resort's
main boulevard.