$2,149 - $3,500per night
Kaanapali Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand and crystal clear water fronted by upscale resort hotels making this a premier vacation destination. Stroll along the oceanfront promenade to browse through the unique shops and dine in style. At Kaanapali you can relax on one of Hawaii's finest beaches enjoying leisurely swims, fun water activities and spectacular ocean sunsets with the scenic backdrop of the West Maui Mountains.
Things To Do
The highlight of Kaanapali is the miles-long stretch of golden beach. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling and other activities in the pristine waters as well as strolls along the beach and the paved oceanfront walkway where you can dine and browse the shops. Golfers have two exceptional Kaanapali courses to choose from with panoramic ocean and mountain views. The recently renovated Royal Kaanapali Course is the resort's original course, built in 1962 and known for its wide fairways and undulating greens. The Kaanapali Kai Course in contrast is known for its narrow fairways. History buffs will want to visit the Whalers Village Museum which displays one of the world's largest scrimshaw and whaling memorabilia collections. Kids will love a ride on the Sugar Cane Train travels between Lahaina and Kaanapali. The restored train is pulled by a vintage steam locomotive and the ride is narrated by an entertaining guide. Many other activities are available at Kaanapali from beach volleyball to parasailing, ziplining and hikes. After a fun day pamper yourself at a spa and enjoy a Hawaiian-style massage.
Nearby Beaches
Kaanapali Beach is about three miles long offering plenty of space to relax. Fronted by Kaanapali's upscale resort hotels, shops and restaurants, the beach has everything you need to spend the whole day enjoying the Maui sunshine.
Snorkeling and scuba diving is exceptional around the huge lava rock known as "Black Rock" where tropical fish and a variety of other interesting marine life congregate. Beach activity vendors in front of the hotels provide rentals of water sports equipment to ensure a day of fun. At sunset watch the daily cliff diving ceremony at Black Rock complete with tiki torches, hula and the sounds of drums and conch shells. More great beaches can be also found along this coastline including north at Kapalua Bay.
Restaurants
Views of the gorgeous West Maui coastline makes dining at Kaanapali a memorable experience with creative cuisines to match the occasion. There are many open-air dining options and top quality restaurants to delight your palate. Japanese, Italian, pizza, Thai, plate lunches, steak, seafood, and champagne brunches are all part of the dining scene in Kaanapali. Black Rock Steak & Seafood at the Sheraton Maui offers a farm-to-table menu including with great seafood choices including the fresh catch of the day. Named after the landmark lava rock that divides Kaanapali Beach, this restaurant enjoys nice views of the ocean (and the rock) with seating in a window-filled interior or out on a large flagstone terrace. Leilani's On The Beach at Whalers Village on Kaanapali Beach serves fresh Hawaiian seafood along with chicken and steak with oceanfront outdoor seating. These are just a few of Kaanapali's dining options, and many more exceptional restaurants can be found in Lahaina town to the south and Kapalua to the north.
Shopping
Whalers Village at Kaanapali is a world-class shopping complex including stores, restaurants, a whaling museum and lots of activities including hula lessons, lei making and island-style entertainment. Specialty shops and more restaurants can also be found at the Fairway Shops at Kaanapali. More shopping options can be found in some of Kaanapali's resort hotel gift shops as well as to the north in Kapalua and south in Lahaina town.
Getting Around
A rental car is recommended when visiting Kaanapali so you can explore the area's great beaches as well as other parts of Maui from "Heavenly Hana" to Haleakala Volcano. Kaanapali is located in northwest Maui about four miles north of Lahaina, and about 45 minutes from Kahului International Airport. Shuttle transportation in Kaanapali connects the hotels, restaurants, golf courses and even Lahaina town. Maui's public bus system operates 7 days a week and provides service between most major communities including West, South and Central Maui including Haiku, Kula and the Maui Upcountry.
Weather and Ocean Conditions
Maui's western shore is known for its year-round great weather with lots of sunshine, moderate rain and comfortable temperatures that are usually between 70 and 80 degrees F. Winter temperatures may dip into the 60s and summer temperatures may rise into the 90s on the hottest of days though the tropical trade winds provide a comfortable cooling effect. Kaanapali Beach is typically very calm with glassy conditions in the morning hours, though during the midday and afternoons the trade winds may blow a bit stronger. Like all Hawaii beaches, conditions can change and you should always use caution before entering the ocean. Inexperienced swimmers are advised to always swim and enjoy ocean activities at lifeguarded beaches. Check with lifeguards before going in the water to learn about the safest areas to swim and enjoy the water activities you choose.
Vacation Info
Kaanapali vacation rentals provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and the comforts of home including nearby shopping, dining and entertainment. Browse through our Kaanapali vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Kaanapali accommodation for your dream Hawaii vacation. We take pride not just in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals in Kaanapali, but also in the fact that we stand behind our product and make sure only the best of the best Kaanapali properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Kaanapali rentals or which destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
History
Kaanapali became a world class travel destination beginning in 1962 when investors who had profited in Maui's sugarcane industry decided to build a master planned vacation resort. The first step was developing about 500 acres of unused sugarcane land, building access roads, underground electrical systems, a water supply system and sewage treatment plant, grading sites for hotels and golf courses and creating infrastructure. Respected golf course designer Robert Trent Jones, Sr. was asked to design a championship course. The Kaanapali Beach Resort and Royal Kaanapali Golf Course were officially opened in December of 1962 along with the resort's Lahaina Beach Club. Since that time Kaanapali has blossomed into a world-class vacation destination with many upscale hotels and condominiums, a major shopping center and a second golf course.