About Kaanapali
Located in the northwestern region of the island referred to as West Maui, Kaanapali is Maui's first master-planned resort area and still arguably the most popular place to stay on the island. The community offers two pristine beaches, Kaanapali Beach and North Kaanapali Beach, separated at the center by a large lava rock formation famous for its cliff jumping called Black Rock. Together the beaches span over six miles of coastline and are fronted by top-end highrise resorts featuring glamorous hotels and condo rentals, elaborate pools, and lush manicured grounds.
Once named the #1 Beach in America, Kaanapali Beach remains a hub of activity. Catch one of the several catamaran tours that leave its shore daily, play in the warm turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean, or book an oceanfront massage at one of the world-class spas. Situated on the furthest north end of the beloved beach, the historic Pu’u Keka’a, or Black Rock, is a popular snorkeling and cliff-jumping destination. One of Maui’s most acclaimed high chiefs once jumped from these cliffs, gaining the respect of many warriors who were frightened by the spirits believed to live in the area. To this day, it is revered as a sacred spot known as the place where a soul leaps into eternity. Inspired by this ancient Maui tradition, the Sheraton puts on a nightly cliff diving ceremony in which a young diver climbs the rock, lighting torches along the way before jumping into the water. Head down to the north end of the beach around sunset to enjoy the show.
Situated in the heart of Kaanapali Beach, Whaler's Village is an outdoor beachfront shopping center featuring over 90 high-end dining and shopping options, from one-of-a-kind Hawaii-owned retailers to some of the most famous brand names in fashion. Grab dinner at one of the oceanfront restaurants like Hula Grill or Leilani's on the Beach to experience authentic Hawaiian cuisine and a stunning sunset overlooking the ocean. Your group can also join in on several complimentary activities and events offered by the mall each week, including ukulele lessons, hula shows, and traditional Hawaiian lei-making.
North Kaanapali Beach, also known as Kahekili or Airport Beach, offers incredible snorkeling right off its shore and tends to be the less crowded and quieter option of the two beaches. Rent a mask and some flippers to experience Maui's magnificent marine life, or simply pull up a beach chair and enjoy the soft sand while you soak up the sun. A long walking path connects both beaches, making it easy to access all the dining, shopping, and activities, no matter where you stay. Even better, guests who book with Maui Resort Rentals can use our complimentary shuttle service to reach many of the popular attractions around West Maui.
In addition to dozens of dining and shopping options, the area features two challenging championship golf courses that showcase stunning views of the ocean. The Royal Kaanapali Course hugs a stretch of shoreline before winding its way up the West Maui Mountain foothills, while the newly designed Kaanapali Kai Course features sweeping panoramic views, natural canals, and lava rock boundaries. A few minutes to the north, the Kapalua Bay Course has hosted over 20 major professional tournaments, and the Kapalua Plantation Course is consistently ranked the #1 golf course in Hawaii.
A scenic 45-minute drive from Kahului airport to the resorts of Kaanapali puts you at the center of all the action West Maui offers, and the views alone are well worth the trek. The highway you will travel to reach your resort hugs the coastline nearly the entire way and is only feet from the ocean in some areas, while the lush West Maui Mountains stand tall to your other side.
An easy 20-minute drive north of Kaanapali is Honolua Bay, a marine life conservation area and world-class snorkeling destination bursting with beautiful coral gardens and all different types of aquatic creatures. The tall rocky cliffs surrounding the bay shelter it from wind and keep its bright blue waters calm and crystal clear. Guests staying in the area can also choose to skip the drive altogether and book a Honolua snorkel tour that takes off right from Kaanapali Beach.
Once a retreat for Hawaiian royalty and the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, West Maui is overflowing with personality and culture. Just ten minutes south of Kaanapali in the heart of Lahaina, Front Street is a historic strip of what was once the epicenter of the Hawaiian Kingdom, now a walkable strip of storefronts, restaurants, art galleries, and public parks that line the ocean. These unique and colorful waterfront stores range from inexpensive souvenir shops all the way to high-end art galleries.
Occupying an entire city block on the southernmost end of Front Street, visitors won't want to miss the Lahaina Banyan Tree, an iconic part of Maui history and the oldest Banyan tree in the Hawaiian Islands. Front Street is also home to the primary harbor in West Maui, where most fishing, snorkeling, and whale-watching tours depart as well as ferries to Maui's neighboring islands Lanai and Molokai.
Considered to be one of the best luaus on Maui, Old Lahaina Luau delivers everything you could hope for in a luau: authentic food, traditional music, and dance, and an incredible location just off the ocean. Situated beachside in the historic town of Lahaina, Old Lahaina Luau prides itself in offering a truly authentic Hawaiian Luau experience, with everything from its food to its dance being strictly local.
Although our Kaanapali accommodations offer everything you will need for a terrific Hawaiian vacation, many of the incredible shops, restaurants, beaches, and activities are within a short drive. Should you choose to venture to other parts of the island, like Haleakala National Park, or want to travel the road to Hana, we recommend booking a rental vehicle or tour to reach these areas.
Experience the space and comfort of home coupled with the luxurious services and high-end amenities of resort living in a Kaanapali vacation rental. Browse our full selection of Kaanapali vacation rental listings below to find out which destination is best for your travel needs, and please do not hesitate to contact one of our Reservation Liaisons with any questions you may have.
Kaanapali Highlights
- Maui's first master-planned resort area located in the center of West Maui.
- Year-round warm sunny weather with average temperatures ranging from 72-85 degrees.
- A scenic 45-minute drive from Kahului Airport.
- Two pristine beaches occupy six miles of coastline, including the world-famous Kaanapali Beach and the cliff diving area called Black Rock.
- Two championship golf courses showcasing stunning panoramic ocean views, with two more courses just a few minutes north in Kapalua.
- Home to Whalers Village, an open-air beachfront shopping and dining center.
- 20 minutes south of Honolua Bay, a marine life conservation area and world-class snorkeling destination.
