Maui Guidebook

West Maui – Quick Summary

Posted on 28. Sep, 2009 by Mark.

General Geographic Area: West Maui

In a nutshell: West Maui is home to loads of beautiful beaches, and the towns of Lahaina and Ka’anapali. To the north of this region, Ka’anapali and Kapalua boast plenty of higher-end condos and resort hotels, plus four word-class golf courses. Lahaina, the most-visited spot on Maui, is midway around the head…

Kahekili Beach Park

Posted on 15. Jul, 2009 by Mark.

The reef is right there, visible from the beach.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Drive-up snorkeling convenience on a wonderful, less-than-crowded resort beach.
Minuses: The plus is the minus: ocean entry directly onto reef.
Sound-bite: “Welcome to McSnorkels, may I take your order?”

DETAILS:
This beach is the Northern most beach in the Ka’anapali Beach Resort, but is less crowded and commercialized than its sister…

Black Rock (Pu'u Keka'a)

Posted on 23. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Black Rock is great fun to jump from!

Rating:

In a nutshell: Black Rock is at the north end of Ka’anapali Beach, and is a great place to cliff-jump into the ocean, and snorkel.
Minuses: The uncoordinated may experience an up-close once-in-a-lifetime lava experience.
Sound-bite: “Wooohoooo!” [SPLASH!]

DETAILS:
Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the…

D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Rating:

In a nutshell: Long, sandy sometimes crowded beach backed by ironwoods.
Minuses: Crowded on weekends. Afternoons can be very windy.
Sound-bite: “…fantastic place to just set up some chairs and watch…”

QUICK SUMMARY:
Long, sandy sometimes crowded beach backed by ironwoods (read: shade) and full facilities. Next to Kapalua resort and the Ritz Carlton. Decent snorkeling.…

Ka'anapali Beach

Posted on 23. Jun, 2009 by lilikoi.

Ka’anapali Beach at the Ka’anapali Ali’i

Rating:

In a nutshell: Ka’anapali Beach is a mile-long, spectacularly perfect beach that is home to seven resorts, high-end shopping, various restaurants and activities.
Minuses: The true Hawai’i here has been replaced by a highly profitable replica.
Sound-bite: “What-ever. Louis Vuitton snorkel gear is so last-year.”

DETAILS:
Ka’anapali Beach runs from Black Rock to Canoe Beach, fronted by…

Napili Beach aka Napili Bay

Posted on 14. Nov, 2009 by Mark.

Napili Beach is postcard perfect

Rating:

In a nutshell: A less crowded, low-key resort beach with a much more family feel than many in West Maui.
Minuses: Parking can be difficult.
Sound-bite: “What is the definition of resort, anyway?”

DETAILS:
Napili Beach is on Napili Bay, a sandy cove nestled in a lower-end resort (compared to Ka’anapali) which is itself nestled in a residential…

Ironwoods Beach & Oneloa Bay (West Maui)

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Ironwoods Beach & Oneloa Bay

Rating:

In a nutshell: 1/4 Mile long, sandy and uncrowded beach next to Kapalua resort.
Minuses: Can become very windy in afternoons.
Sound-bite: “Where is everyone?”

QUICK SUMMARY:
This is a beautiful 1/4 Mile long, sandy and uncrowded beach next to the Ritz Carlton and Kapalua Resort. It lies roughly midway along a 1.76 mile boardwalk/trail…

Honolua Bay

Posted on 24. May, 2009 by Walker.

Honolua Bay, view towards beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: Honolua Bay is a spectacular place to snorkel or dive, if you know where to go.
Minuses: Beach uses are mediocre.
Sound-bite: “Honey, your back is really red…”

DETAILS:
Honolua Bay is part of a Marine Life Conservation District, so there is no fishing (or taking of any natural resources, including marine life…

Slaughterhouse Beach and Mokule’ia Bay

Posted on 21. Feb, 2010 by Mark.

Winter surf break at Slaughterhouse

Rating:

In a nutshell: A dramatic cliff-framed marine sanctuary bay with large surf in winter.
Minuses: Water can get murky if it has rained recently.
Sound-bite: “Will we get Slaughtered surfing here?”

DETAILS:
The name “Slaughterhouse Beach” comes from two slaughterhouses that used to be located on the ranch above this beach over 40 years ago.…

Lahaina Baby Beach (aka Pu’unoa beach)

Posted on 16. Feb, 2010 by Mark.

Lahaina Baby Beach

Rating:

In a nutshell: Shallow and safe for little kids because of the offshore reef.
Minuses: Very poor swimming.
Sound-bite: “Hey, it’s nicer than the beach in Atlantic City!”

There is also a (much higher rated) Baby Beach on the North Shore.

DETAILS:
Lahaina’s Baby Beach is mostly visited by local families with young children. The beach is protected by…

Hanaka’o'o Beach Park (aka Canoe Beach)

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Less touristy extension of beach past Ka’anapali beach.
Minuses: Crowded on weekends.
Sound-bite: [roar of a jet ski]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Connected to the south of Ka’anapali Beach. This beach park is where outrigger canoes launch (hence the nickname.)

There is good swimming, but poor visibility for snorkeling. Beach is more popular with locals, and less touristy…

Beaches: Ma’alaea to Lahaina

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Ukumehame Beach Park is practically on the road.

Rating:

In a nutshell: A cliff-side and shoreline drive to Lahaina passes along a spectacularly scenic shoreline with many beaches.
Minuses: The road.
Sound-bite: [cars]

QUICK SUMMARY:
The Honoapiilani Highway hugs the coastline, passing cliffs, ocean lookouts and beaches. Parts of this drive are so close, that the beach is quite literally the…

Kamehameha Iki Park (aka Armory Park)

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Hale at Kamehameha Iki Park

Rating:

In a nutshell: Historic beach, park and surfing
Minuses: A lot of dead coral in the water.
Sound-bite: [Feast at Lele Luau]

QUICK SUMMARY:
This beach of historic significance was once home to royalty. In recent history it was abused and much of the history lost or hidden; coral and sea life also suffered. This…

Wahikui Wayside (aka Cop Shop)

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Best known for beginner’s 20′ dive.
Minuses: Thin, rocky, semi-sand, right on highway.
Sound-bite: [passing traffic]

QUICK SUMMARY:
Between Lahaina and Ka’anapali, this is a thin, rocky, semi-sand, right along the highway. It is a County park, so it has facilities. Best known for beginner’s 20′ dive. Nickname comes from the fact that it is across…

Kapalua Beach

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: This cove is virtually a large swimming pool with a sandy beach.
Minuses: Parking
Sound-bite: “Ouch, my toe!”

QUICK SUMMARY:
Situated in a very protected cove, this cove is virtually a large swimming pool. Fair snorkeling, as visibility is frequently not the best. Beach is backed by development and there is a fair amount…

Keonenui Beach

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Small beach set inside a cove; fair snorkeling.
Minuses: The Kahana Sunset has virtually claimed the beach as their own.
Sound-bite: “Excuse me sir, but I believe this is our private beach.”

QUICK SUMMARY:
No beaches on Maui are private – public access is guaranteed for all. That said, this beach appears to have…

Ka’opala Beach

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Tiny beach of mixed rock and sand. Unlikely to be worth your time.
Minuses: The muck?
Sound-bite: “What’s that smell?”

QUICK SUMMARY:
The name probably translates most closely into “the muck” which is said to refer to the stagnant stream that empties into the ocean in line with the current. I’ll let you be the…

Kahana Beach

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Just meh. Unlikely to be a destination unless you’re staying here.
Minuses: Development.
Sound-bite: “Owwww”

QUICK SUMMARY:
The beach is average, not crowded and waves are mellowed from the offshore reef. Rocks sticking out of the sand can be annoying to painful. Add that it has some pretty big condo buildings smack on it…

Pohaku Park (aka S-Turns)

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Park and surfing. Swimming marginal.
Minuses: Runoff from drainage ditch frequently clouds water.
Sound-bite: “Us die-hard surfers want to get in there when the swells are here.”

QUICK SUMMARY:
This park practically next to the Kapalua Airport is a local hangout and popular with surfers. Swimming is marginal. There was a fatal shark attack…

Honokowai Beach Park

Posted on 02. May, 2010 by Mark.

Rating:
Article In Progress

In a nutshell: Great place to have a picnic from the many nearby yummy take-out joints.
Minuses: Reef is right at the shoreline.
Sound-bite: “What’s an Okazuya?”

QUICK SUMMARY:
Very pretty beach park to sit out and just enjoy being there – swimming is restricted to small pools as there is exposed reef right at the shoreline.…