Overview
Kaanapali is a small town on the Island of Maui in Hawaii. It's located on Maui's Western shore, close to Lahaina, and is one of Maui's main tourist destinations.
3 sights · 1 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 10 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kaanapali
Pu`u Keka`a
The ancient Hawaiian landmark that dominates Ka`anapali Beach, also known popularly as Black Rock. It is steeped in Hawaiian legends and lore; in fact, there is a historical site marker along the beach boardwalk at the e…
Ka`anapali Historical Trail and Legends Tour
Consists of 10 rock monument site markers with interpretive signs as well as a complimentary guided tour by hotel concierges every Tuesday morning.
Ka`anapali Beachwalk
Takes you on a scenic shoreline walk for about two miles, stretching between Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Whalers Village oceanfront shopping complex is right in the middle of i…
Kaanapali Golf Courses
Play golf at one, or both, of the spectacular golf courses.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 67°F. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Honolulu)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- JHM Kapalua Airport, Lahaina — 2 mi away. Directions
- OGG Kahului International Airport, Kahului — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
Ka`anapali is about 10 minutes' drive by car from Lahaina as well as the Kapalua-West Maui Airport and about 45 minutes' drive from Kahului Airport, the main airport on the island, where the vast majority of travelers arrive. Route 30 is a road that connects Kaanapali with Lahaina and Kahului.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ka`anapali Beachwalk, Pu`u Keka`a
- Lunch Leilani's
- Afternoon Ka`anapali Historical Trail and Legends Tour, Kaanapali Golf Courses
- Dinner CJ's Deli and Diner
- Evening Maui Brewing Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The population was 1,250 at the 2010 census. The master-planned town is in the Old Hawaii ahupuaa of Hanakaʻōʻō, as in the same name of the southern end of Kaanapali Beach's Hanakaʻōʻō Canoe Beach.
Get in
Ka`anapali is about 10 minutes' drive by car from Lahaina as well as the Kapalua-West Maui Airport and about 45 minutes' drive from Kahului Airport, the main airport on the island, where the vast majority of travelers arrive. Route 30 is a road that connects Kaanapali with Lahaina and Kahului.
Most major car rental companies have stations in north Ka`anapali (on Honoapi`ilani Hwy. between Ka`anapali Resort and Kapalua-West Maui Airport) and at the Kahului Airport terminal on Mokuea Pl. in Kahului.
Get around
By car
Most visitors to Maui rent a car. The budget constrained can take buses and shuttles and the adventurous can rent a geared bicycle.
Cars can be rented in Kahului Airport (all major rental companies have offices there) or in other locations throughout the island. Most hotels usually provide parking for their guests only, sometimes for an additional fee. Parking is available at the Whaler's Village shopping center, for a fee, but they will validate your ticket in stores and restaurants. If you go to one of the hotels for a luau, there is usually parking for the event, also for a fee in most cases.
By bus
There is a shuttle between main Kaanapali hotels and Whaler's Village center. The local bus is $1 per ride. (You can take a Sugar Cane Train between Kaanapali and Lahaina, but this should be done for entertainment only.)
By bicycle
You can rent a bicycle locally, or bring your own bicycle (folding bikes usually can be carried in a bag as luggage without attracting any extra charges). The main roads have paved shoulders marked as "Bike Route", and motorists are fairly relaxed.
By foot
You can use a beautiful path along the beach to walk between major hotels.
See
See Pu`u Keka`a
The ancient Hawaiian landmark that dominates Ka`anapali Beach, also known popularly as Black Rock. It is steeped in Hawaiian legends and lore; in fact, there is a historical site marker along the beach boardwalk at the entrance to the Sheraton Maui with the interpretation of this site. This area is great for swimming and snorkeling and most times of the year offers a huge expanse of golden sand beach. Snorkeling gear can be rented from the Maui Dive Shop in the Whaler's Village.
See Ka`anapali Historical Trail and Legends Tour
Consists of 10 rock monument site markers with interpretive signs as well as a complimentary guided tour by hotel concierges every Tuesday morning.
See Ka`anapali Beachwalk
Takes you on a scenic shoreline walk for about two miles, stretching between Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa and Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. Whalers Village oceanfront shopping complex is right in the middle of it. This beach-side boardwalk occasional dips inland behind a property whose owner wouldn't cooperate with the others who created this facility.
Do
Buy
There are a lot of shops and stores at
Shop Whaler's Village
Eat
Eat CJ's Deli and Diner
Inexpensive (for Maui) casual family restaurant where you order at the counter. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Box lunches with provided coolers and ice to take along for a picnic as you drive around Maui.
Eat Giovani's Tomato Pie
Family Italian restaurant at the entrance to Kaanapali Resort area, just off the main Honoapiilani Highway. Specializing in pasta and pizza.
Eat Hula Grill
The best restaurant in Whalers Village shopping center on Kaanapali Beach. Casual section with light menu on sandy floor, fine dining section on real floor with same menu for lunch but more elaborate menu including fresh fish entrees for dinner.
Eat Leilani's
One of several restaurants in the Whalers Village shopping center in the middle of the Kaanapali Beach resort area. Casual downstairs with short menu for lunch or dinner. Fine dining upstairs with longer menu for dinner only.
Drink
Drink Maui Brewing Company
Great beer, good food, and a mellow atmosphere.
Sleep
Go next
Nearby
Napili
City / town · 3 listings · 4 mi away
Lahaina
City / town · 48 listings · 4 mi away
Kapalua
City / town · 31 listings · 5 mi away
Wailuku
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
Waikapu
City / town · 3 listings · 12 mi away
Kahului
City / town · 22 listings · 14 mi away
Ma'alaea
City / town · 5 listings · 15 mi away
Lanai
City / town · 25 listings · 17 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.