Overview
Kapalua is a resort community located along the west coast of the island of Maui, Hawaii. Situated 20 minutes from Lahaina town and bounded to the North by Honolua Bay.
5 sights · 9 things to do · 6 places to eat · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kapalua
Kapalua Bay
Honored as the first "Best Beach in America" by Dr. Beach, 1991. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking.
DT Fleming Beach
Named "Best Beach in America" by Dr. Beach, 2006. Body surfing, boogie boarding.
Oneloa Bay
The resort's "hidden" white sand beach and part of the Kapalua Coastal Trail sunning and surfing
Honolua Bay
World-famous for surfing its winter swells and snorkeling/diving the marine preserve in summer.
Mokule'ia Bay
With a white sand beach cove and calm, clear waters for swimming and snorkeling.
Kapalua Spa
The second largest, and only stand-alone, destination spa on Maui. Spanning five acres perched on a hill overlooking serene Kapalua Bay, this spa offers 30,000 square feet (2,787 sq m) of luxury with 9 indoor treatment r…
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 — 3 mi away. Directions
- OGG Kahului International Airport, Kahului — 16 mi away (major hub). Directions
Kapalua Resort is a world-class destination in West Maui.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Kapalua Bay, Kapalua Bay, Honolua Bay
- Lunch Cafe Kapalua
- Afternoon Kapalua Adventures, Kapalua Wine & Food Festival
- Dinner Honolua Store
Day 2
- Morning DT Fleming Beach, Mokule'ia Bay, The Plantation Course
- Lunch Merriman's Kapalua
- Afternoon Maui Pineapple Farm Tours, Whale Quest Kapalua
- Dinner Pineapple Grill Kapalua
Day 3
- Morning Oneloa Bay, Kapalua Spa
- Lunch Plantation House
- Afternoon The Bay Course, Kapalua Tennis Garden
- Dinner Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
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.
Get in
Kapalua Resort is a world-class destination in West Maui.
Kapalua Resort offers a free shuttle service to and from this Airport. Car rental services are offered at the Kapalua-West Maui Airport and also at the Ka'anapali Car Rental station on Halawai Drive, off Honoapiilani Highway. Kapalua Resort is located 5 mi from Ka'anapali Beach Resort and 8 mi from historic Lahaina Town.
Additionally, Maui's main airport Kahului Airport (OGG) is approximately 45-60 minutes' drive from Kapalua Resort. All major car rental companies are offered within the Kahului Airport complex on Mokuea Place.
See
From the summit of the mountains at Pu'u Kukui to the Bays of Pi'ilani at the coastline, Kapalua Resort is a natural wonderland of beauty, rich in history and culture. Its 22,000 acres (8,900 ha) are filled with lush valleys, verdant peaks, towering pines, lava rock promontories, picturesque bays and protected coral reefs. The resort is surrounded by working pineapple fields and a diversified farm.
Kapalua Resort is encircled by a necklace of five pristine bays and beaches. All offer a variety of water sports activities, general beach relaxation and some picnic facilities.
See Kapalua Bay
Honored as the first "Best Beach in America" by Dr. Beach, 1991. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking.
See DT Fleming Beach
Named "Best Beach in America" by Dr. Beach, 2006. Body surfing, boogie boarding.
See Oneloa Bay
The resort's "hidden" white sand beach and part of the Kapalua Coastal Trail sunning and surfing
See Honolua Bay
World-famous for surfing its winter swells and snorkeling/diving the marine preserve in summer.
See Mokule'ia Bay
With a white sand beach cove and calm, clear waters for swimming and snorkeling.
On the slopes of the West Maui mountains, Kapalua Resort offers scenic hiking and walking trails in the Kapalua Trail System, a Mountain Outpost featuring Kapalua Adventures' Zipline & Adventure Tours and Maui's only Pineapple Farm Tours.
Do
From world-class golf, tennis and spa to one-of-a-kind adventure tours and a network of free hiking trails, Kapalua Resort offers something for everyone:
Do Kapalua Spa
The second largest, and only stand-alone, destination spa on Maui. Spanning five acres perched on a hill overlooking serene Kapalua Bay, this spa offers 30,000 square feet (2,787 sq m) of luxury with 9 indoor treatment rooms and 10 outdoor island-style bungalows, some with stone soaking tubs and dual treatment space for couples. With an elegant beach house feel, Kapalua Spa opens up to expansive ocean views. Specialty Hawaiian massage and skin treatments, seaweed and marine algae facials, complete beauty salon services, a movement studio and oceanview fitness facility will full-range Kinesis Circuit training, a saline lap pool and sundeck and separate locker rooms with whirlpool, sauna, steam and ice rain showers for men and women are some of the highlights.
Do Kapalua Adventures
Mountain Outpost offers 8 dual-track ziplines, a ropes challenge course, giant tandem swing, climbing tower, observation pavilion and the longest suspension bridge in Hawai'i.
Do Maui Pineapple Farm Tours
Four pineapple tour varieties and an organic farm tour feature tasting Maui's own fresh pineapples in scenic fields and picking your own pineapple to take home.
Do Kapalua Tennis Garden
An award-winning tennis facility with ten plexipave courts, four lit for night play, surrounded by majestic trees and tropical foliage.
Buy
Kapalua Resort features a distinct array of shopping experiences for the resort, adventure, sports and casual shopper:
Shop Kapalua Logo shop
This store is dedicated to the world-renowned Kapalua butterfly logo on a variety of golf apparel and lifestyle wear, featuring exclusive fashion labels for men, women and children. Island inspired gifts and home décor merchandise are also featured. Located in the Kapalua Resort Center.
Shop Kapalua Adventures' Outfitters Shop
In the Kapalua Resort Center, you'll find a boutique of premium outdoor gear, sportswear, hats, shoes and fun accessories for the adventurous-at-heart.
Shop Kapalua Golf and Tennis Garden Pro Shops
For the finest in golf apparel, golf clubs and equipment, visit The Plantation Course Pro Shop and The Bay Course Pro Shop at the Kapalua Golf Courses. Kapalua Tennis Garden offers tennis apparel and gear, tennis racquets and more in its Tennis Pro Shop next to The Bay Course.
Shop Honolua Store
In this landmark 'general store' at the heart of the resort, shop for gourmet foods, snacks, soft drinks, juices and groceries along with an impressive selection of beer and wine. You'll also find a charming variety of island and home decor gift items and Kapalua logo souvenirs.
Shop La Perle
Located in the Honolua Village Center is a fine jewelry store, featuring exclusive Kapalua butterfly and designer jewelry as well as an exquisite array of Tahitian and South Seas pearls.
Eat
Eat Cafe Kapalua
Located in the Kapalua Resort Center, this bistro features healthy breakfasts with Kapalua Farms natural eggs and organic produce; lunch with housemade soups, fresh salads, wraps and sandwiches, delectable desserts and an impressive selection of micro-brewed beers and boutique wines. Espresso and smoothie bar, too.
Eat Honolua Store
A locals' favorite where you can pick up a casual hot meal and enjoy it on the cool veranda outside. Breakfast includes eggs, loco moco, pancakes; lunch features island style plate lunches, fresh salads, hot pizzas and sandwiches. Prepared dinner entrees are available to go.
Eat Merriman's Kapalua
On a scenic knoll overlooking Kapalua Bay, Chef Peter Merriman's restaurant features Hawai'i Regional Cuisine with island farm ingredients for dinner and special events. Open for sunset happy hour daily.
Eat Pineapple Grill Kapalua
Located at The Bay Course Clubhouse, this award-winning restaurant offers Contemporary Pacific Cuisine from island waters and local farms. Open for Lunch, Dinner, weekend Brunch and nightly cocktails.
Eat Plantation House
Perhaps the best sunset view on Maui, plus great food, makes this many people's favorite Maui restaurant. Three or four kinds of fresh fish done in your choice of five or six interesting preparations, plus meats, specialty salads, vegetarian entrees (just ask your server), and bananas foster for dessert. Open for breakfast and lunch.
Eat Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Featuring award-winning sushi and Pacific Rim dishes, Sansei Kapalua is the original one in Hawai'i. Open for dinner nightly with early-bird specials and late-night karaoke dining twice a week.
Drink
Entertainment options and happy hour specials are happening around Kapalua Resort year-round.
Merriman's Kapalua features island music on weekends; Pineapple Grill offers live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights. Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar is popular for Karoake singing and drink specials on Thursday and Friday nights.
The Ritz-Carlton features Hawaiian contemporary musicians in the Alaloa Lounge nightly and Pacific-Asian music in The Banyan Tree restaurant Wednesday-Saturday.
Sleep
Stay The Kapalua Gold Villas
Luxury condominiums tucked into three scenic enclaves throughout Kapalua Resort: The Bay Villas, The Ridge Villas, and The Golf Villas. Each complex has a swimming pool and barbecue pavilion with parking at every unit. Condominiums offer fine linens, state-of-the-art appliances, spacious bathrooms, daily maid service and resort amenities.
Stay Kapalua Luxury Homes
A singular collection of vacation home rentals in the private gated communities of Kapalua Resort. Choose from mountain ridges to the central resort and sandy shoreline.
Stay The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay
The newest luxury offering of privately owned and fractional ownership residences in Kapalua Resort. This property is perched on a hill overlooking Kapalua Bay and features a lagoon style pool, private Beach Club and restaurant.
Nearby
Napili
City / town · 3 listings · 1 mi away
Kaanapali
City / town · 20 listings · 5 mi away
Lahaina
City / town · 48 listings · 9 mi away
Wailuku
City / town · 7 listings · 12 mi away
Waikapu
City / town · 3 listings · 14 mi away
Kahului
City / town · 22 listings · 15 mi away
Ma'alaea
City / town · 5 listings · 17 mi away
Paia
City / town · 7 listings · 20 mi away
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