A long golden-sand beach fronting the Kāʻanapali resorts, joined end to end by a paved beachwalk. At its north end is Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock), where snorkeling is good on calm days and a torch-lighting and cliff-dive ceremony is held at sunset.
Why we love it
It’s the easiest beach day on Maui: walk out of your hotel, swim off the sand, and snorkel Black Rock before the wind comes up.
What to expect
The sand drops off quickly to overhead depths, so even small waves break close to shore and can knock you down. Kāʻanapali ranked among Hawaiʻi’s top three beaches for wave-related spinal injuries in trauma-registry data. Lifeguards are posted only at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park at the south end. Snorkelers head to the south face of Black Rock in the morning, staying clear of cliff jumpers and boat traffic. Free public beach-access parking is limited and fills early; Whalers Village charges, with validation for purchases. Allow a half day, longer at sunset.
Know before you go
- Lifeguards
- Only at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park, the south end, daily 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Most of the resort frontage is unguarded.
- Shorebreak
- Trauma-registry data (2009–2017) recorded 20 spinal injuries here. Stay out when waves dump on the steep sand.
- Black Rock
- Snorkel only on calm mornings. Currents and boats work the point, and jumping from the rock causes serious injuries.
- Parking
- Free public beach-access stalls are few and fill early. Whalers Village parking is paid, with validation for qualifying purchases.
- Facilities
- Public restrooms and showers at Hanakaʻōʻō Beach Park. Resort facilities are for guests.
