What Are The Things to Do in Ka'anapali? Here Are 16 of The Very Best Activities
While Maui offers beautiful scenery and fun activities from coast to coast, Ka’anapali is one of my favorite and one of the most popular areas to visit for many reasons. Ka’anapali is filled with recreational activities, cultural experiences, and opportunities for relaxation, and well, you get the point, there’s a lot to do and see! This makes it easy to plan the perfect day regardless of what you are in the mood for. If you’re looking for a few specific things to do and see in Ka’anapali, here are the best things to do from my experience having lived there and having spent a great deal of time in the area since moving to Maui back in 2010.
1. Enjoy a Beach Day at Ka'anapali Beach
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This one’s easy. Ka’anapali Beach is widely hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and in the world. The beach boasts soft, white sand and spans three miles. While the beach can get busy at times, it rarely feels crowded because of its sheer size. Amenities include a restroom, lifeguard service, and onsite parking. If you spend the end of the day here, you can enjoy a spectacular sunset and watch the cliff diving ceremony. Nightly at Black Rock in front of the Sheraton, the cliff divers reenact a celebrated dive by King Kahekili against a backdrop of torches.
2. Snorkeling at Black Rock
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Located on the northern end of Ka’anapali Beach, Black Rock is a stunning spot both above and below the water. This area, also known as Pu’u Keka’a, is popular for snorkeling. Rather than having a coral reef like some of Maui’s other beaches, Black Rock uniquely features coral along a rock wall. You could spot turtles, rays, Cornetfish, Butterflyfish, eels, Unicornfish, and many others swimming near the coral. If you swim when the current is strong, do so with caution to avoid being washed into the rock wall.
3. Sunset Cruise with Trilogy
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Maui is renowned for its sunsets, and there is no better way to cap off an amazing day on the island than with a sunset cruise. Trilogy offers several exceptional cruises, including the Lahaina Sunset Whale Watch Cruise and the Lahaina Sunset Sail. Other options include the Deluxe Ka’anapali Sunset Sail, the Maalaea Sunset Sail, and several special Fourth of July cruises. Many of the sunset cruises include appetizers and access to a premium bar. Trilogy also offers dinner cruises as well as snorkeling, whale watching, and other experiences that can enrich your time in West Maui.
4. Play Golf at the Ka'anapali Kai or the Royal Ka'anapali Course
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You can take advantage of Maui’s excellent weather and enjoy breathtaking views while golfing at two of Ka’anapali’s top golf courses. Ka’anapali Kai sits on grounds that were once a vacationing spot for island chiefs and, later, a sugar plantation. This par-70 course requires strategy, and it is beautifully landscaped with coconut trees, hibiscus, and other tropical plants. The Royal Ka’anapali, one of Maui's best golf courses, is a par-71 course that features both ocean and mountain views. At each tee, you will find plaques that reveal different aspects of the area’s rich history.
5. Shopping at Whaler’s Village
Whaler’s Village is a popular, open-air shopping destination directly on the coastline. In addition to its shops, Whaler’s Village is home to recognized eateries. It's located right next to the Whaler condos and the Westin. These range from small ice cream shops and coffeehouses to some of the most highly-rated dining spots on the island.
Each time you visit Whaler’s Village, you can enjoy different cultural experiences. Many stores offer their own demonstrations and classes, and there may also be musical events, basket weaving, hula lessons, lei-making classes, and more for you to take advantage of. Check out the events schedule online to learn about the latest things to do in Ka'anapali to get the most out of your visit to Whaler’s Village.
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6. Walk the Ka'anapali Beach Walk
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Whether you want to enjoy lovely views while you exercise or you want to leisurely explore the area, the Ka’anapali Beach Walk is a must. This paved trail runs roughly 2.2 miles in each direction with only a moderate elevation change of 500 feet. The trail begins at Hanakao’o Beach Park and follows the coastline. You can walk through tropically landscaped grounds near The Mahana, the Honua Kai Resort, The Whaler and other popular resorts. The trail also passes by Duke’s Beachhouse Restaurant and other dining venues.
7. Have a Mai Tai at Monkeypod
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Monkeypod Kitchen is an extremely popular restaurant and bar in Whaler’s Village, and it features a large patio for an open-air dining experience. It stands apart by serving a wonderful selection of handcrafted drinks, including their famous Mai Tais. What sets this Mai Tai apart from others is the Lilikoi foam they put on top, it is ridiculous! The menu items change seasonally and often feature locally sourced and harvested fish and produce. During the afternoons and evenings, you can enjoy live music featuring local artists while you take in ocean views and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.
8. Take Surf Lessons with Island Style Adventures
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Maui is widely known for its excellent surfing conditions, and newbies can learn the ropes through Island Style Adventures. The lessons are held in the morning and early evening, and you can choose between private, semi-private or group lessons. If you are visiting Ka’anapali with your kids, you can schedule lessons for children as young as three years old. If you have other types of aquatic adventures in mind, Island Style Adventures also offers stand-up paddleboard lessons, kayak tours, and equipment rentals.
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9. Enjoy a Luau at the Hyatt or Royal Lahaina
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Your time on Maui would not be complete without enjoying the cultural and culinary experience of a traditional luau. In Ka’anapali, both the Hyatt and the Royal Lahaina offer luaus that feature traditional dancing and music as well as excellent food. With everything from fire dances and tropical cocktails to a stunning sunset and a lei greeting, a luau is an experience that you will not forget.
10. Take a Snorkel Cruise to Honolua Bay
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Not far off of the West Maui coastline, the waters of Honolua Bay are teeming with marine life. Several snorkel cruises are available that take you to one or more of the most popular snorkeling spots in the area. Some of these spots are home to many sea turtles and dolphins. You can also spot a variety of other species while snorkeling in Honolua Bay. Some cruises offer meals or snacks as well as beverages and other perks.
11. Try Maui's Best Dessert, Roy's Chocolate Souffle
Roy’s is a renowned restaurant in Ka’anapali that is popular for its innovative, delicious cuisine. One of its dishes that has been copied many times over the years by other restaurants is Roy’s Chocolate Souffle. In addition to this delectable dessert, you can enjoy a wide range of Hawaiian-Japanese dishes in an airy dining room. From many vantage points in the dining room, you can take in magnificent views of a golf course through picture windows.
12. Get Sushi at Japengo
In the Hyatt Regency, Japengo serves Pacific Rim dishes in a dramatic dining room overlooking the beach. You can also dine al fresco on the patio. While Japengo is well-known for its many types of sushi and sashimi, it also serves specialty cocktails and entrees featuring fresh fish, pork, beef, and others. Numerous vegetarian and rice dishes are also available.
13. Breakfast at Duke's at the Honua Kai
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A great way to start your day in Ka’anapali is with a delicious breakfast at Duke’s. Located at the Honua Kai Resort, this restaurant has surfer decor and great water views. For breakfast, you can dine on Banana & MacNut Pancakes, Onolicious French Toast and other dishes. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner daily. Live musical performances on the patio are held most days of the week in the afternoon and evening.
14. Learn to Scuba Dive at Airport Beach
Airport Beach has ideal scuba diving conditions, and many instructors offer classes for new divers here. The large reef sits only 25 feet from the beach. Located only eight feet underwater, the reef is home to sea turtles, moray eels and numerous tropical fish species. The beach is appointed with a barbecue stand, a picnic pavilion, and restrooms with showers.
15. Oceanfront Yoga with the rOMing Yogi
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Not far from Duke’s, rOMing Yogi offers exceptional yoga classes overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Classes are exclusively offered for guests at the Sheraton Maui Resort, and they can be tailored for special events from sunrise to sunset. You can also request a private session or join a scheduled group. Meditation and personal training sessions are also available.
16. Paddleboard (on a Calm Day)
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Some of the best stand-up paddleboard spots on Maui are located in or near Ka’anapali. While Honolua Bay is popular for surfing in the winter months, it has calm waters that are perfect for standup paddleboarding during the warming months. Given the clear waters, you could even spot fish and turtles below the surface. When the water is calm, you can also paddleboard at Ka’anapali Beach, Kapalua Bay, and other areas. There are many great paddleboard rental places, but the best is Auntie Snorkel, you can find them in Lahaina at the Lahaina Gateway next to Teddy's Bigger Burgers (one of the best burgers you'll ever taste!).
With all of these and many other things to do in Ka'anapali, you can enjoy many fun-filled days during your next visit to Maui. Some activities require reservations, so it's never too early to start making plans. If you've fallen in love with Ka'anapali or Maui and are looking to make the move or invest in a short-term rental condo here, please feel free to contact me with any questions!
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