Kaanapali

Adventurers take note! West Maui provides you with every escapade you could imagine. Whale Watching, Snorkeling, Parasailing, Ziplining, and even Jeep Adventures await you here at Ka’anapali. 

Best Attractions Near Ka’anapali

Adventures

Ka’anapali is famous for Cliff Jumping off of lava rock at Black Rock Beach. Legend has it that Kahekili, the last Chief of Maui, showed his strength of spirit by leaping from Pu’u Keka’a in a ritual. To honor this legend, every evening at sunset, the Sheraton Maui Resort (near Black Rock) puts on a cliff diving ceremony. The tiki torches are lit, and as the cliff diver reaches his perch, you can hear the chanting in Hawaiian, the conch shell blows to announce his arrival. You will see the diver make an offering of a flower Lei to the ancestors below, then take a spectacular nose-dive into the waters below. Plan to be here for at least one sunset evening, this is a must-see!

Should parasailing be on your list of must-do activities, make sure you come between May and December. Due to the annual humpback whale migration, this is the only legal season parasailing be done. June and July are the most popular parasailing months, so make sure to book your adventure as soon as you are able! Your ride will take off from Ka’anapali beach and provide you with breathtaking views from between twenty and fifty stories in the air! 

If your tastes for adventure require another dose of height and speed, make sure you visit the zipline park near Ka’anapli Beach. Choose from an eight zipline or eleven zipline tour! Treat yourself to these incredible ocean and offshore island views from the sky.

Take your next adventure underwater and try snorkeling at Black Rock Beach. The wall provides wonderful sealife views. Coral, fish, and turtles will delight your eyes while you snorkel. Wahikuli Park is another great spot for snorkeling, near Lahaina. 

Slower Paced Activities

Once your adrenaline rushes have been serviced, take some time to spoil a good walk and hit the thirty-six-hole Ka’anapali golf course. Panoramic views of the West Maui Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean delight you from every hole on this amazing course. 

Don’t forget to watch the whales between December and May! You can see whales best in the waters in front of Ka’anapali and Lahaina. This area, the Maui Nui Basin, is where half of the humpback whale population comes to breed every year. You can book whale watching tours or watch from Lahaina Harbor with some binoculars.

Weather Conditions

Average temperatures here are between sixty-nine degrees and eighty-five degrees, year-round. January is the rainiest month, averaging only six days of rain. You cannot go wrong with coming to Ka’anapali for your vacation.

Transportation

To get around Ka’anapali you will likely want to rent a vehicle so you have the freedom to travel at will. For shopping, take the West Maui Shopping Express shuttle. This will take you from Ka’anapali to Lahaina, and back. It also travels between Ka’anapali, Kapalua, Ka’anapali Train Station, and Lahaina train station.

Shopping

As mentioned, take the shuttle from Ka’anapali to Lahaina Cannery Mall. This is the only enclosed and air-conditioned mall on the island! More than fifty boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops have everything to meet your shopping needs. The mall includes a twenty-four-hour grocery store (Safeway) for your convenience. Make sure you catch a hula show while you are here!

Dining

Beachside dining awaits you at Leilani’s On the Beach, famous for its seafood menu and tropical drinks. If you prefer to dine on fish tacos with live music, visit the Hula Grill. Grab some Hawaiian staples and seafood at the Tiki Terrace. Grab some traditional Hawaiian and Filipino fare at Joey’s Kitchen, in the Cannery Mall. You will also be able to find Japanese, pizza, burgers, steak, tacos, a buffet-style Hawaiian feast, and even sub sandwiches.