Robert C.
Yelp
What is the number one attraction in the Lahaina area of Maui?
Kaanapali Beach is a two mile long beach, just north of Lahaina and south of Honokowai.
We were staying in Kahana some 4 miles north of the beach. We drove down the main highway, and took the Kaanapali parkway exit, which curves parallel to the beach for several miles. No parking on the parkway, with wall to wall block long luxury hotels and condominium complexes blocking out any access, let alone view of the beach.
We drive past the Hyatt Regency Maui in the south, past Marriott Maui, the Kaanapali Beach hotel, The Westin, the Sheraton Maui, making a U turn at the Royal Lahaina in the north.
If you aren't paying the big bucks to stay at these 4 star hotels (easily $400+ per night), there is very limited beach access parking for the public. Of course if you are staying at a hotel here, you will have to pay a daily parking fee plus a resort fee. For the Sheraton guests, its $20 parking per day and a $25 resort fee.
There are 20 free parking spots for the public at the southern end of the Sheraton parking garage structure, with its own entrance on the parkway. We tried 3 times, and every time by 830am, all 18 non handicapped spots were filled. Only the 2 handicapped spots were vacant, and don't think you can get away with not paying for a parking ticket even for a rental car.
You can park at the Sheraton parking garage, but it will cost you $6 per half hour, unless you get parking validation for 3 hours with an overpriced meal or afternoon cocktails at the hotel. It's a 11 minute walk from here to the Black Rock, one of the few snorkeling areas on Kaanapali beach.
We drove to the Whaler's Village parking structure, with parking $3 per half hour. It's a 17 minute walk to Black Rock from here, but you can get your parking validated for 2 or 3 hours with a $10 minimum purchase at several of the stores in the Village, or dine at any of several restaurants on the beach. We dined at the Hula Grill, and got a 3 hour parking validation, but only with my wallet $45 lighter!
There are bathrooms for the public in Whaler's Village shopping mall and bathrooms on the pathway next to the Sheraton hotel.
We took a walk along the 3 mile concrete beach pathway, running the length of Kaanapali beach and beyond, separating the luxury hotels, condos, and restaurants from the beach itself. Immaculate landscaped grassy areas next to the pathway, with poolside hotel guests sipping cocktails on the lounge chairs, soaking up the sunshine, under the sun umbrellas..
Crystal clear green water in the shallow areas, blue waters beyond, with the hills of Lanai looming in the distance, 10 miles away across the ocean strait. Cabanas for rent for hotel guests right on the beach. Motorized catamarans and sail boats for the whale watching tourists on the horizon. If you are lucky you will see whales migrating in January and February, by the water blowing out of their spouts. Bring binoculars.
In the center of the beach visible for miles is Black Rock, a large volcanic lava rock stretching into the ocean. It acts as a shield from the ocean tides, and makes for a good snorkel spot. Fish and turtles visible on calm days in the morning, with millennials jumping off the rocks later in the day -they don't get up that early when on vacation!
Most of the long beach is pretty empty of people in the hot afternoon sun in January. However, the narrow beach around Black Rock is as crowded as Coney Island on the 4th of July, with wall to wall people. Even the paved pathway is teeming with walkers, joggers, runners, skate boarders, and baby strollers.
We came here after several stormy days. It's finally a bright and sunny day, but with high afternoon winds. Red flag hangs from a sign. Sign says "Red flag signals heavy tides, strong undertow, dangerous ocean conditions. Swimming extremely perilous for even the most experienced swimmers." Covering themselves like politicians in DC!
We came here to snorkel. We come back the next morning, and two people snorkeling 50 yards offshore at the extreme northern end of the beach far above Black Rock. I ask them about the conditions, and they say water too turbulent, raising up sand from the bottom, and making visibility hazy. We would be able to snorkel only 3 of 10 days in Maui, as heavy coastal tides even in the early morning. Winter in Hawaii, it is what it is!
Oh well, there is always the sunset dinners -reservations a must- and the torch light sunset diving ceremonies by Black Rock.
