Exploring West Maui
Get excited when planning your day on the Western shores of the Valley Isle as fun in the sun awaits! There is almost always something new to going on around West Maui.
Beach hopping is always fun with a host of beautiful beaches to explore. Launiupoko Beach Park is great for beginner surfing or stand-up paddleboarding, Lahaina Breakwall for experienced surfers and Kaanapali Beach (the signature beach of West Maui) for long walks, swimming, and stand up paddling. While on the Kaanapali Beach Walk, you might want to stop by Whalers Village Shopping Center at Ka’anapali Beach is one of Maui’s most beautiful outdoor shopping areas, located just steps off the sand; home to a full spectrum of stores ranging from trendy boutiques to high-end fashion retailers.
Drive further north to get to Napili Bay and Kapalua Bay. Both offer great beaches for sunbathing and playing in the water with little ones. If you get lucky, you might find Hawaiian sea turtles! You might do a little snorkeling at these spots but realy should get out on a boat that takes you to beautiful coral reef areas. You see less with only sand and a few rocks and get excellent advice from people who do this every day before venturing out on your own. Sightsee and beach hop even further North, and check out the magical Honolua Bay; always great for sunsets and a wonderful place to watch surfers during winter months.
West Maui is one of the most popular places throughout the Hawaiian Islands for golfing. Here, golf enthusiasts can explore Kaanapali Golf Course‘s 36 holes and maybe improve their game with private or group lessons. Just past Ka’anapali, golfers will find the infamous Kapalua Golf Resort, home to PGA’s Annual Tournament of Champions every January. Kapalua’s Plantation Course continues to be one of the best in the world, rated #1 in Hawaii, and #17 in ‘America’s Top 100 Public Courses’ by Golf Digest. At the Kapalua Golf Resort, guests will have a rare chance to play the only over-the-ocean hole on Maui!
When you decide to hit Lahaina Town, the State of Hawaii’s original Capitol, be sure to stop by the old courthouse, under the shade of Lahaina’s Banyan Tree, and pick up a self-guided walking tour, hit the shops, and try a very eclectic mix of cuisines are sure to make your day in paradise a memorable one.
If you’re a shopper, Lahaina’s Front Street is easy to walk and offers up a variety of art galleries, street vendors, crafters, chic boutiques, surf shops, and even jewelry stores. After working up an appetite, you’ll also find a wide variety of dining options, ranging from casual eateries to fine dining. A few local favorites include Star Noodle (casual and ONO), Lahaina Grill (fine dining), and Kimo’s (oceanfront dining). A bit further down the road, check out Pacific’O for a fun, oceanfront, fine dining experience!
Lahaina also offers some great shows and two of the very best luaus to be found on the island. In the mood for dinner and a show? Check out Warren and Annabelle’s for a wonderful mix of comedy and magic shows as well as delightful dining options! Both the Old Lahaina Luau and their sister luau, the Feast at Lele are your best bets; however, all of these are wildly popular so make reservations well in advance to ensure the best seats and that you actually get in!