This is the No. 1 Snorkeling Spot on Maui
Kāʻanapali Beach was named the best place for snorkeling on the Valley Isle in our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
- Move over, Molokini.
Kāʻanapali Beach is now the No. 1 snorkeling spot on Maui, according to our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Not that should be a huge surprise since the popular West Maui beach—27 miles west of Kahului Airport—has been on the list for years. (Rounding out the Top 5 are Molokini Crater, Honolua Bay, Kapalua Bay and Maluaka Beach.)
While it may not have the abundance of fish Molokini islet does, Kāʻanapali Beach is much easier to access to snorkel: The 3-mile stretch of white sand is lined by some of the island’s top resorts with some—not many—public parking spaces. (All beaches in Hawaiʻi are public.) If you’re staying at one of the hotels in the area, the beach is literally your backyard.
Kāʻanapali Beach on Maui.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
And yes, you can snorkel here! The waters are crystal clear, and the area around Puʻu Kekaʻa (aka Black Rock) is a great spot to see a variety of tropical fish, including parrot fish, moorish idol, tang, wrasse, butterflyfish and the state fish humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa. Oh, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Just be sure to stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away from them—on land and in the water.
The area around Puʻu Kekaʻa can get deep very quickly. Like with all beaches, be safe and know your limits.
At sunset, every evening, you can watch a cliff diver light torches along the cliff before diving off Black Rock in a reenactment of a feat by Maui’s revered King Kahekili.
Sunset at Kāʻanapali Beach on Maui.
Photo: Getty Images/YinYang
After your snorkel, head to one of Kāʻanapali’s many restaurants and eateries for a cocktail or bite to eat. Roy’s Kāʻanapali features farm-to-table fare curated by James Beard award-winning chef Roy Yamaguchi; favorites include blackened ʻahi, misoyaki butterfish and macadamia nut-crusted local catch. Leilani’s on the Beach at Whalers Village boasts great sunset views, live music and an extensive drinks menu that includes the signature freshly squeezed mai tai. Or grab a Filipino-inspired, local-style plate lunch at Joey’s Kitchen, also at Whalers Village; popular dishes include pork adobo fried rice, Joey’s smash burger and garlic Kauaʻi shrimp, with breakfast options like ube French toast and mac nut pancakes.
See all of the winners of our 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards in our latest issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
