Experience
The Beauty of The Northwest Coast
Honolua Bay
Kapalua (25 + minutes north of Lahaina)
The best time for snorkeling here is during the
summer (in the winter the north swell makes it
difficult to go in the water except for wave riding).
The snorkeling here is exceptional with a wonderful
variety of fish and some great turtle watching.
There are no facilities and it is a bit of a hike
down a steep hill to get down to the beach. Do
not leave valuables in your car and you might
consider leaving your car unlocked. Unfortunately
this area is known for cars being broken into
and items being stolen.
Two
miles north past Kapalua Bay Resort on Honoapiilani
Highway, there will be cars parked on the left-hand
side of the road. The beach is accessed by walking
a short distance under a canopy of tropical trees.
Make sure not to leave valuables in your car.
Mokule'ia (Slaughterhouse) Beach
Tucked
against the cliff-slide, this little crescent
of white sand provides a perfect environment for
the sun-seeker, while the more active explore
the incredible snorkeling found in this tiny bay.
In winter months conditions can be dangerous as
heavy surf pounds the shore, but the summer often
bring perfect conditions for bodysurfers. Concrete
stairs lead down to this incredibly picturesque
beach that still bares the unfortunate name "Slaughterhouse"
among the locals. The name is a holdover from
the time when two sheds were constructed by Honolua
Ranch on the cliffs overlooking the beach. The
sheds were torn down in the mid- Sixties, but
the name remains. Although the moniker doesn’t
conjure up pleasant images, a trip to Slaughterhouse
will be rewarded by one of the most attractive
beaches on the island.
Head
North on Honoapiilani Highway. The beach is located
just short of two miles past the entrance to the
Kapalua Bay Resorts
D.T (David Thomas) Fleming Beach
Beautiful, big , and wide, Fleming Beach is one
of the best on the Northwest side of the island
and surprisingly uncrowded considering its beauty
and many amenities. Located between two large
reefs on either side, the swimming here can be
ideal when the conditions permit. However, when
the wind kicks up, this protected cove becomes
choppy and bodysurfers are more likely to head
into the water. Fleming Beach is situated at the
bottom of the Kapalua Ritz-Carlton, and while
the beach chairs are meant for guests an unoccupied
chair is not too hard to find. Other amenities
associated with the hotel include a restaurant
overlooking the beach with an activity rental
center attached. Accomadations provided by the
park include restrooms, barbecue grills, showers,
and a lifeguard. When conditions are rough, Fleming
Beach is not ideal for families with small children
who like to play in the surf. However, when things
are good, Fleming can be great! Watch for red
flags posted along the beach which warn of strong
riptides- a fairly common occurrence in winter.
Drive
north on Honoapiilani Highway past Kapalua Bay
Resort for about one mile. Turn left and follow
the "shoreline access" signs.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Kapalua
is Hawaiian for "arms embracing the sea",
and nowhere is this more visible than at Kapalua
Bay Beach. One of the most popular destinations
for beach-goers on the Northwest side of the island,
this crescent of white sand is nestled between
two black lava rock points which reach out into
the sea and protect the bay from the rough ocean
currents. The soft white sand here is quite enticing,
but the beach is also sloped toward the ocean
and heavily populated by tourists. However, a
small grassy area sprinkled with palm trees provides
plenty of room to lay out for those who aren’t
at the beach to be "seen". The swimming
here is quite good, although confined, the snorkeling
is decent, and there is occasional surf. Thus,
while it may not have the best of these individual
attractions, Kapalua Bay Beach offers a little
bit of everything in a truly ideal environment.
Public accomadations include bathrooms, two showers,
and an activities rental shack.
Access
at the southern end of Kapalua on Lower Honoapiilani
Highway, on the northern side of the Napili Kai
Beach Club. There is public parking but it is
limited, so if you park on the street make sure
it is in a legal area.
Napili Bay Beach
One
of our favorites for a casual day at the beach,
Napili Bay has all of the amenities of a world
class beach but lacks any one outstanding feature
that would bring in flocks of tourists. The beach
here is a large crescent of fine white sand with
a flat shelf that slopes rather steeply toward
the ocean. That slope continues into the crystal
blue water, leading to a rather strong rip current
and shorebreaks that draw bodyboarders during
the winter months. All other times of the year,
however, the water here is ideal for swimmers.
Snorkeling is decent on the left-hand side of
the beach, but not of a caliber to draw people
here for that purpose. Napili Bay Beach is often
overlooked in favor of its neighbor, Kapalua Beach,
yet it offers many of the same perks without the
density of beachgoers.
Public
access is found at the end of Hui St. off of Lower
Honoapiilani Highway. Parking is legal along the
street, with a convenience store and beach shower
adding to the amenities.
Kahana Beach
Beginning
at the Kahana Beach Resort and continuing past
the Sands of Kahana, this stretch of beach offers
plenty of space for you sunbathers. The swimming
here is very good thanks to a protective offshore
reef, but the combination of sand and rock as
you enter the water may discourage the younger
beach-goers from playing in the shore-break. Kahana
is a nice beach which is never very crowded, but
not one that you should actively search out if
you are not staying in the area.
Take
Hoohui road off of Honoapiilani Highway and head
west toward the ocean. Turn left on Lower Honoapiilani
Highway and look for parking on the far side of
the Kahana Beach Resort.
