Best things to do in Napili and Kapalua
Located between Kahana and Kapalua, Napili is perfectly nestled. Most recognized for the beach at Napili Bay, oceanfront properties, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and a quaint resort-style community, Napili is one of Maui’s most unassuming secret gems. Napili Bay is also a famous site for some of the best snorkeling on Maui.
Kapalua provides one of the most incredible landscapes and vacation environments for everyone that steps foot in this area. Impossible to duplicate, Kapalua can easily produce one of the most luxurious travel experiences in all of Hawaii. With fantasy island-like settings, Kapalua gorgeously spans from the mountain to the sea with beautiful bays, world-renowned golf resorts, hiking trails, spas, fine dining, and more.
When vacationing in the West Maui areas of Kapalua or Napili, guests will undoubtedly love seeing magical Maui sunsets, and tri-island views of the neighbor islands of Molokai, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe every day. With a setting that is always decorated with the picture-perfect West Maui Mountain range and the Pacific Ocean, allowing Hawaii’s flora and fauna to magically take you away in West Maui.
Napili Bay
Located between Kahana and Kapalua is the famed Napili Beach area. Napili Bay is surrounded by a mellow group of full-time residents, part-time residents, and vacation condominium communities. Despite the hype of West Maui areas like Lahaina and Ka’anapali, this serene coastal area remains to be one of the sleepiest little areas within Hawaii. Napili is truly a Maui gem.
Napili & Honokowai Farmers Markets
The Napili Farmers Market takes place every Wednesday from 8am to 11am. It is located at the corner of Honoapiilani Highway and Napilihaui Street (near the Maui Preparatory Academy). This is a fabulous West Maui outdoor farmers market for those looking for all-local produce, including Maui-grown items like mango, pineapple, banana, papaya, Tahitian lime, coffee, Kula greens, locally grown herbs, smoothies, kombucha, juices and more.
Breakfast at Gazebo Restaurant
Fronting Napili Bay, next to the pool at Napili Shores, Gazebo restaurant is a West Maui breakfast institution. The food is great, the location is open-aired and beautiful, and the menu is inexpensive compared to most other popular breakfast spots on Maui. Over the years, the Gazebo has become increasingly more trendy with the tourist community, so you’ll probably have to wait for a table.
Slack Key Guitar Show:
Napili Kai Beach Resort Aloha Pavilion
Hosted two times a week by world-renowned Hawaiian slack key guitarist and musician, George Kahumoku Jr., all guests will definitely enjoy the Slack Key Guitar Show in Napili (Wednesday and Thursdays at 7:30pm). George Kahumoku Jr. was born and raised on the Big Island, but has made the Island of Maui his home. Honored with a multitude of Grammy and Hoku Awards, George is recognized as a master slack key guitarist, singer-songwriter, international performer, educator, artist, writer, farmer, and an overall Hawaiian entrepreneur.
Napili Kai Beach Resort Aloha Pavilion
Happy Hour at
Maui Brewing Company
“Maui Brewing Co. has a strong commitment to the local economy, and deep concern for the environment. We package in the most eco-friendly (and beer friendly) material, the can. Our spent grain is given to local farmers for feed and compost, contributing to local sustainability.” (MauiBrewingCo.com)
Maui Brewing Company
Honolua Bay & Marine Preserve
The Honolua Bay Marine Preserve is located off Highway 30 about a 20-minute drive north of Lahaina. Just before mile marker 32, you will see a sign for the Marine Conservation District, and this is the beginning of the protected Honolua area. The Honolua Bay Marine Preserve consists of Slaughterhouse Beach (Mokuleia Bay), Honolua Bay, Lipoa Point, Windmill Beach (Punalau Point), and a few coastline trails in between.
Kapalua Golf Resort
Golfing is definitely one of the most popular activities in all of Hawaii. On Maui, golf enthusiasts have the best selection of golf resorts, golf instruction, and annual golf events to choose from. The Kapalua Golf Resort consistently ranks as the #1 Golf Resort in Hawaii by top golf media outlets and has received numerous accolades from world-renowned publications like Golf Digest and Golf Magazine.
Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay is one of the most remarkable beaches on Maui, and a perfect West Maui locale to explore while on vacation in Hawaii. Kapalua translates to kapa and lua in the ancient Hawaiian language, meaning “two borders.” Kapalua Bay is perfectly positioned between Oneloa Bay and Honokahua Bay, which explains its centrally located namesake.
D.T. Fleming Beach Park &
Hike to Dragon’s Teeth
D.T. Fleming Beach Park extends over 3.4 acres of West Maui land and is located approximately a 20-minute drive from Lahaina. D.T Fleming Beach Park on Maui is a great location for a family BBQ or a relaxing day sunbathing and swimming with friends. The beach park has lifeguards on duty from 8 am to 4 pm, 12 picnic tables, 5 BBQ grills, lots of parking, restrooms and an outdoor shower, and wheelchair access to the beach.
Hike to Dragon’s Teeth
Nakalele Blowhole
Nakalele Blowhole is situated past the Kapalua area at Pohelua Bay. It can be found by following Highway 30 past Kapalua towards Wailuku on the backroad. Close to mile marker 38, you’ll find the ‘Acid War Zone Trail.’ From the gravel parking lot, visitors can hike down a 30-minute trail (please do not drive down even if you see locals driving down) to a short hike to the blowhole.
Mahalo for reading
Pride of Maui’s Top
10 Things to Do in
Napili & Kapalua
Mahalo Nui Loa for reading Pride of Maui’s Top 10 Things To Do In Napili & Kapalua blog post! It has been our pleasure to inform our readers about a handful of some of the best things to do in West Maui. What are your favorite things to do in Napili and Kapalua?