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Home / Beaches / Kapalua Bay Beach

Kapalua Bay Beach

Пляж Капалуа
United States · Beach · Maui
crystal
Best month: June

Best for

Ideal for families with children and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for swimming and watching tropical fish. Not suitable for those seeking solitude — a popular spot.

Best month

June

Water
+25.0°C
Length
200 m
Kapalua Bay Beach — a scenic beach in a sheltered bay, named "America's Best Beach" in 2018. It features calm water and rich marine life, popular for snorkelling and swimming. Ideal for families with children.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Kapalua Bay Beach — a scenic beach in a sheltered bay, named "America's Best Beach" in 2018. It features calm water and rich marine life, popular for snorkelling and swimming. Ideal for families with children.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • White coral sand
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Calm waters protected by lava points
  • Excellent snorkelling from the shore
  • Developed infrastructure: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets
  • Lifeguards and first aid station
  • Nearby hotels and restaurants

Cons

  • Crowded in high season
  • Paid parking
  • Limited shade
  • Small beach size
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for swimming and watching tropical fish. Not suitable for those seeking solitude — a popular spot.
Features
What makes this beach unique
America-s Best Beach 2018. A bay protected by lava points with white coral sand and excellent snorkelling right from the shore.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
golden
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
200 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Average Water Temp
+25.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.1 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
January February
Season end
December
Best month
June
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
low
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
jellyfish
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
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Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
3 pcs
Best restaurants

The Ritz-Carlton Restaurant

International

Restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton with international cuisine

Kapalua Bay Cafe

Hawaiian

Beach cafe with local snacks and drinks

Nearby cuisines

Hawaiian

Traditional Hawaiian cuisine with poke and seafood

Must try: Poke, fresh fish, tropical fruit
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
In the morning the water is calmer and visibility for snorkelling is better. In high season arrive early.
Local Rules
Touching turtles and corals is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Napili Bay Beach

Neighbouring scenic beach with white sand and calm water.

Kapalua Golf Resort

Two prestigious golf courses with panoramic ocean views.

Lahaina

Historic town with restaurants and shops, 15 minutes away.

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Kapalua Bay Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +25.0°C, warms up to +27.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.1 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — golden. Texture — fine. Beach length — 200 metres.
Kapalua Bay Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in January, February. It ends in December. The best month for a holiday is June. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Kapalua Bay Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Jellyfish risk — low. Shark risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Kapalua Bay Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: jellyfish. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Kapalua Bay Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Kapalua Bay Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: The Ritz-Carlton Restaurant, Kapalua Bay Cafe. Cuisines available: Hawaiian. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Snorkel mask.
Kapalua Bay Beach: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning the water is calmer and visibility for snorkelling is better. In high season arrive early.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Touching turtles and corals is prohibited. Take your rubbish with you.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Kapalua Bay Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and snorkelling enthusiasts. Suitable for swimming and watching tropical fish. Not suitable for those seeking solitude — a popular spot.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what makes this beach unique?
America-s Best Beach 2018. A bay protected by lava points with white coral sand and excellent snorkelling right from the shore.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: White coral sand, Crystal-clear water, Calm waters protected by lava points, Excellent snorkelling from the shore, Developed infrastructure: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, Lifeguards and first aid station, Nearby hotels and restaurants. Cons: Crowded in high season, Paid parking, Limited shade, Small beach size.
Kapalua Bay Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Napili Bay Beach, Kapalua Golf Resort, Lahaina. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Kapalua Bay Beach: how do I get to the city of Maui?
The beach is located near the city of Maui. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Maui.

City

Maui

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.