Kapalua Bay is a beautiful, golden, and protected beach along the west cost of Maui. It has a great view of Molokai and Lanai. Kapalua Bay is one of the most beautiful and safest beaches on Maui.
The Travel Channel has named Kapalua beach as one of Hawaii's best beaches many times.
We spent part of day and walked to Kapalua Bay from next door Napili Bay and Kapalua seemed to have a calmer atmosphere to it than Napili Bay. There didn't seem to be as many people and with the big open green space behind the bay, it seemed more park-like.
Calm, protected Kapalua Bay
Kapalua Bay is the perfect beach for families with children. Kapalua Bay is a well protected cove, free of big waves due to offshore reefs. This makes it not only safe for swimming, but an excellent snorkeling bay as well. In the summer of 2004 we were able to sit and watch spinner dolphins perform just outside the bay. Kapalua beach can also be a good place to watch whales during whale season.
Kapalua Villas
Kapalua Vacation Rentals
The Kapalua area has many different types of cavation rentals: The Ridge, Bay Villas, Coconut Grove, Golf Villas, Ironwoods, Pineapple Hill Estates, and Plantation Estates.
The Kapalua area of Maui, to us, is the best. Kaanapali, Lahaina, Wailea...all are too crowded and not as peaceful or pretty. You can rent a car and go visit the crowds, but it's so nice to come back to Kapalua when you've had your fill.
There is a 'general store' within walking distance where you can buy food, drinks, etc. They have cheap and delicious breakfasts and lunches ($5 - $10). Rent a jeep and explore the island and beaches...you'll like Kapalua. Kapalua is home to three white sand beaches, Ironwoods Beach, D.T. Flemming Beach and Kapalua Bay.
Ironwoods Beach (also called Oneloa Beach), is located between Kapalua Place and the Ironwoods villas, Oneloa Beach is Kapalua's most private beach. Most of the time the white sands have nobody on them. It's a great beach for sunbathing.
D.T. Fleming is a long stretch of white sand in front of the Ritz-Carlton. Dr. Beach named D.T. Fleming the 2006 "Best Beach in America". Boogie boarders enjoy the north side of the beach.
Ironwoods Beach
D.T. Fleming Beach
One day while exploring the Kapalua sights, we walked down in front of the Ritz-Carlton to see what has been called the Dragon's Teeth. It is a lava formation that reaches out into the ocean that has "teeth-like" points on it. In order to get to it, we had to park down by the golf course in front of the Ritz-Carlton, then walk onto and across the golf course for a bit.
This circle maze is near the Dragon's Teeth and we were not sure why it was there. I am sorry my picture is not clearer. While we were standing here facing the ocean, Oneloa Beach was to our left and D. T. Fleming Beach was to our right and we were on an old lava flow that had protruded out into the ocean between the two.
