Adjacent Kaanapali Beach gets all the attention, which means that if you head to Hanakao’o Beach Park instead, you can have your feet in the sand before the Kaanapali Beach-goers have found a parking spot. Pair time at the park with an exploration of the historic whaling town of Lahaina where you can take surf lessons or attend a traditional luau.
Hanakao’o Beach Park is frequented by local families and in-the-know tourists.
The beach is one of the few in Maui with lifeguards on duty.
The park has ample parking, so if you want to check out Kaanapali Beach, you can park at Hanakao’o Beach Park and walk to it along the beach.
Showers and bathrooms are available at the park.
Hanakao’o Beach Park is a 40-minute drive from the Kahului Airport and 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) north of central Lahaina. If you don’t have a car on the island, you can take a bus or shuttle to the beach, which is just off Highway 30.
The quiet nature of this expansive beach means it's a great place to get away from the crowds, but if you want even more solitude, avoid visiting on weekends and school holidays when local families typically frequent the beach.
Hanakao’o Beach Park is commonly referred to as Canoe Beach after the canoe club based at the park. The Lahaina Canoe Club was established in 1971 and is dedicated to preserving ancient Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. The club has traditional outrigger canoes and hosts community outreach programs as well as competitive and recreational paddling events.
