What to do in Waikapu, HI

With its shimmering waters and clean white sand, it’s little wonder that Kaanapali Beach is considered one of the best shorelines in all of America. Found on the west coast of the island, it is the ideal destination for a relaxing day at the beach – just pack a towel and head over to lounge under the palm trees and splash about in the warm shallows.Ancient Hawaiian Monarchs used to visit Kaanapali Beach to swim, canoe and feast for weeks at a time. These days, it is a luxury holiday resort for tourists from around the world with deluxe condos and 5* hotels looking out over the Pacific from the length of the seafront. Water sports are still popular here, with kayaking, scuba diving and snorkelling all available. Thrill seekers should book in for an adrenaline-spiking session of parasailing. A more relaxing afternoon is offered by the two local golf courses, with smooth greens and a spectacular outlook.Kaanapali Parkway offers upmarket boutiques and restaurants serving traditional American fare as well as local sweets and the freshest fish imaginable. Nature lovers will enjoy poking around the museum dedicated to the humpback whales which pass through these waters on their annual migration route. During the winter months, you can follow this up with a boat trip from the beach to watch the whales as they head through.If you’re interested in the area’s history, pick up a leaflet and take yourself round the Kaanapali Historical Trail & History and Legends Tour. Entirely self-guided, this trail will lead you to some of the area’s most fascinating historical hotspots. For a more in-depth taste of the local culture, the local Kaanapali Beach hotel offers further courses in everything from basket weaving to playing the ukulele as well as Hawaiian language lessons and traditional music and story recitals.As the sun begins to set, head to the sacred Puu Kekaa – or Black Rock – to watch the cliff-diving ceremony. Individuals dive off the rock into the sea in memory of the Hawaiian monarch King Kahekili, whose jumps inspired respect and devotion from his subjects. Watching this evening torch-lit ritual is the perfect way to round off a day at the beach.

Wailea Resort is named after the ancient Hawaiian goddess Lea who watched over canoe builders on the islands. She was believed to transform into a bird and fly over this area, so the beaches and surrounding countryside are known as the waters of Lea – or Wailea. Whilst now a luxury resort, the area is still popular for kayaking and other water-based activities.Wailea is an expansive stretch of 607 hectares, comprising a dense carpet of tropical plants inland and five beaches dotting the shoreline. There are three world-class golf courses, an impressive tennis club with floodlit courts and exclusive spas offering a full range of relaxing and revitalising treatments.Most people head straight for the biggest of the beaches – a wide expanse of soft white-gold sand. Wailea Beach is the perfect place to lie back with a good book or hide behind a pair of sunglasses and watch the world go by. The paved boardwalk is lined with up market boutiques offering designer beachwear and upmarket dining. The sea is warm and inviting, perfect for a cooling dip or an exploration of the teeming world of fish and other sea creatures on the ocean floor.Snorkelling is incredibly popular and scuba diving classes will bring you face to face with indigenous Hawaiian green turtles. Eco kayaking tours provide a nod to the area’s canoeing heritage, taking you on a three-hour exploration of the coastline, which takes in a deserted tropical beach and a chance to see more of the local sea life.Just a short walk away, the smaller Ulua Beach is a great place to escape the crowds. Clean and unspoilt, it’s home to a colony of Manta Rays – grab your snorkelling gear and dive in to get a great close-up view!Wailea Beach is one of those few places in the world that really lives up to the hype, so set aside a couple of hours to visit this glorious resort on the southwest coast.

At Haleakalā National Park, you can step inside volcanic craters, walk through rain forest and swim in freshwater pools.

The honey-coloured sand, aquamarine water and shady palm trees of Napili Bay make this picture postcard paradise a popular honeymoon destination. Local accommodation is plentiful but unobtrusive, with no building rising higher than the fronds of the palms along the beach.The bay is shielded by arms of rock which keep the water free from strong currents and allow for less-confident swimmers to splash about in the water between these protective natural barriers. However, the ocean floor has a steep gradient and falls away very quickly to create a strong undertow at high tide. The hotels nearby have pools of their own, which families may wish to take advantage of on rougher days when the ocean swell gets high.Snorkelers will want to head to the outcrops of coral at either end of the cove, where fish and turtles come to feed. Whilst not as populous as some other reefs around the island, there is still plenty to see here – especially first thing in the morning. During the winter when the waves pick up, snorkelers make way for surfers and body boarders who flock here for a taste of the surf.As you wander along the beach, you may notice people lying in the water at the surf’s edge. Don’t be alarmed! They are just playing Monastery Tag, a popular west-coast activity that has been exported to the islands of Hawaii. The premise is simple: as the waves come in, their force shoots you up the beach on a slick layer of water before the undertow drags you back down again. Give it a go and see for yourself - it may sound odd but, once you’ve mastered the art, Monastery Tag is great fun!For a real treat to finish off your day, head to one of the local restaurants and enjoy a perfectly-cooked meal right on the seafront. The food is pricy but high quality and the views are worth the expense. If you are keeping to a tight budget, why not head to the local shops and pick up a picnic for some al fresco dining on the beach instead.

Protected by two arms of volcanic rock which stretch out into the sea, the calm waters off of Kapalua Beach are the perfect place to take the family for an afternoon of snorkelling and swimming in the warm shallows of the Pacific Ocean.The beach is blanketed with clean white sand so it is an ideal destination for whiling away a lazy afternoon. It is much less wild than the pounding surf of other beaches on the North coast, making it a popular choice for visitors with children. Follow in the footsteps of ancient Hawaiian royalty and bring your family here for a fun-filled day on the shore. Have a quick swim in the sea before relaxing with a picnic on the beach – if you’re lucky you might even be joined by some friendly sea turtles!Head to the rockier areas at either end of the bay for superb snorkelling opportunities, and see if you can tell your damsel fish from your goat fish in the plethora of sea-life that teems around the coral reef. Keep an eye out for monk seals during your dip – these rare creatures love the sanctuary provided by the protective surf breaks and often come here for a breather on the rocks.In the surrounding Kapalua Resort area, you’ll find plenty to see and do. The manicured greens of the Plantation and Bay golf courses play host to professional competitions which welcome passing spectators. There is a great choice of upmarket shops selling designer clothes and bespoke jewellery.If you find yourself in Maui in June, head down to the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival which takes place here every year. The Festival is a celebration of fine wine, high quality food and the cuisine of Hawaii’s top professional chefs set against the natural beauty of the Kapalua scenery.Kapalua Beach is just off of Highway 30 on the north-west side of the island. Arrive early to bag a decent parking spot, as the beach is very popular and the nearby car park fills up quickly!