Day 07 Maui - Giant Waves at Kaanapali Beach & North Exploration of Maui

July 29, 2022

Originally, today we had planned to hike the Waihee Ridge Trail, but a few days ago we decided that we would skip it due to the heat. We still want to see more of the island, so today we are exploring the north of Maui.

Our first stop is Kaanapali Beach. At 7:20 in the morning, we stop at the Papawai Scenic Lookout. During the appropriate season, you can see whales here - but now it's not whale season, so we quickly take a photo and continue on. Nearly an hour later, we reach Kaanapali Beach.

(TIP: If you're there early in the morning, you can park in one of the 12 free parking spaces on the right side of the 3*** Ka'anapali Beach Hotel! Enter the following into Google Maps: 'Kaanapali Beach Access and Limited Parking').

I researched this in advance and we are extremely lucky that there are still several spots available in the morning. Loaded with our beach gear, we walk to the beach. The sea is calm and clear, and we walk all the way to Black Rock, where we find a shady spot under a large tree, unpack our snorkeling gear, and hop into the water. Of course, my husband and daughter have to take the plunge from Black Rock into the waves. Of course, from the very top...

I continue snorkeling, while my son swims alongside me with his bodyboard. As we head back to the beach, I notice significantly larger waves than when we entered. Wow, I have some trouble not being pulled back into the water as I wait for a wave and quickly fight my way out.

From now on, the waves keep getting bigger. There are a few minutes of pause between the giant waves, during which you can quickly run out of the water before the next mountains form. My son and husband are having fun in the waves, while I prefer to watch the spectacle of flying inner tubes, boards, and people in the waves from a safe distance. Between 10 and 11 o'clock, the family frolics in the waves, and then they slowly had enough of diving and make their way to the beach. What a spectacle! I've never seen such huge waves at a beach before...

We walk back to the car (all parking spaces are now full) and continue to DT Fleming Beach. There, we have lunch at the Burger Shack. Great location, ocean view, a dream! Unfortunately, only the location is a dream, because the prices for the burger chain, which we know from Washington DC as a fast food chain like Burger King & Co, are anything but "fast food" prices.

Nevertheless, we want to have lunch here because it looks really nice! After we are assigned a table and the chickens are chased away from the table, we sit down and each order a burger. Our daughter chooses an avocado burger, my husband gets a cheeseburger, my son opts for a bacon burger, and I have a delicious veggie burger. We only get chips, we skip the drinks.

When my husband sees the bill of over $120 (for 4 burgers!!!), he almost faints - okay, we're glad we didn't give in to our daughter's request for a $20 milkshake...

Uff... is the high price due to the location??? The Ritz Carlton is right behind us... it seems that 90% of the visitors today are coming from the hotel. They feed the chickens with the burger buns and leave the $20 milkshakes half full on the table. Those who have it, have it!

Let's get out of here quickly.

We stop above DT Fleming Beach and see several turtles swimming in the bay. However, we decide to keep driving. Next stop: Napili Beach.

Normally a tip for snorkeling, but today the waves are just as wild as at Kaanapali Beach. We don't really feel like diving again and continue driving.

We stop at the Honolua Bay Lookout and get a glimpse of the beautiful snorkeling bay. I researched in advance that you can also walk into the bay via a short footpath and snorkel there without booking a snorkeling trip. Said and done. There is a free roadside parking space, we grab our snorkeling gear, and walk along the really nice footpath through the forest to the bay. The footpath takes about 15-20 minutes.

Getting into the water is a bit tricky as you have to step over many rocks, but we manage it quite well and snorkel along the right side of the bay. By far the best snorkeling area so far! Intact corals, real coral canyons, and many colorful fish! Since it's already quite late, the light is not as good anymore, so we only stay in the water for about an hour. Fantastic! Definitely recommended!!!

Unfortunately, I forgot the underwater camera... what a shame....😰

Shortly before 4 o'clock, we are back at the car and continue to Nakalele Blowhole. It blows a lot of water into the air and is very impressive. The island tour in the north is then relatively unspectacular. The road is sometimes very narrow and tight, and we are glad that there is a pickup truck a few meters ahead of us.

It's sad to see many littered areas and abandoned cars on the roadside here too. Just placed next to the road to rot - unbelievable... unfortunately, an image that we know from southern countries and also from the USA. Sad...

We finish the north exploration of the island with the sunset and enjoy our sundowner on the balcony.