Travel Guide
Everything you need to know — hours, tickets, tips, and how to make the most of your visit.
Overview
Napili Bay is a small, crescent-shaped cove in West Maui with soft sand, calm summer water and frequent green sea turtle sightings. Low-rise condos keep it relaxed, and it is one of the island's loveliest spots to watch the sun drop behind Molokai.
Insider Knowledge
Arrive early or near sunset, as the small public parking lot fills quickly.
Nearby
mauiHaleakala's 10,023-foot summit looks down into a vast volcanic crater of red and black cinder cones, and sunrise here above the clouds is one of Hawaii's signature experiences. The park also protects the rare silversword plant and, on the coast, the Kipahulu district with Oheo Gulch and the bamboo-lined Pipiwai Trail.
mauiIao Valley is a lush, emerald valley in the West Maui Mountains just outside Wailuku, home to the 1,200-foot Iao Needle. It was the site of the 1790 Battle of Kepaniwai, and a short paved loop leads to viewpoints, a stream and botanical gardens.
mauiKaanapali is a 3-mile stretch of golden sand in West Maui backed by a paved beach walk and resort hotels. At its north end, Black Rock (Puu Kekaa) offers easy snorkeling with turtles and reef fish, and a torch-lighting and cliff-dive ceremony takes place there at sunset.
mauiMolokini is a crescent-shaped, partly submerged volcanic crater about 3 miles off the south Maui coast and a protected marine sanctuary. Morning boat trips anchor in its calm inner basin, where visibility often exceeds 100 feet and reef fish swarm the coral.
mauiNapili Bay is a small, crescent-shaped cove in West Maui with soft sand, calm summer water and frequent green sea turtle sightings. Low-rise condos keep it relaxed, and it is one of the island's loveliest spots to watch the sun drop behind Molokai.
mauiThe Hana Highway twists about 52 miles from Kahului to Hana past more than 600 curves, dozens of one-lane bridges, waterfalls, bamboo forest and black-sand beaches. It is less about the destination than the stops along the way, including Waiʻānapanapa State Park and the Kipahulu district of Haleakala.
Give turtles at least 10 feet of space, both on the sand and in the water.
Snorkel along the rocky edges of the bay on calm mornings.
Winter swells can make the bay rough, so check conditions before swimming.
Common Questions
Yes, on calm days the rocky points have reef fish and turtles.
Sunset is the most magical time, but parking is easiest early in the morning.
If the lot is full, try nearby Kapalua Bay or come back later rather than parking illegally.
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