It was a sunny, breezy day in December—perfect for a holiday getaway and whale watching. My tour group was cruising at a nice clip off Kāʻanapali, West Maui, when the boat’s captain suddenly killed the engine. Crew members pointed excitedly to a steel-gray mound floating in the distance and shouted, “Whale!” According to federal law, ocean users must keep at least 100 yards away from humpbacks, so we bobbed in place with our eyes peeled, hoping to get a better look at it.
The whale disappeared, then showed up so close I could see the barnacles on its skin. It stayed for a few minutes, then, its curiosity satisfied, it dove deep and went on its way. Although that happened years ago, it remains one of my favorite Maui memories.
Come winter, the humpbacks are the Kāʻanapali Beach Resort’s biggest draw, but there’s a lot more to love about the area. Opened in 1962 as Hawai‘i’s first master-planned vacation destination, the resort area of shops, restaurants, and more than a dozen hotels meanders over 1,200 acres, offering 3 miles of beautiful beach and a plethora of activities and attractions. Casual or luxe, active or laid-back, romantic or family-friendly—no matter how you envision your ideal Maui holiday getaway, Kāʻanapali has all the elements for it. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy.