Napili Beach
Napili Beach
4.5
About
This crescent-shaped cove on Maui's northwest coast is a popular beach for families and great for blue sea snorkeling and spotting sea turtles.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Napili Beach and nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
38 within 3 miles
Attractions
43 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- GreekipinaArvada, Colorado383 contributionsBeautiful turquoise watersAfter driving/site-seeing around wherever the wind took us, we stumbled upon this beach. Lucky for us, our parking ended up being right in front of the beach access. It's a smaller beach but the water is a beautiful turquoise blue. Our girls, 9 and 11, LOVED that the waves were so strong that body surfing was totally an option, although they spent endless time on their boogie boards. We spent the afternoon there and it was a spectacular, relaxing time.Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten August 21, 2024
- Moochie-La-LaCalgary, Canada737 contributionsBest all around beachAlbeit small, this beach has absolutely everything: mild waves, snorkeling, beautiful sand, bathrooms, showers to rinse off, free parking (get there early, it has limited number of spaces). If you don’t score a free space, there is a paid parking out next door, equally small, for $20USD for the day. You can also find street parking but be prepared to walk. This beach is ideal for families, snorkelers, etc. There is so much fish and coral variety; expect to see eels, turtles, urchins, cucumbers…Visited September 2024Traveled with friendsWritten September 28, 2024
- Stephen CSingapore, Singapore1,150 contributionsAwesome spotThis stunning bay offers an unforgettable experience for beach lovers, snorkelers, and nature enthusiasts. Impressive: - Pristine, well-preserved natural environment - Abundant marine life - Secluded, tranquil atmosphere Recommended for: - Snorkeling and swimming enthusiasts - Nature lovers and photographers - Families seeking a secluded, peaceful beach experience - Anyone looking for a unique, unforgettable experience.Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten December 3, 2024
- Diana LGrand Terrace, California64 contributionsTerrific afternoon enjoyed by young and old alikeThis beach was best we found for small waves for children and older folks. You need to go to the area in front of Sea House restaurant for the calmest waves. There is beach access from the street then walk right toward the Sea House restaurant.Visited December 2024Traveled with familyWritten December 9, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,766 reviews
Excellent
1,982
Very good
634
Average
127
Poor
16
Terrible
7
Annie S
1 contribution
May 2021
This was the perfect beach to get married at. Our resort was right on the beach and we had a dinner under the stars reservation at the SeaHouse Restaurant right on the other side of the beach. The amazing sunset, sand on our toes, the sound of waves crashing, it is a magical sight to see. Plus, on our free days, spending time at the beach was always a fun time. Waves weren't too strong but they definitely kept coming. Sea life was pretty as well. Can't wait to go back and relive our memories!
Written May 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chelsea C
Arlington, VA37 contributions
Apr 2021
Napili Beach is gorgeous; however, if you want to snorkel, we discovered that the waves here were much higher than at other beaches around the island & in West Maui. This beach is fairly small & gets crowded quickly, so get here early. It's in a neighborhood, so you may need to park fairly far away & trek your beach stuff in. There are also no facilities (bathrooms, showers, life guard, etc). The Gazebo restaurant & the Sea House are on either end of the beach, but there are long waits for both, so I suggest packing in your own food or eating before or after your beach time.
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fireweed25
Edmonton, Canada267 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Another beautiful beach in Maui. Parking was a pain trying to find free parking in a residential area but we followed the directions from The Snorkel Store and managed to snag a spot at around 9 am. We had a wonderful breakfast at the nearby Sea House restaurant and then hit the beach.
Pay attention to where the regulars were set up on the beach. The water can come up quite high. We needed shade and so planted ourselves by the hedges at the back of the beach and the water still came up that far.
The beach has soft sand but a bit of a hill/slanted entry from beach down to the water. Sandy bottom with a few large rocks to watch out for. Waves were not bad the day we were there but locals told us even though the bay is protected, some days it can be a huge boogie boarding area where you could ride almost from the corner of one side of the bay diagonal to the other.
It is a popular beach for snorkelers. People were snorkelling in the middle of the bay as well as on both the right and left sides. On the left side were some tide pools and I saw fish and a turtle in the area.
Though there are no facilities (bathrooms), Napili Bay is a great place to choose for beach time for a few hours.
Pay attention to where the regulars were set up on the beach. The water can come up quite high. We needed shade and so planted ourselves by the hedges at the back of the beach and the water still came up that far.
The beach has soft sand but a bit of a hill/slanted entry from beach down to the water. Sandy bottom with a few large rocks to watch out for. Waves were not bad the day we were there but locals told us even though the bay is protected, some days it can be a huge boogie boarding area where you could ride almost from the corner of one side of the bay diagonal to the other.
It is a popular beach for snorkelers. People were snorkelling in the middle of the bay as well as on both the right and left sides. On the left side were some tide pools and I saw fish and a turtle in the area.
Though there are no facilities (bathrooms), Napili Bay is a great place to choose for beach time for a few hours.
Written November 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlamck1961
Portland, OR22 contributions
Jan 2020
We stayed at a condo right on this beach. The mornings start off so quiet and then couples, families, kids all plant their chairs and beach umbrellas. Crowded but not overwhelming.
We loved watching the snorkelers, paddleboarders, boogie boarders and one outrigger every day. The kids would race out into the waves screaming with laughter and come flying back in on their boogie boards. One dad was trying to teach his little one how to surf but he was having none of it.
There are sea turtles to watch close by and whales in the distant.
As the sun goes down everyone leaves and we’re left with the crashing of the waves without the screams and laughter. What a slice of life!
We loved watching the snorkelers, paddleboarders, boogie boarders and one outrigger every day. The kids would race out into the waves screaming with laughter and come flying back in on their boogie boards. One dad was trying to teach his little one how to surf but he was having none of it.
There are sea turtles to watch close by and whales in the distant.
As the sun goes down everyone leaves and we’re left with the crashing of the waves without the screams and laughter. What a slice of life!
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly C
Carrollton, TX39 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We went to Napali beach because I read the tide pools were easily accessible. The pain parking lots were little far, but there was some free parking that was closer. The beach was a good size. Many of the beaches on the west coast are very rocky and I would recommend water shoes but this beach was not rocky. The tide pools were close and easily accessible, but I didn’t not find much marine life.
Written August 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan C
Ventura, CA290 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
One of the prettiest beaches in Maui. Well protected cove and the snorkeling is great. The beach sand is soft and lots of it. See turtles almost every time we go. There are restrooms and outside showers available. Parking is limited there but there are a couple of pay parking lots on the main road or get there early and park on the main road. That's what we usually do. Great place for families too.
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
North Myrtle Beach, SC16 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Friendly people, travelers and locals alike. Soft sandy beach that is sloped made it a bit difficult for some of our seniors to navigate. But with some assistance they fared well. We snorkeled and saw a great many varieties of fish. Strong outgoing current, so fins are a must. And please fellow seniors, make sure you are heart healthy. We stayed at a small resort (Napili Sunset) which allowed for beautiful sunsets and good access to everything Hawaiian. It’s a different vibe then other Resort areas, more relaxed—less foo-foo!
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lilchrissie
Vacaville, CA35 contributions
Mar 2020
Small beach but one of the prettiest I have seen. Parking is available along the street but it gets hard to find a spot as the day goes on. We parked at the friendly golf course across the street from Napili Kai Resort (which you walk through to get to beach). The golf course will let you park there all day for $10.
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CathieMcNiven
United States21 contributions
Nov 2019 • Family
We have been going to Napili beach for twenty five years and it never disappoints.
The bay is sheltered by a reef which in inhabited by numerous fish and often turtles.
The waves vary according to weather: sometimes there is great body surfing and sometimes the water is like glass, and great for paddle boards or just floating on an air mattress. The sand is great for castles and if there is a slope, it is good for sliding into the water on a boogie board.
This is a difficult beach to access and for parking, but well worth it. Numerous small hotels line the bay, the nicest of which is the Mauian.
If you aren’t staying on the bay, park on the street and access the beach by walking through the Napili Kai breeze way.
Two restaurants are within walking distance: The Gazebo(lunch and breakfast only) and the Seahouse.
Stay for sundown when the conch blows and a scantily clad young man lights torches along the Napili Kai walk way.
The bay is sheltered by a reef which in inhabited by numerous fish and often turtles.
The waves vary according to weather: sometimes there is great body surfing and sometimes the water is like glass, and great for paddle boards or just floating on an air mattress. The sand is great for castles and if there is a slope, it is good for sliding into the water on a boogie board.
This is a difficult beach to access and for parking, but well worth it. Numerous small hotels line the bay, the nicest of which is the Mauian.
If you aren’t staying on the bay, park on the street and access the beach by walking through the Napili Kai breeze way.
Two restaurants are within walking distance: The Gazebo(lunch and breakfast only) and the Seahouse.
Stay for sundown when the conch blows and a scantily clad young man lights torches along the Napili Kai walk way.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
flashncrash
Berkeley, CA668 contributions
Jan 2020
Napili Beach
Lahaina
One of our favorites
780123872
We've enjoyed Napili Beach for many years as well as visiting it multiple times during each stay on Maui. We have actually only stayed adjacent to Napili Beach once but it is an easy drive from where we generally choose to stay. It is a nice cove with plenty of shallow areas as well more challenging deeper waters. There are rocks on the south side that you can get washed up against so be careful here. We have also seen plenty of sea turtles here including some that come along some of the rocks when the water is only one foot in depth. Parking can be tough as is true of many of the beaches. We usually get around the parking issue by getting to the beach before 9am. The temperature is decent enough by this time. We will enjoy snorkeling and relaxing before the crowds show up and head off by 12:30pm having enjoyed nearly 3-4 hours at Napili Beach. If you go enjoy the colorful fish!
Lahaina
One of our favorites
780123872
We've enjoyed Napili Beach for many years as well as visiting it multiple times during each stay on Maui. We have actually only stayed adjacent to Napili Beach once but it is an easy drive from where we generally choose to stay. It is a nice cove with plenty of shallow areas as well more challenging deeper waters. There are rocks on the south side that you can get washed up against so be careful here. We have also seen plenty of sea turtles here including some that come along some of the rocks when the water is only one foot in depth. Parking can be tough as is true of many of the beaches. We usually get around the parking issue by getting to the beach before 9am. The temperature is decent enough by this time. We will enjoy snorkeling and relaxing before the crowds show up and head off by 12:30pm having enjoyed nearly 3-4 hours at Napili Beach. If you go enjoy the colorful fish!
Written December 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be close to there on Feb 26 Is that a good place to Snorkle if you don't know how to swim that well?
Written February 22, 2020
Emphatically NO.
Go to Snorkel Bob next door and take the boat trip to a reef. They will bring you back.
Hawai’i averages a snorkel death every other week !
Was on the news this morning. Enough said.
Written February 26, 2020
Is it easy access to get onto the beach?
Written January 9, 2019
Yes. There are several condos and hotels right on the beach. There is also public access in between two of the Napili Sunset buildings at about 45 Hui Dr,
Written January 9, 2019
Are there bathroom facilities at this beach? My husband and I are ziplining nearby in the morning and would like to go to this beach after but wondering if there’s a place to change into our swimsuits. Are there chairs for rent also or do we have to lay on towels? Thanks!
Written May 13, 2018
pkehs
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Bathroom at North end, in public parking lot behind Napili Kai Resort, as you go to path that leads to Kapalua beach
Written September 23, 2018
We have two kids 2 & 4 and are debating between staying at Napili Lani or a house rental on baby beach (Lahaina). Was Napili gentle and calm enough for little kids? We think this beach looks nicer so wanted to know what everyone thinks
Written May 2, 2018
Napili Bay is great for young kids. The bay provided a lot shelter.
Written May 17, 2018
Most of the people park along the Street closest to the beach; this is a very busy beach with limited parking - definitely an advantage to get there early or take the city bus like we did - the bus stops very close to the beach (no hassles then).
Written April 8, 2018
We will be traveling here and staying nearby. Just curious, did you leave personal belongings (towels, lunch bag) on the beach while you snorkeled? If so, was anything missing when you came out of the water? Trying to find out if our belongings will be safe. Mahalo!
Written August 16, 2017
We found folks left belongings on the beach without any concern
My wife always sat with ours as she does not snorkel, but just waited
Written August 17, 2017
I am going to be in Lahaina on April 22 and 23 on a cruise ship. How would I best get to this beach?
Written March 29, 2015
access on google maps 5315 lower honopiilani rd. From this map you'll see napili place,turn left park on this street, proceed to end of street . You will see The Gazebo restaurant. beach access walk is behind this restaurant(great place for breakfast or lunch but be prepared to wait unless you get there early. this beach has a beautiful view of Molokai. Be careful of currents here. rescue crews have had to retrieve swimmers who have gotten out too far and been caught in the Pailolo channel
Written March 30, 2015
Is there transportation from a cruise ship to this beach
Written March 23, 2015
The ship will deliver you to the main dock in Lahaina via tender
Have sandwiches sent to your room via room service and bring ashore
On Front Street-- the main drag are ABC stores that sell cheap styrofoam coolers. Get a bag of ice, some chips and a favorite beverage or two
Take a cab to the beach ( with three friends ) this is cheap
Have cab drop you off in beach parking lot. Wear a rash shirt and bring sun screen
Near by restaurants or condo complex's will help get a cab back to down town
Four to five hours in the direct sun will fry most folks. With some planning this will be a great day. At the beach end they rent snorkeling. equipment. Do not me
Miss this opportunity
Written March 24, 2015
We are planning a trip March 2015, 2 families of 4 and want a upper floor that has been newly renovated, are there any garden view rooms on the upper floors or are they the ocean/partial ocean views only?
Written December 24, 2014
When we were there in August they were renovating several garden view buildings, but you will get the best answer from calling Napili Kai, there phone reps are great AND they sometimes offer "specials" you only get via phone.
Written December 25, 2014
Showing results 1-10 of 10
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing