Hanakaoo (“Canoe”) Beach
Beach Location: Just past Mile Marker 23 going north on Honoapiilani Highway
Amenities: Walking paths, restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, BBQs, and trash and recycle bins
Kid Friendly: Yes
Lifeguards: Yes
Parking: When you are heading north on Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy 30), Canoe Beach (Hanakao’o) is easy to find. It is located after Mile Marker 23, north of Wahikuli Wayside Park and south of Kaanapali Beach. Once you turn into the gate and go right, you will find plenty of parking. If you don’t see any spaces right away, check the dirt lot near the cemetery, on the highway side of the park.
One of the best things about Canoe Beach is that hardly anyone goes there, which is good for those who do decide to visit. The beach park is right between Lahaina Town and the resorts of Ka’anapali, so it is often overlooked. Speaking of overlooking, Canoe Beach is one of the few Maui beaches where lifeguards are stationed to look out for you!
This site is a great one for paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming. Underwater and on one side of the beach, it looks as though a large pile of rocks has been spilled onto the sea floor. These stones have made plenty of interesting nooks and crannies for fishes to live in and turtles to swim around. Surrounding the rocky habitat below the surface is beautiful white beach sand as far as the eye can see!
Once you’ve had your fill of playing in the ocean, feel free to grill on the barbecues provided. When your food is ready, you can gather around the shaded picnic tables to eat! Make sure to toss anything you don’t want to take with you into the trash and recycle bins provided. Enjoy!
Canoe Beach Rating by Boss Frog's
Summary 8.7/10
Canoe Beach is so named because several outrigger canoe clubs launch their teams from this beach. It is a comfortable spot to lounge, either on the sand, or up above the beach beneath the shaded picnic tables. At this location, there's a good chance to find sea turtles feeding from the rocks that line the shore. This beach is watched over by a lifeguard.
View Maui's quick beach guide and Maui's top 25 snorkeling beaches.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 1-808-661-3333.
