Five lush resorts surround the beach at Napili Bay, which is located at the south end of Kapalua on the west side of Maui. The bay faces northwest toward the island of Molokai and is backed by the pine-covered side of the West Maui Mountains. A steady breeze blows in from the sea and cleans the air of heat and humidity, which makes this beach very comfortable and enjoyable.The bay is sheltered from the larger swells and currents, which mean that snorkeling and swimming are excellent here. The bottom is shallow and the rock outcroppings to the north and to the south help form a pool-like experience in the water.
Accessing the beach at Napili Bay is mainly through the resorts. This makes the beach more private. The beach is small, only a few hundred yards, but is perfect for laying out, wading in the waves and beach activities like smash ball, beach ball and volley ball although there are no nets.
The amenities and facilities are limited on the beach. There are no tables, or chairs, or barbeque stations. The showers are located off the sidewalk that surrounds the beach but the closest restrooms are inside the resorts. There are multiple restaurants and poolside snack shacks where a hungry beachgoer can get a bite, but you will see people with coolers full of food and drink next to their towels on the sand.
The beach has some other attractions to the south. Tide pools and wading pools form on the rocks to the south of the beach where you will most likely find people walking around on the rocks or wading through the pools. To the north there is a beach trail that extends out along the rock wall and around to the next beach.
To get to Napili bay, head up Highway 30 north from Lahaina. Take a left at Napilihau St. and a right on Lower Honoapiilani Rd. There is a beach access parking lot just north of the Napili Kai Beach Resort where you can park and walk down to the bay.