Maui’s West Side- What to do

If you are planning a visit to Maui’s west side and are looking for some of the better known towns, then look no further than here. Maui’s west side is both culturally diverse and serves as a major tourist attraction. It has a lot to offer. Whether you are into the local mom and pop shops or grabbing a surfboard and catching some waves, west side Maui is for you.

Another suggestion is that if you are planning many special events while in Maui, you may want to consider hiring a professional Maui photographer. One that knows there way around the island and that can give you insight to some of the hidden places such as private lagoons to swim in or special hiking places.

In addition, take a drive along Maui’s west side where you drive along the cliffs and share the roads with others, as they drive towards you! Have fun and enjoy the cities such as:
– Lahaina
– Ka’anapali
– Kapalua
-Lahaina

If you are looking for a place to meet up with friends that has a lot of variety, Lahaina is your place. This town is known world-wide for tourism and offers much of the island’s artistic talents. In addition, you will find various ocean adventures such as snorkeling, scuba, whale watching and surfing. You will also find docked here in Lahaina several dinner cruises to choose from along with the Atlantis Submarine, which will take you out hundreds of yards out for you to enjoy the ocean underworld.

Lahaina also has its share of restaurants from the chain variety in Bubba Shrimp and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville to some of the hometown favorites like Kimo’s or Warren and Annabelle’s Magic and Dinner show. However, if you truly want to take this town in, go for a nice walk along Front Street or take in a traditional Old Lahaina Luau.

Ka’anapali
With its clear ocean waters and soft white sandy beach, Ka’anapali is three miles of Maui’s most popular island getaway, and is considered to be Maui’s signature beach. Along with some of the best resorts to stay at, Ka’anapali includes some of the best shopping around at the Whalers Village, traditional luaus and two beautiful golf courses (Ka’anapali Kai and the Royal Ka’anapali courses).

However, the true essence of Ka’anapali Beach is the cliff diving ceremony that takes place daily at Puu Kekaa, which is located at the northern end. Also known as Black Rock, the ceremony takes place at sunset. One of the cliff divers will light torches that are on the cliff and will then replay the dive that was once done by King Kahekili of Maui.

Kapalua
As one of the prime resort areas on the island of Maui, Kapalua is located at the foot of the West Maui Mountains, otherwise known as Kahalawai. Kapalua is home to three beaches, each made up of soft white sands and five bays. Today Kapalua includes restaurants, shops, historical sites, and of course two golf courses. The PGA plays their Tournament of Champions at the Plantation Course. Before today’s modern town, the area was known as the Honolua Plantation, and before then, going back in the 1800’s, was the Honolua Ranch.
Kapalua is the hot spot to be every June as it serves as the host for the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. The festival takes place amidst the many acres of pineapple and with Cook pines all around. Kapalua is believed to have the translation of “arms embracing the sea.”