📸 Hanakaoʻo Park | West Maui, Hawaii
📝 My Story:
After a full day of adventures around West Maui, Hanakaoʻo Park became the perfect place for us to wind down and enjoy a peaceful sunset.
This local beach park isn’t as crowded as nearby spots like Kaanapali, but it offers gorgeous open beach space, stunning ocean views, and a very relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a great spot to watch fishermen cast their nets, families picnic, and maybe — if you’re lucky — catch a vibrant Hawaiian sunset over the Pacific. 🌅
Even though we didn’t swim here, it was the perfect place to stretch our legs, feel the ocean breeze, and soak in the last golden rays of the day.
🌎 Location:
📍 Google Maps: Open Hanakaoʻo Park in Google Maps ➔
📌 Quick Info:
🏙️ City: Lahaina, Maui
🅿️ Parking: Free lot available (can fill up near sunset)
🚻 Bathrooms: Yes, with showers
🚲 Bike Rentals: Not available at this park
🧭 Travel Tip: Great alternative to crowded beaches like Kaanapali
📸 Photographer’s Note: Sunset lovers — bring your zoom lens for candid people shots
🛐 Etiquette: Respect the local fishing areas and gatherings
🕰️ Best Time to Explore: Late afternoon into sunset
♿ Accessibility: Flat and easy walking from the parking lot
💡 Pro Tip:
If you’re planning a beach picnic, this is a fantastic place to grab some takeout and enjoy a meal with an oceanfront view! There are shaded areas and picnic tables.
📸 Photography Tip:
The late afternoon sun paints the ocean in deep golds and oranges here.
A polarizing filter can help capture the richness of the colors and reduce glare off the water.
🎉 Fun Fact:
Hanakaoʻo Park is sometimes called "Canoe Beach" by locals because it's a training site for traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling!
If you visit during practice hours, you might catch teams launching into the surf.
🌺 Return to Main Hawaii Travel Story
Want to read the full story of our unforgettable adventure across Kauai and Maui?
👉 Click here to explore our complete Hawaii Travel Journal ➔
🗺️ Planning Your Own Hawaii Adventure?
If you’re planning your own trip to Maui (or anywhere across Hawaii), you can find this hidden gem — and many more — on my public travel map:
👉 View My Hawaii Travel Map Here ➔
