If you’re looking for a fairly easy and accessible hike, with INCREDIBLE views without having to go to the Hana side of the island, this is my number 1 recommendation.
The Kapalua Coast Trail stretches for about 1.75 miles along West Maui’s coastline and offers beautiful beaches, sweeping ocean views, and dramatic lava landscapes all from a fairly easy walking trail.
If you do this as an out and back hike…depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the sights, the hike can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. For casual hikers who like to take photos and enjoy the scenery, setting aside 2 hours is a pretty good estimate.
If you’re not staying within walking distance of the trail, here are your parking options:
If you want to start at the south end of the trail at Kapalua Beach, the main beach lot (just past the Napili Kai Beach Resort) is fairly large and it’s $29 to park for the day (5AM-10PM).
Merriman’s charges $20 to park in their lot for the day (from 6AM to 3PM expect Sundays).
You can park at the Kapalua Tennis Garden for $15 for the day (or $10 for 3 hours).
And there’s free street parking on Lower Honoapi’ilani Rd.
There’s also a small parking lot (less than 15 spaces) on Lower Honoapiilani Road and Kapalua Pl which has the best access for Oneloa Beach (this lot puts you more towards the north end of the trail). And DT Fleming Beach has plenty of free parking spots at the north end of the trail.
The trail is easy to follow and part of it feels more like a rugged hiking trail, but some of it feels more like a pleasant stroll through a resort area.
If you’re not staying in Kapalua and you’re looking to make a day of this, I would plan to arrive at the Kapalua Beach parking lot early enough to get a spot. Take all of your beach gear with you (chairs, umbrella, towels, snorkeling gear, cooler, etc.) but leave it in the car (don’t leave valuables in the car!).
Start your hike at Kapalua Beach and hike the Kapalua Coastal Trail all the way north to the Ritz Carlton at DT Fleming Beach. It’s about 1.75 miles there. You could stop in at Cafe Kai in the resort for coffee and breakfast. It’s a cute little shop and there’s plenty of seating around the cafe and lobby with great views out over the resort and ocean.
If you’re doing this later in the day, you could do lunch at the Burger Shack on DT Fleming Beach.
When you’re done, reverse your route and end with some beach time at Kapalua or Napili Beach.
