I've never been to Maui before and am wondering if the Kaanapali Beach area is very touristy/crowded. We will be there in May and are deciding if we should stay in a less-busy area such as Napili Bay. I appreciate your input!

Yes, the Kaanapali Beach area is VERY crowded, but it is beautiful, and does offer a lot, depending what you're interested in. If you're looking for a quieter area, Napili would be it. Wailea is also beautiful, and although it gets pretty busy there too, it doesn't seem as crowded. It all depends on what you're looking for. In any event - you'll love Maui.

Hi,
We stayed on Kaanapali Beach this past summer at the Hyatt and we loved it. We didn't think it was especially crowded, maybe because we had come from Waikiki! It was more crowded than the Big Island, but nothing like Waikiki in terms of people. The times we did notice the crowds were in the evening at sunset, when everyone lined up to take pictures of the sun setting, and eating at Leilani's, Hula Grill, etc...Maui is wonderful!

We found the Hyatt to be nice but crowded, so we switched to the Westin.

We were there in September and stayed at the Marriott....there was no beach in front of the Marriott and anything south of there was either washed away or very small. It was a short walk to the beach north of the hotel, the widest point was in front of the Sheraton and it didn't seem very crowded in that area. The bartender at the Marriott said the sand moves from the North to South so in the winter there is more sand in the South end of the beach. May would probably be a good time since school is still in session. Anywhere in Hawaii is touristy, I found Maui more so than Kauai.

We were at the Kaanapali Villas from Oct. 19-29. It wasn't crowded then. Whalers Village wasn't too crowded either. Lahaina gets more crowded the later it gets. We were there around 8 AM, had breakfast, then shopped until about 10. The crowds started showing up then. The beaches were fine-not many people at all. Have a great time. That was our first trip, and I'm planning on going back in '05!!

RE: Tommyd's post...just keep in mind that May will likely be more crowded than October when he was there. The place was nuts when we were there in July 2004, just to add my two cents.

love
roxy

We have stay on Kaanapali Beach 4 times and once the last week of May. May is considered slow season and beach should be fine. You will have less traffic and a very nice time to visit. We always stay at the Whaler. You will use your car alot less if you stay on Kaanapali Beach. Everything is there you need... food, shopping, drinks, excursions, luaus are all there. You will have to drive alot more for things if you stay at Napili..but Napili will have even less people and less things going on. Have a great trip.

Sippy, how did you like the Westin??Any tips would help--we will be there the last week in January and have a mountainview room reserved.. we are Starwood members, so any advice on upgrades would be helpful..are the pools nice, and what about refrigerators in the rooms? Do you need to request one or are they already there.. we definitely need a refrigerator.. Thanks