West Maui is one of the three different areas we stayed in during our Maui vacation. Keeping the areas straight even on such a tiny island isn’t easy. Especially when all the guide books like to tell you that every location is wonderful!
Here are our impressions of West Maui.
Be sure to check out all 23 posts in my Maui Hawaii – First Trip Travelers Guide!
West Maui – West Maui, South Maui, and East Maui compared
West Maui
West Maui is on the west coast of the island on the north end of the island, around Kaanapali and Lahaina on the coast.
7 reasons to stay in West Maui
1. This is the oldest resort area.
It’s crowded with hotels and resorts. But, in my experience from walking the beach and some many of the resorts, on average the resorts in West Maui tended more toward a traditional Polynesian atmosphere than those in South Maui, which is fun for a Hawaii vacation. Many of the resorts also have wide expanses of lawn with lots of seating and hammocks leading down to the beach.
There are several areas in West Maui, but the Hyatt Recency Maui is located on a less crowded end of a very nice beach walk.[link]
2. As you walk the beach walk, the atmosphere is very festive and tropical.
You can hear and see bits of different resort luaus in the evening and it really adds to the Hawaiian atmosphere. One of our favorite evenings was spent walking this beach walk.
3. Of the two resort areas, this one is more lush and tropical.
4. Clear water.
The sand is very difficult to wash off on this beach. However, it’s texture means that the water is extra clear as it washes across the sand.
Until you really know the beach, you need to wear water shoes in the ocean. There is lots of coral and rocks. But this was true of every beach we visited on Maui.
5. Lots of ocean activity lessons, such as surfboarding, are located right off the resort beaches.[link to teens]
6. The resorts are near the launch locations for most of the boat trips, like snorkeling boat trips. [link]
7. If you want to try snorkeling from the beach, this resort location is closest to your best bet for snorkeling.[link]
I would go back to West Maui!
If I were to go back to Maui, or recommend a location for a one-time, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, this is where I would recommend.
In fact, I would recommend the Hyatt Recency Resort Maui.
Read my previous posts to compare West Maui to South Maui and East Maui.
Be sure to check out all 23 posts in my Maui Hawaii – First Trip Travelers Guide!
My family paid for our own trip including accommodations, food, and entertainment. I received no compensation for writing this post. Opinions are my own and may vary from your experience.