Kapalua - wind

Question

Aloha, we arrived yesterday and staying in Kapalua area. it is really windy here, The weather forecast showing windy all week. A little hard to walk around the area or swim. any suggestions of where to go that will be less windy? We have 2 kids -15 and 10 who were really excited about this trip. . Thank you in advance

Answer

Aloha — good question. Yes, Maui (and the Kapalua area in particular) can get quite windy — especially when the regular trade winds blow — and that can make beach days or walking around less fun, especially with kids.

Because of that, when the wind picks up, it’s smart to have a “Plan B” or even a few alternate beach / activity spots where you’re more likely to find protection, calmer water, or just a more comfortable atmosphere. Here are some suggestions to help make your stay more enjoyable with kids, despite windy conditions:

Try more sheltered beaches on the west or south-west side: Even though Kapalua itself is on the west side, wind and surf still hit there — especially in the afternoon.
- Kapalua Bay — this bay is somewhat protected by lava-rock promontories and reef structure, which helps reduce wave action and can moderate wind impact compared to more exposed beaches. Great for calmer swimming or snorkeling with kids.
- Napili Bay — a smaller cove-style beach that tends to hold calmer water and may be less windy than open-ocean beaches. Good for swimming, especially when surf is low.
- Oneloa Bay (also called “Ironwoods” sometimes) — a relatively quieter, less-crowded beach near Kapalua that, depending on conditions, might offer a more relaxed spot for kids to enjoy the water or sand without strong wind or crowds.
Go to more sheltered, southerly or leeward shores when possible: Because the typical trade winds on Maui come from the northeast or east, the south and some parts of the west/south-west are often more protected and can feel noticeably calmer than the “windward” or more exposed spots.
- Consider heading toward beaches in the Kihei / Wailea / South-Maui area if you can manage a day trip — many find that region tends to have more stable, milder wind and easier swimming conditions when the wind is strong elsewhere.
Favor morning over afternoon for beach & water activities: On West-Maui and other parts of the island, winds tend to ramp up as the day progresses (especially trade winds). Starting early gives you a better chance at calmer water and easier walking, which is especially good for kids.
Have backup non-beach activities ready: If conditions make swimming or snorkeling unpleasant, there are still family-friendly things to do — coastal trails, shaded walks, historic or cultural spots, or even resort-based activities (pools, games, indoor areas), depending on where you're staying.

My honest take for your family (ages ~15 and 10):

Yes — even though it’s windy in Kapalua right now, you can still have a good time if you pick beaches carefully, go earlier in the day, and stay flexible. For example: a morning swim/snorkel at Kapalua Bay or Napili Bay could work well. If it stays too gusty or choppy, you could pivot to a relaxed coastal walk or hotel/resort-based downtime for part of the day. On windiest days, a short drive to more protected southern or south-west spots might be worth it for calmer water and more comfort.

Kapalua - wind

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