Private Beach derives its name from being a private or semi-private shoreline associated with resorts or residences in Napili on Maui's northwest coast, a beautiful crescent-shaped bay with calm turquoise waters sheltered by a coral reef creating ideal swimming and snorkeling conditions. The beach sits in Napili, located between Kapalua and Kahana on West Maui's coastline, where several beachfront resorts including Napili Kai Beach Resort, Napili Surf Beach Resort, Napili Shores, and Mauian on Napili Bay provide accommodations steps from the sand. Napili Bay became a resort destination beginning in the 1960s when developers recognized the protected bay's exceptional snorkeling, swimming, and natural beauty, creating a quieter alternative to the busier Kaanapali and Wailea resort areas. Native Hawaiians inhabited this region for centuries, fishing the productive reefs and gathering from coastal resources, calling Maui the Valley Isle for the isthmus between West Maui Mountains and Haleakala volcano. West Maui's leeward coast receives less rainfall than windward areas, creating sunny conditions ideal for beach recreation year-round with water temperatures averaging 75-80 degrees making Napili Bay a snorkeling paradise.
Snorkeling at Private Beach and Napili Bay provides exceptional opportunities in shallow calm waters 3 to 5 feet deep with abundant coral reefs supporting diverse marine life including butterflyfish, parrotfish, cornetfish, Moorish idols, tangs, and triggerfish creating colorful underwater displays. Green sea turtles frequently visit Napili Bay, swimming from neighboring Honokeana Cove to feed on reef algae, and patient snorkelers often encounter these gentle endangered creatures gliding gracefully through crystal-clear waters. Swimming in the protected bay offers safe conditions for families with children, and the crescent shape creates gentle waves ideal for bodyboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. Sunbathing on the golden sand beach with palm trees providing occasional shade creates classic Hawaiian paradise scenes. Walking the Kapalua Coastal Trail accessible from Napili provides scenic hiking along dramatic coastline with ocean views, tide pools, and access to multiple bays. Sunset viewing from Napili Bay captures the sun sinking into the Pacific Ocean painting the sky in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples. Whale watching from shore during winter months from December through April yields sightings of humpback whales breaching and tail slapping offshore as thousands migrate to Hawaiian waters for breeding and calving. Views capture West Maui Mountains rising behind the bay, neighboring islands of Molokai and Lanai visible across channels, and the turquoise waters transitioning to deep blue offshore creating stunning tropical seascapes.
Napili dining provides exceptional options steps from the beach. Sea House Restaurant at Napili Kai Beach Resort offers oceanfront dining literally at the water's edge serving award-winning cuisine by Chef Alex Stanislaw featuring fresh fish, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with happy hour from 2pm to 4:30pm offering special cocktails and pupu menu with breathtaking ocean views. Kitchen 5315 Restaurant and Tiki Bar serves Hawaiian cuisine and tiki bar drinks daily from 8am to 8:30pm for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual atmosphere near Napili Bay. Merriman's in nearby Kapalua pioneered Hawaii Regional Cuisine's farm-to-table concept serving 90 percent locally grown or sustainably caught ingredients with prix fixe menu for 20 per person. Sansei Seafood Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Kapalua, named one of America's Best Sushi Bars by Bon Appetit, serves contemporary Japanese cuisine as Maui's most popular sushi restaurant. Fond in Napili Plaza prepares Hawaiian Regional and New American cuisine with devotion to local ingredients. Private Beach attracts resort guests, snorkelers seeking calm clear waters and sea turtle encounters, families with children enjoying safe swimming, honeymooners experiencing romantic sunsets, and visitors seeking quieter West Maui beaches away from crowds while enjoying world-class snorkeling, dining, and tropical Hawaiian paradise in beautiful crescent-shaped Napili Bay.
