Hawaii Travel Alert: All individuals, both residents and visitors, arriving from out-of-state to Hawaii are still subject to a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine.
PRE-TRAVEL TESTING PROGRAM: Beginning September 1, all travelers arriving in Hawaii from out-of-state will be required to get a valid COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) within 72 hours of boarding their flight to Hawaii, and to show proof of a negative test result upon arrival at the airport, to avoid the 14-day quarantine. The FDA-approved NAAT test from a CLIA-certified laboratory will need to be done prior to arrival. No testing will be provided upon arrival at the airport.
By Greg Johnson, travel writer
Photos by Greg Johnson
Napili Bay sits in an idyllic setting on Maui’s northwestern shore just across from the islands of Molokai and Lanai. The beautiful beach, which lies between two rocky points, is popular with families, body boarders and snorkelers who relish the golden sands and deep, blue waters.
Napili Shores Resort lush grounds and ocean view.
At our Napili Shores Resort, guests enjoyed the resort’s fully equipped vacation condos surrounded by tranquil gardens, fragrant plumeria trees and koi pond. There is also a barbecue, picnic areas, two swimming pools and a manicured grassy areas suitable for watching the sunset and humpback whales in winter. Snorkel Bob’s, located at the resort, offers rentals for boggie boarding, swim fins, snorkels and surfboards. They can also arrange for helicopter and boat tours.
One of the island’s most popular breakfast restaurants is located at the resort. Gazebo Restaurant is known for its macadamia nut pancakes and panoramic views of Napili Bay. Other nearby eateries include The Seahorse Restaurant, the place for superb cuisine and million dollar ocean views, and Maui Brewing Company, where you can enjoy local cuisine and craft beers. And the award-winning Mediterranean pizza at Pizza Paradiso is some the best pie you’ll ever eat!
There are several points of interest are located near Napili Bay. A short 13 minute drive takes you to the 1,200 acre Ka’anapali Resort with six major hotels with 4,800 hotel rooms, condos and villas accommodating more than half a million visitors annually. Here you’ll find a popular beach walk with excellent eateries, shopping, people watching, para sailing and other touristy activities
The historic whaling town of Lahaina, located south of Ka’anapali Resort, bustles with unique shops, art galleries and Hawaiin cuisine. It’s also the home to Maui’s oldest living banyan tree, a large, leafy tree common in Hawaii.
You may want can catch an amazing sunset at Dragon’s Teeth where Maui’s last lava flows formed jagged lava formations resembling dragon’s teeth. The natural wonder is part of the 23,000-acre, master-planned Kapalua Resort. The resort is home to the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, restaurants, boutique shops and two renowned golf courses.
Our favorite West Maui beach is Mokulē‘ia Bay, known locally as Slaughterhouse for the cattle slaughterhouse once located on nearby cliffs. After grabbing one of the limited parking spaces, you walk down a set of stairs to stunning ocean views and a wide, sandy beach. Snorkelers flock to the bay to swim with huge sea turtles, butterfly fish, yellow-tail wrasse and a variety of marine life.
A large sign at Mokulē‘ia Bay warns visitors about avoiding sunscreen products which use oxybenzone, octinoxate, petrolatum, mineral oil and Titanium Dioxide. The chemicals wash off swimmers and snorkelers and contaminate the island’s fragile reef ecosytem.
You may want to take time to chance the drive the Hana Highway on Maui’s north shore or take in the views of the 10,000 foot high Haleakalā volcano.
Or, you may just want to stay in peaceful, beautiful Napili Bay.
For information:
Napili Shores Resort Maui by Outrigger, www.outrigger.com, 808-669-8061
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, gohawaii.com, 1-888-297-9472 ext. 246
