Stretching from the Sheraton Maui at its northernmost end to the Hyatt Regency Maui at its southern tip, Ka'anapali Beach is lined with resorts, condominiums, restaurants, and shops. If you're looking for quiet and seclusion, this is not the beach for you. But if you want lots of action, lay out your towel here. Also called "Dig Me Beach," this is one of Maui's best people-watching spots: catamarans, windsurfers, and parasailers head out from here while the beautiful people take in the scenery. A cement pathway weaves along the length of this 3-mi-long beach, leading from one astounding resort to the next.

The drop-off from Ka'anapali's soft, sugary sand is steep, but waves hit the shore with barely a rippling slap. The area at the northernmost end (in front of the Sheraton Maui), known as Black Rock, has prime snorkeling. The fish and eels here are tame from hand-feeding, but be aware -- they can still bite!