Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 On Maui's northwest tip, past Kaʻanapali, near the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua
Kapalua Bay is one of West Maui's cleanest swimming beaches. The sheltered cove shape provides calm, clear water, and there are no significant stream inputs or drainage outlets feeding into the bay.
The Kapalua resort area uses modern wastewater infrastructure, unlike many older areas in Hawaii that still rely on cesspools. DOH Tier 1 monitoring consistently shows clean results. While it is on the West Maui coast, Kapalua is geographically separated from the water quality issues affecting Hanakaoo and Kahekili beaches to the south.
Based on: DOH Tier 1 monitoring, modern resort infrastructure, no stream discharge
Even at clean beaches like Kapalua Bay, follow the 72-hour rain rule after heavy storms. West Maui can receive heavy rainfall, and while Kapalua has no direct stream runoff, island-wide severe weather can temporarily affect any coastal area.
Free alerts when water quality changes at your beach — brown water advisories, bacteria warnings, and all-clear notices.
No spam. Just safety alerts for your trip.
100+ beaches and 25+ hotels across all 6 islands
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn't working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙