Where to stay with focus on the beach

Question

Hi! My 18-year-old daughter and I are planning a trip to Maui in mid-June. Neither of us have been before. I am trying to decide where to stay. We like the ocean - the sandy beach and swimming. I'm debating between west side and south, but am leaning towards the west as it looks a little less busy and maybe more calm. We have a limited budget and will do a condo vs resort.(the Whaler is a little more than I want to spend). Ideally we would be on the beach, but I'd consider across the road if highly recommended. Below are the places I'm zeroing in on. Can you give me recommendations or feedback on the beaches at these locations and whether they are swimmable and nice for just hanging out on?

Royal Kahana

Kaanapali Shores

Kahana Vialla (right by Captain Jacks)

Waiohuli Beach Hale - looks nice but I've ready the beach is very windy

Kihei Kai Nani - accross the street from Kamaole Beach Park 2

Thank you!!

Answer

Great question! All of the places you're considering have very different beach experiences. Since you're focused on sand + swimming + a calmer feel, I’ll go through each spot, talk about the beach + conditions + pros/cons, then give my recommendation.

Breakdown of Your Chosen Locations & Their Beaches

Royal Kahana
- This is on the upper west side of Maui, in Kahana. It’s quieter than the big Kāʻanapali resorts. - The beachfront here is *seasonal.* According to Stay Aloha Properties, sand comes and goes; sometimes there’s very little beach directly in front of the building. - The nearby Kahana Beach has a reef offshore, which helps buffer currents; on calm days it's pretty good for swimming and snorkeling. - But, there are no lifeguards, and the beach has a mix of rock and sand nearshore. - Pros: very peaceful, good for relaxing. Cons: beach access might be limited or variable, and swimming depends heavily on the conditions.
Kaanapali Shores
- This is a more “resort-condo” on Kāʻanapali Beach. - The resort has two pools, hot tubs, tennis courts, etc., so there is definitely a “resort feel.” - You can access the beach directly from the property. - However — some recent guests mention that the section of beach *right in front of* the condo can be rocky or not ideal for swimming, depending on ocean conditions. - According to the Kāʻanapali Beach restoration EIS, snorkeling is very good around the rocky outcrops (like Black Rock), and swimming is common in some parts. - Pros: great amenities, solid location, walking access to beach + pools + resort restaurant. Cons: the “beach right outside” may not always be the most swimmable stretch; you may want to walk a little to find the better sand / calmer water.
Kahana Villas (near Captain Jack’s)
- This is a bit less commonly discussed in reviews, but being “by Captain Jack’s” means you're in the Kahana area, which tends to have that same reef-buffered beach as Royal Kahana. (See Kahana Beach above.) - The water here, when calm, is usually good for gentle swimming and snorkeling, especially in the morning. - It’s a more laid-back, less touristy stretch of coast compared to Kāʻanapali’s busiest beachfront. - Pros: more peaceful, local feel, decent water for swimming / snorkeling. Cons: beach quality can vary with surf; fewer resort amenities compared to a full resort-condo.
Waiohuli Beach Hale
- This is on the south / southeast side (Kihei area). Several people mention that winds pick up in the afternoon in Kihei. - Because of the wind, the ocean on some Kihei beaches can be choppier later in the day, which may make swimming less relaxing — especially if you're hoping for calm, gentle water for hanging out. - That said, in the morning many of the Kihei beaches are more calm before the trade winds build. - Pros: likely more sand, good beach park feel, more “local” beach time. Cons: wind risk, choppy water in afternoons, possibly less protected water than west side.
Kihei Kai Nani (across from Kamaole Beach II)
- Kamaole Beach Park II (“Kam II”) is very well-regarded: soft sand, fairly clear water, great for swimming / wading / snorkeling. - TripAdvisor reviewers note the water is “just the right temperature” and that waves are modest, making it family-friendly. - But, some say the trade winds kick in around late morning / midday, which can make the water less calm (and make umbrellas difficult). - Pros: very walkable to the beach from Kihei Kai Nani, good for swimming and relaxing, excellent for beach days. Cons: wind may pick up, beach size can be limited when ocean conditions change.

My Recommendation

Given what you said — wanting a calmer west-side feel, loving the beach, and not wanting to overpay — here are my thoughts:

If your top priority is *swimmable calm beach + ocean access:* Kihei Kai Nani (across from Kamaole II) is probably your best bet. The beach is very family-friendly, and you’ll have more predictable sand / swimming conditions (especially in the morning). It’s not “resort-hotel” luxurious, but for a condo + beach combo, it's excellent.
If you want *resort-style amenities + some beach but can accept variable water conditions:* Kaanapali Shores is a very good choice. The property is well-maintained, and you get the luxury of pools + hot tubs + being right at Kāʻanapali, plus good beach access (if you're flexible about where to enter the water).
If *peace + quiet + local west-side feel* matter more than perfect beach every day: Royal Kahana or the Kahana Villas are appealing. You may not have a perfect sandy stretch right in front depending on the season, but the overall vibe will be more relaxed, and the nearby Kahana Beach reef provides decent swimming when calm.
If you’re okay trading some beach comfort for *budget + condo feel* and want to try a Kihei location:* Waiohuli Beach Hale is a contender — but be ready for some wind and possibly less calm water, especially in the afternoon.

Extra Tip: Wherever you pick, try to plan beach time in the mornings, especially on Kihei / south-side condos. The trade winds are typically lighter early in the day, making swimming more pleasant. On west Maui, the water may also be calmer early or depending on reef protection.

Overall, I lean towards Kihei Kai Nani in your situation — I think it gives the best mix of sand, swimming, ease, and value for a beach-focused trip. But if the west-side ambiance is really important, Royal Kahana or Kahana Villas could be wonderful, *if you’re okay with some variability in the beach conditions.*