Difficulty
beginner
Viz (last reported 14387h ago)
Max Depth
30ft
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Black Rock
Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.
This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.
Access
shore
View
Nearby Shops
Tide Report
5
4
3
2
1
(61)
Currently viewing a specific review. View all reviews
Scott Iver
Jul 19, 2006, 12:00 AM
scuba
My wife and I dove this site on a 3 dive package with the "Scuba Shack" staff. One orientation dive, one scooter (DPV), and one night dive. As was said, it's a VERY popular snorkel/swim site, so you have to watch out during the day. My wife and I surfaced behind a lady who freaked out because she thought we were some kind of sea monsters. The night dive was awesome, and if you have time and $$$ to do the DPV dive its well worth it. You'll go out to two "micro reefs" on boulders a little ways out from the main black rock formation. It's out into the big blue, so you'll be alone with your group. Max depth on the scooter dive for us was 41 feet. The "Scuba Shack" only has AL63's so if you want to do this without staff escort go down the concrete path along the beach to Whaler's Village to the Maui Dive Shop and get some AL80's (they also have multi tank packages). Personally I have to rate this as the #1 shore dive site on Maui, despite the crowds.
Other Locations Nearby
