Visiting Whalers Village – A Family-Friendly Hub for Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment in Kaanapali

Originally Posted September 2019, Updated September 2026

Located in the heart of Kaanapali, Whalers Village is a one-stop shop for some of the best dining, shopping, and free entertainment in the West Maui area. Home to more than 60 brand-name stores and top-rated restaurants, it’s an excellent place to pick up souvenirs, entertain the kids, or enjoy a meal, with something to keep everyone in the family happy. The shops are open daily, 9:30 am - 10:00 pm, and the complex offers free WiFi. Read on for more information on what to do at Whalers Village, and why it’s one of our must-stop spots in Kaanapali, Maui.

Shopping

With so many shops to explore, Whalers Village offers a mix of luxury brands, popular surf and resort-wear names, and unique island-style boutiques. Some of our favorites include Mahina for women’s fashion, Totally Hawaiian for locally inspired gifts and souvenirs, and Rip Curl for surfwear, swimwear, and beach-ready apparel. Whether you’re looking for a keepsake from Maui or something new to wear during your stay, there is plenty to browse. You can view the full list of current stores and use the shopping center map on the Whalers Village website.

Dining

Satisfy your sweet tooth, grab a quick bite, or sit down to a delicious three-course meal; it’s your call at Whalers Village. Here are a few of our choice spots to eat. If you want to get an authentic taste of local comfort food, head to Joey’s Kitchen, which serves up delicious Hawaiian and Filipino plates. For sit-down dining and craft cocktails, Merriman’s Monkeypod Kitchen is excellent. Health nuts, check out Choice Health Bar for açaí bowls, juices, smoothies & vegan-friendly fare. If you’re looking to indulge, it can be hard to choose between Maui Shave Ice, Häagen-Dazs, or Ono Gelato. Ono Gelato does have a full espresso bar with locally sourced and roasted beans if you need a buzz. Visit the Honolulu Cookie Company for take-home sweets that are as beautifully packaged as they are tasty.

For Kids

If the kids need to let off some steam, head to the children’s play area, located in the lower level courtyard. There’s a climbing structure and a splash pad for keiki to play on. Many shops carry children’s fashion and accessories. Check out Blue Ginger Kids, Sand Kids, and the T-Shirt Factory, a local company founded on Maui in 1982. Maui Escape Rooms, which offers themed interactive puzzles is a fun activity for families with older kids, ages 7 and up. Parents can bring kids 6 and under along for free, but the activities may be too advanced for them to fully participate.

Special Events and Activities

Whalers Village offers a host of free family-friendly activities and entertainment every week. You can dive into Hawaiian culture through lei making, palm weaving, hula, and ukulele lessons. Catch a live music performance, hula show, or a movie on the lawn. For a full schedule of events and activities, click here. Below are a few of the highlights you won’t want to miss.

Movie Night

Enjoy a movie under the stars. Whalers Village has weekly showings of blockbuster family-friendly movies on the lawn. The movie starts 15 minutes after sunset and complimentary popcorn is provided. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs. You can view the scheduled showings for the next three months here.

Lei Making 

Making and giving leis is a longstanding tradition in Hawaii, brought by early Polynesian voyagers who settled the islands. Leis were made from flowers, shells, seeds, and ti leaves and were worn by Hawaiians to adorn themselves, signify status, or mark a special occasion. Today, Leis are given to visitors as an expression of Aloha, but also for birthdays, graduations, funerals, or just for fun. 

Take part in the tradition and learn to craft your own flower Lei to wear or give away. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:00 am and 12:00 pm at the Whale Pavilion. First come, first served, with 15 people limited to a class. Flowers and lei-making materials are provided.

Hula Show 

Hula is a staple of Hawaiian culture. No one can seem to agree on when the art officially started, but it has been practiced for centuries on the Hawaiian Islands as a way of storytelling through song and dance. Many Hawaiian myths and legends are woven through its history. Hula dancers often study for many years under a single Kumu, or teacher, in a Halau, or hula school, each with their distinct style and lineage. Great care and craftwork go into creating the lei and costumes of each dancer. An ancestor to Hula is Tahitian dance, which is often more rhythmic and fast-paced. Whalers Village offers a variety of Hula and Tahitian dance performances, accompanied by live musicians every Monday and Saturday night in the lower-level courtyard from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Getting There and Parking

Whalers Village is located directly on Ka’anapali Beach, between Ka’anapali Parkway and the ocean, and is flanked by The Westin Maui Resort & Spa and The Whaler Resort. It is within walking distance of many popular Ka’anapali resorts and can also be accessed via the complimentary Ka’anapali Trolley. Paid parking is available in the Whalers Village garage for $8 per hour. Parking validation is available with a minimum purchase at participating Whalers Village stores and restaurants, and the maximum parking fee is $50 per day.

Whalers Village is centrally located in Kaanapali, Maui close to many of our top-rated vacation rental properties. Contact us today for help finding your perfect place to stay in West Maui.