Kaanapali Beach

Kaanapali was Hawaii's first master-planned resort strip, and its beach remains one of America's most celebrated: five kilometres of sand fronting the old whaling town of Lahaina's coast, with catamarans launching straight off the beach all day.

The live webcam at the Sheraton end faces Black Rock, where cliff jumpers plunge at sunset in a nightly torch-lighting ceremony rooted in Hawaiian legend: King Kahekili proved his spirit by leaping here.

Winter adds whales to the horizon; every day ends with the catamarans' sunset sails crossing the frame. Peak beach action runs 9 am–4 pm Hawaiian time, but the ceremony at dusk is the appointment.