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Kaanapali Beach • Kaanapali
12 active listings • Median ~$1.5M • Avg DOM ~105
The Whaler is one of the most recognizable beachfront condo communities on Kaanapali Beach — known for its direct oceanfront positioning, established rental history, and proximity to Whalers Village.
Buyers here are typically comparing location and view quality more than amenities, with value often driven by unit position, renovation level, and proximity to the sand.
Explore current listings, recent sales, and ownership insights for The Whaler in Kaanapali, Maui.
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Buyers return to The Whaler because it pairs a true Kaanapali Beach setting with walkable access to Whalers Village—dining, shopping, and the beach path—alongside a rental story that has supported this building for decades. When inventory turns, the conversation is usually about view, floor, and renovation level more than headline amenities alone.
The Whaler is a beachfront, short-term-rental-friendly, and iconic condo community in Kaanapali. It is well suited to buyers who want a stronger waterfront setting, everyday livability, and fee simple ownership. Built in 1976 with about 360 units.
If rental income matters, start with what is permitted: documented status is Yes. The Whaler in Kaanapali is often evaluated through verify access and services against your timeline.
Ownership is summarized as Fee Simple. Leasehold and fee-simple carry different financing and long-term cost profiles; confirm the interest conveyed on any specific unit.
Iconic Kaanapali Beach property with strong resale value and consistent demand.
Carry costs matter: HOA is listed around $1,000-$1,700. Investors and second-home buyers should stress-test assessments against revenue or use plans.
Vacation-rental rules aside, 10 sales in the trailing year signal liquidity investors can underwrite against.
Beachfront • Pool • Fitness center • Sauna • Tennis courts
Day-to-day life at The Whaler is shaped by Kaanapali: town-adjacent convenience and neighborhood texture. Beach access and ocean proximity anchor the experience for many owners and guests. Local marketing frequently tags the community with beachfront • str friendly • iconic.
Within West Maui, small differences in density and guest volume separate communities that otherwise look similar on paper.
The Whaler draws buyers who care about how the building feels week to week, not just the postcard view.
Fee-simple ownership appeals to many primary and second-home buyers who prefer a traditional fee-simple interest.
If vacation rental use is on the table, align association rules, county requirements, and any Minatoya-list considerations with your timeline before you write an offer.
From a numbers standpoint, The Whaler is less about a single “cap rate” headline and more about verify access and services against your timeline.
Zoning is listed as H-2—use it as context, then confirm how it interacts with association rules and county requirements for your intended use.
Unit-by-unit variation in view, floor, and finish often matters more here than the address line.
A balanced view of what stands out—and what to weigh before you offer.
Derived from West Maui MLS matches for The Whaler; figures shift as inventory turns.
Median (MLS blend)
$1,510,000
$ / sqft (range)
$1,498–3,454/sqft
Avg. days on market
~105
Active listings
12
Closed sales (12 mo)
10
Blending active asks with recent closes, the market is centering near $1,510,000—always unit-specific. Choice within the building is meaningful right now—compare condition and HOA lines, not just price.
Recent MLS math at The Whaler spans roughly $1,498/sqft to $3,454/sqft per square foot—view, floor level, and finish drive the spread.
The current MLS cadence looks closer to 105 DOM on average, a more measured tempo than a frenetic market.
Several recorded sales closed below their list figures—buyers may still find room to negotiate on view, condition, or timing.
Inventory tied to The Whaler skews toward studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom residences, with marketing language often referencing ocean-oriented, resort-view, golf angles. Views and floor plans vary by stack—confirm on each listing.
In current and recent marketing copy, beach proximity, ocean views, generous lanai space, turnkey rental readiness, and resort-style amenities surface repeatedly—useful signal, but confirm on the unit you pursue.
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Based on current listings, pricing trends, and overall value within this building.
$3,150,000
1 bd · 2 ba · 941 sq ft
Standout views & premium positioning
The Whaler 1051
$1,799,000
1 bd · 1 ba · 901 sq ft
Standout views & premium positioning
The Whaler 420
$1,495,000
1 bd · 2 ba · 905 sq ft
Best value in the building right now
The Whaler 670
$1,100,000
0 bd · 1 ba · 523 sq ft
Best value in the building right now
The Whaler 713
$1,549,000
1 bd · 1 ba · 901 sq ft
Strong rental-ready context
The Whaler 459
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Book a Quick BreakdownClosed sales at The Whaler from the MLS.
The Whaler is located in Kaanapali Beach, within Lahaina. Kaanapali ties into West Maui beaches, dining, and resort corridors; drive times shift with traffic and season. Use the map for orientation, then validate commute and access on your own visits.
Kaanapali pairs a long beach walk with golf-adjacent resort pockets and Whalers Village–style shopping—useful context when comparing foot traffic and owner-use versus guest nights.
Kaanapali • Kaanapali Beach
2481 Kaanapali Pkwy
See where The Whaler sits relative to nearby resorts, beaches, and West Maui condo communities.
The Whaler in Kaanapali deserves the same diligence as any Maui condo: understand construction era (year built near 1976), community scale (~360 units), 12 floors, and how those factors influence maintenance, insurance, and long-term upkeep.
Zoning (H-2) frames common use patterns in the area; buyers should still reconcile zoning with HOA rules and county requirements for any intended use.
Insurance, windstorm exposure, and building-wide projects can move assessments. Review the latest association financials, reserve study, and meeting minutes where available—The Whaler is no exception.
Yes, The Whaler is considered one of the premier condo investments on Kaanapali Beach due to its prime oceanfront location, strong rental demand, and proximity to Whalers Village.
Yes, short-term rentals are allowed at The Whaler, making it a popular option for vacation rental investors.
The Whaler offers studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units, many with oceanfront or ocean view lanais.
Yes, The Whaler features true oceanfront units with unobstructed views of Kaanapali Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Amenities include a beachfront pool, hot tub, fitness center, sauna, tennis courts, BBQ areas, and direct access to Kaanapali Beach.
The Whaler is located directly next to Whalers Village, offering immediate access to shopping, dining, and entertainment.
HOA fees typically range from approximately $1,500 to $3,000 per month, depending on unit size and location.
The Whaler is a fee simple property, meaning owners fully own their unit and land interest.
The Whaler was built in 1975 and remains one of the most iconic and well-maintained resorts on Kaanapali Beach.
Yes, units at The Whaler typically include central air conditioning, which adds comfort for both owners and guests.
On Kaanapali Beach, The Whaler is frequently cross-shopped with newer beachfront towers like Honua Kai, Kaanapali Shores, and similar resort-corridor inventory. Relative to much of the strip, it offers Whalers Village adjacency and decades of rental track record—often with tradeoffs in building age, finish level, and HOA lines buyers should underwrite explicitly.
The decision is rarely “which building wins on paper,” but which mix of view corridor, renovation appetite, and day-to-day energy fits your plan. That is where apples-to-apples comparison matters.
Buyers typically narrow to a small set of nearby buildings, each with different tradeoffs in price, density, and rental profile.
Most buyers compare The Whaler with these nearby communities:
We’ll walk you through pricing, unit differences, and how The Whaler compares to other nearby buildings — so you can make a confident decision.
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