Beaches

beach

What’s the first thing you think of when you think of a vacation in Hawaii? It’s the beaches, of course. This string of beautiful islands has some of the world’s best beaches, so it’s no surprise that they’re the number one reason most people visit. And Hawaii’s beaches are about more than just sunbathing or building sand castles, too - they serve as the hub for the many water sports and activities that are popular throughout Hawaii. The bottom line is that even if you didn’t come to Hawaii specifically for the beaches, you’d be foolish to leave without enjoying what they have to offer.

Most of the islands have resorts in strategic places along some of the prettiest beaches, and these are also some of the most famous Hawaiian beaches, too. There are sugar-soft white sand beaches, and exotic black sand beaches. There are beaches known for their snorkeling, and others known for their ideal surfing conditions. Everyone’s heard of Waikiki Beach on Oahu - it might be one of the most famous beaches in the world. The problem is that it’s usually incredibly crowded, so if you’re interested in a more secluded beach you’ll probably want to look further afield. The good news is that there is pretty much no shortage of great beaches on the Hawaiian islands - you just have to find them.

A completely unscientific survey of some Hawaii travel experts has the following beaches coming up time and again as Hawaii’s best beaches. (And this doesn’t even include the nude beaches in Hawaii.) Is your favorite Hawaii beach listed?

Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island - The Big Island’s most popular beach, this is also a great family-friendly recreation area. Great for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing.

Hulopoe Beach, Lanai - This beach’s steep shoreline makes it great for swimming, and you’ll also find some of the best snorkeling and sunrises here. You want romance? Hulopoe’s the one.
Kaanapali Beach, West Maui - Kaanapali’s one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, and with good reason. It’s the ideal destination for all those water sports you’ve been wanting to try, and it’s conveniently located near a couple of big beach resorts.
Ke’e Beach Park, Kauai - This beach on Kauai’s North Shore is perfect for sunset-watching, and the water is teeming with tropical life. It’s one of Hawaii’s most beautiful beaches.
Lanikai Beach, Oahu - One of local Hawaiians’ favorite beaches, Lanikai is noted for its great swimming opportunities and sugar-soft sand. Other water sports are popular here, too.
Papohaku Beach, Molokai - This beach is so long that even when you’re sharing the beach with others you’ll still feel like you’ve found a private and secluded spot. And even better, it really is often quite deserted.
Poipu Beach, Kauai - One of Kauai’s most popular beaches, this is a great family-friendly destination boasting a semi-protected swimming area. And if you’re lucky, you may end up sunbathing next to a monk seal.
Waikiki Beaches, Southern Shore, Oahu - No list of “Hawaii’s best beaches” would be complete without the world-famous Waikiki Beach. And while it’s usually wall-to-wall people, that can be part of the fun. Plus, there’s no shortage of water sports to either try or watch.