Best Beaches in Hawaii

Located in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful and extremely popular beach  with light brown sand and nearby palm trees. This beach is located in the popular touristy neighborhood of Waikiki. The beach’s name in Hawaiian means "spouting water" - the beach received this name because in the past multiple springs and rivers used to flow around this beach – as another fun fact Waikiki Beach was used by Hawaiian nobility for surfing. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the United State and was named the 4th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.” It is important to note that Waikiki Beach is a part of a larger beach area that stetches for almost two miles that is also called Waikiki Beach – in addition to Waikiki Beach, this larger beach area is composed of seven other beaches including Duke Kahanamoku Beach (also called Kahanamoku Beach and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park), Fort DeRussy Beach (also known asFort DeRussy Beach Park, Gray’s Beach (also known as Grays Beach, Halekulani Beach, Kawehewehe, and Grey’s Beach), Royal Hawaiian Beach (also known as Waikiki Beach Center and Royal Moana Beach), Kuhio Beach (also known as "The Ponds", Kuhio Ponds, and Kūhiō Beach), Queen’s Beach (also known as Queen Kapiolani Beach , Queen’s Surf Beach, and Kapiolani Beach Park), and Kaimana Beach (also known as also known as Kaimana Beach Park, Kaimana’s Beach, Waikiki at San Souci Beach, Sans Souci Beach, and San Souci Beach).

Waikiki Beach is constantly threatened by erosion – some of Waikiki Beach’s parts have been significantly reduced in size due to erosion. There are multiple rocky jetties and seawalls near Waikiki Beach – the beach’s southwestern portion particularly has many rocky seawalls near it. Although most of the portions of Waikiki Beach have lifeguards, there are some portions that do not have lifeguard deployment – these portions are located near 2055 Kalia Road, in front a hotel named the Halekulani Hotel, and adjacent to another hotel named Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.  In addition to lifeguards,

Hanalei Bay, located on Kauai's North Shore, is one of the best beach locations in all of the Hawaiian islands, with verdant mountains, spectacular surf breaks, and timeless waterfalls. Beautifully-blue waters and golden sand add to this picturesque location, making it one of the most popular beaches in the U.S.A.

Channel your inner soul-surfer and ride one of the powerful waves on the far right side of the bay. You can also snorkel along one of the many coral reefs throughout the beach, including Waikoko Reef on one side and Pu'u Poa Reef on the other. Hanalei Pier is located on the mouth of the river where the calmest waters are found -- perfect for young children. You can kayak along the river and camp at the park nearby, complete with full amenities.

After a jam-packed beach day, it's time for some good eats and an ice-cold beverage. Hanalei's food truck network includes juice bars, island wraps, acai bowls, and more, giving the bay a unique dining scene and laidback island vibe. Kealia Poke is the new fad on the island, along with the refreshing Wishing Well Shave Ice. One thing that makes the island so carefree is the commitment to authenticity and the refusal to give in to tacky tourist attractions. For example, you'll never see a chain restaurant at Hanalei Bay -- only mom-and-pop shops are scattered throughout the island. Free of typical brand names and tacky souvenirs, you'll feel like a local yourself! Enjoy your stay at Hanalei Bay, a beachy heaven that will leave you on a breezy, tropical Cloud Nine.

Located in eastern part of Kauai, Kalapaki Beach - also called Kalapaki Beach Park - is an immensely popular quarter-mile long arc-shaped beach with light brown sand, nearby rock jetties, and nearby trees and grass.  The beach is situated along the shores of a bay named the Kalapaki Bay and near the entrance of a harbor named the Nawiliwili Harbor.  There is also a hotel near this beach named Marriott’s Kaua’i Beach Club.  Two streams named the Nawiliwili Stream and the Hule'ia Stream flow through the area near the beach - once these streams pass the area near the beach, they flow into the Pacific Ocean.  As an interesting fact, Queen Liliʻuokalani - who was the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii - attended a grand luau ceremony that was held around the beach in 1891.  In addition, legendary surfer Duke Kahanaonku also visited this beach - Kahanamoku had also offered a swimming demonstration in the nearby Nawiliwili.

Located in the Hawaiian island of Lanai (also known as Lānaʻi), Hulopoe Beach - also known as Hulopo’e Beach Park, Hulopo'e Bay Beach, Hulopo'e Bay Beach Park, Hulopoe Bay Beach, and Hulopo'e Beach - is a long and beautiful crescent-shaped beach with light brown sand, a sloping incline, and nearby palm trees. This beach is situated along the shores of a bay named Hulopoe Bay which has been designated as a marine preserve. Large rocks are present near both ends of the beach, creating tidepools where you can see starfish, crabs, and a variety of other fish. In addition, a lava terrace is also present near the beach’s eastern end. The upscale and beautiful 5-Star Four Seasons Resort Lanai is also next to Hulopoe Beach – it’s a four-minute walk down to the beach. This crescent-shaped beach was listed is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  

Located on the north-western shoreline of the Hawaiian island of Lanai (also known as Lānaʻi), Polihua Beach is a one-and-a-half mile long and wide beach with pale cream sand. This beach is one of the largest beaches in the island of Lanai. A rocky cliff is present near the northern end of this beach - this cliff is made up of igneous rocks. In addition, many kinds of tropical plants are also present near Polihua Beach. As an interesting fact, the beach’s name in Hawaiian means "eggs in a bosom" or "egg nest" - the beach most likely got its name due to the fact that it used to be a popular nesting site for the Hawaiian green turtle. In addition, the beach was also popular among native Hawaiians as a great sea turtle hunting spot. Polihua Beach was also featured in Hawai’i Magazine’s 2017 article "A Local’s Guide to Hawaii’s Must-See Beaches." In addition, Polihua Beach has been named the 36th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach." Polihua Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities except some huts and shelters, so plan your trip accordingly. Getting to Polihua beach can be difficult - the beach is located near the northern end of an extremely long and extremely rugged jeep trail named the Polihua Trail. Driving to the beach takes around an hour from Lanai City and around 30 minutes from an incredibly beautiful rock garden named Keahiakawelo that looks like you could be on the planet Mars. Once you arrive you’ll find a dirt parking lot next to the beach. We recommend carrying water while visiting Polihua Beach because there are no stores or places to stop along the way. We also recommend being careful while visiting Polihua Beach as it is occasionally known to have thirsty wild bees - the best way to avoid these bees is to simply leave some water at a distance in order to divert their attention.

Polihua Beach offers many fun activities including wildlife watching, sunbathing, picnicking, beachcombing, tidepooling, and hiking. Water activities are unsafe in the water near Polihua Beach as it is known to have extremely strong rip currents, considerable and steep depth, and dangerous rogue waves. In addition, drowning-related deaths have also been reported in the water near Polihua Beach. The beach can occasionally also get windy, which often results in visitors having an unpleasant beach visit. Nevertheless, this beach is a great sunbathing spot, especially when the local winds are calm. Depending on the time of the year, you can view many kinds of animals in the water near Polihua Beach including migrating humpback whales (usually between December and April) and sea turtles - while this beach was earlier a popular nesting spot for local sea turtles, it is important to note that sea turtle nesting activity has considerably declined now.

In addition, please also note that while some tourists have been known to drive their vehicles on Polihua Beach, we recommend strictly refraining from doing so as this activity may damage the sea turtle nests on the beach. In addition, vehicles may also get stuck in the sand on Polihua Beach. Polihua Beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience as the beach sees many fewer visitors than most other Hawaiian beaches. If you are planning to fish in the water near Polihua Beach, we recommend following the local fishing regulations. If you like tidepooling, you can explore the interesting tidepools present near the northern end of Polihua Beach. Polihua Beach offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Kalohi Channel, the nearby island of Molokai, and distant views of a volcanic tuff cone in the island of Oahu named Diamond Head.

Located in the Makena Beach State Park, Big Beach stretches over half a mile and is relatively wide compared to surrounding spots, offering plenty of space for everyone. This beach is located in between two black-lava outcroppings which protects it from the winds and offers a stunning view of the small islands Kahoolawe and Molokini. With amenities such as bathrooms, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and food concessions available, Big Beach is the perfect destination for those who want to comfortably enjoy Maui’s amazing nature scene.

The waves at this beach are very large, and they attract lots of boogie boarders and surfers. That being said, be very careful when swimming here, as there are sometimes riptide occurrences that can be dangerous for young children. If in doubt, there are plenty of lifeguard stations on the beach that can inform you of the water conditions. Fishing is another popular activity at this beach, with plenty of spots available along the shore. For adults, you can also access Little Beach from this location, which is a small isolated cove that is a well-known nude beach site.

If you get hungry, Jazzy’s Kitchen is a Mexican food truck that is very popular among locals for their signature fish tacos and quesadillas. It is parked right next to the beach most weekdays and is available for lunch and dinner. We also like Monkeypod Kitchen, a farm-to-table eatery with fresh Hawaiian cuisine and a large list of cocktails and craft beers. You can also take a 9-minute drive to Ko Restaurant, a white-tablecloth seafood eatery run by renowned Chef Tylun Pang.

If you need a place to stay, take an 11-minute drive to Residence Inn by Marriott, a 3-Star all-suite hotel that provides a family-friendly environment and offers amenities such as an outdoor pool and complimentary breakfast. Another excellent option is Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria resort that spans 40 acres along Wailea Beach and sports 9 outdoor pools and a 2000 feet long river with waterslides. You can also take a 9-minute drive to Fairmont Kea Lani, a 5-Star resort located next to the Wailea Golf Club with upscale dining options and a 24/7 fitness facility.

Located a couple of miles away from the town of Hana, Hamoa Beach - also known as Hamoa Beach Park and earlier called Mokae Beach - is a popular and beautiful crescent-shaped east-facing beach with salt-and-pepper sand and rocky portions on the island of Maui. Parts of this 1,000 feet long beach and 100 feet wide beach are situated at the base of forested oceanfront bluffs and hills. A hill is also present near the beach - this hill is an eroding cinder cone named Ka Iwi o Pele (meaning "the bones of Pele" - Pele is the Native Hawaiian deity of volcanoes). The sand in Hamoa Beach is composed of weathered coral skeletons (usually white in color) and black-colored lava rocks. This unique phenomenon is the main reason behind the beach’s sand having both black and white-colored grains. A wide variety of flora is present around Hamoa Beach including Hala trees and palm trees. During ancient times, this beach was also used by Ancient Hawaiians as a spot for launching and landing canoes due to the water near the beach being calmer as compared to the surrounding shoreline. Renowned authors James Michener and Mark Twain have praised this beach for its scenic beauty. This beach has been featured in theMaui Magazine (also known as the Maui Nō Ka ʻOi Magazine) article "Maui’s Best Beaches" - this beach was listed as having the "Most Romantic Beach Setting in Maui." Hamoa Beach is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. 

Located in the island of Hawai'i (popularly known as Big Island), Hapuna Beach - also known as Hapuna Beach Park and Hāpuna Beach - is a large and popular half-mile-long beach with light brown sand nearby and dense forests. Hapuna Beach is situated along a portion of the Hawaiian coastline named "Kohala'' after the nearby Kohala Mountain. This beach is a part of a state park named Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area. A rocky promontory is also present near the beach - this promontory is named Ihumoku. The beach and the nearby bay (named Hāpuna Bay) are named after Leina-Hāpuna, who was an ancient Hawaiian noble.  This beach changes its size depending on the season - during summers Hapuna Beach can become very wide (reaching up to 200 feet in width), while in winters, Hapuna Beach can see a massive size reduction. Hapuna Beach is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. The name of the beach (Hapuna) means "spring of life" in the Hawaiian language. A coral reef is present in the water near the southern end of the beach.

Located in the island of Hawai’i (also known as Big Island), Kaunaoa Beach - also known as Kauna’oa Beach, Kaunaoa Bay, Kauna’oa Bay Beach, and Mauna Kea Beach - is a half-mile long crescent-shaped beach with light tan-colored sand and many nearby palm trees. Large rocks are present near the southern and northern ends of Kaunaoa Beach. This beautiful beach is situated near an upscale hotel named the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (also known as Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection). This beach is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach, and was also listed as one of the best beaches in the world by the Travel Channel. 

Punalu’u Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii. Populated during all times of the year by both locals and tourists, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is a Big-Island favorite. The deep blue waters, jet black sands, and vibrant, green palm trees give the island its reputation as one of Hawaii's most picturesque locations.

Punalu’u Beach is renowned for hosting Hawksbill and green turtles – beautiful creatures that are greatly admired by the beach’s visitors. In addition, Punalu’u’s visitors can go on coastal hikes, snorkel among the coral reef, and camp right on the sand (with a special permit). Punalu’u’s clear blue waters also make for a great swim; however, guests must beware of high tides since there is no lifeguard service. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach offers beachgoers all the essentials: parking, restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and easy access. This beach is accessible from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a highly recommended experience in addition to the beach.

After a fun beach day, head over to Punalu’u Bake Shop, the famous sandwich and donut eatery that both locals and visitors enjoy. The best places to stay on Punalu’u are the Pahala Plantation Cottages and Colony I at Sea Mountain; both are quaint accommodations, complete with that friendly island feel that makes Hawaii feel like home. Enjoy Punalu’u Beach’s natural splendor and soak up the sun during your vacation in Hawaii.

Nestled on the west end of the small Hawaiian island of Molokai, Papohaku is the longest beach on the island, measuring a whopping three miles long and 100 yards wide. It has appropriately been coined the “Three Mile Beach” due to its copious amount of space and white-sand. The beach is barely a secret, but it definitely feels like one, with the highest number of people reported being on Papohaku at the same time being roughly 10. Needless to say, Papohaku offers Molokai beachgoers a relaxing experience to simply unplug and recharge.

Only about 50 yards upland, you can enter the beach through Papohaku Beach Park. Not only does this 10.4-acre park provide easy access to the beach, but it also consists of a bathroom facility, indoor and outdoor showers, picnic tables, barbeques, and two adjacent campsites - plenty of amenities to keep you entertained even if a large herd of beachgoers happen to congregate. For beachgoers that are looking to be active, you can build sandcastles, beachcomb, and swim when the water is calm. Papohaku is not typically a swimming beach, especially during the winter when there can be intense currents and shore breaks, but it does provide the perfect opportunity to get away and unwind. Whatever the peaceful activity, Papohaku has everything you would expect from a blissful beach day.

If you get hungry, Molokai is home to several, delicious restaurants. Although there are not many places to eat within the immediate vicinity of the beach, there are a multitude of restaurants within a 30-minute drive that are surely worth the trip. For authentic Polynesian cuisine, make the trip to Kualapuu Cookhouse, a locally loved Polynesian restaurant in Kualapuu known for its cozy decor, friendly and sincere service, and creative menu. Prefer an American, fast food experience? Head to Molokai Burger, a clean and modern burger joint that is reminiscent of In and Out Burger without the palm tree decor. Looking for a fun and casual vibe? Paddlers Restaurant and Bar is widely considered the hot spot in town, known for its live music and an open layout for major gatherings.

For beachgoers looking to spend the night in Molokai, there are an array of options. Only a three-minute drive from Papohaku, Ke Nani Kai is regarded by locals as the best resort on the island with its beachside location, accommodating management, and luxurious pool and spa. Prefer a lovely bed and breakfast that offers incredible value? Head to The Blue Goose, which is only a 13-minute drive from Papohaku and has a panoramic view overlooking the waters of Molokai. There are also a multitude of hotels within a 30-minute drive that are surely worth the trip, one of which being Hotel Molokai. Located near Kaunakakai and adjacent to Hawaii’s only barrier reef, this hotel is a Polynesian-style village of bungalows complete with Wi-Fi and kitchenettes. The hotel also generously provides tours of the most captivating excursions on the island, including Moaula Waterfall, Halawa Valley, and humpback whale watching through their onsite Molokai Day Tours desk.

Located in the northern portion of the island of Hawai’i (also known as Big Island), Makalawena Beach - also known as Mak Beach - is a scenic yet isolated white sand beach with few nearby trees, a sloping incline, and a few rocky portions. Makalawena Beach is a part of the Kekaha Kai State Park, is a nearly half-mile long, and is situated along the shores of a bay named Puu Alii Bay. The rocky portions in Makalawena Beach are composed of lava rocks - these portions also divide Makalawena Beach into multiple coves. A pond named Opae’ula Pond is also present behind this beach. Makalawena Beach is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. Makalawena Beach’s name means "mischievous winds'' in Hawaiian - according to Hawaiian mythology, the wind goddess La'amaomao annoyed other Hawaiian gods through her actions, leading them to cut off La'amaomao’s nose. According to the Native Hawaiians, this detached nose is actually a cinder cone present near Makalawena Beach named Pu’uKu’ili. 

Located in the town of Kailua, Lanikai Beach - also known as Kaʻōhao Beach - is a spectacular white sand beach on the island of Oahu. While many people claim that the beach’s name means "heavenly sea" in Hawaiian, it is an incorrect translation. It is often said that the beach's main name (Lanikai Beach) was invented by a real estate developer named Charles Frazier and the area around this beach was earlier known as Kaʻōhao to Native Hawaiians. This approximately half mile-long beach has an amazing backdrop of palm trees and oceanfront mountains. Lanikai Beach has been named one of the Top 100 beaches in the United States by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.

Located on the southeastern part of the island of Oahu, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park – also known as Waimanalo Beach, Sherwood Beach, and Hunananiho Beach Park – is a popular beach with white sand.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is not to be confused with another beach park with a similar name called Waimanalo Beach Park – this park is located to the south of Waimanalo Bay Beach Park.  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park has been listed as one of the best beaches in the United States by many publications including Business Insider and USA Today.  It is also a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  

The beach is open between 7 am and 7:45 pm.

Located on the island of Maui, Kaanapali Beach – also known as Ka’anapali Beach – is a long and popular beach with light brown sand.  Kaanapali Beach has been named the 23rd Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as “Mr. Beach” – it was also listed by the Condé Nast Traveller as one of the 10 best beaches in Maui and was listed as one of the best beaches in the US by TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice awards. 

Located in the town of Kailua Kona, Manini’owali Beach is a small, narrow, and secluded beach that is surrounded by palm trees and rugged greenery on large rocks. Manini’owali Beach is considered among the best white sand beaches in Hawaii making it an awesome destination for photography. During winters, Manini’owali Beach is filled with surfers and bodyboarders because of high surf and strong rip currents. 

Located on the South Point of the Kaʻu district on the Big Island of Hawaii, Papakolea Beach - also known as Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach -  is a small green sand beach with many rocky formations.  The beach is renowned for its distinctive green sand, which gets its color from olivine (locally known as "Hawaiian Diamond"), a mineral found in the area.  This green sand is a result of the erosion of the enclosing cinder cone, Puʻu Mahana, which was formed over 49,000 years ago during an eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano.  The beach name Papakolea is derived from the Hawaiian word papa kolea, which means "plover flats."  The beach has a spectacular backdrop of rugged ledges, adding allure to its beauty, which together provide Instagram-worthy views of the Pacific Ocean.

Located along the south-eastern shoreline of the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a preserve that has a scenic bay named Hanauma Bay - this bay has a long unnamed and popular crescent-shaped light-brown sand beach along its shores. This unnamed beach is also known as Hanauma Bay Beach and is situated within a 30,000 year-old volcanic crater called the Hanauma. Many palm trees are present around this scenic beach. Hanauma Bay was earlier a recreational beach park. However, the huge influx of tourists to this popular beach caused significant damage to the local marine landscape and fragile marine biodiversity, prompting local authorities to turn this park into a preserve and take and apply stricter rules for tourist regulation. The meaning of the Hawaiian name of this bay (Hanauma) is widely interpreted as "curved bay" in English. Hanauma Bay was earlier used by Ancient Hawaiian nobles for recreational purposes. In addition, Hanauma Bay was also used by Ancient Hawaiians as a stop-over and launch point for canoes due to its calm water. Ancient fishing tools have also been found around Hanauma Bay by archaeologists. The beach in Hanauma Bay is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  Hanauma Bay has also featured in many films and television shows including Tora! Tora! Tora!, Hawaii Five-O, and Blue Hawaii. 

Located in the eastern part of the Kauai shoreline, Lydgate Beach Park - also called Lydgate Park - is a large and immensely popular recreational park that has a large and two-and-a-half-mile long beach with a large amount of driftwood, a few pebbles, and many nearby trees. This beach is called Lydgate Beach and it is situated near the mouth of the Wailua River. The ocean water near the northern part of Lydgate Beach Park is enclosed by multiple artificial rocky breakwaters - this enclosed double-section pool of ocean water is locally known as the Lydgate Pools (it is also alternatively known as Morgan’s Ponds) and it was built during the 20th century. The idea for a double-sectioned pool (a pool that has two portions) near Lydgate Beach was originally envisioned by Albert S. Morgan Sr. and there is a plaque around the beach that recognizes his contribution to the construction of the pool - Albert was a local resident who became inspired to build a protected swimming pool near Lydgate Beach Park when he encountered a similarly protected saltwater pool during his trip to Italy in 1958. 

It is important to note that while some people may refer to this park as Lydgate State Park, this name is misleading and incorrect because the park is not managed by the Division of State Parks (which is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources). Lydgate Beach Park is named in honor of Reverend John M. Lydgate, who was a prominent local community leader and the former pastor of the Lihu’e United Church and the Koloa Union Church. Reverend Lydgate was also the managing director of the McBryde Sugar Company and the Garden Island newspaper before his death in 1922. Lydgate Beach Park has been featured in many movies including the 1962 movie Diamond Head and the 1961 Elvis Presley movie Blue Hawaii.