Best Camping Beaches in Hawaii

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.

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 in the small town of Waimanalo, Bellows Field Beach Park has a long and wide beige-colored sand beach on the east shore of the island of Oahu.  Spread across 46 acres, Bellows Field Beach Park is a part of Bellows Field Air Force Station that was turned over to the State for public use on July 4, 1964.  Please note that Bellows Field Beach Park is only open for the public from noon on Fridays to midnight on Sundays only because military exercises are conducted here during the week.  Bellows Field Beach Park is rarely crowded and is an excellent destination for bodysurfing and bodyboarding.  Bellows Field Beach Park is home to many marine creatures including a jellyfish called the Portuguese Man o’war, a small floating snail called the pupu pani, and the Pacific mole crab called ‘ala ‘eke or commonly known as sand turtles. 

Located in the small town of Waianae, Kea’au Beach County Park is a long, wide, and rocky beach on the west shore of an island named Oahu.  “Kea’au” in Hawaiian means “the rippling of the sea” and the beach is a popular destination for hiking and camping.  Kea’au Beach County Park has an incredible campground with 25 camping sites that remains open every day of the week except for Wednesday and Thursday. 

Located in the northern portion of Kauai, Anini Beach – earlier known as Wanini Beach – is a two-mile-long beach with light brown sand and nearby reefs.  This beach is a part of a recreational park named Anini Beach Park.  This beach was listed as one of the “The 5 Best Snorkeling Spots on Kauai” in 2022 by Hawaii Magazine.

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 southern part of the Oahu shoreline, Kokee Beach Park - also known as Koke’e Beach Park - is a recreational park that has a small rocky beach.  This beach is known as Koke’e Beach and it is also known as Kokee Beach.  This beach is present below steep, rocky, and forested bluffs.  The water near Kokee Beach Park has a rock shelf. 

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. 

Located on the southwestern shoreline of Kauai in the town of Hanapepe, Salt Pond Beach Park is a long and wide reddish-golden sand beach.  Salt Pond Beach Park is located on the shores of Hanapepe Bay and offers Instagram-worthy views, especially during sunset.  As the name suggests, Salt Pond Beach Park is the only place in Hawaii where salt is still produced in natural salt ponds.  There are salt ponds at the southern end of the beach, where local Hawaiian families practice the art of making Hawaiian salt.  Salt making is a sacred practice done by Hawaiian families that has been passed down for many generations.  Each family has its own specific area to make this natural salt, for which salt ponds are filled with ocean water and then left to evaporate.  When tiny salt crystals begin to form in the salt beds, they are gently harvested by scraping the bottom of the salt bed with a net.  Later, the salt is packed and utilized for cooking and medicinal purposes.  It is important to note that these salt ponds are strictly for the use of native Hawaiians.  

Located in the town of Waimea, Spencer Beach Park has a small, narrow, and white sand beach situated below Puʻukohola Heiau, a famous temple built by Kamehameha I. Spencer Beach Park was named after Samuel Mahuka Spencer, who was Hawaii’s county chairman for 20 years and was responsible for developing the north Kohala Coast. Spencer Beach Park is an awesome family-friendly picnicking spot with open grassy lawns, large shade trees, and a large population of birds. The beach is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing as it is protected by an outside reef and the harbor breakwater.