Top Surfing Beaches in Hawaii
Located in the town of Kailua Kona, Banyan’s Surfing Area is a long and narrow beach situated in front of the incredible Holualoa Bay. Banyan’s Surfing Area is surrounded by coconut palm trees, mesquite trees, ironwood, lava rocks, tide pools, and a few small water ponds. The beach at Banyan’s Surfing Area is a well-known destination for surfing – it has one of the most popular breaks in the town. In addition, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and watching green sea turtles are popular here.
While British sailors in the 19th century may have mistaken calcite crystals on the beach here for real diamonds, we still give them some credit – Diamond Head Beach is a genuine treasure. With sea cliffs lining the golden sands and blue-green waters crashing at the shore, this Hawaiian beach is absolutely gorgeous. To reach the sands of this paradise, follow Kalakaua Avenue south from Waikiki for a 15-minute drive along the ocean, take a right at Diamond Head Road, and continue to the top of the hill to find parking for the beach, as well as three scenic lookouts. Free street parking is also available, but be aware of potential theft and parking tickets, both of which are quite common here.
Once you reach the beach, all your expectations will be surpassed and the drive to the sand will be more than worth it. The beach is a part of the Diamond Head Beach Park, which is home to a wide array of beautiful, swaying palm trees and amazing views. While the beach is not particularly well-suited for swimming due to strong currents, it’s a great location for surfing. At low tide, you’ll want to check out the tide pools that are teeming with exotic, vibrant marine life. Diamond Head Beach doesn’t offer any amenities – there are no lifeguards, bathrooms, restaurants, picnic tables, snack bars, rentals, or umbrellas – but this simply adds to the rustic, paradisiacal feel of the beach.
If you’re feeling adventurous after the beach and are in the mood for an incredible hike with breathtaking views of the island, get in your car for a five-minute drive to the Diamond Head State Monument and the famous Diamond Head Trail. Bring plenty of water and prepare yourself for the challenge – it’s a 242-meter climb to the top of Le’ahi, commonly called Diamond Head Volcano, with the last 160 meters consisting of steep stairs. The trail is well-marked and lasts about one and a half to two hours roundtrip. If you’re going late in the day to catch the sunset, plan accordingly because the entrance to the trail closes at 4:30 pm every day. Other than the breathtaking views, the highlight of the hike is the broad crater at the top, which is approximately 300,000 years old and is the result of a single volcanic eruption. History buffs will love exploring this crater, as its history dates back to 1904, when the U.S. government purchased Diamond Head to be used for the military’s defense of Oahu. Along the hike, you can explore the five batteries that were built to house the coastal artillery, the observations stations that were used to determine potential threats, and the long-range guns that were mounted on the outer slopes and rim of the crater. While no artillery was ever fired from here, you’ll still see remnants of the military’s presence, such as pistol ranges, concrete landings, tunnels, and camouflaging beams. Nature-lovers will also love this hike, as there is a plethora of flora and fauna lining the trail, including cardinals, doves, and sparrows. If you’re visiting Waikiki, Diamond Head Beach is a must-visit, and Diamond Head Trail is the icing on the cake!
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,
Located in the small town of Haleiwa, Haleiwa Beach Park has a small, narrow, and rocky beach situated south of Kahawai Beach Support Park. Spread across 80 acres, Haleiwa Beach Park is a marine conservation area and is home to many animals including tiny fish, black-and-yellow trigger fish, eels, and turtles making it a very popular swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and fishing destination during summer season.
White Plains Beach is a stunning beach located in Ewa Beach, United States. The beach stretches for about 2.5 miles and has soft white sand that feels amazing to walk on.
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 on the western side of the Big Island on the Kohala Coast, Anaehoomalu Beach - also known as Anaehoomalu Bay Beach, Anaehoomalu Beach Park, and A-Bay - is a long and wide crescent-shaped beach with white sand. This beach is positioned near the western edge of an upscale hotel named the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa along the shores of Anaehoomalu Bay. It has a beautiful backdrop of a large grove of coconut palm trees and many oceanfront buildings, including opulent hotels, restaurants, and motels along the shores of Anaehoomalu Bay, which together provide Instagram-worthy views, especially during sunset. In addition, the beach is home to two ancient Hawaiian fishponds, Ku’uali’i and Kahapapa, which are located right behind the beach, where swimming and fishing are restricted. There are many informational plaques present near the beach that offer interesting insights into Hawaiian history.
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 the northern portion of the Lanai shoreline, Shipwreck Beach - also called Kaiolohia, Kaiolohia Beach, and Kaiolohia Bay Beach - is a long and popular beach with light brown sand, some rocky portions, many pebbles, a nearby shallow reef, nearby grass and shrubs, and a lot of driftwood. This beach received its name because many vessels have been known to get shipwrecked here. Some of the vessels include the Alderman Wood (a British vessel that sank near the beach in 1824), the London (an American ship that was shipwrecked here in 1826), and a reinforced concrete vessel named YOGN-42 that was built for the United States Navy in 1943 and was deliberately shipwrecked near the beach as a means of disposal after World War Two ended. As an interesting fact, the London was apparently carrying gold and silver when it sank, and that gold and silver have not yet been recovered till this date. There is a lighthouse near this beach - this lighthouse was earlier in a functional state but it now lies in a dilapidated condition. Shipwreck Beach should not be confused with another separate beach also named Shipwreck Beach which is located on the island of Kauai.
Located in the southern portion of the island of Kauai, Kiahuna Beach, also called Sheraton Beach and Poipu Beach, is a large, popular, and narrow south facing crescent-shaped beach with light brown sand and many nearby palm trees and a few nearby reefs. This beach is situated near two oceanfront resorts, Kiahuna Plantation Resort and the Sheraton Kauai Resort. The eastern and western ends of Kiahuna Beach are rocky and the western end of the beach has a rocky outcropping near it which is named Cowshead. It is important to note that Kiahuna Beach shares its alternative name with another nearby beach called Poipu Beach, both the beaches are separate. In addition, some people also believe that Kiahuna Beach is a part of Poipu Beach. It is important to note that this is incorrect and both the beaches are separate.
Located in the small town of Waianae, Makaha Beach has a long and wide white sand beach on the west shore of the island of Oahu. Makaha Beach is a part of the popular Makaha Beach Park filled with locals and their families during the weekend. Makaha Beach is a popular destination for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and bodyboarding.
Located in northwestern Oahu, Laniakea Beach – also called Turtle Beach, Lani’s Beach, and Lani’s – is a beach with light brown sand, a few rocky portions, and a large nearby reef. This beach was listed as one of the 10 must-see beaches on Oahu by USA Today, and is a favorite or Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach. This beach should not be confused with another beach with a similar alternate name called Papaoneone Beach – this beach is also alternatively known as Turtle Beach.
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.
Nestled in the gorgeous southern shore of Maui, you’ll find Kalama Beach Park, a 36-acre campus with much to offer. While the beach itself is quite small and secluded, Kalama Beach Park’s campus has several accommodations that make up for it. Beach access is limited to a singular pathway located near the center parking lot. The park has restrooms, showers, and grills on campus, making it a great spot to spend an entire day. Additionally, the park’s three free parking lots mean you’ll always have a place to park.
With little usable beach space, most of the coast is lined by smooth, dark boulders that slice into the murky seawater. Swimming conditions are poor–the beach is only 100 feet wide and the water tends to fill with seaweed. As a result, most beachgoers prefer kayaking and surfing to swimming. The park contains a 20,000-foot skate park, several sports fields, courts for basketball and tennis, and an inline skating rink, making it a perfect place to engage in your favorite pastimes. Additionally, Kalama Beach Park’s playground makes it a great spot to bring young children. Music lovers can find festivals and concerts playing throughout the year. One of the most popular activities at Kalama Beach Park is picnicking; the wide field space and benches lining the coast provide a peaceful view of the Hawaiian Pacific Ocean.
If you are hungry, walk across the park to the intersection of South Kihei Road and Halelani Place to find the Cuatro Restaurant, a wonderful fine dining experience of Latin and Asian cuisine. Another great option is the upscale Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar. Located next to Cuatro on South Kihei Road, Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar offers fresh seafood and contemporary style sushi. For a more casual dining experience, check out Maui Fish'n Chips; this quaint restaurant is just a 10-minute stroll south to Kamaole Beach Park II and offers delicious fish and chips served in a fast-food style setting.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, you can relax in luxury at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, a 5-star resort that’s only a 10-minute drive from Kalama Beach Park and offers extravagant suites, authentic ‘ohana-style meals, and private lanai’s. Another option is Wailea Beach Resort, a 4-star hotel that’s only 3.5 miles away from Kalama Beach Park and offers similar luxurious lodging, with a spa and fitness center, top quality golf, and locally sourced, Hawaiian-inspired dining. The closest lodging option is Maui Coast hotel. A 10-minute walk from the park, this casual lodging offers a fitness center, pool, and a transportation shuttle to help you explore the island.
