Most Dangerous Beaches in Hawaii

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 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.