Hawaii Beaches
Oahu Beaches
There are plenty of ways to get wet on Oahu. But before you pick from the island's long list of water adventures, go find a beach, any beach, and just kick back. The island's 112 miles of coastline is graced with more than 130 beaches, strands of golden sand that slope gently into the sun-sparkled, sapphire-blue water of the warm Pacific. Since the waters off Oahu are unpredictable, people are urged to swim at guarded beaches. Often tragedy occurs because people don't understand that the ocean is not a swimming pool. Here are some water safety tips worth remembering: consult lifeguards about ocean conditions before entering the water; heed all warning signs; never swim alone; never go out farther than you can swim; if you see someone in distress call for a lifeguard or dial 911; know your limits if in doubt, don't go out; and never take what you can't carry (leave your valuables at home.) Skin precautions are also recommended. Adjust to the sun gradually and use a broad-spectrum sunblock cream or lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, maybe 21 or higher. (Many Oahu lifeguards use 30+ SPF.)Maui Beaches
There are plenty of beautiful beaches on Maui, each possessing its own set of unique qualities. The question isn't whether or not to head for a beach, but how to pick the one that matches your mood and energy level. What makes one beach great for surfers and water-sport enthusiasts does not necessarily make for a great destination for families or vacationers looking to relax on the shore. Some beaches are more suitable for certain activities—for instance, Launiupoko Beach, Breakwall in Lahaina and Cove Park in Kihei are great for beginning surfers; while wind and kite surfers flock to Kanaha Beach. Maui has 120 miles of coastline and more than 75 beaches. Although hotels or vacation rentals front many popular shorelines; it is not difficult to find a secluded stretch of sand to get your dose of vitamin sea. Let us help you narrow down your search for the perfect beach destination on Maui.Kauai Beaches
A trip to Kaua‘i isn’t complete without a little time spent at one of the many splendid shorelines that decorate the island. Nick-named for its dense vegetation and ornate plant life, the Garden Isle is also notorious for its vast stretches of golden beaches and blue Pacific water. Whether it’s just digging your feet into the creamy sand or dunking your entire body into the ocean, there are many ways to enjoy the perks of Kaua‘i beaches. You can even sit under a tree in the shade, cozy up with a good book and let the waves serenade you. The good news is that no matter what part of the island you’re staying, there’s at least one celebrated beach nearby. If you do decide to participate in water recreation, make sure to visit one of the island’s lifeguarded beaches — Kē‘ē, Hanalei, Hā‘ena, Anahola, Lydgate, Keālia, Kekaha, Po‘ipū and Salt Pond — and check ocean conditions before grabbing your snorkeling gear. Due to its isolated, northwestern location along the Hawaiian archipelago, the waters along Kaua‘i’s coasts can get treacherous. During the summer months, the sea is typically calmer on the north shore. This is also where you’ll find the crème de la crème of Kaua‘i beaches, Hanalei Bay. Gorgeous mountain scenery is only part of what makes this beach one of the most popular on the island, along with several spots that are safe for swimming, as well as beginner-style surfing near the pier.On the opposite end of the island, winter is the season when ocean conditions are most friendly. Po‘ipū Beach is superb for families, as there is an enclave aptly named Baby Beach where the littlest ones get a safe chance to splash in the water. Along the east side are two prominent places to lounge or swim – Lydgate, which is also ideal for families, as there is a rock-lined enclosure that keeps waves out, and the north end of Kealia where more advanced swimmers can bring a boogie board and have fun wrestling with the tide. Salt Pond Beach, located in Hanapēpē, is a great west side option, protected by a small bay that makes the water here calm. Plus, you can almost always guarantee sunshine on this side of the island. Of course, there are other lovely beaches worth visiting, like ‘Anini, Tunnels, Shipwreck and Lumaha‘i, but are only advisable for swimming when the conditions are right. Nonetheless, they make for great picnic locales and places to kick back and appreciate the scenery. You really don’t have to get in the water to reap all the nourishing benefits Kaua‘i beaches have to offer.Lanai Beaches
When it comes to beaches on the island of Lanai, many people are familiar with Hulopoʻe Beach in front of the Four Seasons resort. After all—the beach was named the #1 beach in America back in 1997, and is the island’s only beach with restrooms, showers, trash cans, or even paved parking. It’s home to what’s easily the best snorkeling on Lanai, has waves for surfing in the summer, and Hawaiian Spinner dolphins will often rest and splash on the right side of the bay. Furthermore, it’s only an easy, five-minute stroll from the docks of Manele Harbor, where passengers ferrying from neighboring Maui disembark for a trip to the beach. For those who look a bit harder, however, Lanai has many more beaches to choose from than famous Hulopoʻe Bay—just that reaching them requires 4-wheel drive and a healthy sense of adventure. Polihua, on the island’s northern coast, is blissfully empty and deserted, and is a place where you can leave the only set of footprints on a casual stroll down the beach. There unfortunately isn’t any swimming here, as the southerly current and steep drop-off has created the “Tahitian Express,” and a day at Polihua is better spent fishing or exploring the coastal sand dunes. On most afternoons, the northeasterly tradewinds whip across the beach to create blowing sheets of sand, so mornings are the best time to visit Polihua—which is best followed up by visiting Keahiakawelo, aka “Garden of the Gods.” The second most popular beach on Lanai, after Hulopo’e Bay, is Kaiolohia, or “Shipwreck Beach,” thanks to its relatively easy access. Unlike a beach like Polihua that requires an hour of off-road driving, Shipwreck Beach is accessed via a winding paved road down the mountain, with the last three miles being dirt and requiring 4-wheel drive. When visiting Shipwreck Beach on Lanai, you’ll drive as far as the road will take you before it ends at some boulders, at which point a well-defined coastal trail will lead all the way to the beach. The highlight here is the Liberty Ship that was purposely scuttled offshore, having rested here on the offshore reef since 1943. Since the beach faces directly into the tradewinds, the beachcombing here is some Hawaii’s best, with shells, coconuts, and unforeseen treasures washing ashore on the sand. By the base of an old lighthouse, not far from the parking area, a dirt trail leads back towards ancient petroglyphs preserved by isolation and time. Continuing south on the “backside” of the island, a dirt road connects a series of beaches that are some of the best of Lanai, and are popular with locals for fishing, surfing, camping, and simply relaxing. At Kahalepalaoa, past Keomoku village, the haunting remnants of “Club Lanai” still sit along the shore, and the old wooden dock jutting out from the coconut grove is an iconic visage of Lanai. Farther down the 4-wheel drive trail is beautiful Lopa Beach, where the gently rolling, waist-high waves are similar to Waikiki, and the stretch of sand that’s shaded by trees is the perfect spot to string up a hammock and tune out the world for a while. The road finally ends at Naha Beach, by a series of ancient fishponds, and the popular but isolated surfing spot “Stone Shacks” is accessible via a hike down the coast. Or, to simply find a beach to yourself—but not need 4-wheel drive—follow the trail at Hulopoʻe Bay that departs from the left side of the beach, until it reaches the hidden and scenic “Shark’s Cove” that’s tucked at the base of the cliffs. Accessing the sand can mean a bit of scramble down the rocky, unstable cliffs, but it’s one of the very best beaches on Lanai that you can often have all to yourself.Molokai Beaches
When was the last time the only footprint on a white sand beach was your own? Or the last time you watched the sun go down on a beach you have all to yourself? Such is the case with beaches on Molokai, where emptiness, solitude, and fiery sunsets are daily tropical realities. Forget the idea of activity stands or beaches lined with resorts; those are for other, larger islands like Oahu, Maui, and Kauai. Molokai beaches are backed by trees and sand dunes shifting in the wind, and sit at the end of single land roads or bumpy pathways of dirt. Of the dozens of sandy beaches on Molokai, one of the most popular is Papohaku Beach on the far western end of the island. Nearly three miles long and 100 yards wide, it’s the largest white sand beach on Molokai and home to the island’s best sunsets. Rarely is there a day you’ll be sharing the beach with over a dozen people, and there’s even a campground toward the middle of the beach where you can wake to the sound of the waves. Swimming at Papohaku can be dangerous, however, and a better choice is Kepuhi Beach just a 5-minute drive up the road. Known to Molokai surfers as “Sheraton’s,” Kepuhi Beach fronts the now defunct and former Sheraton resort, and while many of the buildings are now boarded up, the soft white sand and cobalt waters are still open for all to enjoy. North of Kepuhi, the coast gets wild and is only accessible by foot, but by following a winding coastal trail that hugs the salt soaked rocks, you’ll soon reach beaches like Kawakiu with empty stretches of sand. South of Papohaku, at the end of the road, is local favorite Dixie Maru, or Kapukahehu Beach. This small, protected, white sand cove is calm enough for snorkeling in summer, and offers surfers a right-hand wave on northwestern winter swells. From Kapukahehu there are other beaches accessible by traveling on foot, and it’s arguably one of the best beaches on Molokai for a fun-filled day at the beach. Because the island’s southern shore is rung by a fringing reef, there aren’t many notable beaches on Molokai along the southern coast. Some exceptions are Puko‘o, on the island’s eastern end, and Hale O Lono out west, as well as One Ali‘i beach on the outskirts of Kaunakakai. On the eastern shore, two of the most popular beaches on Molokai are Waialua Beach and “Murphy’s”—which is also known as Kumimi Beach and located by the 20-mile marker. These beaches are right where the road begins to narrow for the winding journey toward Halawa, and Waialua offers snorkeling on higher tides and surfing out near the reef. Continuing out toward Halawa Valley is idyllic Sandy Beach, where a small cove that’s protected from the trade winds offers swimming, sunbathing, and occasionally snorkeling on the calmest days of the year. At the end of the long, serpentine road that leads to Halawa Valley, Kawili Beach is the calming spot where the valley meets with the coast, and offers a scenic, sandy perch for photos looking back up the valley. Because Molokai’s northern coast is home to the world’s tallest sea cliffs, there are few beaches accessible to visitors that don’t require a boat. One exception is Mo‘omomi, where persistent trade winds have created sand dunes that line the isolated shore. This area is a fragile and sacred ecosystem—so all visitors should tread lightly—and stick to established, coastal trails that are accessed via a 4WD road. Finally, one of Molokai’s most scenic beaches is one of its most remote, and requires obtaining a permit for touring the Kalaupapa Peninsula. With deeply gray sand and a palm-lined coast, Kalaupapa Beach can only be accessed by a 3-mile hike down the mountain, or riding in on the back of a mule down the steep, switch backing trail. The reward for the harrowing journey, however, is strolling down a stretch of sand at the base of near vertical cliffs, which dramatically thrust their way toward the sky and merge right into the clouds.Waikiki Beach. The name conjures images of turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and a carefree island vibe. This crescent-shaped stretch of paradise on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii, isn’t just a beach; it’s a cultural icon, a historical landmark, and a playground for the young and young at heart. Whether you’re seeking the perfect...
There are a number of black sand beaches in Hawaii, with seven famous black sand beaches located on Hawaii Island and one famous one on Maui. Because they’re formed by black lava flows (i.e., volcanic eruptions), black sand beaches are often not safe for swimming, and they can be a little difficult to get to,...
From the truly picturesque Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi’s northern shoreline to the postcard-perfect sands of Poīpʻu Beach down south, there are literally hundreds of beaches, coves and coasts strewn around The Garden Island. There are so many in fact, it can almost seem overwhelming for first-time visitors looking to find the perfect plot of sand...
Kailua, a quintessential beach town, is blessed with two gorgeous beaches and steady onshore trade winds that make it great for windsurfing, kayaking and other water sports. Once a sleepy town of barely 3,000, it’s now a bedroom community of more than 36,000 residents. Best known for its long, sandy beaches, which are considered among...
As an island chain, Hawaii is home to hundreds of beaches, each possessing its own set of unique qualities. What makes one beach great for surfers and water-sport enthusiasts does not necessarily make for a great destination for families or vacationers looking to relax on the shore. To help narrow down the search for the...
As an island chain, Hawaii is home to hundreds of beaches, each possessing its own set of unique qualities. What makes one beach great for surfers and water-sport enthusiasts does not necessarily make for a great destination for families or vacationers looking to relax on the shore. To help narrow down the search for the...
Tucked away along the Nā Pali Coast is Kalalau Valley, arguably one of the earth’s greatest natural wonders. This pristine hideaway, decorated with a remote beach and surrounded by fluted peaks, is regarded as Kaua‘i’s cathedral. Hawaiians understood its beauty and value as well – this was the most populated of the Nā Pali Coast...
In comparison to other resort areas on Maui, Kapalua has a bit more of a refined, subdued elegance to it. There are no giant malls or tacky tourist traps here. While fun, this place leaves all of that silliness to its nearby neighbors, Kaanapali and Lahaina, in favor of elite resorts, world-renowned restaurants, and championship golf...
If there were one word to describe Kihei that word would definitely be “beaches.” There are no fewer than ten different beaches to choose from when visiting Kihei, a town where the sun nearly always shines on Maui’s southern coast. Maui’s Hot Spot Given the wealth of beaches and sunshine, it’s little surprise that Kihei...
You could describe Kailua as a typical residential area that arose from post-war development on the Windward side of Oahu. But as anyone who calls the urban side of Oahu “home” will tell you, you’re missing the point. Hugged by Mount Olomana and the Koolau Range, Kailua (meaning “two seas” or “two currents”) is a...
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