Best Beaches in Hawaii

The aloha state of Hawaii arguably has the best beaches in the United States. Many would say in the entire world!

While it’s easy to find unbelievable beaches anywhere on Hawaii, we’ve compiled a list of the best beaches for each of Hawaii’s main islands. If you want a more detailed list, be sure to review our chart below for all of Hawaii’s many beaches.

Maui

Ka’anapali Beach

Ka’anapali Beach is one of the best beaches on Maui for many reasons. This area aspires to many different types of beach-goers and visitors because of all of Ka’anapali’s conveniences. To find the most central area of this beach, drive to Whalers Village Shopping Center and park your vehicle there.

Makena ‘Big’ Beach

Also known as Oneloa Beach (its true Hawaiian name) or Makena Beach, Big Beach is probably one of the prettiest beaches on Maui, and certainly south Maui. It is nearly 2/3 mile long and over 100 feet wide. The gorgeous sand and pristine waters attract snorkelers, swimmers, and sunbathers.

Makena ‘Big’ Beach is the best option if you are looking to find somewhere secluded for a good day of sunbathing or swimming. The beach itself is an outpost that sits on the southwestern tip of Maui, Hawaii, and boasts fine white sand and plenty of shade underneath the palm trees. The water here is usually fairly calm and there is a good chance you will not see too many other people. This is because getting to Makena requires a drive along the Hana Highway, which runs down the eastern coast of Hawaii’s largest island. Here are some directions to get you there:

Makena State Park can be found between mile markers 31 and 32 on the Hana Highway. There is a $5 entry fee and ample parking available in the lot. As you head down to Makena, you will run into various turn offs for other beaches along this coast such as Wailea Beach , but these can be easily avoided. Once you get near the water at Makena, just put on a pair of sandals or some water shoes and start walking. You will find the best spots within a few minutes walk from this point, but be careful since there may be a bit of broken glass here and there.

There are many trails around Makena Beach that lead down to other secluded coves such as Big Beach Cove. You can also access Big Beach itself by walking down the trail to the left of where you first come across it. When planning your trip, keep in mind that although this is not an extremely popular beach , there are still some people here. Making your way here before 7AM or after 6PM will increase your chances of having the place to yourself.

The Big Island

There are hundreds of beaches to choose from on Hawaii’s big island, and where you go largely depends on where you are staying. Here are some of the top options on the Big Island:

Hapuna Beach State Park (Hilo)

This gorgeous white-sand beach is located just south of Hilo town. It’s also just steps away from two excellent restaurants that offer tasty food at reasonable prices. With so many things to do in this area and such close proximity to downtown Hilo, it’s no wonder why this is one of the most popular beaches on the island.

Pololu Valley Lookout (North Kohala Coast)

This beautiful hidden gem in Kapaau will leave you breathless. The rugged coastline and gorgeous turquoise water is a photographer’s dream come true. You have to hike for about 20 minutes from Honokane Nui Bay to get there, so be prepared for an adventure when visiting this remote spot.

Wai’uli Beach (North Kohala Coast)

Another green sand beach, Wai’uli is a favorite of photographers and hikers alike. Although the hike to get here may turn some people off, it’s well worth it once you reach the slightly hidden treasure.

Kahalu’u Beach Park (South Kona Coast):

This black sand beach is not only beautiful but also offers visitors an abundance of marine life to view – whether snorkeling or diving. Plus, there’s a nice little reef in front of the beach that makes for great kayaking.

While you’re on Hawaii Island, make sure to visit Hula Daddy Kona Coffee. It’s located just a ten-minute drive from the airport in Kailua-Kona and offers tours, free samples and even free coffee if you have your own mug!

Kauai

Lumahai Beach

Lumahai Beach is a favorite among most visitors to Kaua’i. Its beauty speaks for itself with its long stretch of buttery-soft sand and clear waters that go on for miles into the horizon. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the endangered monk seal.

Poipu Beach Park

If you prefer to stay closer to land while still enjoying a beautiful kauai beach, then Poipu Beach Park is your best bet! The calm waters and white sand make this beach perfect for families with small children. Plus, it’s situated in one of Kauai’s most popular resort areas that offer a wide range of amenities and activities nearby.

Ke’e Beach

While many visitors flock to Lumahai Beach for its famous sunsets, others prefer the view from Ke’e Beach across the bay. In addition to having some amazing views, this beach is well-known for its accessible swimming conditions and abundance of Hawaiian green sea turtles that can be seen basking in the sun.

Brennecke’s Beach

For those who love to snorkel, Brennecke’s Beach is an absolute must! This famous Kauai beach has some amazing underwater scenery complete with tropical fish, colorful coral reefs, and even sea turtles! It’s just a short half-mile walk from Poipu Beach Park.

Polihale State Park

Have you ever dreamed of walking on seven miles of white sand? If so, then your dream can become a reality at Polihale State Park on the west side of Kauai! This beautiful beach is also the site of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, which are some of Hawaii’s most sacred sites.

Oahu

Hanauma Bay

One word: turtles! This bay has been around since the 1700s and was even used as an emergency landing spot for early aviators in Hawaii. Just beware that it can get crowded so try going either first thing in the morning or later in the day when most people have gone back to the city.

Lanikai beach

If you’re looking for a place where you can go swimming, have a picnic with your family or just relax on the soft, white sand then this is the beach for you. This beach has a reputation as being one of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu and it definitely lives up to that expectation. There’s also a great parking lot so you don’t have to worry about paying an arm and a leg for public parking!

Kee Beach

This isn’t your typical “beachy” location but if you want to be surrounded by lush rainforest scenery then this is totally worth checking out! The road down gets pretty bumpy (so rent an SUV!) but as long as you have a decent 4WD vehicle then this is totally worth the drive.

Secret Beach

Accessing this beach requires navigating many stairs but the hike isn’t too difficult and it’ll definitely work out those muscles. This beach has a great reputation for having clean water and overall being a nice place to hang out with friends or significant other. It’s also a popular spot for surfing!

Diamond Head

If amazing views are your thing than look no further than this natural wonder. While the hike down can be strenuous, it’s always fun exploring nature by foot (you can even rent mountain bikes if that sounds more exciting than walking). Once you get to the bottom, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the scenery. Even if you’ve lived in Hawaii your whole life, I promise this hike will show you something new!

Makapu’u Beach Park

I love watching surfers practice their craft at this beach. It’s also a great place to explore if you want to get away from many of the crowds on Oahu. Makapu’u has its very own lighthouse that is open for tours (for a small fee).

Waimea Bay

This was one of my favorite places when I was little! Make sure you’re careful during high tides though because it can be dangerous even for experienced swimmers since there’s an extremely strong rip current. However, getting to see the dramatic volcanic rocks along with some good old fashion waves crashing over them is totally worth the risk!

Ualakaa State Park

Last but certainly not least, this state park has everything from historical monuments to an excellent beach for swimming and snorkeling. If you’re into history than check out Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park which features ancient temples and other buildings that were once used as a refuge for Hawaiian culture (it’s another one of those places where there’s usually less people so it’s worth getting there early).

Molokai

Molokai is a small island that lies between Maui and O’ahu. It has three main towns: Kaunakakai, Hoolehua and Maunaloa.

Kakahai’a Park

Located right down the road from downtown Kaunakakai, this park has an easy to access beach. The park has a playground and an open grassy field for playing lawn games or throwing a frisbee. The beach is on the southern side of the island and is mostly shielded from the trade winds, so it’s a great spot for snorkeling.

Kapukahehu Beach

Kapukahehu Beach is a beautiful, white sand beach on the west coast of Molokai. Located approximately four miles past the six mile marker along Kamehameha V Highway (Hwy 450), or also known as Puko’o Road, Kapukahehu can be found on the right (south) side of the road. The Kapukahehu Cemetery can be seen on the left (north) side of Puko’o Road, and across the street from that is a nice grass park with picnic tables and restrooms conveniently located next to Kapukahehu Beach. If you’re coming from either Halawa or Kaunakakai, it’s almost impossible to miss this park.

As mentioned above, the park is equipped with picnic tables and restrooms. There are no showers or lifeguards on duty here, however. Also, there are no public parking lots available at Kapukahehu Beach Park; therefore you’ll either have to find street-side parking, or park at one of the resorts nearby.

Since Kapukahehu Beach Park is on Molokai’s west coast, the sun sets over the water here. Because of this, you’ll have to battle some powerful trade winds if you plan on staying long after sunset. There are no trees for shade either, which makes it hard to spend any amount of time here after the sun goes down, unless you bring your own shade. This beach park is a nice place to visit early in the morning before sunrise and late in the afternoon just as it’s about to get dark. If there are no waves at all, Kapukahehu Beach has plenty of room for snorkeling as well. This is a great beach to watch surfers as they ride the waves, and the park itself offers some interesting views of Molokai’s small, neighboring islands of Niihau and Lehua.

The water here in general is pretty rough; there are no calm little tide pools for children to play in like you might find at other places on the island. Kapukahehu is most definitely for older children, teens and adults only.

There are no facilities here except for the picnic tables mentioned above. If it’s your first time visiting Kapukahehu Beach Park, just be aware that there are no food or drink concessions of any kind at this beach park. Although it seems like there would be, there aren’t even any porta-potties here either. You’ll have to travel back out on the highway and find a convenience or grocery store if you need to use the bathroom facilities.

It’s also very important to note that this beach park is on private property; therefore it’s illegal for anyone other than the owners to drive on the long stretch of dirt road that leads you into Kapukahehu. There is a gate at the end of this dirt road that’s used to keep trespassers out. If you find yourself there, please turn around and don’t try driving up any farther.

George Murphy Beach Park

George Murphy Beach Park is a great place for family fun. This beach park features miles of white sand, sparkling blue water and an amazing view of the Kalaupapa peninsula that forms the northern side of Molokai’s famous Halawa Bay.