USA - Hawaii Best Beaches

USA

Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world, some accessible only by helicopter or landing watercraft, some built around the high drama of intense waves crashing against razor-sharp lava rocks, and some that literally disappear under the high winter surf on the north shores of the islands.

Waikiki Beach
Oahu, Hawaii

Waikiki, Oahu [Photo]

Waikiki Beach on Oahu's south shore count as one of most famous beaches in all of Hawaii, if not the world. Waikiki features a white sand beach framed by aquamarine waters and iconic Diamond Head, the extinct volcanic crater and international landmark. The beauty of Waikiki begins at the yacht harbor where every boat imaginable, from sporty, racing numbers to salty-dog blue cruisers, lines the water. This is where the locals come to jog in the park, swim at Sans Souci Beach or barbecue dinner with family and friends. Between these extremes, the seven-tenths of a square mile that make up Waikiki are packed with hotels, theaters, restaurants and shops that offer something for everyone. Shopping, strolling, surfing, beachgoing and people watching are just a few of the more popular activities here. For a few dollars, you can rent a longboard and try your hand at surfing the gentle waves that helped make Waikiki one of the birthplaces of surfing. It is here where Hawaiian canoe clubs train and stately yachts strut their stuff. Outrigger canoes can also be rented for a paddle through sun-drenched waves in the afternoon sun.

Honaunau Bay
The Big Island, Hawaii 

Honaunau Bay [Photo]

Honaunau Bay is the City of Refuge by locals because of ancient traditions that gave warriors and law-breakers refuge here. Honaunau Bay offers visitors something other than the white sandy beaches and rolling surf characteristic of Hawaii. The bay is refuge to many fish and coral that skin divers often visit due to the ease of entry provided by smooth lava rock flats. It is home to a true underwater paradise, the Place of Refuge, which attracts scuba divers from all around. Dolphins are regulars to the bay and give everyone a bit of excitement. The clear blue waters and even the occasional sea turtle offer rich diving experience for all. Over time, eruptions of the Kilueau volcano poured lava into the ocean, hardening into large, smooth formations now home to an expansive reef of colorful coral heads and formations. The bay satisfies all levels of divers, from beginners to experts, and boasts a large number of fish native to Hawaii, roughly 40 percent of which can be found only in Honaunau. Divers can swim with the likes of long-nosed butterfly fish, surgeon fish, yellow tang and kala and kole - even the endangered green sea turtle.

Ka'anapali Beach
Maui, Hawaii

Ka'anapali Beach [Photo]

Kaanapali Beach is one of Hawaii’s most energetic, charismatic, and active beaches. Ka'anapali is one of Hawaii's most famous and populated beaches surrounded by numerous elegant resort hotels and condominiums. Travel up and down the beach is made possible by a concrete path so wherever you are staying the path is nearby for morning walks and sunset strolls. It is the beach for activities. Many activities including seasonal parasailing, surf lessons, volleyball, and sailing keep vacationers busy.  You can snorkel in the crystal clear water, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail, or kayak. At the north end of the beach lies Black Rock offering great snorkeling.

Kauna'oa Beach
The Big Island, Hawaii

Kauna'oa Beach [Photo]

The perfect crescent formed at Kauna'oa Beach, also known as Mauna Kea Beach by locals, gives this beach on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island its picture postcard characteristics.  Kauna 'oa Beach is a large sandy beach located on the big island of Hawaii. The beach provides plenty of room for sand castles, volleyball, swimming, snorkeling and boogie boarding. It is one of the best beaches on the island with a rock reef that provides some protection from the surf. Golfers will even love to hate the sand traps at the famous Mauna Kea Golf Course.

Kahanamoku Beach
Waikiki, Oahu

Kahanamoku, Oahu [Photo]

Kahanamoku Beach was named in honor of Hawaii's most decorated waterman Duke Kahanamoku, gold medal Olympic swimmer and father of modern-day surfing. It is an island with a two-tier waterfall, a board walk, park benches and landscaping create a park-like setting. You’ll find all ocean activities here and places to rent surfboards, stand up paddle boards and take lessons. A variety of beach equipment is available for rent from the Hilton's Waikiki Beach Activities desk which fronts the lagoon. The lagoon is the perfect place to learn Hawaii's fastest growing watersport - stand up paddle boarding.

Waimanolo Bay Beach Park
Oahu, Hawaii

Waimanolo Bay [Photo]

Located about nine miles north of Hanauma Bay, past Makapu'u Point and Sea Life Park, you'll arrive at the Windward Oahu community of Waimanalo Beach. It’s a wide beach with beautiful sand, turquoise waters and a gentle shore break. Waimanalo, which is actually made up of two separate areas, each with its own parking area, is a beautiful Oahu beach popular with locals, and great for family picnics and sports. It can also be a good place to body surf for beginners. There’s protection from the sun under ironwood pines (Casuarina equisetifolia).

Hanauma Bay
Oahu, Hawaii

Hanauma Bay, Oahu [Photo by Vince Tylor]

Hanauma Bay is another of Hawaii’s most beautiful and popular bays, but to enjoy its treasures you’ll have to plan ahead and arrive early for a visit. Formed thousands of years ago by the flooding of a volcanic crater, this nearly circular bay is home to an amazingly diverse and abundant population of fish life. Hanauma Bay is one of the best and most popular snorkeling and swimming areas in the world. However, excessive swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving have threatened the bay’s marine residents. 

Poipu Beach
Kauai, Hawaii

Poipu beach, Kauai [Photo]

Poipu Beach is on the southern island of Kauai and  well-know for calm waters. The area is picturesque with golden sand crescents and shallow areas that provide safe areas for parents and children. Poipu beach is split into two small bays separated by a sand bar. One section is protected and ideal for toddlers and other small children. The other section is good for swimming and snorkeling, and sometimes surfing when the waves pick up. Palm trees dominate the coastline here with an expansive lawn at the park. Families are sure to adore the well-maintained picnic areas and covered pavilions, as well as the shower and bathroom facilities. Sunbathers are occasionally joined by endangered monk seals that come up for a snooze on the shore.

Lahaina Beach
Maui, Hawaii

Lahaina, Maui [Photo]

Lahaina Beach is considered one of the world's most romantic beaches. It is on West Maui and the town is full of ancient history with a long tradition of whaling. The tranquility of its old fishing village, lush tropical plant life and the majesty of the ocean have made Lahaina a favorite locale for marriage ceremonies. The traditional Old Lahaina Luau traces the history of the hula dance and tantalizes guests with passionate dancing, lei ceremonies and a succulent imu-roasted pig.

Hookipa Beach
Maui, Hawaii

Hookipa, Maui [Photo: Randy Storey]

Hookipa Beach is located off the Hana Highway in North Maui. It is well-known for world-class windsurfing competitions. Wave-riders travel from around the globe to catch the surf at Hookipa. Windsurfers will tell you the best views of Hookipa Beach's gleaming white sands and towering palm trees are from the water, where surfers are privy to the beach's spectacular setting. While not everyone is an expert windsurfer there is a small coral reef that provides an excellent calm area for taking a relaxing few minutes on this unique beach. The dramatic rocky beach and sandy shore are complemented with barbeque picnic areas, showers, kiosks and payphones.

Punalu'u Beach
The Big Island, Hawaii

Punalu'u beach [Photo]

The black sand beach of Punalu'u is one of nature's rarest wonders stretches across the island of Hawaii's shores. This magnificent beach formed when lava from two of the world's most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, spilled into the ocean and quickly cooled, breaking into minuscule pieces that now comprise the "sand." The black sand beach with its smoothed glass granules is always warm and soothing, and the wild tropical landscape makes beach irresistible and unforgettable. Punalu'u is actually the "diving spring" because Hawaiians used to get fresh water from these springs using gourds. The location is well-known for the endangered green sea turtle that makes it's home here while the turtles are protected by law, snorkeling is a great way to see them in their natural habitat.

The North Shore
Oahu, Hawaii

Waimeia Bay, North Shore [Photo]

Along the 7-mile stretch of sand encompassing the North Shore, three beaches stand out from the rest. Waimeia Bay, which is located in the center of the North Shore, boasts calm. The Pipeline whose name inspires die-hard surfers shooting through waves. Finally, as the day draws to a close, visit Sunset Beach, where an explosion of light and color paint the sky as the sun sets gracefully behind the waves. If you are not a board-type there are plenty of other things to do nearby such as: Golf, Ocean Fishing Tours, Sport Fishing, Shark Tours, Whale Watching, Horseback Riding, Jet Ski, Picnics, Scuba and Snorkel . . . plus lots of shopping!

Lanikai Beach
Oahu, Hawaii

Lanikai beach, Oahu [Photo]

Lanikai Beach is located on the island of Oahu off Kailua Road, Kailua East Oahu. Half a mile of sparkling sand, palm trees that sway over a white beach, lush tropical plants and endless sunshine make Lanikai one of Hawaii's most scenic beaches. The shore is protected by a nearby coral reef, which keeps the surf relatively calm, and the water is always a deep turquoise or green. The beach is excellent for swimming year-round and ideal for small children and those who don’t like to contend with waves. Other popular activities on Lanikai include kayaking, outrigger canoeing, sailing, surfing, and windsurfing. Less than a mile offshore are two small tropical islands of Mokumanu and Mokulua where there are designated bird sanctuaries. Lanikai Beach truly lives up to its translated name of "heavenly sea."

So, what is your pick? We look forward to hearing your selections for best Hawaii beaches.