15 Best Beaches in Hawaii For Your Wonderful Beach Travel

Hawaii is a unique and stunning pearl island in the United States. Because this island is encircled by the Pacific Ocean, it has no neighbours. Since the volcano's lava flows are continually advancing, Hawaii is rising ever higher.

Hawaii's peak tourist season includes several holidays, including Thanksgiving (late November), Christmas (December), and New Year's Eve (late December - early January). The peak tourist season also includes American school holidays, which are often in February (midwinter break) and March or April (spring break).

Hawaii is well-known for its clean air, stunning natural beauty, lush green beaches, and various amazing adventures. When you visit Hawaii, you will find an entire world of shopping, including shopping streets, luxury department stores offering branded items, factory outlets, clothes and jewellery stores, and shops selling Hawaii-made products.

Furthermore, Hawaii is one of the most well-known surfing destinations in the world. Professional surf instructors provide lessons to groups of students or individuals at the resorts on Oahu, the Big Island, and Maui, as well as many other hotels on the islands.

The best surf areas in Hawaii change with the seasons and the direction of the wind. Those who enjoy surfing should visit Hawaii during the surf season. North Shore Oahu is known for its large waves and cold winters, as well as for hosting a major surfing championship.

Best Beaches in Hawaii for Your Holiday

1. Kailua Beach
2. Waikiki Beach
3. Lanikai Beach
4. Waimanalo Bay Beach
5. Sunset Beach
6. Wailea Beach
7. Malaekahana Bay
8. Hapuna Beach
9. Ke'e Beach, Kauai Island
10. Makena Beach, Maui
11. Kaanapali Beach
12. Punalu'u beach
13. Hanalei Bay
14. Poipu Beach
15. Papakolea

1. Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach, about a mile from Lanikai Beach, is one of Hawaii's nicest beaches. Because of the steady wind, this gorgeous length of white sand beach is great for surfing, kayaking, and swimming. There are several sports equipment rental firms nearby, and the sport is becoming increasingly popular in the area.

The offshore reef keeps the seawater tranquil all year, making swimming activities ideal. Two tiny islands less than a mile offshore, home to a bird sanctuary, are easily reachable by kayak. Other sea activities on the crystal blue water to try include snorkelling to observe corals and marine turtles, sailing, and windsurfing.

Because Kailua Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii, it can get crowded on weekends, so visit during the week if feasible. While many people love playing in the calm waves or learning to surf, the beach also has a volleyball field and plenty of picnic spaces where families can relax and eat local cuisine.

2. Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii's most renowned beach, has been a tourist destination since the 1950s. Different hotels separate this 3km length of white sand beach into pieces. and linked by a footbridge

Waikiki is an excellent year-round venue for swimming and surfing. Other enjoyable activities include kayaking, canoeing, beach volleyball, and other sports. Nearby attractions include the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, amusement parks, shopping, and world-class restaurants. 

Today, the region is dotted with large hotels like the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Halekulani, Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Marriott Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki, and historic hotels from the early twentieth century (such the Moana Surfrider and Guest Hotel) and Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Throughout the year, the beach holds a variety of activities such as surf competitions, outdoor performances, Hula dances, and canoe races.

3. Lanikai Beach 

Photo by Genevieve Perron-Migneron on Unsplash

Lanikai Beach, located in the tranquil hamlet of Kailua, is one of Hawaii's most beautiful and popular beaches. Lanikai means "sea of the sky" in Hawaiian, and the picturesque beach has a blue ocean, golden sand, and slanted coconut palms.

The offshore reef keeps the seawater tranquil all year, making swimming activities ideal. Two tiny islands less than a mile offshore, home to a bird sanctuary, are easily reachable by kayak. Other beach sports to try on clear water include scuba diving to explore coral reefs and marine turtles, sailing, and windsurfing. Furthermore, Lanikai's excellent white sand is ideal for sunbathing and other resort activities.

>> Read more: What To Pack For Your Perfect Vacation In Hawaii?

4. Waimanalo Bay Beach

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Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is one of the longest beaches on Oahu, stretching over 8 kilometres from Wailea Point to Makapuu. The northern end of the beach was previously an airfield that has since closed. However, the region remains a favourite military holiday destination.

Although the sea is choppy and unsuitable for swimming, Waimanalo is a traditional Hawaiian beach that is ideal for windsurfing, fishing, sunbathing, and strolling coastwise. With decent amenities and a picnic spot, this is a Hawaiian beach that every tourist will adore. Although the waves are tiny, it’s still popular for bodyboarding and bodysurfing.

5. Sunset Beach

PaulT (Gunther Tschuch), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image resized.

Sunset Beach, located on Oahu Island's North Shore, is a long and picturesque beach that has attracted both locals and visitors for decades. Sunset Beach is ideal for a family day at the beach. This area has a large stretch of sand with entertaining activities as well as a choice of eateries with specialty cuisine to enjoy after a day of fun. This renowned beach is a short drive from Honolulu - approximately an hour - and is a terrific place to spend the day. 

Huge waves hit the north shore of Oahu in the winter, drawing skilled surfers to attempt their best on the massive waves. Sunset Beach becomes the ideal summer location for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing for the entire family due to its tranquil blue seas.

6. Wailea Beach

Photo by elena_suvorova - stock.adobe.com

Wailea Beach is one of five crescent-shaped beaches on the island of Maui. Many visitors recognise it as part of the 1,500-acre resort village of Wailea in southern Maui, about 35 minutes from Kahului Airport. 

This beach is routinely recognised as one of the most beautiful in the world, with a front-facing tranquil stretch of water ideal for swimming and family activities. Polo Beach and Ulua Beach Park are additional stunning Wailea beaches where folks walk and jog along the sand at sunrise and sunset.

7. Malaekahana Bay

Malaekahana Bay provides excellent conditions for swimming, surfing, fishing, and kayaking. With plenty of shade, it's also a great picnic spot for the whole family and for sea sports activities. 

Malaekahana offers a variety of camping options, including tenting spaces, cottages, yurts, and eco homes. The staff at the campground are very polite and willing to provide details about Hawaiian culture and tips on how to make the most of your time.

8. Hapuna Beach

Hapuna is a popular beach on the Big Island's Kohala coast. The months of May through September are ideal for visiting since the conditions are ideal for surfing, swimming, and diving.

Be cautious if you want to visit between October and April, when the water has strong currents and waves. A-frame cabins for overnight camping, paved parking, picnic pavilions, guest rooms, and showers are among the facilities. Sunbathers will like this location, but remember to pack an umbrella and sunscreen as there isn't much cover on this beach.

9. Ke'e Beach, Kauai Island

This lovely beach is located in the northwestern part of Kauai. It offers lovely pathways as well as historic Hawaiian ruins and marine caves. Ke'e Beach is bordered by coral reefs and is also relatively calm, making it ideal for swimming and snorkelling.

Kauai Island has been compared as a green valley, with coral reefs, lovely beaches, and volcanic peaks covered by clouds, as well as dangerous waterfalls, creating a delicate beauty yet tremendous appeal.

After an active day of beach activities, the setting of the sunset with its vivid red-orange hue reflecting on the water's surface will make you feel relaxed. Ke'e is also known for the 11-mile Kalalau Trail, which connects the west side of the beach to the spectacular Kalalau valley on Kauai's north west coast.

10. Makena Beach, Maui

This lovely beach is part of Makena Bay, which is located in the south of Maui. Makena Beach is commonly referred to as the huge beach off Hawaii. Makena Beach is famous for its gorgeous golden beaches and the immaculate appearance of the entire area, extending more than 1.5 kilometres long and 30 metres broad. Makena Beach Resort has everything you need, including restaurants, cafés, a fitness facility, free Wi-Fi, shopping malls, bike rental shops, and a tennis court. 

The resorts here, in particular, provide an excellent panoramic view of Makena beach. Makena is one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches, however unlike the beaches mentioned above, it frequently experiences large surf. As a reason, you should constantly pay close attention to the coastguard's advice.

11. Kaanapali Beach

Kaanapali Beach, located on the west side of the island of Maui, is a gorgeous beach with more than 3 miles of white sand. These beachfront resorts will provide a variety of services such as bars, sports centres, swimming pools, and other facilities.

Kaanapali Beach, in particular, is ideal for water sports enthusiasts. You can go on trips for diving, swimming, kayaking, and whale watching here.

And this location is a haven for travellers looking to engage in exciting beach sports activities during their stay in the United States. In addition, tourists can enjoy shopping and various delicacies at the seaside restaurant. If you enjoy viewing the sunset over the ocean, Kaanapali Beach is one of the greatest places in Hawaii to visit.

12. Punalu'u beach

Punalu'u beach on Hawaii's main island is a popular tourist spot with rows of green coconut trees. First-time visitors will be pleased by the fine black sand grains and pure seawater. In addition, you can come across honu or hawksbill sea turtles, although tourists are not permitted to touch them.

Punalu'u Beach, popularly known as Black Sand Beach, is Hawaii's most gorgeous black sand beach.

The stunning black sands of Punalu'u beach were produced as a result of the flow of lava into the water throughout geologic time. The major attraction of Punalu'u beach is the black sand, but if you have time, you can also go visit the endangered Hawksbill turtle and the highly unique Hawaiian green turtle.

13. Hanalei Bay

The largest bay in Kauai is Hanalei Bay, which has a half-moon shape and is located on the island's north side. This lovely, windswept bay beach stretches for two kilometres and is 125 feet wide. This is Kauai's most gorgeous beach, surrounded by stunning mountains.   

In addition, tourists will enjoy sports such as boating and kayaking. However, travellers who wish to dive and view the sea will be at a disadvantage because there aren't many magnificent coral reefs here. When visitors come here to visit, they will witness a spectacular mountain peak hundreds of metres high wrapped in a hazy mist. This is the location that draws the most surfers to the area throughout the winter. In the summer, boats frequently dock here to swim and enjoy the burning sun.

14. Poipu Beach

Poipu Beach is a great spot for families to bring their children to relax. Because a little boulder on the coast has formed a pool, they can freely swim within without fear of being hurt. Adults, on the other hand, can scuba dive in the surrounding region and visitors who are sunbathing on the sand can be lucky enough to watch a few seals climbing ashore to sleep.

Poipu Beach, located in the southern section of Kauai, is one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches. This beach is ideal for people of all ages. If you have the chance to visit Poipu Beach, don't miss out on activities like swimming, kayaking, surfing, parachuting, hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

15. Papakolea 

Visitors to Papakolea can view the gleaming brightness of Olivine - Hawaiian Blue Diamond. You can see the splendour of the azure Papakolea seashore from a high vantage point. This magnificent environment is made up of rocky reefs that contain the mineral olivine. Any visitor who comes here is captivated by its beauty. The high sandy beach of Papakolea Beach was produced by volcanic ash more than 49,000 years ago in a little harbour near Pu'u Mahaana.

The sand colour, for an instance, fluctuates from dark to bright at different times of the day. This makes the seashore even more enchanting than before, and more and more people want to witness the lush Papakolea beach for themselves.

Hawaii is a spot that possibly many travellers desire to visit once in their lives, because of its crystal blue oceans, romantic sunsets, unspoiled beauty and interesting tourist activities here. If you are considering a trip to Hawaii, check out Cabinzero's 15 most gorgeous Hawaiian beaches above.

Vy Nguyen