Beaches · Hawaii

Best beaches in Hawaii

Hawaii’s coast runs the full range — we’ve mapped 27 of its best beaches, from family, wild, scenic, snorkel, surf shores. Find the vibe you want, then build the trip around it.

Ala Moana Beach ParkFamilyHonolulu · Best: Year-rounda protected Honolulu lagoon and local picnic beach between Waikiki and downtown.Big Beach (Makena)WildMakena · Best: Year-rounda vast, undeveloped golden beach on south Maui.Hamoa BeachScenicHana · Best: Year-rounda lush Hana crescent backed by sea cliffs and palms.Hanalei BayFamilyHanalei · Best: Summera wide Kauai crescent beneath waterfall-streaked mountains and a historic pier.Hanauma BaySnorkelHonolulu · Best: Year-round (reservation)a protected volcanic bay that’s Oahu’s premier snorkel spot.Hapuna BeachFamilyWaimea · Best: Year-rounda long, wide white-sand beach on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast.Hulopoe BaySnorkelLanai City · Best: Year-rounda protected Lanai bay with tide pools, clear snorkeling, and spinner-dolphin sightings offshore.Kaanapali BeachFamilyLahaina · Best: Year-roundthree miles of West Maui resort sand with a cliff-dive ceremony at sunset.Kailua BeachFamilyKailua · Best: Year-roundsoft sand and calm turquoise water on Oahu’s windward side.Kapalua BaySnorkelKapalua · Best: Year-rounda sheltered West Maui crescent with calm water and reef snorkeling.Kee BeachSnorkelHanalei · Best: Summerthe reef-protected beach at the end of Kauai’s road, gateway to Na Pali.Kiholo BayWildKailua-Kona · Best: Year-rounda lava-rock bay with turquoise lagoons, tide pools, and a coastal reserve feel.Lanikai BeachScenicKailua · Best: Year-roundpowder sand and impossibly turquoise water facing the Mokulua islands.Makapuu Beach ParkScenicWaimanalo · Best: Summera dramatic east-Oahu shore below Makapuu Point with bodysurfing waves and offshore islets.Maniniowali Beach (Kua Bay)ScenicKailua-Kona · Best: Year-roundbright white sand and turquoise water in Kekaha Kai State Park.Mauna Kea BeachScenicKamuela · Best: Year-roundthe Kaunaoa crescent of white sand and clear Kohala Coast water.Napili BayFamilyNapili · Best: Year-rounda small golden crescent on West Maui with gentle swimming and sunset views.Papohaku BeachWildMaunaloa · Best: Year-roundone of Hawaii’s longest white-sand beaches, three quiet miles on west Molokai.Poipu BeachFamilyKoloa · Best: Year-roundKauai’s sunny south-shore favorite, great for kids and monk seals.Polihale State ParkWildKekaha · Best: Summer & early falla remote dune-backed west-Kauai beach with huge sky and Na Pali views.Punaluu Black Sand BeachScenicNaalehu · Best: Year-roundjet-black volcanic sand where green sea turtles haul out.Sunset BeachSurfHaleiwa · Best: Winter (surf) / summer (swim)a legendary North Shore break and famous sunset spot.Tunnels BeachSnorkelHanalei · Best: Summera reef-backed North Shore Kauai beach with clear summer snorkeling below the Na Pali ramparts.Waianapanapa State ParkScenicHana · Best: Year-round (reservation)a black-sand Hana coast beach with lava caves, sea arches, blowholes, and coastal trail views.Waikiki BeachFamilyHonolulu · Best: Year-roundthe iconic Oahu beach with gentle longboard waves under Diamond Head.Waimanalo BeachFamilyWaimanalo · Best: Year-rounda long windward Oahu beach below the Koolau range, quieter than Waikiki.Waimea BaySurfHaleiwa · Best: Winter (big surf) / summer (calm)Oahu’s North Shore big-wave mecca — calm and swimmable in summer.

Check local conditions, parking, and seasonal fees before you go — and always heed posted flags, rip-current warnings, and lifeguard guidance.