Top 17 Stunning Beaches to Explore in Hawaii

There is one common aspiration among every traveler to Hawaii — to enjoy the beach.

This desire is entirely justified, as Hawaii’s beaches are renowned as some of the finest in the world. With powdery white sands, astonishing volcanic landscapes, secluded coves, and premier surf breaks, the Islands present diverse beach escapes that cater to every type of visitor. All beaches are publicly accessible below the high-tide line; there are no private beaches in Hawaii.

Below are our selections of the state’s finest beaches, categorized by island.

1. Kailua Beach, Oʻahu

Located on Oʻahu’s windswept windward side, Kailua Beach is a paradise for beach enthusiasts, featuring soft sands that extend for 2.5 miles, with the stunning Koʻolau Mountains serving as a backdrop. Its aquamarine waters provide a fantastic playground—visitors can be seen surfing, paddling canoes, swimming, kiteboarding, bodysurfing, and kayaking. With vast open space, it’s easy to find a personal spot to enjoy.

The east end of the beach features a large parking area equipped with restrooms and picnic pavilions. This beach is also among the few dog-friendly locations on Oʻahu, making it common to see four-legged companions frolicking in the sand. A short walk from the parking lot leads to Lanikai Beach, a smaller yet stunning beach that often attracts larger crowds eager to witness the sunrise over the twin Mokulua Islands.

Planning tip: The parking lot tends to fill up rapidly, making it challenging to find a spot near a beach access point. Renting a bicycle from The Bike Shop in Kailua Town is a wise consideration as there is no city-operated bike-sharing system in this area. The shop provides a variety of cruiser, mountain, and road bikes for hire, complete with helmets and locks. Electra cruisers—the most sought-after option—begin at $18 for up to four hours. You can reserve online and collect it at the shop.

2. Waikiki Beach, Oʻahu

Waikiki represents the quintessential Hawaiian beach—sparkling waters, golden sands, and an abundance of activities both at and around it. It is not surprising that Hawaiian aliʻi (royalty) inhabited and enjoyed this area! The iconic surfer and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku surfed in this location, and visitors can also learn how to surf from contemporary skilled instructors here. Experience rolling waves in an outrigger canoe or board a catamaran for a breathtaking sunset sail.

Waikiki is composed of several distinct beaches, ranging from the picturesque Kaimana Beach adjacent to the 200-acre Kapiʻolani Park to the sparkling sands of Duke Kahanamoku Beach, which offers a lagoon suitable for children located in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Enjoy a mai tai at a beachfront bar or partake in afternoon tea at the historic Moana Surfrider. Everything—including hotels, restaurants, boutiques, convenience stores, coffee shops, a zoo, and an aquarium—is within walking distance.

Planning tip: If visiting Oʻahu on a Friday, the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort hosts a fireworks display every Friday night, a tradition ongoing since 1988 with a brief interruption during the pandemic. Pack a picnic dinner and select a spot on the beach to witness the vibrant show, which begins at 7:45 pm in winter and 8:00 pm in summer.

3. Hanauma Bay, Oʻahu

A premier snorkeling destination on Oʻahu is Hanauma Bay, a protected nature preserve situated within a former volcanic crater on the island’s southeast coast. It resembles an open-air aquarium, thriving with marine life. Approximately 400 species of fish inhabit this bay—including butterflyfish, tangs, surgeonfish, parrotfish, Moorish idols, and wrasse—alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles and occasionally a monk seal. Due to post-pandemic visitor limits, the beach is often pleasantly uncrowded (previously, around 3,000 visitors were admitted daily, now the limit is 720 per day).

Snorkeling gear can be rented at the beach’s concession stand or visitors can bring their own. Facilities include lifeguards, restrooms, and a complimentary tram that transports guests from the parking lot to the beach. Online reservations are obligatory, with a fee of $25 per person for non-Hawaii residents aged 13 and older, plus a $3 parking fee per vehicle. Note that the bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Detour: Hanauma Bay is located near the residential area of Hawaiʻi Kai, where snorkel gear and other beach essentials can be purchased. A popular stop is Kokonuts Shave Ice & Snacks in the nearby Koko Marina Center, where a rainbow shave ice or an açaí bowl awaits. Notably, even former President Barack Obama has been seen enjoying a treat from here.

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4. Sunset Beach, Oʻahu

Oʻahu’s renowned North Shore features seven miles of some of the world’s premier surf breaks, attracting professional surfers and enthusiastic spectators during the winter months when colossal waves roll in. Sunset Beach, or Paumalū, its original Hawaiian name, is one of the largest sandy expanses along this coastline, spacious enough for lounging all day. While swimming becomes perilous in winter due to waves exceeding 30 feet, the summer offers calm waters ideal for snorkeling (always consult lifeguards before entering, as conditions can shift unpredictably). Sunsets here are exceptionally breathtaking.

Detour: Just under a mile away lies the trailhead to the ʻEhukai Pillbox Hike, a two-mile round trip hike leading to WWII bunkers providing spectacular views over Sunset Beach and the entire North Shore coastline.

5. Kawela Bay, Oʻahu

This secluded bay has been a cherished location for locals and the guests of the Turtle Bay Resort on Oʻahu’s North Shore for years. Recently, the Trust for Public Land protected 630 acres of this pristine coastal area to preserve its natural state for public access. The five-star resort offers limited public parking and beach access, and additional parking is available along Kamehameha Highway about a mile south of the resort, with access through a break in the fence. This hidden bay is often uncrowded or even empty, offering calm waters suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. It’s possible to witness Hawaiian green sea turtles or endangered monk seals here, along with sandy hiking trails along the beach.

Planning tip: Experience the bay on horseback. Turtle Bay Resort provides exclusive private and group trail rides along oceanfront paths available for booking. Each ride lasts about 45 minutes.

6. Makena Beach, Maui

Known locally as Big Beach (or Oneloa in Hawaiian) for good reason, it spans two-thirds of a mile and reaches 100 feet in places. This expansive beach offers ample space to spread out and relish the sun while contemplating the vistas of the offshore islet, Molokini. The shore break can occasionally be intense, so caution is advised in the ocean. These large waves contribute to its popularity among bodyboarders and bodysurfers. There is an entry fee for the state-managed Mākena State Park: $5 per person for non-Hawaii residents.

Detour: To the north of the beach, a trail leads over a rocky outcrop to Puʻu Ōlaʻi, or Little Beach, which is significantly less crowded and frequented by nudists.

7. Kāʻanapali Beach, Maui

Kāʻanapali Beach stretches for three miles along Maui’s sunny western coastline, bustling with activity. The turquoise waters invite swimmers, surfers, and snorkelers to delight in the clarity of the ocean. During the winter months, the migrating North Pacific humpback whales can often be observed offshore. A path encircles the beach, linking resorts, restaurants, and shops. Revel in a cocktail at a beachfront eatery or witness the torch-lit cliff diving ceremony at Puʻu Kekaʻa, or Black Rock, commemorating King Kahekili, Maui’s final chief. (It is advisable not to leap off the rock yourself!)

Planning tip: The recently revamped Kāʻanapali Beach Resort features a new oceanfront dining establishment, Huihui, which offers a menu integrating traditional ingredients with modern flavors—enhanced by an unmatched sunset view. Live music is also featured in the evenings.

8. Hamoa Beach, Maui

Time appears to be suspended in Hana, a quaint rural community in East Maui situated at the conclusion of the 52-mile Hana Highway’s winding drive. This challenging journey, which may take several hours, ensures that beaches in this area are typically isolated. Hamoa Beach is one such idyllic destination, small yet inviting, graced by a dense grove of hala (pandanus) trees, providing a much-needed retreat after the long drive.

Planning tip: Take a moment to stop at the roadside stands sprinkled throughout the Road to Hana—a nickname for Hana Highway—to acquire delightful homemade banana bread, often prepared with locally sourced apple bananas growing in this damp environment.

9. Hulopoʻe Beach, Lanaʻi

Fronting the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Lanaʻi, Hulopoʻe Beach offers a pristine bay rich in marine life and ranks among the finest snorkeling spots on the island. Despite its proximity to the hotel, this beach maintains a tranquil and undisturbed atmosphere. Relax on the white sands or utilize one of the nearby picnic tables or barbecue grills. The eastern side of the bay hosts large tide pools that are well-protected and ideal for exploration with children. Occasionally, you may observe spinner dolphins playfully swimming in the bay.

Detour: A short trail leads to Puʻu Pehe, also known as Sweetheart Rock. According to legend, a sorrowful warrior leapt from this 80-foot peak, overwhelmed with grief after the passing of his wife. Sunsets at this location are particularly romantic.

10. Papohaku Beach, Molokaʻi

One of Hawaii’s longest stretches of white-sand beach is situated on Molokaʻi. Papohaku Beach, located on the island’s western end, spans an unbroken three miles. Given that Molokaʻi attracts the fewest tourists among the islands, you are likely to have ample parts of this beach entirely to yourself. During winter, the ocean can be hazardous for swimming, but the beach remains ideal for long walks or leisurely picnics. On clear days, Oʻahu can be seen across the Kaiwi Channel.

Local tip: Molokaʻi does not have traffic lights, and its population is approximately 7,000 residents. In addition to housing one of the longest beach strands in the state, Molokaʻi is also home to the tallest sea cliffs worldwide, towering between 3,600 and 3,900 feet above sea level.

11. Poʻipu Beach, Kauaʻi

Poʻipu Beach embodies the essence of fun in the sun. This golden crescent-shaped beach on Kauaʻi’s southern shore is excellent for surfing, snorkeling, swimming, and enjoying splashes. It is conveniently located near resorts and restaurants. Children appreciate the shallow tidal pools and semi-grassy areas featuring a play structure. You may even spot a Hawaiian green sea turtle or an endangered Hawaiian monk seal basking on the shore.

Planning tip: This beach is an excellent choice for watching sunsets. Order a cocktail—consider the Monkeypod Mai Tai made with local rum and housemade macadamia nut orgeat or the No Kai Oi with local vodka and honey-lilikoʻi purée—at the oceanfront The Beach House while enjoying the magnificent view.

12. Hanalei Bay, Kauaʻi

Hanalei Bay is the embodiment of an ideal Hawaiian vacation. This extensive bay, framed by 4,000-foot emerald mountains—often adorned with cascading waterfalls—extends for two miles along Kauaʻi’s northern shore. The winter months usher in impressive waves, while summer brings calmer waters suitable for swimming. The white-sand beach unfurls like arms reaching out for an embrace, providing incredible vistas of the ocean, mountains, and lush valleys from any point on the beach. It comes as no surprise that it has served as a backdrop for Hollywood productions such as South Pacific (1958) and The Descendants (2011).

Nearby, the historic Hanalei Pier, built in 1892, remains a favored location for fishing, swimming, and diving. The pier was extended in 1912 to reach 340 feet, and underwent enhancements with a concrete deck in 1921. It earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in Hawaii in 1979.

13. ʻAnini Beach, Kauaʻi

Nestled in a residential area on Kauaʻi’s northern shore, ʻAnini Beach presents a great alternative to the more crowded beaches down south. Protected by a long fringing reef, this beach mitigates large waves, even during winter, providing a stress-free environment ideal for families. Due to its somewhat hidden location off the main highway, it draws fewer visitors compared to other beaches that are easily accessible. Additionally, camping is permitted here.

14. Hapuna Beach, Hawaiʻi the Big Island

One of the Big Island‘s most expansive and popular beaches is Hapuna Beach, located along the Kohala Coast. Its aquamarine waters and white sands contrast beautifully with the lava landscapes and jagged shorelines unique to this island. This beach is suitable for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing, and offers enough room to discover a quiet corner for relaxation or reading. The Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area charges an entry fee of $5 per person and a $10 parking fee for non-Hawaii residents.

Planning tip: Several farmers markets are scattered throughout nearby neighborhoods. On Wednesdays, the Waimea Midweek Farmers Market showcases numerous vendors offering hot food, fresh produce, jams, honey, coffee, and various other delightful local products. On Saturdays, visit the Kamuela Farmers Market, which features locally grown produce, flowers, handmade soaps, baked goods, and artisanal jewelry, complemented by live music.

15. Papakōlea Beach, Hawaiʻi the Big Island

One of the most distinctive beaches in Hawaii is Papakōlea Beach, one of only four green sand beaches globally, and the sole one in the United States. Situated in a bay enveloped by Puʻu Mahana, a partially collapsed tuff ring, the green sand consists of olivine, a common lava component. While olivine is found throughout the Islands—exemplified by Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) and Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu—nowhere else does it form a beach. The trip from Kailua-Kona to the parking area requires a two-hour drive, followed by a 2.5-mile trek to reach the beach itself. Exercise caution and do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Planning tip: Unofficial shuttles convey passengers to the beach—charging $20 per person—though the choice to take one rests with the traveler. Walking to the beach is complimentary.

16. Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaiʻi the Big Island

Mysterious and beautiful, Hawaii’s black-sand beaches are a direct result of the volcanic activity that gave rise to the Hawaiian Islands. Punaluʻu Beach, located on the southeastern Kaʻū coast of Hawaiʻi Island, is among the most renowned black-sand beaches. The contrast between the surrounding coconut trees and vivid green naupaka shrubs against the shiny, jet-black sands creates a stunning visual. Strong rip currents render swimming dangerous; enjoy this beach from the safe vantage point of your beach mat. Hawaiian green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles often bask on the sands here.

17. Kaunaʻoa Beach, Hawaiʻi the Big Island

Laurance Rockefeller, a conservationist and businessman, “discovered” this beach in 1960 while scouting for a potential hotel site. He subsequently constructed the Mauna Kea Beach Resort on this location, drawn solely by the beauty of this extraordinary beach. Now referred to as Mauna Kea Beach, this crescent-shaped bay is ideal for snorkeling (especially on the northern end) and is home to a diverse array of marine life, including Hawaiian green sea turtles. Visitors are not required to be hotel guests to enjoy this beach; like all beaches in Hawaii, Kaunaʻoa is publicly accessible, with 40 parking spots reserved for non-guests.

Top tips for visiting the beach in Hawaii

• Apply sunscreen and ensure it is reef-safe—many sunscreens cause coral bleaching and harm marine ecosystems.

• Utilize sun protection, including hats and sunglasses.

• Bring a reusable water bottle along with snacks that won’t melt under the sun.

• Smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited on all beaches in Hawaii (as well as state parks).

• Always secure your vehicle and conceal valuables.

• Dispose of trash responsibly—leave nothing behind.

• In uncertain conditions, refrain from venturing out. Ocean conditions may change rapidly, so consult with lifeguards (if available) and check weather forecasts.

• Respect local wildlife. State law prohibits the touching, harassment, or harm of endangered or threatened species, such as Hawaiian monk seals and Hawaiian green sea turtles, with penalties up to five years imprisonment and fines of $50,000.

This article was first published Mar 1, 2021, and was updated on Mar 23, 2023.