The Hawaiian Islands are home to 750 miles of stunning coastline — putting the island state behind Alaska, Florida, and California when it comes to coastline length. And while among that coastline you will find countless rock formations and sea cliffs, the beaches are what truly matters. With so many stunning stretches of sand throughout Hawaii, how can you possibly choose the best ones? Luckily, we’ve done the work for you and came up with a list of 20 of the best Hawaii beaches. From the black sand beaches on the Big Island and Maui’s magnificent red sand beaches to pristine white sand beaches and turquoise waters on Oahu and Kauai, this beach bucket list is sure to satisfy your vitamin sea cravings.
- Kapalua Bay, Maui
Intiaz Rahim/Flickr With swaying palm trees, golden sand and calm waters, Kapalua Bay is what immediately comes to mind when you imagine the quintessential Hawaiian beach. Situated between two lava points, the bay is known for its tranquil surf, perfect for young children and cautious swimmers.
- Makaha Beach, Oahu
Jai Mansson/Flickr Located just south of Kaena Point on Oahu’s leeward coast is this beautiful stretch of white sand with excellent swimming, bodyboarding and surfing conditions. The west side of the island is often overlooked by tourists, but the hot, dry climate makes it the perfect beach to visit when it’s overcast on the Windward coast.
- Polihale Beach, Kauai
K e v i n/Flickr This remote, wild beach on Kauai’s western coast is located at the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway. The beach is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible beaches despite being one of the most idyllic camping spots in all of Hawaii.
- Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawai Island
Like_the_Grand_Canyon/Flickr Thirty miles south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Big Island’s most famous black sand beach. Fringed with coconut palm trees, visitors may fight themselves basking in the sun alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles.
- Hulopoe Beach, Lanai
Jessie Hodge/Flickr This picturesque beach, located on Lanai’s southern coast, is the most famous stretch of sand on this small island. This protected beach offers ideal swimming and snorkeling conditions, and, during low tide, the eastern side of the bay is home to several large volcanic rock tide pools full of sea life.
- Hanauma Bay, Oahu
Prayitno/Flickr Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destinations for tourists and locals alike. And according to Dr. Beach, it is one of the best beaches in America.
- Ka’anapali Beach, Maui
Calin C./Flickr Once the vacation retreat of choice for Hawaiian royalty, today Kaanapali is one of the island’s most popular expanses of white sands, surrounded by luxury hotels and resorts.
- Poipu Beach, Kauai
bradhoc/Flickr Approximately 1,000 feet long and 50 feet wide, this popular beach on Kauai’s southern shore is known for the small boulder breakwater that creates a protected pool-like area perfect for small children. Outside this swimming area are ideal wave conditions for surfers and body boarders.
- Hapuna Beach State Park, Hawaii Island
pengrin™/Flickr Located on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, Hapuna beach is a half-mile crescent of stunning powder-soft sand and crystalline water. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling and body surfing.
- Papohaku Beach, Molokai
Patrick McNally/Flickr This Molokai beach is almost certainly the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku seems to go on for miles.
- Sunset Beach, Oahu
Zlatko Unger/Flickr With gnarly waves in the winter months and calmer surf in the summer, Sunset Beach is located on Oahu’s north shore, and is aptly named — the sunsets from this popular beach are second to none.
- Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach, Maui
Tim Lumley/Flickr This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
- Lumahai Beach, Kauai
Kanaka Rastamon With crystalline water, Lumahai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, but is also one of the most dangerous. The steep sand slope creates a strong undertow and powerful waves that break on the sand and conditions are best enjoyed during the summer months.
- Waipio Beach, Hawaii Island
eugene_o/Flickr While this Big Island beach is often seen from above at the Waipio Valley lookout, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot down to the beach, so you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.
- Polihua Beach, Lanai
Rickh710/Flickr Located on the northwestern coast of Lanai is Polihua, a magnificent stretch of sand only accessible via a four-wheel drive vehicle. This mesmerizing beach is quite expansive, though often overlooked for more popular beaches.
- Waikiki Beach, Oahu
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Waikiki is the biggest tourist destination in Hawaii, and when coupled with the brilliant white sand beach and stellar surfing, you’ve got the best beach in America, according to the Huffington Post. While we don’t necessarily agree that Waikiki is the best, we do think it’s worthy of inclusion here.
- Beach, Maui
dronepicr/Flickr Also known as Big Beach, this gem is situated on the southwestern coast of Maui. Measuring in at nearly two-thirds of a mile, Makena Beach is one of the longest beaches on the island, and hardly ever feels crowded because it is so vast.
- Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Hawaii Island
Thomas/Flickr This green sand beach is located near Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States. While the secluded beach is tough to get to, it is well worth the journey — where else are you going to experience a green sand beach? Absolutely nowhere.
- Hanalei Bay, Kauai
Gary Eyring/Flickr This near-perfect semi-circle of white sand is located on Kauai’s north shore and is two miles long, 125 feet wide, and surrounded by majestic mountains. The bay is perfect for water sports of all kinds, and the stunning 300-foot long Hanalei Pier is perfect for fishing — or jumping off for a nice swim.
- Lanikai Beach, Oahu
jongela19/Flickr With powder-soft, white sand, magnificent turquoise, clear water, and swaying palm trees, Lanikai Beach is an absolute paradise — if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. You should also check out Lanikai’s neighbors, Kailua and Waimanalo Beaches.
So, tell us, how many of these stunning stretches of sand have you visited before? Which one is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below.
Intiaz Rahim/Flickr
With swaying palm trees, golden sand and calm waters, Kapalua Bay is what immediately comes to mind when you imagine the quintessential Hawaiian beach. Situated between two lava points, the bay is known for its tranquil surf, perfect for young children and cautious swimmers.
Jai Mansson/Flickr
Located just south of Kaena Point on Oahu’s leeward coast is this beautiful stretch of white sand with excellent swimming, bodyboarding and surfing conditions. The west side of the island is often overlooked by tourists, but the hot, dry climate makes it the perfect beach to visit when it’s overcast on the Windward coast.
K e v i n/Flickr
This remote, wild beach on Kauai’s western coast is located at the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway. The beach is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible beaches despite being one of the most idyllic camping spots in all of Hawaii.
Like_the_Grand_Canyon/Flickr
Thirty miles south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the Big Island’s most famous black sand beach. Fringed with coconut palm trees, visitors may fight themselves basking in the sun alongside Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Jessie Hodge/Flickr
This picturesque beach, located on Lanai’s southern coast, is the most famous stretch of sand on this small island. This protected beach offers ideal swimming and snorkeling conditions, and, during low tide, the eastern side of the bay is home to several large volcanic rock tide pools full of sea life.
Prayitno/Flickr
Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destinations for tourists and locals alike. And according to Dr. Beach, it is one of the best beaches in America.
Calin C./Flickr
Once the vacation retreat of choice for Hawaiian royalty, today Kaanapali is one of the island’s most popular expanses of white sands, surrounded by luxury hotels and resorts.
bradhoc/Flickr
Approximately 1,000 feet long and 50 feet wide, this popular beach on Kauai’s southern shore is known for the small boulder breakwater that creates a protected pool-like area perfect for small children. Outside this swimming area are ideal wave conditions for surfers and body boarders.
pengrin™/Flickr
Located on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, Hapuna beach is a half-mile crescent of stunning powder-soft sand and crystalline water. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling and body surfing.
Patrick McNally/Flickr
This Molokai beach is almost certainly the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku seems to go on for miles.
Zlatko Unger/Flickr
With gnarly waves in the winter months and calmer surf in the summer, Sunset Beach is located on Oahu’s north shore, and is aptly named — the sunsets from this popular beach are second to none.
Tim Lumley/Flickr
This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
Kanaka Rastamon
With crystalline water, Lumahai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, but is also one of the most dangerous. The steep sand slope creates a strong undertow and powerful waves that break on the sand and conditions are best enjoyed during the summer months.
eugene_o/Flickr
While this Big Island beach is often seen from above at the Waipio Valley lookout, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot down to the beach, so you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.
Rickh710/Flickr
Located on the northwestern coast of Lanai is Polihua, a magnificent stretch of sand only accessible via a four-wheel drive vehicle. This mesmerizing beach is quite expansive, though often overlooked for more popular beaches.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Waikiki is the biggest tourist destination in Hawaii, and when coupled with the brilliant white sand beach and stellar surfing, you’ve got the best beach in America, according to the Huffington Post. While we don’t necessarily agree that Waikiki is the best, we do think it’s worthy of inclusion here.
dronepicr/Flickr
Also known as Big Beach, this gem is situated on the southwestern coast of Maui. Measuring in at nearly two-thirds of a mile, Makena Beach is one of the longest beaches on the island, and hardly ever feels crowded because it is so vast.
Thomas/Flickr
This green sand beach is located near Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States. While the secluded beach is tough to get to, it is well worth the journey — where else are you going to experience a green sand beach? Absolutely nowhere.
Gary Eyring/Flickr
This near-perfect semi-circle of white sand is located on Kauai’s north shore and is two miles long, 125 feet wide, and surrounded by majestic mountains. The bay is perfect for water sports of all kinds, and the stunning 300-foot long Hanalei Pier is perfect for fishing — or jumping off for a nice swim.
jongela19/Flickr
With powder-soft, white sand, magnificent turquoise, clear water, and swaying palm trees, Lanikai Beach is an absolute paradise — if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. You should also check out Lanikai’s neighbors, Kailua and Waimanalo Beaches.
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Address: Hawaii, USA
