Hawaii Beaches Guide

Top Beaches on each Hawaii Island

03-10-2025

Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.

Aloha! This article may link to trusted Hawaii resources (like Discount Hawaii Car Rentals) at no extra cost to you. Mahalo for your support!

Hawaii Beaches

Popular Hawaiian Beaches Guide

Hawaii has some of the best beaches in the world, as well as some of the most diverse. Whether you're looking for a romantic stroll for two, a family-friendly day in the sun, a fascinating black (or even green) sand beach to explore, or the ideal snorkeling location, the Hawaiian Islands have the beaches for you. Choose your perfect slice of sand from these great Hawaii beaches.

Of course, snorkeling, swimming, and other water activities are always popular at some of Hawaii's top beaches. Keep in mind that conditions may vary from summer to winter, so know what to expect before you visit with our Hawaii beaches guide.

Our Top Statewide Beaches

#1 Waikiki Beach »
Waikiki & Honolulu Region

For those who love the beach, look no further than Waikiki. With its long stretch of white sand and turquoise blue water, everyone enjoys this paradise for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, and more. From Hilton Hawaiian Village on the west side to Kapi'olani Park on the east, Waikiki boasts a beautiful tropical climate with many activities and events for all ages. Find more high-rises, high-end restaurants,…

explore this topic »

#2 Turtle Beach »
North Shore Oahu Region

Turtle Beach heralds the entrance to the North Shore, and is located near Kahuku Point, the most northerly point of Oahu. Turtle Bay Beach is also known as Kukae'ohiki (which means excrement of the ghost crabs), and is famous for the turtles of course. Visitors flock here to see them because they are known to hang out rather close to the shore. They tend to not always show themselves, so your best bet is…

explore this topic »

#3 Makua 'Tunnels' Beach »
North Shore Beach

Kauai’s Tunnels Beach offers some of the best snorkeling on earth. Rock cliffs, stunning views, and a coral reef abundant with marine life make it a haven for adventure seekers who enjoy camping, hiking, and exploring caves."Tunnels" refers to the lava tubes that run through the reef and into the ocean. The magnificent lave rocks line the shoreline at Makua Beach.Overview of Makua (Tunnels)…

explore this topic »

#4 Lanikai Beach »
East Windward Oahu Region

Lanikai Beach likely fits the image when you picture a perfect Hawaiian beach. Located in the Lanikai neighborhood of Kailua, on Oahu’s Windward (east) side, this stunning beach is known for its powdery white sand, calm turquoise waters, and breathtaking views of the offshore Mokulua Islands—locally known as The Mokes.Despite its small size (just about a half-mile long due to seawall erosion), Lanikai Beach…

explore this topic »

#5 Papakolea Green Sand Beach »
Big Island of Hawaii Green Sand Beach at Pu'u Mahana

Papakolea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. This secluded sandy beach is located near Ka Lae (South Point) in the Kau district of Hawaii. Papakolea was once a cinder cone volcano. After it erupted, the lava the volcano spewed was rich in olivine, an abundant mineral in Hawaii's natural volcanic rock. After the eruption, erosion from the ocean and weather slowly eroded the basalt…Here are…

explore this topic »

#6 Honokalani Black Sand Beach Maui »
Hana Highway Region

Maui’s famous black sand beach, named Honokalani and located in Waianapanapa State Park about three miles north of the town of Hana, is more than just a beach. It was historically a very important place for Hawaiians, and there are various Hawaiian legends about this place – it is deemed as sacred by the Hawaiian people. The park itself comprises of 122 acres, encompassing the beach, lava caves,…

explore this topic »

#7 Hanalei Beach Park »
North Kauai Region

Even if you don't go in the water, Hanalei offers a unique mixture of green-draped mountains that serve as a striking backdrop to the clear blue ocean. Because of the breathtaking scenery and abundant activities, TripAdvisor voted Hanalei Beach as one of the top 25 beaches in the United States. The beautiful Hanalei Bay has long been one of Hawaii's most popular places to visit and…

explore this topic »

#8 Manini'owali Beach in Kua Bay »
Kailua-Kona

Nestled on a secluded peninsula, Maniniʻowali Beach, also known as Kua Bay, shines as a jewel of the Kona coast with its breathtakingly clear ocean vistas. The beach's extensive three-quarter-mile stretch of gleaming white sand, framed by stark lava rocks and a vibrant turquoise reef, creates a haven for beachgoers. Here, one can indulge in various activities such as sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and…

explore this topic »

#9 Punaluu Black Sand Beach »
South Kau Region

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, located on the southeastern coast of Hawaii’s Big Island, is renowned for its striking black sand, formed from basaltic lava. When lava from the nearby Kilauea Volcano meets the ocean, it cools rapidly, shattering into tiny fragments that, over time, accumulate to create the beach’s signature black sand. This unique natural feature is complemented by a dramatic landscape…

explore this topic »

#10 Hamoa Beach »
Hana Highway Region

Beyond the Hana town limits, on Highway 31, you will soon discover nature’s gem. Please turn to the makai side, and catch a glimpse of Hamoa‘s stunning crescent-shaped beach, with its dark sand and cobalt water. Visitors find the contrast between the lava rock and white coral sand alluring and irresistible. Native Hala trees, palms, and flora highlight the contrast between Hamoa’s dark sand and cobalt water.

explore this topic »

#11 Kaanapali Beach »
Ka'anapali Region

Spectacularly beautiful and only a mile long, Ka’anapali Beach commands everyone's attention. This beach hosts the most luxurious hotels in town. Additionally, the beach serves a plate full of activities such as hiking, sailing, swimming, and sunbathing, making it one of Hawai'i's top beaches.Ka'anapali Beach includes soft, golden sand and gorgeous water. Along this stretch of coast, you find many…

explore this topic »

#12 Makalawena Beach »
Kailua-Kona

Makalawena Beach offers a genuine encounter with Hawaii's coastal environment. Numerous people visit to soak up the sun, seek adventure, or relax. True to the nature of rewarding experiences, a bit of effort is required to appreciate the beauty of Makalawena Beach truly. Makalawena Beach, often overlooked among Hawaii's myriad of stunning beaches, lies on the North Kona coast of the Big…

explore this topic »

#13 Shipwreck Beach »
South Kauai Region

Few beaches on Kauai are as striking and wild as Shipwreck Beach. Locals named the beach because of an old shipwreck that once rested nearby. Although the wreckage is long gone, it remains a favorite spot for visitors who love hiking and exploring the rugged shoreline.Shipwreck Beach is a "headline performer." this is it, folks: the most epic, the most beautiful, and probably the most…

explore this topic »

#14 Big Beach (Oneloa or Makena) »
Kihei & Wailea Region

Big Beach — aka Oneloa or Makena Beach— stands as a destination hotspot for its beauty, located in south Maui, only minutes from Wailea and Kihei. This pristine but raw beach is decorated at the back by sinewy Kiawe trees flourishing in sandy dunes. It's bordered on either end by lava rocks, the largest of which divides it from Little Beach in the North. Molokini can also be seen offshore.The Valley Isle is…

explore this topic »

#15 Kee Beach »
North Kauai Region

Kauai's glorious Na Pali Coast begins with Ke'e Beach and the Kalalau Trail. At Ke'e Beach, you'll find calm waters, great snorkeling, and some of the best swimming on the island. With perfect white sand, lovely swimming conditions, and an ideal location near the iconic NaPali Coast, tons of visitors flock to Ke'e Beach every year.Often, Na Pali Coast places as one of the top 25 destinations in the…

explore this topic »

Published by: John C. Derrick

Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.

Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn commissions from some travel partners (like Amazon or Expedia) which helps us maintain this site. These links are at no extra cost to you and don't impact our honest & unbiased recommendations. Remove all the ads →

Hawaii Beaches Guide

Top Beaches on each Hawaii Island

Hawaii Beaches

Popular Hawaiian Beaches Guide

Our Top Statewide Beaches

Grab Your Free 2025 Guides!

Hawaii Intro Visitor Guide

+ Our Summary Guidesheets!

Free Hawaii Visitor Guides »+ Download Our 2025 Hawaii Guidesheets!

Hawaii Travel Guides

- Select an Island -