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Hawaii Beaches Rank Among Best Beaches in America

Dr. Beach’s annual results are out for 2014 and Hawaii beaches ranked high as some of the best beaches in America. This year, the picks were #1 Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki (was #2 in 2012), #4 Waimanalo Bay Beach Park Oahu, and #5 Hamoa Beach on Maui. We have visited and written about each of these beaches and here’s our take and a personal favorite.

Tip: to save money when visiting our award winning beaches, we suggest looking for last minute summer availability on Hawaiian Airlines as well as at Aqua Resorts.

Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki (pictured above) | Best Beach in America

This is the wide swath of beach that fronts Fort DeRussy Park to the Hilton Hawaiian Village and sits adjacent to the man-made Kahanamoku lagoon.  It is named in honor of Hawaii surf legend Duke Kahanamoku. You’ll find all ocean activities here and places to rent surfboards, stand up paddle boards and take lessons.

Perfect: A reef protected Waikiki swimming, surfing, SUP, sunning and bathing beach.

waimanolo bay beach park

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park Oahu | #4 in US

Waimanalo is a beautiful Oahu beach popular with locals, and great for family picnics and sports. I’ve always enjoyed being in the water here and looking back towards the spectacular mountains. It can also be a good place to body surf for beginners. There’s protection from the sun under ironwood pines (Casuarina equisetifolia). It’s a wide beach with beautiful sand, turquoise waters and a gentle shore break. Years ago it was featured often in the Magnum, PI television series.

Perfect: A short drive from Honolulu, this feels like the other side of the world. Picnics, water and more.

Hamoa Beach Maui | #5 in US

Hamoa Beach MauiOne of the most picturesque and remote of Maui beaches can be found beyond Hana. It is a near perfect crescent shape that’s lined with a black lava wall. The beach is not reef protected which means that water conditions vary seasonally. A favorite choice of authors Ernest Hemingway and James Michener.

Perfect: If your travels find you in Hana, don’t miss this for photos and more. Our personal favorite.

What’s your pick?

Do you agree with Dr. Beach’s picks for 2014? We look forward to hearing your selections for best Hawaii beaches.

You might also enjoy

Dr. Beach and Beat of Hawaii Say Hanalei Bay is No. 1.
Our Guide to Hanalei Bay Beach.

16 thoughts on “Hawaii Beaches Rank Among Best Beaches in America”

  1. For perfect family vacation, nothing beats what Kailua Beach Park can offer.
    I can say that this is even better than the most famous beach in Oahu. For one, it is a family-friendly beach. My whole family admired its pristine turquoise blue waters and clear blue sky along with its white, fine powdery sand. It is bigger and the whole family enjoyed many activities such as swimming in the clear calm waters, kayaking (we rent one kayak), playing in the sand, having a picnic or even just watching the views as the water rush to the shore. I find it so enjoyable to see my kids having so much fun. But more importantly, they have bathroom facilities, which is an important factor when your whole family is on vacation.
    This vacation is one memorable experience for my whole family; we’ll consider coming back.

  2. Love the little beach in Oneloa Bay and jumping of the rocks in Namalu Bay / Kapalua. In my dreams!

  3. On Oahu, Lanikai is my fave beach to catch some rays and chillax. Nice sand, blue waters. Ahh, I miss it!

  4. I think it depends on what you are looking for in a beach. Every beach I have been to in Kauai and on the Big Island has been a memorable experience for me. I’ve been to alot of beaches on Kauai, and enjoyed Poipu Beach park the most because of its easy access and shallow areas since I am not a deep water swimmer. The grassy area behind the beach and the park were very nice, and it was fun to watch boogie boarders. I have yet to experience a sunny beach day at Hanalei Bay. I’ve been rained on every time I’ve been there, but I still love the area. Tunnels beach is exotic but the waves were a little too strong for me there and it is rocky. I prefer the sandy bottom beaches, so this year I am going to Maui and staying on Kanaapali. On the Big Island, I liked the A bay for its calm waters and the turtles. I loved Mauna Kea beach; very tranquil. Hapuna beach was too windy but it is a huge beach. The black sand Punalu’u beach is amazing.

  5. All the beaches I have been to in Hawaii are just plain gorgeous but I will pick my top choices from the islands I have been to. In the Big Island, Hapuna is my favorite. Makena on Maui, and Kailua on Oahu.

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