Which are the best beaches in Hawaii? Honestly there is simply no right answer. This week (April 2019) TripAdvisor looked at the top 25 beaches in the United States, according to their readers. Seven (!) Hawaii beaches made the cut.
Would any of these be at the top on your list of best beaches in Hawaii?
Kaanapali Beach, Lahaina Maui (#2)
Stretch out on an amazing three miles of beautiful sand and turquoise ocean on what was, and has remained, a most popular vacation refuge. A concrete path runs its entire length. There are five free parking lots. The north end is best near Black Rock and the south end has reef that can be uncomfortable on your feet.
This is a great spot to see humpback whales in season. Enjoy the iconic cliff divers at Black Rock (Puu Kekaa) every sunset. You can stay nearby at one of the many hotels and condos that now line Kaanapali, that was Hawaii’s very first planned resort community. Also on hand is great shopping and dining and a plethora of activities. You’ll find yourself in a crowd of frolickers, that’s for sure.
Hapuna Beach, Big Island (#7)
One of Beat of Hawaii’s personal favorites, Hapuna is renowned for swimming, surfing, boarding, snorkeling and sunbathing that are consistently top notch. Do you know about Turtle Cove? At the far end of the beach, near the Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel, you’ll see Hawaiian green sea turtles.
This is big and beautiful, yet away from the hustle and bustle. We’ve never felt crowded on Hapuna Beach.
Poipu Beach Park, Kauai (#13)
In addition to Hanalei Bay, Poipu Beach is as iconic Kauai as it gets. This year-round beach is an island favorite of locals and travelers worldwide. At the center of the park, the beach is reef protected and perfect for keiki (children). Facing the beach, to the right side is great seasonal swimming fronting the Waiohai Resort. To the left side is Brennecke Beach, seen in the photo. There, adventuresome body boarders take to the waves at Brennecke. Be careful, as there are rocks deposited from the last hurricane.
Wailea Beach, Maui (#17)
(Lead photo at top). Calm waters and excellent swimming are highlights of this crescent sand beach fronting the Grand Wailea. Great for snorkeling when calm and during morning hours. Excellent boogie boarding at the far south side.
Wailea has grown tremendously over the years to become the most popular destination on Maui, in part due to the natural beauty, as well as great accommodations, shopping and dining.
Waikiki Beach, Oahu (#20)
Waikiki Beach and its sandy iconic presence was heralded as the retreat of Hawaiian kings and queens. Since the 1950’s it has been the epicenter of Pan-Pacific tourism. There are eight distinct Waikiki beaches, Ft. DeRussy, Duke Kahanamoku, Halekulani, Royal Hawaiian, Kuhio, Kapiolani, Queens and Kaimana. Also nearby is Ala Moana Beach Park, Hawaii’s single most popular beach.
Maniniowali Beach, Big Island (#22)
A beautiful spot on the Big Island and the perfect place for unforgettable Hawaii sunsets. A small beach, with good facilities and limited parking. You’ll often find great conditions for sun bathing or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
Napili Beach, Maui (#23)
A great and generally uncrowded beach on West Maui, perfect for whale watching in season and beautiful views stretching to Molokai. Swimming, snorkeling and boarding are dependent on conditions, and it is always a perfect sunning beach. Always enjoyable, from sunrise to sunset. Does not get much afternoon wind and the offshore waters are sandy. Access via Hui Drive and Napili Place.
Updated 4/4/19.
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Ed L. says
How could you miss Kailua beach (where Pres.Obama vacations) and Lanikai? Both East Oahu.
Sue says
Hi. Amazing Hawaii! I agree that those are best destinations. I visited Poipu Beach Park last year which this make me fall in love with Hawaii. Napili Beach will be my friend’s choice which is our next destination.
Tammy says
Haha glad to see my two favorite beaches on Kauai are unnamed. Shhh… Mahalo for the list Beat Of Hawaii. Going to Big Island for the first time, I want to be surprised, but this gives me a starting point. Aloha!
Dan M says
Keawakapu Beach on Maui is just a little North of Wailea Beach. It is unusual to have high surf, dangerous shore breaks or rip tides. It may be due to the lava flows that jut out from the beach separating the sand beach section of K Beach.
RH says
Please (you said to use that … hahahaha) … the “survey” AND you missed ‘da BEST beach on Oahu …
Bellows … or if you insist, Waimanalo.
I’ve been going there since the ’50s when we lived and breathed in ‘da Territory of Hawai’i and it’s simply ‘da best, bruddah’.
Jeff B. says
We have two small grandchildren, so while visiting Maui, Baby Beach is for us. Protected, enough wildlife to delight the children, and a family crowd. Will be visiting it next week!
Chris says
I think Hanalei Beach on Kauai is the best for beauty! I don’t think Poipu is one of the best. I go to Kauai often. I also like Kee for snorkeling but don’t think the beach is one of the prettiest. I never had trouble swimming at Napili Beach but am only there in the summer. I like that bay a lot.
David S says
Tunnels and Lanikai are beautiful beaches, but so is Haena, which of course is only a short beach walk from Tunnels. But my favorite remains Lumahai….there is something breathtaking about the sweep of the beach and of course, the “pool” and rock diving at the end. It is never crowded, an easy, brief hike and in the summers, the water is magnificent. We are so lucky to live on Kauai, which has more beach than all the other islands put together.
Diann W says
Big mahalo for not mentioning the best beach in the world on the island you have already mentioned. It’s nice to keep some places from becoming over crowded.
We enjoy your website.
Beat of Hawaii says
Thanks Diann!
Aloha.
Dan says
Keawakapu in Wailea is my favorite. Most days it is calm in the morning for great swimming and snorkeling and afternoon trade winds provide some waves for boogie boarding or body surfing in the afternoon.
Nalani says
Aloha! Just an FYI, Tunnels isn’t the correct name. It’s Makana and we are trying diligently to include the actual Hawaiian placenames when referring to places. It’s totally o.k. that Tunnels (the surf spot on the outer reef) is used as long as we help people also identify its original name. Thank you so much for this website. I really enjoy it! Nalani
Tammy says
@Nalani I clicked your name and went to your website and I wanted to thank you so much for linking that website! I always see those signs (moku) and wondered about them. Mahalo!
ane t says
Aloha.
I am writing from Maui. I don’t know why Makenna beach (big beach) is consistently called one of the best beaches on Maui for swimming. I would never swim there and I live here. Most days it has big and sometimes huge waves and the shore break is “killer”. Yes it is beautiful but I would never consider it a safe and good place to swim. It’s always packed with tourists. Interestingly enough, I rarely hear of someone drowning there – at other beaches here, yes – but not there. We have had 11? deaths by drowning this year so far!! All at the relatively safe beaches. Go figure.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Ane.
Thanks very much for being a regular at Beat of Hawaii. Much appreciated!
Aloha.
David says
What do consider the best Maui beach? We visit every year and stay on Napili Bay. It’s a nice beach, but the waves and rip tide are dangerous at times.
Susan says
I agree, Ane. I come Maui a couple of times a year and Makena is one of my favorite beaches there. It is one of the most beautiful, but it can also be dangerous to swim there for those who don’t know how to handle the shore break. I almost know the lifeguard’s speech by heart- “Don’t go in the water if you do not know how to handle strong currents and high waves. There have been many accidents here as a result of inexperienced swimmers.” Best to sit and watch and enjoy the surfers!
Sonya says
Hello I’m am traveling to Kona June 22-29, to run my 50th half marathon . I will be traveling from Philadelphia can you please tell me when would be the best time to purchase airfare and about how much would be it. Thank you very much. I’ll be traveling with 4-6 people.