Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor have their ideas. But what about yours? The best beaches in Hawaii.
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Dr. Beach and TripAdvisor have their ideas. But what about yours? The best beaches in Hawaii.
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Since all “best” beaches is a subjective opinion, I’ll summarize my opinion based on the comments:
1. The list is mostly the best “tourist” beaches.
2. Best beaches tend to be on the more touristy islands (Maui/Oahu)
3. Does anyone know Molokai? It has the longest white sand beach in Hawaii.
4. If you haven’t experienced the water clarity of the Big Island, compared to all the other islands, you haven’t seen crystal water. We only have one river on Hilo side.
More…but reached the BOH limit
Hey. Keep the Moloka’i stuff to yourself. We’re trying to keep it more on the unknown side so it does not get ruined. 😉
We have so many beautiful beaches here on Kauai. The most obvious is Hanalei. The rest I will keep to myself.
What about beaches on the Puna Coast? We Have Kehena bech, Pohoiki and Kaimu Beach
The first time I visited Donkey beach on Kauai my jaw would not close. It is not a swimmable beach, but oh my, what a beauty!! I just could not believe how awe-inspiring it was! There I immediately I felt connected to the spirit of Kauai (can’t say the same about Poipu, unfortunately). Picture perfect, and I saw 2-3 people tops during several hours there.
I had the same reaction as I came through the foliage tunnel ! Unbelievable. Here was Kauai’s beach.All of those years of visiting Kauai and I hadn’t found this place.
36 degrees at my house. Right now I’d be happy with a Honolulu mall parking lot with an obstructed view of the water!
Patiently awaiting our next visit.Hopefully better days are coming. Thanks so much for your work.
Donkey Beach Kauai. Not for swimming just for walking & dreaming.
anini, popu and hanelei on kauai, kailua on waikiki
thanks for asking
Hanalei Bay beach. Fine white sand, trade-winds, beautiful surf in select locations, multiple turtles to be seen in the water, iconic pier, Puff the Magic Dragon on the shoreline.
We just returned from Hapuna Beach and Dr. Beach has it right. A really fantastic beach.
Sorry to see Anini Beach on Kauai didn’t make the list.
Hapuna Beach is the best, hands down. I wish Dr. Beach wouldn’t tell people though. 😉👏🏻
It’s very hard to beat Maui for the many beatiful beaches that are there, you can walk for miles. But for snorkeling we prefer Kauai.
Aloha Guys
Hi Roy.
You’re the consummate Hawaii traveler. Thanks.
Aloha.
Thank you for sharing. I think Hanalei Beach is very pretty and should have been on this list.
Sometimes I wonder whether the best beaches lists are designed to distract people away from the “real” best beaches. Mine are not on the list, and I’m not telling. 🙂
Here here! Was just thinking that to myself.
I always had a great day on Kapalua Beach in Maui, but alas, I’ve heard that they are doing construction there and there’s no place to park. I’ve been to Napili (Gazebo’s for breakfast) so now, I’ll have to check out the beaches there. Since our timeshare is in Kahana, we almost never drive down to Wailea or Kihei. Yes, Kaanapali Beach is the best! Of course, we spend most of our evenings in Kaanapali and Lahaina.
Aloha, I wonder why Waikiki never ends up on any of these lists, too touristy I surmise. Mahalo
Hi Timothy.
One of Waikiki’s beaches was indeed selected as the best beach in America in 2014. https://beatofhawaii.com/hawaii-beaches-rank-among-best-beaches-in-america/,
Aloha.
Waikiki Beach was on the list. However, it shouldnt have been. The beach has always been too narrow and surrounded by skyscrapers. btw…it’s also called Kuhio Beach.
THANK YOU again BOH for all you do to keep us ‘wanna be’ visitors informed. We really appreciate it.
It is our opinion that Trip Advisor included one beach that is well below about a dozen that they did not include in their top 25. That’s Kaanapali Beach at Lahaina. Very narrow, as the picture above shows it to be. We’ve stayed in Kaanapali twice in the last 30+ years, last time was about 15 years ago, and we wouldn’t book that area again.
I agree with previous comment about Tunnels. Actually, for tremendous visual scenery and beauty, my wife and I think Ke’e Beach at the end of the road on Kauai’s north shore can’t be beat – fairly wide, beautiful view of the Napali coast mountains, and good snorkeling. And the tree roots that are still supporting trees, even though the trunks are now 10-15 feet above the sand are just amazing. And the drive to and from is beautiful as well. The new parking lot and need for reservations have improved it as well.
We too are among the ‘greys’ coming to Hawaii. We’ve had to cancel 4 reservations on Kauai over the past 8 months, and after cancelling the last one scheduled for 3 weeks in April, we decided to book the Big Island instead. Haven’t been there in nearly 15 years, as we’ve spent our 3-4 weeks on Kauai. STILL hoping to enjoy the 3 weeks we have reserved on Kauai starting late August. First inoculation received, next one within 2 weeks, so we’ll be very safe by early April.
Hi Gary.
Thanks for all of your comments. Glad you can get over to the Big Island followed by Kauai this year. Enjoy.
Aloha.
Keamano Beach. If you have been there, you know why. If you have not been there, it probably sounds foreign or you have never heard of it.
I stand by this choice. Might be the best beach in the world. Again, if you have been there you know why. If you have not been there, well, you should learn why.
We all have our own favs. I find Lanakai sad, crowded and depleted. Kailua beach park inherited its sand over the years,and is more relaxing. It still has a great view of the Moks. My military family lived nearby in the 1950’s. The old pics are amazing. Before the sea walls and plantings it was a long, glorious stretch of white sand… dreamy and amazing.
It’s hard to believe that Polihale Stae park and Beach is not one of the top beaches of Hawaii. Located on the western end of Kauai and ending at the Napali Coast, it’s truly amazing!!!!
Maybe because it is dangerous to swim at Polihale?
I totally agree, Thomas B. Polihale has always been my favorite.
Polihale is a beautiful beach, but for all the driving over the pot holes in the cane road and the inability to swim there, for many, it is not worth going. I used to like sitting on that beach and watching the sunset. Most western on Kauai.
Oh don’t we love lists? So much subjectivity. How does a beach change significantly from just one year previously? List try to make the creator of them relevant by changing things up but couldn’t be more inaccurate in many cases other than listing some of the usual suspects. For instance I would take Kauai tunnels Beach any day over Wailea beach in Oahu!! Same problem goes for TripAdvisor. I can assure you they are not the be-all end-all for opinions on anything regarding travel
I do love the green sand beach on the island of Hawaii. It’s secluded and the awe of green glistening sand is soo uniquely beautiful. The trek there without 4 x 4 help is a story in itself!
Aloha BOH! I agree with all the choices especially Napili. However they leave out one of my faves, Waialea Beach
( Beach. 69 ) on the Big Island. Can’t wait to get back to Hawaii!
Hi Lisa.
Yes, so many other choices. This was just what TripAdvisor readers had to say.
Aloha.
Yes! the Beaches on Kauai are terrible, and few in number, the water here is way colder than the other Islands, and there are no waterfalls to be found anywhere, Sorry, got to run my paddle board is floating away, LOL OL OL
So true, everyone should avoid Kauai as much as possible (!!!) I will do my best to support this island with absolutely no charm as soon as I possibly can.
I would have thought Hulopo’e Beach on Lanai would have been on your list.
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for always reminding us about what’s important in life.
I agree 100% on the choices, and feel very blessed to have lived next to three of those listed.
Stay safe guys, and much Aloha always!
Hi Pam.
Thanks for your many comments!
Aloha.
Totally agree.🏄
With our State’s quarantine in effect, the beaches at Waikiki are empty, clean, and beautiful.
My 100 year old friend and I go for swims at Sans Souci (aka Kaimana Beach). The water is so clear and clean – I can see schools of fish. I can just imagine how Hanauma Bay has recovered and the return of fish to the Bay. One positive to the COVID panic.
How could you miss Kailua beach (where Pres.Obama vacations) and Lanikai? Both East Oahu.
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.
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!
Those are the best TOURIST beaches…those in the know have no reason to go to those typically overhyped places on Tripadvisor and more. Hawaii has great beaches all over, some smaller and unknown to the travel hawkers…which are the best. 😉
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.
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’.
Totally agree.🏄
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!
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.
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.
David and Chris,
Let’s just keep those great (among others) on Kauai a secret. Don’t let the word get out, or one or more of them might end up filled with crowds like some of the Oahu and Maui beaches!! OUR SECRET!! – ha.
Gary K.
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.
Thanks Diann!
Aloha.
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.
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
@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!
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.
Hi Ane.
Thanks very much for being a regular at Beat of Hawaii. Much appreciated!
Aloha.
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.
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!
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.