Hawaii, the Pacific gem is ideal for beach vacation far away from home. Be it a honeymoon or a fun-filled family holiday, Hawaii never fails to mesmerize tourists. Though the azure ocean and picturesque islands enhance the scenic charm of this Pacific isle, what steals the show is the picturesque beaches in Hawaii. Some of them buzz with crowd, shacks, beach cafes, and bars, while few of them are quaint, serene and a paradise for those in search of peace and privacy.
So, if you are fond of the sun, sea and water sports, delay no further, start planning for Hawaii beaches right away. And definitely go through our recommended list on the popular beaches in Hawaii before you take-off.
The 12 pristine Hawaiin Beaches to explore…
- Hanalei Bay Beach – To seek seclusion and solemn peace
- Kaanapali Beach – Haven of water sports
- Ko Olina Beach – The family-friendly beach
- Waimea Bay Beach Park – Surfer’s paradise
- Lanikai Beach – A colourful canvas
- Hapuna Beach – Your ‘go to’ fishing spot
- Tunnels Beach – Of stunning backdrop and exciting water sports
- Poipu Beach Park – For fun and frolic
- Kahekeli Beach Park – Sunbathe and rejuvenate
- Waikiki Beach – The best sunset view ever
- Baldwin Beach
- Carlsmith Beach
1. Hanalei Bay Beach – To seek seclusion and solemn peace
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Location: Kauaʻi island, Hawaii
With the stunning backdrop of verdant mountains, Hanalei Bay Beach is one of the best beaches in Hawaii for swimming. This 3 miles long white sand beach, tucked away at the northern shores of Kauai Island is a scenic and serene hideout for people looking for peace, solitude, and privacy. Featuring calm water and vibrant coral reefs, this beach is ideal for swimming, surfing, and snorkeling.
Best for: Surfing and snorkeling
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2. Kaanapali Beach – Haven of water sports
Location: Maui’Island, Hawaii
Being one of the best Hawaiian beaches, Kaanapali offers everything that the tourists are looking for. Offering swanky hotels and resorts by the shore, golf courses, beach shacks, pubs, and restaurants, this buzzing beach sparkles with white sand and invites tourists, round the year. Moreover, Kaanapali Beach is a hub of water sports and significant ones are cliff diving off the Black Rock and ziplining by Kaanapali Skyline Eco Adventure to enjoy a stunning view of the beach and the ocean.
Best for: Cliff diving and zip-lining
Must Read: Hawaiian Islands Guide: For A Surreal Holiday In The Lap Of Nature
3. Ko Olina Beach – The family-friendly beach
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Among the most pristine Hawaiian beaches, Ko Olina Beach offers calm and shallow water, making it perfect for family picnics with kids. You can swim, splash and play in the water, sunbathe and enjoy amazing sunset views. Aulani, the Disney Resort and Spa, located right at the beachfront is surely a stunner and enhance the charm quotient of the place.
Best for: Sunset views
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4. Waimea Bay Beach Park – Surfer’s paradise
Location: 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712
Tucked away from the pristine shores of Oahu, Waimea Bay Beach Park seems to be one of the most happening Hawaii beaches for surfers. The weather and water condition make it perfect for big wave surfing and swimming. Interestingly, there are a few renowned surfing spots near the beach like Sunset Beach and Ehukai Beach that host world-renowned surf competitions like Vans Triple Crown of Surfing.
Best for: Wave surfing and swimming
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5. Lanikai Beach – A colourful canvas
Location: Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii
One of the most picturesque Oahu beaches, Lanikai Beach, makes for an idyllic weekend getaway in Hawaii. Locally translating into ‘heavenly ocean’ Lanikai Beach is characterized by pebbly white sand and crystal blue ocean. This is the most favorite place among locals and tourists to spend a crazy and fun-filled beach holiday. Either enjoy thrilling snorkeling and kayaking or soak in the sun and enjoy stunning views. The choice is yours!
Best for: Kayaking and snorkeling
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6. Hapuna Beach – Your ‘go to’ fishing spot
Location: Kohala Coast, Hawaii
A favorite among locals and tourists, Hapuna is another sought-after beach in Hawaii. Snuggled cozily on the Kona Kohala Coast, Hapuna Beach is popular for day excursions and beach picnics. With quite a few beach shacks and outdoor restaurants, Hapuna beach is always touristy and buzzing. And when you are done with chilling out and trying local delicacies at these shacks, try fun activities like big game fishing and surfing to make the most of the holiday at one of the shallow beaches in Hawaii.
Best for: fishing, picnic
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7. Tunnels Beach – Of stunning backdrop and exciting water sports
Location: Haena, Kauai, Hawaii
Known for its wide range of water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, Tunnels Beach is one of the best family beaches in Hawaii that’ll keep you busy the whole day. With a picture-perfect backdrop of verdant forests and mountains, this beach has a unique name, owing to the igneous caverns, underneath the water level. From jet skiing, kite surfing to diving and angling, Tunnels Beach offers something for everyone.
Best for: Jet skiing, diving
8. Poipu Beach Park – For fun and frolic
Location: Koloa, Hawaii
This nice sandy beach of Poipu Beach Park resembles crescent in shape and is the best beaches in Hawaii in September. Flocked by tourists, all the year through, this beach attracts those who seek to spend crazy fun-filled time. Be it swimming, surfing or boogie-boarding or chilling in natural ocean wading pool; Poipu Beach Park offers immense options to chill out and rejuvenate.
Best for: Boogie-boarding, snorkeling
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9. Kahekeli Beach Park – Sunbathe and rejuvenate
Location: Kaanapali, Hawaii
A perfect beach in Hawaii for a picnic, beach barbecue, and adventure sports, Kahekeli Beach Park is the place where fun never ends. The shore is lined with comfy beach loungers, where one can relax, soak in the sun and enjoy breath-taking views. There is a wide range of water sports like kiteboarding, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling and diving. Pump up your adventure loving heart while trying any of these exhilarating sports.
Best for: Lounging and relaxing
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10. Waikiki Beach – The best sunset view ever
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
Waikiki Beach stretches for two miles and comprises of sparkling white sand. Not only one of the most crowded but also one of the most beautiful beaches of Hawaii; Waikiki Beach offers unending options of water sports and beach adventures like canoe paddling, boogie boarding, wakeboarding, surfing, and sailing. And if you are done with all these; fret not! You can sunbathe, relax and enjoy the most photogenic sunset views as well.
Best for: canoe paddling and surfing
11. Baldwin Beach
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Baldwin Beach is one of the calm and best beaches in Hawaii Honolulu where you can relax and bodyboard all you want. The dazzling mile-long stretched sandy coast looks enticing for a sunbath. There is a calm lagoon area which is perfect for little ones. The beach gets busy over the weekends with beach lovers thronging to the beach.
Best for: Relaxing
12. Carlsmith Beach
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Carlsmith Beach is one of the best beaches in Hawaii Big Island owing to abundant of flora and fauna. You will find a series of dreamy lagoons at this spectacular beach whose water replenished with cool, freshwater springs. Have numerous encounters with the turtles on the rocky shores of the beach. However, the bottom is sandy.
Best for: Visiting Carlsmith Beach Park
Further Read: Here’s What To Expect From A Honeymoon In Hawaii
Have you been to any of these famous beaches in Hawaii? Share your experiences in the comment section below to help those who’re planning a Hawaii trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beaches In Hawaii
Which are clothing optional beaches in Hawaii?
Little Beach in Maui, Baldwin Beach Coach, and Secret Beach Paia are some of the clothing-optional beaches in Hawaii.
Which are colored beaches in Hawaii?
Punaluu Beach, Papakolea Beach, Awahua Beach, Kaihalulu Beach are some of the colored beaches in Hawaii.
Which are calmest beaches in Hawaii?
Punalu’u Beach, Kauna ‘oa Beach on the Big Island, Lahaina Beach in Maui, and Poipu Beach in Kauai are some of the calmest beaches in Hawaii.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
