The Best Beaches in Hawaiʻi: Top 5 on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and the Big Island

From iconic surf breaks to hidden snorkeling coves, Hawaiʻi’s beaches are among the most famous in the world. Whether you’re a surfer chasing waves, a family looking for gentle shorelines, or a traveler eager to experience pristine beauty, each island offers its own spectacular coastline.

Here’s your island-by-island guide to the top five beaches on Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island, including what each is best known for, from surfing to fishing and beyond.

Oʻahu: The Gathering Place

1. Waikīkī Beach

Main Use: Swimming, beginner surf lessons, family recreation
Perhaps the most famous beach on Earth, Waikīkī’s golden shoreline is perfect for first-time surfers, swimmers, and sunset watchers alike.

2. Sunset Beach

Main Use: Professional surf competitions, winter big-wave surfing
On the North Shore, Sunset Beach is legendary for its massive winter waves and the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing contests.

3. Lanikai Beach

Main Use: Swimming, kayaking, stand-up paddling
A picture-perfect white-sand beach with turquoise water, Lanikai is beloved for calm mornings and dreamy sunrise views toward the twin Mokulua Islands.

4. Makapuʻu Beach

Main Use: Bodyboarding, shore fishing, whale watching
Near Makapuʻu Point, this dramatic crescent beach is framed by cliffs and has powerful shore breaks, popular with skilled bodyboarders.

5. Ala Moana Beach Park

Main Use: Swimming, family picnics, SUP paddling
Right next to Honolulu, Ala Moana’s protected lagoon makes it ideal for families and casual swimmers, with ample picnic areas and shaded trees.

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Maui: The Valley Isle

1. Kāʻanapali Beach

Main Use: Swimming, snorkeling, cliff diving
One of Maui’s signature beaches, Kāʻanapali offers soft sand, snorkeling near Black Rock, and thrilling cliff diving shows at sunset.

2. Ho‘okipa Beach

Main Use: Windsurfing, kite surfing, sea turtle viewing
On the North Shore near Pāʻia, Ho‘okipa is a world-renowned windsurfing hub and a prime spot to see honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) basking onshore.

3. Wailea Beach

Main Use: Swimming, luxury resort recreation
Fronting upscale resorts, Wailea Beach is an ideal family-friendly spot with gentle surf, great amenities, and golden sunsets.

4. Big Beach (Oneloa Beach)

Main Use: Bodyboarding, shore fishing, sunbathing
Located in Makena State Park, Big Beach has powdery sand stretching nearly two-thirds of a mile. Its powerful shore break draws boogie boarders, but caution is advised.

5. Hāmoa Beach

Main Use: Swimming, scenic views, relaxation
Near Hāna, Hāmoa is a crescent of soft sand backed by dramatic sea cliffs and lush vegetation, popular with locals and visitors alike.

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Kauaʻi: The Garden Isle

1. Hanalei Bay

Main Use: Surfing in winter, swimming and paddling in summer
Framed by waterfalls and emerald mountains, Hanalei Bay’s two-mile curve of beach is a year-round local favorite.

2. Poʻipū Beach

Main Use: Family swimming, snorkeling, monk seal spotting
A sunny south shore gem, Poʻipū features a natural breakwater and reef-protected swimming areas ideal for kids.

3. Tunnels Beach (Makua Beach)

Main Use: Snorkeling, diving
North Shore’s Tunnels Beach has an extensive reef system that draws snorkelers and scuba divers to its crystal-clear waters.

4. Polihale State Park

Main Use: Camping, fishing, sunsets
Accessible via a rugged dirt road, Polihale offers a wild, remote setting and a seemingly endless stretch of sand with unforgettable sunset views.

5. Kalapaki Beach

Main Use: Beginner surf lessons, stand-up paddling
Next to Līhuʻe, Kalapaki is a protected bay popular with local surfers and paddleboarders, and home to laid-back beachside cafes.

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Hawaiʻi Island: The Big Island

1. Hapuna Beach

Main Use: Swimming, bodyboarding, sunbathing
On the Kohala Coast, Hapuna is famous for its wide, sandy shoreline and consistently calm waters, perfect for families.

2. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

Main Use: Turtle viewing, photography
This dramatic black-sand beach on the southeastern coast is a top spot to see basking honu (green sea turtles).

3. Kahaluu Beach Park

Main Use: Snorkeling, beginner diving
Located in Kona, Kahaluu is one of the best places on the island to snorkel among colorful reef fish and honu in shallow waters.

4. Kekaha Kai State Park (Mahaiʻula Beach)

Main Use: Beach picnics, bodyboarding, sunbathing
This rugged beach north of Kona features turquoise water and fewer crowds, with a calm shoreline for swimming during summer months.

5. Hāpuna’s neighbor beach, Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa)

Main Use: Swimming, snorkeling
Fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, this is one of Hawaiʻi Island’s most pristine white-sand beaches, popular for its gentle surf and excellent snorkeling.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re chasing the world’s most powerful surf or looking for a family-friendly slice of paradise, Hawaiʻi’s beaches deliver experiences as diverse as the islands themselves.

From the iconic views of Waikīkī to the remote wonder of Polihale, each beach offers a window into the islands’ natural beauty and cultural history. As you explore Hawaiʻi’s beaches, remember to mālama (take care of) these special places — respect reef rules, pack out your trash, and show aloha to other ocean lovers so they remain beautiful for generations to come.