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Best Beaches in Hawaii, Island by Island
The best beaches in Hawaii by island, from Waikiki to Poipu, what each is good for, and how to enjoy them safely with seasonal conditions in mind.
The best beach in Hawaii depends on your island and the day's conditions, since surf changes with the season and the shore. As a quick guide: Waikiki on Oʻahu is ideal for beginners, Kāʻanapali on Maui blends resorts with snorkeling, Poipu on Kauaʻi offers a sunny south-shore day, and Hāpuna on the Big Island is a wide, sandy favorite. All beaches in Hawaii are public and free.
Best beaches on Oʻahu
Waikiki is calm and beginner-friendly with gentle waves for learning to surf. Lanikai and Kailua on the windward side are known for soft sand and turquoise water. Hanauma Bay is a protected snorkeling preserve that requires a reservation. In winter, the North Shore draws expert surfers to big waves, better watched than swum. Plan around them with our Oʻahu guide.
Best beaches on Maui
Kāʻanapali and Wailea anchor the resort coasts with easy swimming and snorkeling. Kapalua Bay is well protected, and in winter you may spot whales offshore, as covered in our whale watching guide. See the Maui guide for where to base yourself.
Best beaches on Kauaʻi
Poipu on the sunny south shore is a reliable choice year round. Hanalei Bay on the north shore is scenic and calmer in summer. Because Kauaʻi is greener and wetter, check conditions and choose the sunnier shore for the season. Our Kauaʻi guide has more.
Best beaches on the Big Island
Hāpuna Beach is a broad white-sand favorite, and the island also has striking black sand beaches like Punaluʻu, where green sea turtles often rest. Keep the required distance from wildlife. See the Big Island guide to plan around the long drives.
Conditions come first
A beautiful beach can have dangerous water. Check surf and currents, swim at lifeguarded beaches, and read our ocean safety guide before you go in.Enjoying beaches safely
Use reef-safe sunscreen, keep your distance from turtles and monk seals, and never turn your back on the ocean. Choosing a lifeguarded beach and matching the shore to the season is the simplest way to stay safe while enjoying the water.
Beach and snorkel tours
Guided snorkel trips and catamaran days to some of Hawaii's best coastline, many with free cancellation.
See ocean toursPlanning a Hawaii trip?
Find the best flights and hotels across all islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best beach in Hawaii?
Are Hawaii beaches free and public?
Which side of the island has calmer water?
We research each guide against primary sources: the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Mālama Hawaii, the National Park Service, the State of Hawaii and its Division of State Parks, the National Weather Service, and the U.S. Census. For culture, language, and history we lean on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Bishop Museum, and the scholarship of Mary Kawena Pukui. We send readers to those sources rather than speaking over them. When rules, prices, or conditions change, we update the page.