The 11 Best Beaches In Hawaii For A Peaceful And Soothing Vacation

Hey Readers!

We love Hawaii for many reasons, like its great mai tais, fresh seafood, and laid-back surf culture. One of those reasons is that it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. What gives?

For starters, they come in every size, shape, and color: wide, calm stretches that are great for families and kids who just want to dip their toes in the Pacific; tiny, secluded coves where honeymooning couples can get away from the crowds; and red, white, black, and green sandy stretches that make for the perfect Instagram photo.

Best of all, you can go to the best beaches in Hawaii because they are all open to the public.

There are also things to do for even the most picky traveler, like snorkeling, paddle boarding, and strolling at sunset. Whether you want to swim in calm, turquoise waters or surf in big waves, there’s a beach for you along the state’s top-notch coastline.

Oahu, home to world-famous Waikiki Beach, is known for having some of the widest golden stretches — and the best surfing — in all of Hawaii.

The state has a stunning slice of shoreline for every visitor. Here are some of Tripon’s favorite and best beaches in Hawaii where you can get a slice of that true Hawaiian paradise.

Check out these Best Things To Do In Hawaii During The Summer, and the Best Resorts in Hawaii so that you must plan your vacation to this exciting city. If you enjoy our blogs, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Best Beaches In Hawaii For Vacations

Hawaii has too many incredible beaches to visit in one lifetime, so let us be your guide. Here, we’ve handpicked 11 of the very best beaches in Hawaii.

1. Waikiki Beach, Oahu

Since the early 1900s, when Hawaii first became a tourist destination and visitors could only get there by steamship, people have been coming to this calm, golden crescent-shaped stretch of beach on the island of Oahu. Waikiki beach is one of the top beaches in Hawaii.

Today, it’s a bit more crowded, but the scene is still fun: get a mai tai at the famous Royal Hawaiian hotel, which was built in 1927, relax, and watch locals and tourists mingle in front of the impressive Diamond Head.

Good for: Swimming, Surfing

Also Read: The 15 Basic Hawaiian Words and Phrases to Learn Before Your Trip to the Aloha State

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2. Big Beach, Maui

Big Beach is one of Maui’s most beautiful beaches and also one of its largest. It is backed by the 165-acre Makena State Park, which is full of plants, and is protected by low lava cliffs. Big Beach is more than a mile long and 100 feet wide from the sand to the water, just like its name says.

It’s not built up at all, but that’s why you’re here: there’s nothing to take your attention away from the soft white sand and clear, cool water. Big Beach, on the other hand, has strong shore breaks that can be dangerous for kids and less experienced swimmers.

If you’re not a surfer or body boarder, we recommend wading in the shallows or just relaxing on the sand with a delicious Jawz taco (look for the big yellow truck at the parking lot entrance). You can also try your hand at one of the beach’s weekly open volleyball games if you find it hard to sit still on the sand.

Good for: Bodyboarding

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3. Kapalua Beach, Maui

Kapalua is one of the best beaches in Maui for snorkeling because it has calm, clear water and a lot of marine life. It is protected by two reefs that form a crescent-shaped cove at each end.

Since there is less sand at its rocky northern end, it is easy to see everything from small butterfly fish to large green sea turtles. Plus, the beach is stunningly beautiful, and even though it is very popular, it has stayed clean and quiet.

Merriman’s, a fancy farm-to-table restaurant at the south end of the beach, is a great place to end the day with a seafood dinner. Kapalua beach is the calmest beach in Maui.

Good for: Snorkeling

Also Read: Things To Do In Hawaii During The Summer

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4. Ko Olina Beach, Oahu

Get your kids to this quiet beach on the west side of Oahu as soon as possible. The clear blue water is shallow enough for little kids to play in, and Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is just above the lagoon. The five-star Four Seasons Oahu at Ko Olina is another place that you shouldn’t miss.

Good for: Surfing

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5. Waimea Bay Beach Park, Oahu

Waimea Bay is one of the most famous big-wave surfing beaches on Oahu. It is on the north shore, which is less developed and has a lot of natural beauty. During the winter, from November to February, the swells get so big that even the pros want to ride them.

Some of the best surfing events in Hawaii, like the Vans Triple Crown, take place at Waimea, Sunset Beach, and Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline). You can stay at the Turtle Bay Resort, which is close by, if you want to be close to the action.

Good for: Snorkeling and diving.

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6. Hanalei Bay, Kauai

Hanalei is a beautiful two-mile stretch of beach parks along the north shore of Kauai. It is a bay backed by emerald mountains that are 4,000 feet high. Hanalei Beach is one of the best beaches in Kauai.

During the winter, the waves come out to play, which brings out a lot of surfers. But during the summer, the water is calmer and good for swimming.

Good for: Surfing and swimming.

Also Read: Top 9 Best Breakfast Restaurants in Kauai, Hawaii

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7. Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea) Beach, Hawaii

When ecotourism pioneer Laurance Rockefeller first saw this sugar-soft beach in 1960, he knew it was something special. He was touring the island with Hawaii’s governor.

Rockefeller was there to look for a good place to build a hotel, and he found it. He chose Kauna’oa as the place for his famous resort, Mauna Kea.

Couples and families still come to the Big Island to stay at Mauna Kea. The water is turquoise, the waves are gentle, and there is a lot of marine life, like turtles and the occasional manta ray, and one of the clearest beaches in Hawaii.

Good for: Boogie boarding, and kayaking.

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8. Makalawena Beach, Big Island

The most famous thing about Hawaii’s Big Island is its dramatic black sand beaches, but because of how popular they are, they are often very crowded and not very good for swimming or even just relaxing.

Makalawena, on the other hand, is as empty as it gets thanks to its (literally) off-the-beaten-path location. To get there, you’ll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get over the rough black lava rocks, and then you’ll have to walk for another half an hour over a lava field. (It should go without saying, but you should bring a lot of water and sunscreen on your trip.)

It’s worth the trouble, though, because you’re rewarded with a series of picture-perfect white-sand coves, lots of palm trees for shade, and a beautiful coral reef that’s perfect for snorkeling just a few feet offshore.

A word of caution: the southernmost cove is known for naked bathing, which, along with the long walk, doesn’t make this a great place for families.

Good for: Total solitude

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9. Wailea Beach, Maui

If you’re more into glitz and glamour than rough and remote, head to the soft golden sands of Wailea on Maui’s southwestern coast, and one of the clearest beaches in Hawaii.

Even though the Four Seasons Maui at the south end and the Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Wailea at the north end of its quarter-mile-long beachfront are both five-star luxury resorts, the beach’s silvery sands and clear, emerald waters remain clean and uncrowded.

Wailea Beach also has gorgeous views of the Molokini Crater, the islands of Lanai and Kahoolawe, the ocean, and one of the top beaches in Hawaii. From November to April, it’s a great place to watch whales. Wailea Beach is the calmest beach in Maui.

Also, there are lots of places nearby to grab a drink after a day of flopping around in the ocean, from the casual Monkeypod Kitchen to the stylish Lehua Lounge.

At the elegant Lobby Lounge of the Four Seasons, there are nightly hula shows followed by live piano and guitar performances. You don’t have to be a guest to see them, either.

Good for: Whale watching and celebrity-spotting

Also Read: Best Things to Do in Maui, Hawaii

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10. Punalu’u Beach, Big Island

Punalu’u is one of the most popular places to sunbathe in all of Hawaii, and for good reason: it’s easy to get to, right off the Mmalahoa Highway (also known as the Hawaii Belt Road), it’s great for swimming and snorkeling, and it’s beautiful, with its lush coconut palms, jet-black sand, and jewel-tone waters.

Also, it’s a popular place to see groups of huge Hawaiian sea turtles sunbathing right in front of you on the sand, as well as endangered Hawksbill turtles, which often come right up to the shore and one of the clearest beaches in Hawaii. (Just remember that it’s against the law in Hawaii to touch a sea turtle, so keep at least 15 feet away).

At the southern end of Punalu’u Beach, there are lifeguards, a picnic area, and freshwater pools that form naturally.

Good for: Families and turtle-spotting

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11. Hamoa Beach, Maui

You’ll need to be strong to drive to this beautiful cove, which is close to Hana, a town on Maui’s far eastern shore where time seems to have stopped. Hamoa beach is the calmest beach in Maui.

One of the most popular things to do in the state is to drive the twisty, curvy road to Hana, which goes by cliffs and waterfalls. Get something to eat and drink in Paia before you leave, and don’t forget your swimsuits and a sense of adventure.

Good for: Surfing

Also Read: Best Resorts in Hawaii For A Memorable Experience [2022]

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FAQs For Best Beaches To Visit In Hawaii

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Tell Us In The Comments About One Of Your Favorite Beaches To Visit In Hawaii!

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