Summer Isn't Complete Without A Visit To One Of Hawaii's 14 Best Beaches
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Megan Shute
Author
The Hawaiian Islands are home to 750 miles of stunning coastline — putting the Aloha State behind Alaska, Florida, and California when it comes to coastline length. And while among that coastline you will find countless rock formations and sea cliffs, the beaches are what truly matters. On Oahu alone, there are more than 125 different beaches! With so many stunning stretches of sand throughout Hawaii, how can you possibly choose the best ones? Luckily, we’ve done the work for you and came up with a list of Hawaii’s best beaches. Found on six of the main Hawaiian Islands, summer isn’t complete without a visit to 14 of our favorite beaches.
The famous Waimea Bay is a popular spot for boogie boarding and cliff jumping in the summer, as well as a haven for surfers of all skill levels during the winter months. With a wide, beautiful stretch of fine white sand surrounded by a lush, verdant valley, Waimea Bay is the perfect destination for a beach day — whether you are swimming in the calm summer waves or enjoying a picnic as you watch surfers tackle some of Hawaii's most epic swells.
To discover how this beach transforms with the seasons click here.
To discover how this beach transforms with the seasons click here.
Located in Haena State Park, Ke'e Beach marks the end of the Kuhio Highway, the furthest you can drive on Kauai's north shore. Serving as the gateway to Kauai’s infamous Na Pali Coast, this stunning beach is truly second to none.
Located in Haena State Park, Ke'e Beach marks the end of the Kuhio Highway, the furthest you can drive on Kauai's north shore. Serving as the gateway to Kauai’s infamous Na Pali Coast, this stunning beach is truly second to none. Views of the entire Na Pali Coast stretch westward from this scenic spot and the contrast between the turquoise waters and the lush, green mountains will make you feel as though you’ve made it to a tropical utopia of sorts.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
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The breathtaking Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach is one of the most incredible wonders you’ll see in your lifetime, and an absolute must-visit, as long as you are accustomed to navigating cliff edges with less-than-perfect footing. Striking red sand and a rugged shoreline meet the bright blue waves of the Pacific Ocean in one of the most incredible landscapes we've ever experienced. Add in the stunning black sea wall and lush ironwood trees, and you’ve got yourself a dreamy picture you almost won’t believe is real.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
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Measuring in at nearly three miles long — and 100 yards wide — Papohaku is not only the largest beach on Molokai but it is easily one of Hawaii’s longest, uninterrupted white sand beaches. Also known as "Three Mile Beach" for obvious reasons, Papohaku is relatively secluded, despite its well-known status. Truthfully, this Molokai beach is probably the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island paradise you’ve been dreaming of.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning stretch of sand.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning stretch of sand.
Located within Ahupua’a O Kahana State Park, formerly known as Kahana Valley State Park off of Kamehameha Highway, this stunning stretch of sand is often overlooked for more accessible — and less remote — spots on the island. However, it is an absolute natural oasis for anyone who wants to get away from the crowds of Waikiki and Kailua Beaches. On a weekday — or even an overcast Saturday — you might come in contact with only a handful of other beachgoers.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Tucked away in a Hanapepe industrial area, near Port Allen Harbor is Kauai’s Glass Beach, a unique spot covered with millions of sea glass pebbles in brilliant hues of aqua, blue, and brown. The glass found at this beach was mainly created from broken bottles and auto glass that was dumped years ago, and subsequently smoothed by time and ocean tides.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience, the magnificent Papakolea Green Sand Beach is located on Hawaii Island’s southern shore, near Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States. This green sand beach so unique that you will only find a few other spots with similar iconic green sand on the planet, and it's only accessible via a 2.5-mile pedestrian and four-wheel drive trail.
Discover this remote beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this remote beach by reading our previous article.
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With lush, verdant greenery, and black lava cliffs jutting into the crystal blue ocean, Waianapanapa State Park is easily one of the prettiest places you’ll find in the Aloha State. Nestled along the coast of southeastern Maui is this beautiful state park with scenery so diverse you’ll certainly believe as though you’ve stepped into another world — perhaps one from your favorite childhood storybook. And the black sand beach you'll find here? Breathtaking!
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
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Located between two limestone points and nestled between the Pacific Ocean and Farrington Hawaii, Nanakuli Beach Park covers approximately 40 acres and is home to a 500-foot long and 125-foot wide stretch of white and golden sand perfect for your next beach day. Featuring crystalline blue waters and backed by lush mountains, this magical stretch of fine, white sand is just moments away from the popular Ko’olina lagoons, but feels worlds away from the beaches full of tourists found across Oahu.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Poipu was once named America’s Best Beach by the Travel Channel and is easily the most popular beach on Kauai’s southern shore. In fact, many tourists and locals alike claim Poipu as their favorite Hawaiian beach. So, what exactly makes this beach so amazing, you ask? Well, Poipu Beach is one of Kauai’s largest stretches of fine white sand at approximately 1,000 feet long and 50 feet wide. Oh, and this side of the island receives significantly less rainfall than other areas of Kauai, making Poipu the perfect beach day destination.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning stretch of sand.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning stretch of sand.
Though often overlooked for the larger, more populous islands, Lanai is a secret paradise full of secluded beaches. Polihua Beach feels especially hidden, though, as it is located on the island’s remote northwestern coast and is only accessible via four-wheel drive vehicle. Polihua Beach is not only Lanai’s longest stretch of white sand — measuring in at nearly two miles — but because the beach is located in such a secluded area, you might find that you have the beach to yourself!
Discover this remote beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this remote beach by reading our previous article.
Nestled on the shoreline between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punalu’u is perhaps the world’s most famous black sand beach, and an absolute must-visit for anyone living on — or vacationing to — the Big Island. With striking black sand, towering coconut palms, and crashing blue waves, there is little more jaw-dropping than the stunning Punalu’u Beach. Visitors are sure to be overwhelmed by the beach’s serene beauty, and you won’t find another beach quite as special anywhere in the world.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
Learn more about this incredible beach here.
The rugged Na Pali Coast is said to be one of the most unspoiled natural beauties in all of Hawaii: thousand foot cliffs are eroded to create vaulted valleys and hidden beaches, including the gorgeous Honopu Beach, a drop-dead gorgeous slice of paradise nestled between Kalalau Beach and Na Pali’s open-ceiling cave. With striking blue waves crashing against a stretch of fine white sand, Honopu is surrounded on three sides by towering 1,200-foot sea cliffs. This landscape almost looks too gorgeous to be real.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
Discover this hidden beach by reading our previous article.
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Situated between Halona Point and the Halona Blowhole, this small rocky cove is perfectly picturesque and has been featured in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and 50 First Dates. While Halona is a popular spot for tourists to stop while taking a scenic drive along Oahu’s coast, most people simply stop to watch the blowhole for a few minutes before heading out. While the parking lot above may seem full, you’re sure to feel relatively secluded once you hike down to Halona Cove.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning (and small) stretch of sand.
Click here to see more photos of this stunning (and small) stretch of sand.
How many of these breathtaking beaches have you visited? Which one will you visit next?
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