The black sand beach at Wai‘ānapanapa State Park on the island of Maui.
Published July 01, 2022
Last updated: June 03, 2024
Palm trees swaying in the breeze, warm sand between your toes, gentle surf lapping at sunset—if the thought of a Hawaiian vacation can be said to bring anything to mind, it’s a tropical beach.
The Islands have 750 miles of coastline, so there are plenty of beaches to choose from. From household names like Waikīkī to famous colorful sands to lesser-known gems, we look at the ones you shouldn’t miss during a visit to the Aloha State.
Many high-rise hotels overlook Waikīkī in Honolulu.
Located in Honolulu
It's no surprise to find the most famous beach in Hawai‘i (and maybe the entire United States) on this list. Waikīkī was a favorite of Hawaiian royalty, and it’s where Duke Kahanamoku popularized the sport of surfing. His statue keeps watch at the beach today.
Fittingly for the birthplace of surfing, Waikīkī is one of the best places to learn to surf. Its small surf break lasts an unusually long time, so newcomers can put all the parts of surfing together at their own pace on beginner-sized waves.
Other beach activities here include almost anything you can think of. The calm waters are great for stand-up paddleboarding, and it’s one of the best places to go on a traditional Hawaiian outrigger canoe ride. There are also great views of Diamond Head in the distance, plenty of places to stay right along the beach, and lots of dining options.
Good for: Visiting an iconic destination, learning to surf, staying right on the beach, outrigger canoeing, other activities nearby
Bellows Field Beach boasts soft sands and great views of the Koʻolau Range.
Located in Waimānalo
About a 30-minute drive from Honolulu on O‘ahu’s windward eastern shore is Bellows Field Beach, situated on a former military airfield. It’s among O‘ahu’s most beautiful beaches because of its secluded location, fine powdered sand, and native Hawaiian shorebirds. There are vistas of the Koʻolau mountain range as well as the offshore Mokulua Islands, known as “the Mokes,” which are a favorite of photographers.
The waters here are calm, so it's a good spot for families to swim. Birdwatchers can keep an eye out for Hawaiian stilts, Hawaiian moorhens and, if they're lucky, the rare Hawaiian duck. It’s a great east-facing spot to see the sun rise in the morning, or the moon rise at night.
Good for: Seeing the Mokes, birdwatching, swimming, escaping Waikīkī crowds
Also consider: The adjoining Waimānolo Beach to the south.
Turtle Beach on O‘ahu’s North Shore is a popular place to see green sea turtles around midday.
Located in Kawela Bay
Turtle Beach, as the name suggests, is one of a few beaches on O‘ahu’s North Shore famous for its green sea turtles, known as honu in Hawaiian. (Another is nearby Kawailoa Beach.) These endangered reptiles can draw quite a crowd when coming ashore to warm themselves up, so volunteers keep people and the federally protected turtles separated. Arriving early (before 10 a.m.) will make parking and finding a viewing spot easier.
If seeing the turtles on the shore isn’t enough, there are also turtle-viewing snorkeling and scuba tours where you can see these giants—some weigh more than 400 pounds—in their native habitat.
Good for: Seeing green sea turtles
Kā‘anapali Beach features many resorts and the famous Pu‘u Keka‘a jutting out to sea.
Located in Kā‘anapali
A white-sand beach that’s 3 miles long and located in the center of a resort district, Kā‘anapali can be thought of as Maui’s version of Waikīkī. There are plenty of dining and hotel options right on the beach, as well as places to rent everything from surfboards and snorkel equipment to Jet-Skis.
Pu‘u Keka‘a, an enormous promontory of black lava rock, juts out into the sea from the beach. The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa sits atop it and there’s a nightly tradition where a cliff diver lights ceremonial torches before jumping from the rock into the sea. (This is among the reasons we named Maui a top spot for iconic honeymoons.) Another can’t-miss sight from the west-facing beach is the sun setting behind the island of Lana‘i.
Good for: Having a lot of things in 1 place, seeing cliff-divers jump off Pu‘u Keka‘a, seeing sunsets
The black sand at Wai‘ānapanapa State Park is made of lava rock.
Located near Hāna
This park on Maui’s east shore near the end of the Hāna Highway is famous for its black-sand beach. (Don’t confuse it with Punalu‘u Beach on Hawai‘i Island, which is also called “the black-sand beach”). Waves have broken down lava rock to create a small jet-black shore that contrasts sharply with the surrounding greenery.
Once you’ve seen the beach, check out the nearby caves, as well as an ancient temple built by native Hawaiians. Plan ahead: There is a parking fee, advance reservations are required to visit the beach, and same-day reservations are not allowed. Swimming isn’t advised, as the surf can be rough and there are rip currents.
Good for: Seeing a black-sand beach on Maui, exploring rock formations and cultural sites
Baby Beach features bright orange clay cliffs overlooking the sand.
Located near Pa‘ia
If you don’t mind some airport jet noise, this beach just 15 minutes from downtown Kahului offers paradisiacal views and a unique attraction for families. Orange clay and black lava rocks abut the beach in small “cliffs” that give Baby Beach an unusual color palette. More importantly, there’s a protected lagoon about 700 feet long where little kids can swim without having to deal with waves (thus the name).
The beach is a little over a mile from the flight path for planes landing and taking off from Maui’s main airport. Jet engines aren’t everyone’s idea of tropical background noise, but if you or your kids like to watch planes, this is one of the prettiest places in the world to do it.
Good for: Swimming, families with little kids, plane spotters
Palm trees grow right on the black sand at Punalu‘u Beach.
Located near Pāhala
When people refer to “the black-sand beach” in Hawai‘i, they usually mean this world-famous one near the border of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The deep-black basalt is the result of lava flowing into the ocean, cooling, then being slowly ground down by the water. Palm trees grow right out of the black sand, giving the beach a surreal look.
If you’re coming to Hawai‘i specifically for a black-sand beach, this is a good choice, as it’s easily accessible and much larger than the one at Wai‘ānapanapa on Maui. The shore can be rocky, and it’s not recommended as a swimming destination, but sea turtle sightings on land and in the water are common.
Good for: Seeing black sand, picnicking, possibly seeing turtles
Also consider: Lava flows in 2018 created a new black-sand beach at Pohoiki Beach, on the east side of the national park. That offers a very cool chance to see a brand-new black-sand beach, though the rough pebbly shore means it isn’t recommended for swimming either.
Hāpuna Beach enjoys gentle waves thanks to a gradual offshore slope, especially at its southern end.
Located near Kawaihae
A favorite beach for locals as well as visitors, Hāpuna Beach is the biggest white-sand beach on Hawai‘i Island—200 feet wide in the summer. That width continues underwater, where a very gradual sandy slope creates gentle waves and allows swimmers to stand in shallow water far from shore.
The waters are usually clear once you’re away from the sand mixed by the waves, so it’s also a great spot to snorkel. More experienced snorkelers can head to either end of the beach to find coral reefs and colorful fish. (If you need to rent snorkel equipment, do so before coming to Hāpuna, which doesn’t have rentals on site.) Since Hāpuna Beach is part of the Hawai‘i State Park System, be aware that non-residents must pay a $5 entrance fee per person and a $10 parking fee per vehicle.
Good for: Swimming, families, snorkeling
‘Anaeho‘omalu Beach has the ocean on one side and a freshwater fishpond on the other.
Located near Puakō
‘Anaeho‘omalu Beach is another white-sand beach on Hawai‘i Island’s western shore. It offers many of the amenities you’ll need for fun on the water, such as snorkel, board, and boat rentals, as well as gentle surf that everyone can enjoy.
There’s also unique Hawaiian history here: Behind the beach is a freshwater fishpond once used by Native Hawaiians to raise mullet for food. The Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve is a short drive away and features thousands of rock carvings in the shapes of people, animals, and more. From there, head to the Buddha Point overlook to watch the sunset.
Good for: Swimming, rentals for other activities, Hawaiian cultural sites, sunsets
Hanalei Beach and Hanalei Pier at sunrise.
Located in Hanalei
Protected in circular Hanalei Bay on Kaua‘i’s north shore, this pristine white-sand beach is renowned for its idyllic scenery. Soaring peaks covered in verdant vegetation frame clear blue waters and the Hanalei Pier. Built in 1892, it was featured in the classic 1958 film South Pacific. The dramatic backdrop makes Hanalei a great spot for landscape photography.
Calm waters in summer make Hanalei a good place to swim, paddleboard, or kayak, and there are equipment rentals available. If you stay on shore, it’s also the perfect spot for a picnic with public tables and grills. If you plan to visit nearby Hā‘ena State Park, be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Good for: Beautiful scenery, photography, swimming, picnicking
Hawaiian monk seals often haul out onto Po‘ipū Beach.
Located in Kōloa
Po‘ipū Beach is unusually shaped, with 2 bays split by a sandbar sticking out to sea. The waters are usually calm, offering family-friendly swimming conditions. Offshore reefs teem with tropical fish and are a great place to snorkel. Bodyboarding is also popular here, with rentals available during the busy season.
The stars of the show at Po‘ipū are the adorable Hawaiian monk seals, often spotted dozing on the sand. These endangered animals are protected by law and it's illegal to disturb them, so it’s best to appreciate them from a distance of at least 100 feet.
Good for: Snorkeling, families, seeing monk seals
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1AAA Vacations®: Valid on new bookings made between May 23, 2024 – July 22, 2024 for travel through December 31, 2024. Minimum five-night stay at participating AAA Vacations® properties required. $100 activity voucher is nonrefundable, nontransferable, has no cash value and applies to the following destinations: Hawai‘i, Mexico, Central & South America and select Caribbean destinations. Savings not reflected in rates shown and applies to the following destinations: Continental U.S., Canada, and select cruises – $50 savings; Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, select Caribbean destinations (Anguilla, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curaçao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Martinique, St. Barts, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Martin and St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and U.S. Virgin Islands), Tahiti (French Polynesia), Fiji and Cook Islands – $100 savings. Subject to change or may be discontinued without prior notice.
