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Kauai beaches entice both residents and visitors with their beauty. Here are a few of them

Salt Pond Beach State Park – Named for the ponds used by Hawaiians for centuries to collect salt, this Kauai beach located on the island’s west shore has a large swimming area about 10 feet deep which is excellent for lap swimming. Protected by a rocky ridge, the beach also has good swimming for children in the shallower edges. When “surf’s up,” Salt Pond is also a good place for surfing and windsurfing. Swimming, Snorkeling, Body Boarding, Scuba Diving, Wind Surfing

Poipu Beach – Here’s one south coast beach that has something for the entire family, from safe swimming for kids in calm, shallow waters to snorkeling and scuba diving on a nearby lava reef populated with exciting, colorful fish. Monk seals that come to rest on the sands sometimes visit beach–goers. Extending from the Sheraton Kauai Resort to Poipu Beach Park, this popular beach on its eastern side has lifeguards on duty, showers, and picnic tables. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Body Boarding, Surfing

Kalapaki Beach – The white sands and gentle waters of Kauai’s Kalapaki Beach on the island’s east shore are ideal for sunning, swimming, and sailing. With firm sands protected by dramatic green cliffs, this destination is great for everything from building sandcastles to boogie boarding. Kalapaki Beach also is the home of the Kauai Lagoons–40 acres of freshwater tropical lagoons that serve as a sanctuary for exotic wildlife. Swimming, Body Boarding, Wind Surfing

Hanalei Bay Beach – A perfect semi–circle of white sand on shimmering tropical waters with a backdrop of 4,000–foot waterfalls that reach into the clouds is the setting for Hanalei Bay Beach–often described as not only the most beautiful Kauai beach, but also the most beautiful in Hawaii. The beach is about 125 feet wide and framed by the Waipa River to the west and the Hanalei River to the east, on Kauai’s north shore. The bottom slopes gradually down, making it a wonderful beach for youngsters, and there are large coral reefs at both ends of the bay. Swimming, Wind Surfing, Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing, Snorkeling, Skin Diving

Ke’e Beach – With a picture postcard tropical setting of coconut palms, guava, ti and ironwood trees, Ke’e Beach is located at the western end of the Na Pali Coast State Park on the north shore of Kauai. It offers what is probably the most dramatic snorkeling on the island, with multi-colored reef fish and turtles visible through the clear waters. Try this Kauai beach, with its shallow lagoon it provides great swimming, especially for families with children. Snorkeling, Swimming

Haena Beach – With its grainy yellow sand and limpid waters set off by emerald cliffs, this serpentine North Shore Kauai beach has appeared as the stereotypical tropical strand in many Hollywood films. Summer months offer excellent swimming and snorkeling. However,winter produces big waves that are fun for surfers but dangerous for everyone else. There are lots facilities available, including picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. Swimming, Surfing, Snorkeling

Secret Beach – Once known only to islanders as a “secret” nude beach for sunbathing, Secret Beach was opened to the public in 1974 although it can only be seen on land from Kilauea Point on the North Shore. This pristine and dramatic beach is accessible a half-mile west of Kilauea. There are no public facilities or lifeguards, only the bracing effects of unfettered nature. Well worth the effort to find, for those with an adventuresome spirit! Swimming, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling

Tunnels Beach – Tunnels is the superb snorkeling spot on the North Shore. The two-mile-long Kauai beach runs from Hanalei Colony Resort to Ha’ena Beach Park. The center portion has a huge half-moon shaped reef just offshore where snorkelers can encounter eels, turtles, and other colorful sea creatures. Excellent in summer, Tunnels Beach has large waves in winter that can make it dangerous to swim. No lifeguards are on duty. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving

Shipwreck Beach – Although less than ideal for swimming because of low-lying rocks, Shipwreck Beach on the South Shore is a body surfer’s heaven. This Kauai beach on Keoneloa Bay is one of the largest expanses of beach in the Poipu area. During much of the year, Shipwreck Beach is better suited for strong swimmers and surfers. This is due to the powerful and potentially dangerous waves, which break close to shore.

However, it is a great beach any time of the year to walk along, for beach combing and sunbathing. Shipwreck Beach has a Kauai County park facility at its eastern end and just beyond that is a spectacular wilderness shoreline trail that continues for miles. Swimming, Surfing, Body Surfing

Big Island beaches….more beauty in paradise.

Pauoa Beach – Imagine swimming in a warm, sleepy lagoon when suddenly jets of icy water squirt you from below. Pauoa Beach, at the Fairmont Orchid Hotel in the Mauna Lani Resort, is infused by natural freshwater springs that move beneath the ocean’s surface.

It’s located on Hawaii’s Kohala Coast, on the northwest side of the island. White sands stretch wide along the shore; rocky arms protect the lagoon. Surf may be turbulent outside, but Pauoa remains calm. This Big Island beach is a wonderful, all-purpose family best beach. Swimming; Snorkeling; Scuba diving.

Hapuna Beach – One of Hawaii’s best beaches, Hapuna is a landscaped 62–acre beach park. Swimming andother water sports are best enjoyed in summer months during calm seas. Also popular are sunbathing and other beach–related activities with picnicking and shelter lodging opportunities.

Winter surf can be rough. The beach is located on the Kohala Coast on the northwest side. Swimming; Snorkeling; Scuba; Body surfing.

Honaunau Beach – Part of the historic Pu’uhonua o Honaunao National Park, this beach offers a full range of family activities. You can swim or kayak against a backdrop of a fully restored 18th Century indigenous religious sanctuary. The sanctuary name means a “place of refuge.”

This Big Island beach is located about four miles from Kealakekua Bay on the island’s South Kona Coast. A collection of intriguing sea caves on the border of the beach is worth a kayak exploration. A family adventure! Swimming, Fishing, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Kayaking.

Kahaluu Beach Park – A snorkeler’s delight, Kahaluu Beach Park is also located on the big island’s Kona (West) Coast. Visitors can explore a colorful variety of more than 100 types of tropical fish and marine life including sea turtles.

A large coral reef both protects the lagoon and is home to these animals. A fresh water spring feeds up to 10 million gallons per day into the lagoon. This north end Hawaii beach is best for body boarding and surfing, but the waters are generally safe for children and novice snorkelers. Shady trees surround this beautiful sandy beach.

Facilities include a pavilion, rest rooms, showers, a lifeguard tower, and limited parking. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Body Boarding, Surfing.

Kaunaoa Beach – Also known as Mauna Kea, this Big Island beach in front of the Mauna Kea Hotel is bordered by a coconut grove and protected by two black-lava points. The rugged surf makes Kaunaoa a bodysurfer’s and boogie boarder’s delight.

There are no lifeguards on duty, although current water conditions (such as strong currents or high surf) are marked with signs and flags. The sandy bottom slopes gently into the bay, which often fills not only with schools of tropical fish but green sea turtles and manta rays.

Swimming is excellent year-round, except in rare winter storms. Snorkelers prefer the rocky points, where fish thrive in the surge. Facilities at this Hawaii beach include restrooms, showers, and ample parking, but there’s no lifeguard.

Although Kaunaoa is smaller than Hapuna, it is less crowded. It’s on the northwest side of the island. Swimming, Snorkeling, Body Surfing, Body Boarding.

Anaehoomalu Beach – The Big Island best beaches are along the sunny Kohala Coast, where you’ll find Anaehoomalu Beach. Backed by hundreds of palm trees, This “salt and pepper” beach gradually slopes from shallow to deeper waters–making excellent conditions for swimming, snorkeling, diving, wind surfing and kayaking. At one end of the bay is a sea turtle cleaning station, where these endangered animals gather to be cleaned by small fish. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and parking but there is no lifeguard. Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Wind Surfing.

Oahu beaches are numerous. Here are some of the best….

Kailua Beach – Among the 139 Oahu beaches on 125 miles of sandy shoreline, Kailua Beach is generally considered the best all–around beach offering a variety of activities from swimming to sailing and surfing. The beach forms a roughly two-mile arc of pristine yellow sand with Kailua Beach Park at its southern tip located at the foot of the Koolau Mountains on the eastern side of the island where trade winds keep the coast cool most of the year. Less crowded than some other Oahu beaches, Kailua has it all–including year–round water temperatures of 75 degrees F. to 80 degrees F. (Swimming; Surfing; Wind Surfing; Body Surfing; Sailing; Kayaking)

Ala Moana Beach Park – An oasis of serenity sandwiched between the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki, Ala Moana (“path to the sea” is an ideal place for families to relax, swim, picnic and play in a protected environment. This Oahu beach is located on the south shore, known for its many fine beaches for families. A reef that acts as a wave break protects the lagoon area, and the waters are warm and inviting. There’s also a deeper swimming channel, and an adjacent park includes softball fields, tennis courts and picnic areas. (Swimming, Snorkeling)

Lanikai Beach – The idyllic setting of Lanikai’s shimmering wide beach, gin-clear waters and gentle palm trees make it universally popular with islanders as well as visitors. This mile-long bit of paradise on the east side of Oahu–easily accessible from Waikiki–is protected by the twin bird sanctuaries of the Mokulua Islands and affords an excellent spot for a variety of fun activities from sun bathing to photography–as well as swimming for the entire family. (Swimming; Snorkeling; Surfing; Wind surfing; Kayaking; Sailing).

Hanauma Bay Beach – Located on the eastern end of the island near Hawaii Kai on the South Shore. Hanauma Bay Beach encircles the crater of an inactive volcano where an abundance of fish and marine life–as well as coral. This is a diver’s and snorkeler’s paradise. It’s also one of the most popular of Oahu’s beaches for swimming. Restrictions on use were enacted to protect the beach and marine life at this unique site, so early arrival is best. (Swimming; Snorkeling;).

Waikiki Beach – Celebrated in popular music, this beach is definitely where the action is! A two-mile beach between the bustle of Honolulu and Diamond Head on the South Shore, Waikiki is the meeting place for some 4 million visitors each year. The gentle waves offer beginning surfers a good place to practice, and there are many other activities including everything from boogie boarding to paddle boats. Food and drink are available all along this two-mile beach. (Swimming; Snorkeling; Surfing; Body boarding; Kayaking; Outrigger canoeing).

Waimea Beach – A seasonal beach on the island’s north coast, Waimea offers spectacular sport surfing in the winter and calmer swimming waters in the summer months. Waimea Beach is known worldwide for its 30-foot high winter waves that draw some of the best international surfers while the less daring and skilled watch safely from the beach. The sands of this one-third-mile-long beach also shift seasonally from west to east. A large rock outcropping also serves as a point where local youths dive. (Surfing; Wind Surfing; Body Surfing; Snorkeling).

Ehukai Beach (“Pipeline”) – Perhaps “going down the tube” originated at this famous beach at Pupukea on the North Shore. Home of the Banzai Pipeline, down which skilled surfers ride when the surf is “cranking,” Ehukai Beach was featured in the 1950s film, “Surf Safari.” These huge and powerful waves can appear in a flash and break violently on the shallow reef so extreme caution is urged in riding these breakers. In summer months, the beach is tamer and fine for swimming. (Surfing; Swimming).

Sunset Beach – Just a mile north of Ehukai Beach Park, this Oahu beach is also popular with surfers. It offers many of the thrills of Ehukai but with somewhat smaller waves. In winter, the surf produces 10-foot-high waves making it a perfect location for the World Surfing Cup. During the summer, the 200-foot-wide beach is popular with swimmers and bodysurfers. (Swimming; Body surfing).

Sandy Beach – It’s another famous Oahu beach. It is known as one of the world’s best body surfing and body boarding beaches. And it’s known locally for its high proportion of rescues by Honolulu lifeguards, ambulance calls and injuries. When the surf is up, unless you’re an expert it’s best to stay out of the water. Enjoy the year-round trade winds that have made this beach popular for kite flying.(Body surfing; Body boarding).

Makapu’u Beach – For body surfing, paipo and body boarding, Makapu’u is one of the very best beaches in Hawaii. Located on the East Shore, this Oahu beach is subject to high winds and waves in winter months that can produce shore breaks and undertows. In the summer, the surf is calmer and recreational swimming is safer, but it’s advisable to ask lifeguards about any hazardous conditions. Adjacent to Makapu’u Beach Park is Kaupo Beach Park, where even calmer waters draw snorkelers and novice divers. (Body boarding; Body surfing; Scuba Diving; Snorkeling).

Hawaii’s best beaches are many and varied. Each island has its own unique beauty. And on each island, the beaches vary in shape, size, sand color and texture, as well as in sea conditions and surf.

Some are more popular with locals, others more popular with tourists. Some more remote, some easily accessible. Some best for swimming or snorkeling. Others best for surfing–boards, boogie boards or bodies. You will find great diversity among beaches and locations.

Whether you are seeking a little fun in the sun, or a place for serious surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving or other water sports, the islands offer many varied opportunities. Don’t be afraid to try something new. Make time for surfing, rent a kayak or go snorkeling. Most outfitters offer lessons in one activity or another.

On the next posts you will find a list of Hawaii’s best beaches (Oahu Beaches, Maui Beaches, Big Island Beaches, Kauai Beaches). We had to limit the number of beaches, so the list is in no way complete. (Oahu, for instance has 139 beaches!) You will find an overview of some of the best beaches on the four main islands. In addition to a description of each beach, you will find a concise list of activities that are suitable for that particular beach.

It’s important to remember that every beach is subject to the forces of the sea. Keep in mind that wind and sea conditions can change rapidly. Some areas are appropriate for swimming in the summer, but dangerous in the winter. Always check with hotel staff, lifeguards or other locals who are familiar with water and wind conditions before you head to the beach.

Here are a few basic rules everyone should follow:

• If the seas are not calm, you probably shouldn’t go in the water.
• If you notice any type of rip current, you probably shouldn’t go in the water.
• If you are not a strong swimmer, don’t go in the water except at beaches that have lifeguards.
• Observe ocean conditions carefully before you enter the water.
• Don’t let small children play in the water unsupervised.
• Respect the ocean. It is a powerful force, and its strength should never be underestimated.

Enjoy Hawaii’s best beaches!

Hawaii’s Beaches

• Oahu Beaches
• Maui Beaches
• Big Island Beaches
• Kauai Beaches