It’s no secret that Hawaii is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether you want to swim in the ocean, surf, snorkel, or relax in the sun, Hawaii has a beach for it all. Hawaii is best known for its rich culture, beautiful views, perfect weather, and award-winning waves. When planning your next trip to the beautiful islands, make sure to include visits to some of the world’s most popular beaches. 

Hawaii has a wide variety of beaches, which can sometimes make it difficult to decide which ones to visit. Someone could live on the islands their entire life and still not visit all of them! Continue reading for a list of Hawaii’s most popular beaches along with the perfect activities to participate in at each one. 

Makena Beach

Makena Beach is Maui’s top-rated beach for travelers. It’s a wide and spacious beach that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. During the day, food trucks will line up along the beach to bring its visitors a wide variety of Hawaiian cuisine. This beach is popular for beautiful views and calm waters but is never too crowded. Makena Beach is very versatile, which makes it perfect for travelers with many different interests and activity levels. 

Waikiki Beach

The world-famous Waikiki Beach should definitely be on your bucket list if you find yourself on the island of Oahu. Known for its award-winning waves and central location, Waikiki Beach is a perfect stop for tourists and locals alike. This beach is near world-class shopping and high-end restaurants, so there is never a lack of activities to do. 

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is an exclusive beach located on the island of Oahu. Popular around the locals, this beach is referred to as “heavenly beach” because of its beautiful sand and jaw-dropping sunrises. Be sure to get there early to see the sunrise over the tranquil ocean waters!

Ko Olina Beach

Ko Olina Beach is located on the island of Oahu near Disney’s Aulani resort. This location is perfect for kids because it has plenty of shallow water to play in. Multiple lagoons fill the area, which is ideal for snorkeling and swimming. Ko Olina Beach is the perfect location for families with young children or anyone just looking to relax in the beautiful lagoons. 

Hanalei Bay

Hanalei Bay is a huge beach in Kauai, spanning around 2 miles long. This beach is known for its calm waters - perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities. The 1958 movie, South Pacific, was filmed on this stunning beach. 

Poipu Beach Park

Poipu Beach was named one of the best beaches in America by the Travel Channel. This Kauai beach is extremely family-friendly and is full of fun activities to do throughout the day such as snorkeling, shopping, and scuba diving. 

Kapalua Bay

Kapalua Bay is known as one of the best places for water sports in Maui. This beautiful beach is perfect for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and anything else you can think of. Stay and play all day at Kapalua Bay and make sure to make it back before dark, because this beach is known for gorgeous sunsets every night. 

Papaohaku Beach

Papaohaku Beach is one of Hawaii’s largest white-sand beaches. The beautiful sand along with the crystal clear water makes this location perfect for spending a relaxing day on the beach. Papaohaku Beach is one of Hawaii’s less popular beaches, meaning that you may have a good chance of having the entire beach to yourselves on any given day. 

Waimea Bay Beach Park

Waimea Bay Beach is known for its massive waves and world-renowned surfing competitions. Oahu is home to this popular beach. Make sure to stop by this location to see some good surfing and maybe try to catch a wave yourself!

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Punalu’u Beach has black sand created by lava flowing into the ocean. This beach definitely should not be missed! Get a stunning picture of the striking black sand and possibly spot a sea turtle basking in the sun.

Hawaii is full of tons of versatile beaches, making it the perfect vacation spot. There is a beach for any type of water activity imaginable in the beautiful islands of Hawaii. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to all the beaches on your bucket list because Hawaii’s beaches will be open and waiting for you all year long. 

Ready to ditch the cold weather and make a visit to Hawaii? Visit Acanela’s website and book today for an all-inclusive expedition to the Hawaiian Islands! On this trip, you will immerse yourself in Hawaii’s rich culture, relax on the beach, explore the stunning Hawaiian mountains, and visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. This is the perfect vacation with a mixture of adventure, relaxation, and exploration. Book today with Acanela Expeditions!

Post written by Abby Kimball