Beaches in Hawaii

Articles on this page

• Paiko Lagoon Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park

  Hawaii Kai, Oahu

  Kuli'ou'ou Beach Park is a beautiful neighborhood park next to the peaceful Paiko Lagoon, which is a wildlife sanctuary. Located near Hawaii Kai in south Oahu, the park offers beautiful views and lots of water and land activities. AT A GLANCE: HIGHLIGHTS: Since it is a lagoon, the water is very calm and perfect for swimming, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding. You'll often see families with young children here, as the park is

• Ko Olina Beach and Lagoons

  Ko Olina, Oahu

  Located on the warm dry leeward side of the island of Oahu, four sheltered Ko Olina Lagoons form a picture-perfect vacation paradise. Historically an oceanside retreat of choice of Hawaiian royalty, this well-designed 642-acre resort area is now home to several large hotels including the Disney Aulani and upscale vacation condominiums. Picturesque and charming, the lagoons provide calm sheltered ocean access. Easily accessible from Honolulu via H-3, Ko Olina is a great place to get away

• Waimanalo Bay Beach Park

  Waimanalo, Oahu

  Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is a family-style county beach park in the center of Waimanalo Bay, also nicknamed "Sherwood's" by locals. With sand like soft white powdered sugar, shady ironwood forest backing the beach, and regular cooling on-shore breezes this park is a Windward side favorite, yet only 35-minute drive from Honolulu, and well worth the trip. Visitors to Sandy Beach or Makapu'u Beach Parks are often directed to this beach when swimming conditions are too hazardous e

• Larsen's Beach

  Kilauea, Kauai

  A jewel of a beach, "Larsen's" is only accessible by a of a mile trail that winds through lowland coastal forest delivering you to oceanfront paradise like a modern day cast-away. An outer reef breaks up big surf, creating smaller waves that lap gently onto the beach. The mixture of wave sounds, and wind rustling in the shade trees lining the beachfront makes this a very restful North Shore destination. HIGHLIGHTS: A very remote access beach, with a beauti

• Laie Beach Park aka Pounders Beach

  Laie, Oahu

  White-sand, turquoise water, ample shade, year-round waves, and a picturesque setting make this beach a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Laie Beach Park is commonly known as Pounders Beach because of the pounding shorebreak found here during most times of the year. AT A GLANCE: HIGHLIGHTS: Year-round surf, calm areas for swimming, cliffs for fishing, open grassy space for ball games, and plenty of shade and picnic tables

• North Beach

  Kaneohe, Oahu

  Despite the epic, world-famous surf breaks that Oahu boasts, the windward side of the island has a serious lack of good surf spots. Because of this, North Beach is a rare treasure an exquisitely beautiful, postcard-perfect beach with consistently awesome waves. The only downside it is located off of the military base in Kaneohe, so is impossible to access unless you have military clearance or know someone who does and is willing to take you on a beach trip.

• Kekaha Beach Park aka MacArthur Park

  Waimea, Kauai

  This beach park is the furthest western facing county lifeguard post on Kauai.The soft fine sands of this beach are easy to reach, and an infinite blue ocean view reveals the distant island of Ni'ihau appearing as a sliver on the horizon. This a great place to lounge on the beach when escaping to the balmy, sunny, and warm West Side or Kaua'i.AT A GLANCE:HIGHLIGHTS: Calmest ocean access on the West shore of Kauai. Convenient par

• Maunalua Bay

  Hawaii Kai, Oahu

  Aptly named, Maunalua (meaning two mountains) is located along a beautiful stretch of southeastern Oahu coast in-between Diamond Head and Koko Head. This bay is a watersport lover's dream, offering wide-open space, epic views, and perfect conditions for paddling, fishing, and sailing. AT A GLANCE: HIGHLIGHTS: Conveniently located just off of Hawaii Kai Drive, Maunalua Bay is hugely expansive with large grassy areas, several park

• Ka'anapali Beach

  Kaanapali, Maui

  The largest and longest resort area beach on island, Maui's Ka'anapali region is famous for its beautiful azure seas and soft light sand. Each resort is a world unto itself, each offering visitors many options for activities and refreshments all along the popular beachfront paved walkway that stretches the full length of this beach. The hustle and bustle of the oceanfront is more reminiscent of Waikiki than the Old Hawaii feel of the beach parks further north.This be

• Tracks Beach Park

  Ko Olina, Oahu

  While not in the prettiest area (across from a busy highway and a power plant), Tracks Beach Park is gorgeous and relatively quiet with crystal clear, turquoise water. The beach is on a downward slant with lots of trees and bushes at the top, which provides both shade and a sort of "barrier" from everything on the other side. Bonus the furry members of your family are welcome here, as well! When your dog is tired of having to stay at home, this is the place to go.&lt