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From popular surfing spots to nature preserves, Hawaii's beaches offer a diversity of experiences found in few other destinations on the planet. Plus, they're all open to the public by state law, so visitors can enjoy them responsibly, too. Here are the 10 best beaches in Hawaii for 2023, according to readers.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 10: Lanikai Beach - Oahu
Set on Oahu's windward coast, this gorgeous beach – often considered one of the best in the world – offers incredible waters and the picturesque presence of two small, offshore islands. About a half-mile long, the beach varies in width, although its entire stretch provides soft sands and beautiful vistas out towards the ocean and of the Koolau Range. The beach is protected by an offshore reef, making the waters calm on this quiet stretch of coastline.
Photo courtesy of iStock / VickyRu
No. 9: Ko Olina Beach - Oahu
On the leeward coast of Oahu, Ko Olina Beach comprises four human-made lagoons protected by offshore reefs. Calm waters, in addition to the presence of resorts like Disney's Aulani and the Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club, make it a popular choice with families. The beach park offers free parking, as well as restrooms and showers, even for beachgoers who aren't staying at one of the Ko Olina resorts.
Photo courtesy of E+ / THEPALMER
No. 8: Kailua Beach - Oahu
Perched on the windy eastern shore of Oahu, Kailua Beach is a popular getaway for Honolulu residents, offering calm waters and more than two miles of shoreline to enjoy. It's a particularly stunning sunrise destination during early morning, while the barbecue grills and beach showers make it a top spot for a family outing throughout the day.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Tenedos
No. 7: Hanauma Bay - Oahu
At Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in east Oahu, visitors can swim up close to Hawaii's state fish: the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, the reef triggerfish. The former volcanic crater is not only home to the humuhumu, but 450 additional fish species, as well as octopuses, crabs and eels, darting in and out of big coral reefs.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Maridav
No. 6: Waikiki Beach - Oahu
Countless songs, poems and films have been dedicated to the beauty of Waikiki Beach, a world-renowned destination located just outside downtown Honolulu. Visitors flock here to enjoy the warm water and sun, followed by a trip to one of the neighborhood's luxury resorts for a mai tai bathed in the golden glow of sunset. For outdoor adventure aficionados, Waikiki Beach has been an iconic surfing spot for decades, with the legendary Duke Kahanamoku bringing the activity to worldwide prominence during the early 1900s.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 5: Big Beach - Maui
Makena Beach State Park on the southwestern coast of Maui is home to Makena Beach, or Big Beach as locals call it, with golden sands stretching for nearly two thirds of a mile. One of the island's longest beaches, Makena Beach is vast enough that it never feels crowded, and there's hardly a bit of development in sight.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 4: Hapuna Beach - Big Island
Located on Big Island's Kohala Coast, Hapuna Beach is one of the largest white sand beaches on the island. The half-mile crescent of powdery, soft sand and crystal blue waters ranks among the island's top spots for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing, and come sundown, the beach fills with onlookers hoping to see the "green flash" of a Hawaiian sunset.
Photo courtesy of Kaua'i Visitors Bureau
No. 3: Poipu Beach - Kauai
A series of three crescents on the south coast of Kauai make up Poipu Beach. It offers a little bit for everyone with a variety of water activities to enjoy when not watching palm trees sway from the comfort of your beach towel. Surf closer to the rocky outcroppings and find calmer waters mid-crescent. Shallow water and lifeguards make swimming a dream.
Photo courtesy of iStock / YinYang
No. 2: Hanalei Bay Beach - Kauai
An uber-popular surfing and sunbathing destination, Hanalei Bay Beach is quite possibly the best-known beach on all of Kauai. Though the area has earned widespread acclaim for its powdery sand and ample waves, it's also framed by towering mountains far in the distance, making it a particularly charming destination for a photoshoot.
Photo courtesy of iStock / ejs9
No. 1: Kaanapali Beach - Maui
West Maui is renowned for its abundant natural beauty, and Kaanapali Beach is no exception. Kayakers and snorkelers flock to its sparkling shores on sunny days, while wildlife lovers can spot sea turtles bobbing along the surf from afar. As an added bonus, the beach is packed full of dazzling resorts, offering incredible drinking and dining opportunities after a day of relaxing on the sand.
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The Experts
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and professional storyteller, she has covered topics that include wild Tahitian getaways; Sicilian wine trails, delectable Hawaiian food trends and luxury beachfront resorts. Her articles have appeared in numerous publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Leila Najafi
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and... Read More
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. Leila has bylines in Barron's, Travel + Leisure, InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, Thrillist, and 10Best.com by USA Today. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @LeilasList. www.leilanajafi.com
Leila Najafi
Leila Najafi is an LA-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. Leila has bylines in Barron's, Travel + Leisure, InStyle, Conde Nast Traveler, Thrillist, and 10Best.com by USA Today. Follow her on Instagram and TikTok at @LeilasList. www.leilanajafi.com
Robin Raven
Robin Raven is an author and journalist who covers... Read More
Robin Raven is an author and journalist who covers such topics as travel, culture, and vegan dining. Her work can be seen in The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, Reader’s Digest, and many other publications. Robin is the author of Santa's First Vegan Christmas, The Kindness Workbook: An Interactive Guide for Creating Compassion in Yourself and the World, and The Little Book of Self-Soothing. She also blogs about travel and life at Robin Raving.
Robin Raven
Robin Raven is an author and journalist who covers such topics as travel, culture, and vegan dining. Her work can be seen in The Washington Post, Travel + Leisure, Reader’s Digest, and many other publications. Robin is the author of Santa's First Vegan Christmas, The Kindness Workbook: An Interactive Guide for Creating Compassion in Yourself and the World, and The Little Book of Self-Soothing. She also blogs about travel and life at Robin Raving.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea... Read More
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic and never-ending drought, there’s not much about California she doesn’t love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels or at www.theinspiredtraveler.com.
Wendy O'Dea
Born and raised in western New York, Wendy O’Dea moved to L.A. to attend the USC graduate School of Journalism and stayed for the innovative and creative lifestyle the city offers. Other than the traffic and never-ending drought, there’s not much about California she doesn’t love. You can track her gallivanting ways on Instagram via @WendyTravels or at www.theinspiredtraveler.com.