Located on Wailua Bay along Kauai’s eastern shore, Wailua Beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand about 1/2-mile long and up to 100 feet wide. This windward beach is part of Wailua River State Park and includes the river mouth of the huge Wailua River. There is no protective reef offshore and the beach […]
Also called Kawailoa Beach and sometimes Kauai Beach, this two-mile stretch of white sand beach is the longest beach on the east shore of Kauai. The nearshore waters are shallow and somewhat rocky providing only fair swimming. Snorkeling and scuba diving can be excellent when the water is calm. Fishing is also good in this […]
A very safe and protected east shore beach, Lydgate Beach is nice for families with kids. With nice swimming and snorkeling areas as well as a wonderful community playground nearby, Lydgate is one of Kauai’s most popular beach parks. The long, white sand beach features a large protected area which is the result of the […]
This sparkling white sand beach located along Hwy. 56 in Kapaa on Kauai’s eastern shore is popular among local surfers and bodyboarders though the conditions can be challenging for beginners. Kealia Beach is about 1/2-mile long and about 150 feet wide, providing lots of room for relaxing and sunbathing. The north end of the beach […]
This lovely crescent of white sand slopes gently into the water making it a great swimming beach that is well visited by locals as well as tourists. About 1/3-mile long and quite wide, Kalapaki Beach fronts the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club and is located in a somewhat protected cove that opens to Nawiliwili […]
A lovely and secluded east shore beach, Donkey Beach requires about a ten-minute walk from the parking lot to reach the water. The shoreline is rocky in areas with one very nice stretch of sand, and trees line the beach providing plenty of places to relax. While Donkey Beach is great for sunbathing and relaxing, […]
A protective offshore reef makes Anahola Beach good for swimming except during times of high surf. The white sandy beach is about .5 miles long and surrounded by ironwood trees that provide plenty of shady areas for relaxing. The reef provides good snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities and the nearshore waters have some good pockets […]
This small beach on east Molokai is partially protected by an offshore reef which provides good snorkeling and diving as well as nice swimming when the sea is calm. The ease of entry into the sea and the gentle water make Sandy Beach popular with families that have small children. Currents may run near the […]
Pukoo Beach consists of two beaches with the one on the east having clear blue water and a sandy seafloor, while the water at the western beach is sometimes a bit cloudy. A coral reef offshore provides good snorkeling opportunities. Great For Swimming and snorkeling are good here when the sea is calm. Highlights Scenic […]
Though it has less sand than nearby Honouli Maloo, Honouli Wai Bay also provides some good swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Located along Hwy. 450 in eastern Molokai, this small sandy beach can be great for snorkeling when the water is calm. Great For Swimming, diving, and snorkeling when the water is calm. Windsurfing and kitesurfing […]
This partially protected bay on Molokai’s eastern coastline provides a nice sandy beach that is good for snorkeling and swimming. Honouli Maloo Bay is located between Sandy Beach and Murphy’s Beach and is known as a good surfing beach. Great For Snorkeling, swimming, surfing, and diving are good here but only when the ocean is […]
An offshore reef provides protection for this coconut palm-lined beach along Molokai’s eastern coastline. The shallow and crystal clear nearshore waters are nice for wading, snorkeling and swimming when the sea is calm but should be should not be entered during times of high surf. The beach is sandy with some rocky areas. Great For […]
The two nice swimming beaches called Kawili (on the right) and Kamalaea (on the left) are located in Halawa Bay along Molokai’s eastern shore. While Kawili is a bit rocky and more exposed, Kamaalaea is a pleasant curving beach with fine white sand (Halawa means “Curve”) that gently slopes into the sea. Halawa Beach Park […]
This east Lanai beach is not a great swimming beach due to its shallow and rocky ocean bottom though there are a few pockets of sand that allow you to enjoy the water. Most visitors to Naha are fishermen, and indeed this area was once the site of a fishing village. Also located at Naha […]
This remote northeast Lanai beach is six miles long and protected by a wide offshore reef that is one of Hawaii’s longest fringing reefs. Keomuku Beach is very remote and secluded and is actually a series of cobblestone and black sand beaches with clear blue water. The beaches are mostly rocky though there are some […]
This long, winding beach on east Lanai is frequented by local fishermen though it is not a great swimming beach because of the shallow, rocky ocean floor. The sand includes a mixture of coral rubble. Kiawe trees overhanging the right side of the beach provide some shade. Great For Fishing, sunbathing, beachcombing, exploring. Highlights Kahemano […]
Warning: This beach is dangerous! The trail has eroded and just getting to the beach is difficult. A Maui landmark, Red Sand Beach provides scenic views as well as uniquely red sand that comes from the erosion of the cinder cone surrounding the bay. Some areas of the beach are somewhat protected by lava formations […]
Shaped like a half-moon, Hamoa Beach is about 900 feet long and 100 feet wide with gray sand comprised of a mix of coral and lava. This flawless beach is surrounded by tropical growth and 30-foot high black lava sea cliffs with nice views of the palm-topped seabird sanctuary offshore which is known as Alau […]
Located along the Hana Highway just a few miles before Hana town, Waianapanapa State Park encompasses about 120 acres along Maui’s eastern shore. The beach is comprised of small black pebbles. The grassy area set above the sea is wonderful for a scenic picnic along the coastline of low black lava cliffs amidst tropical flora, […]
Set in a 60-acre basin within the landmark Koko Crater in eastern Oahu is a lovely botanical garden featuring a dryland collection of plants that is a model of xeriscape concepts supporting a drought-tolerant landscape in tune with the surrounding environment. Koko Head is known geologically as a tuff cone and forms the south-west side […]
Malaekahana State Recreation Area The beach at Malaekahana is a mile-long crescent of sand bordering relatively well-protected ocean waters that are good for swimming when the surf is not too large. This is also a good beach for surfing and bodyboarding. Three campgrounds at Malaekahana are surrounded by pine trees and have camping facilities including […]
This is a lovely, scenic beach between Laie and Kalani Points with fairly calm water when the surf is not too large. However, there isn’t much shade at this beach. The beach is located at the town of Laie on Oahu’s northeastern coast and most of the visitors to this beach are students of Brigham […]
Though the seafloor is mostly coral reef, the protection of the reef makes this is a good swimming beach unless the surf is large. A nice sandy offshore area can be found just to the left of the beach access path. Trees along the shore provide shady areas. Great For Swimming, sunbathing, relaxing in the […]
Benefitting from the protection of an offshore reef, Punaluu Beach Park provides calm waters that are good for swimming as long as the ocean waves are not too big. This is not such a good beach for snorkeling, and during the winter the beach becomes quite narrow due to large surf. Great For Swimming, snorkeling, […]
Situated on the 150-acre peninsula of Kualoa Point on the north side of Kualoa Bay, this is great for swimming when the surf is not too large. Rising above this very scenic beach is the cliff called Paliku, which means “Vertical cliff,” and the beach has great views of the Koolau mountains. Kualoa is a […]
35 acre Kailua Beach Park is one of Oahu’s nicest beaches
Great Snorkeling for Kids
This popular east side park is a great swimming beach protected by an offshore reef and a great sunbathing beach with soft, white sand. The shallow water and consistent shore break are often utilized by beginner surfers and bodyboarders. Bellows Field Beach Park usually provides calm water conditions unless the ocean waves are large. This […]
This classic Hawaiian beach on Oahu’s eastern shore is a great place for a long beach walk along Waimanalo Bay followed by a swim in the mostly protected, turquoise waters. Waimanalo Bay is Oahu’s longest beach stretching for more than 5 miles along the windward shore from Wailea Point to Makapuu, and with great views […]
Set beneath the stunning Koolau mountain range, Waimanalo Beach Park is a long, sandy beach with relatively calm water unless the ocean waves are large. Ironwood trees provide some shady areas. Waimanalo Beach Park is just one of three prominent beaches on Waimanalo Bay. The other two are Bellows Field Beach Park and Waimanalo Bay […]
This is a lovely golden-sand beach on Oahu’s easternmost point is about 1,000 feet long and is backed by black Koolau cliffs, Makapuu has a classic natural Hawaiian beauty that has been displayed in such shows as Hawaii Five-O and Magnum, P.I. However, swimming is only recommended when the water is very calm. Offshore of […]
Sandy Beach is a popular beach that is about 1,200 feet long and is great for getting away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki and laying out on the golden sands. A wide and expansive beach, Sandys is nice for swimming when the waves are very small, but most often there is a pounding […]