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Travelers go to Hawaii to enjoy the beaches there. Sure, there are plenty of other activities to engage in during your stay in Hawaii but it’s not likely that you go there without a plan to take advantage of the great opportunity available to enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Whether you want to lay out on the sand and soak up the sun rays or get out on the water and ride some of the largest waves in the ocean, there is a beach in Hawaii that will be the perfect place for making your vacation wonderful.

The problem is that there are so many different beaches in Hawaii to choose from that you might not know how to find the right beach. Each different beach on each of the various Hawaiian Islands will differ in what it can offer to the traveler. You’ll certainly like almost any beach in Hawaii that you end up going to but you don’t want to just “like” the beach, you want to love it. In the following paragraphs you’ll find more in-depth information about the best beaches in Hawaii so that you can make a more educated decision about which parts of Hawaii to make the focus of your trip.

Best Beaches in Hawaii for Swimming

Lanikai Beach, Oahu. There aren’t too many beaches in Hawaii that are truly ideal for swimming since most of them have waves that make them more conducive to sports on the water than just leisurely swimming. That’s not the case with Lanikai Beach which is considered the best beach in Hawaii for people who want swimming to be the focus of their stay. It’s possible to enjoy other activities on the water here; kayaking, windsurfing and sailing are all popular ways to spend the time at Lanikai Beach. There’s also a great stretch of sand for the individual who just wants to lay out and soak up the sun’s rays. However, there are other beaches where you might enjoy those activities more than you will here …. But there is not another beach in Hawaii that is better for swimming.

Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island. This is another of the beaches where you can enjoy multiple different water activities but you’ll really enjoy the swimming. It’s popular with snorkelers and people on kickboards but the majority of people in the water here are just enjoying a basic day of swimming in Hawaii.

Best Beaches in Hawaii for Surfing

Banzai Pipeline, Oahu. If you’re an experienced surfer, you probably already know about this beach in Hawaii where many excellent surfers come to compete at showing off their skills. It’s a great place to challenge your own surfing abilities or to watch people with more experience do some really amazing tricks in the water.

Maili Point, Oahu. For less experienced surfers, this beach on Oahu’s west side is a better bet. The waves are still good but they are not overwhelming. There are places here which will offer lessons to new surfers but it’s also possible for the surfer with moderate experience to really enjoy spending time in the water here.

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Waikiki Beach, Oahu. If you’re with a group of people that has a more diverse skills set, the best happy medium beach is this one. There are some amazing twenty foot waves here during the best part of the season but it’s not a place that requires you to be an expert surfer to enjoy the water. The downside to this beach is that it’s one of the most heavily-populated surfing areas in Hawaii but if you don’t mind spending time with others on your vacation then you’ll find it to be a great place.

Best Beach in Hawaii for Boating

Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai. This beach is arguably the best beach in Hawaii for a lot of different activities. The waterfalls and white sand make it a great beach for romance and a terrific place to take great beach photos. The easy waves of the bay make it a popular place amongst surfers. But in terms of all of the beaches in Hawaii where boating can be enjoyed, this is the hot spot. There’s a public boat ramp here and people frequently use it to launch into the bay where they’ll do some fishing off of their boats.

Best Beaches in Hawaii for Families

Black Rock Beach, Maui. This is a favorite beach for families because of all of the different types of activities that can be enjoyed here. Families that are interested in tours that include adventures like scuba diving will find that this is a good place to book them. There is extensive tourist and souvenir shopping in the surrounding area. There’s a great beach to just hang out on. And the water is good for swimming as well as for surfing. If you’re in Hawaii with a multi-generational group and need to meet the needs of everybody there, you’ll find this beach to be your best bet.

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Kapalua Bay Beach, Maui. Families that are specifically traveling with young children will discover that this beach (also on the island of Maui) is the best beach to put on the Hawaiian itinerary. The water here is calm, the sand is soft and the beach is safe. Young kids will be able to swim safely here (supervised by parents of course) and everyone will be able to have a good time.

Poipu Beach, Kauai. Families don’t have to stick to Maui to enjoy a great beach. This one is terrific because it offers a safe, calm swimming area for the younger kids but it also has the opportunity to enjoy snorkeling and sun tanning. One of the favorite things for kids spending time at this beach is that the seals here often come right up near the shore, something that’s exciting for people of all ages to see.

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Best Beaches in Hawaii for Romance

Ke’e Beach Park, Kauai. If you’re seeking out the romance in Hawaii then you probably want to find the beach with the most tropical feel to it. That’s this beach. There is a reef lagoon where you and your sweetie can go snorkeling. There’s a great stretch of sand for walking hand-in-hand with someone else. And it’s one of the best beaches in Hawaii for watching the sunset together.

Hulopoe Beach, Lanai. You may have heard about this island a long time ago when it was called “Pineapple Island” due to the fact that Dole Pineapple Company was headquartered here. However, the company has moved out and a lot of the tourism in the area went with it. The beach there is still strikingly beautiful; there are just a lot less people who bother to travel to this part of Hawaii now. Because of that, it’s a place which is highly conducive to romance. It’s one of the rare spots where you might even get a chance to be alone with your darling.

Best Beaches in Hawaii for Culture and History

Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, Kona, Big Island. This historic village will allow you to experience some of what Hawaii used to be like before it was a big tourist attraction. Walking along the hiking trail here will give you an in-depth exploration of that history but you can also just enjoy the beach and the lava remains here.

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Lapakahi State Historical Park Beach, Hawaii. Tourists go here to learn about the history of Hawaii through tours that are given on the beach. There are several archaeological and marine preservation points of interest so you’ll find that there is plenty to see here. There are also opportunities to enjoy swimming and snorkeling in the area so you won’t be limited to a wholly educational experience during your stay here.

Finding the Best Beaches in Hawaii

These are just a smattering of the best beaches in Hawaii. You may find that there are other beaches which you like better for various activities. Don’t be afraid to just sample the different beaches throughout the islands in order to find the one that really captures your heart and makes you want to return to Hawaii again and again.

Tags: beaches | Hawaii | Kauai | Lanai | Maui | Oahu | Surfing | United States