The best beaches in Hawaii
The top 3 according to 29 votes from people: Lanikai Beach (Oahu) · Kailua Beach Park (Oahu) · Kapalua Bay (Maui). (Updated Mar 7, 2025.)
Island by island, the Hawaiian beaches that travel guides and visitors rate highest.
Top 10
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1
Lanikai Beach (Oahu)
Powder-white sand facing the Mokulua islands, often called one of the world's best.
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2
Kailua Beach Park (Oahu)
Long windward beach, popular for kayaking and kitesurfing.
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3
Kapalua Bay (Maui)
Sheltered crescent bay for snorkelling.
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4
Kaanapali Beach (Maui)
Resort beach with Black Rock cliff-diving ceremony at sunset.
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5
Poipu Beach (Kauai)
Sunny south-shore beach where monk seals often rest.
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6
Hapuna Beach (Big Island)
Wide white-sand beach on the Kohala Coast.
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7
Punaluu Black Sand Beach (Big Island)
Black-sand beach where green sea turtles bask.
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8
Hanalei Bay (Kauai)
Two-mile crescent beneath green mountains.
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9
Waimea Bay (Oahu)
Calm summer swimming and giant winter surf on the North Shore.
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10
Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach (Maui)
Black sand and sea caves on the Road to Hana.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
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11
Kua Bay (Big Island)
Turquoise water and white sand between lava fields.
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12
Ke'e Beach (Kauai)
End of the road on the North Shore, start of the Kalalau Trail.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (1)
Lanikai at sunrise, the most beautiful beach I've ever seen.