Hawaii Beaches

What A Difference a Vacation Makes...

By Nia Peters

Hawaii is home to some of the finest beaches in the world. Most probably you have heard of Waikiki Beach, Waimea Bay, Hana Bay, Hanalei Bay and Poipu Beach. This is just a sample of the glorious collection of beaches you can visit in Hawaii. In this article I will reveal some outstanding beaches in Hawaii, so when you come and visit the islands, you will already be familiar with them and know where you can find a good place for Hawaii surfing, or just to relax.

No matter what water activities you are interested in – swimming, snorkeling, surfing, bodyboarding, scuba diving, parasailing, windsurfing or canoeing – Hawaii can accommodate. With its warm water temperature year-round, it is always fun to play in the water on any one of the Hawaiian Islands.

Beaches on Oahu Waikiki Beach: Waikiki Beach is Hawaii’s most popular and visited beach. It is located on the southern part of the island of Oahu and has a two-mile long beachside promenade, where you can go on a relaxing stroll. Across the beach are many hotels, restaurants, gift shops and beach bars. At the eastern side of the beach, right at the foothills of the well-known volcanic mountain Diamond Head, there is a large and beautiful oceanfront park called Kapiolani Park.

Ala Moana Beach Park: Ala Moana Beach Park, located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, is a favorite beach among local Oahu residents. Often times less crowded than Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana is a great place to swim, picnic, stroll on the beach or to relax.

The beach is over half a mile long and the water is calm because it’s protected by a shallow outer coral reef. There are hardly ever any waves, which makes Ala Moana Beach a favorite spot for long-distance swimmers, novice swimmers and families with children.

Beaches on Kauai

Anini Beach Park: Anini Beach Park is a sandy beach located on the North Shore of the island of Kauai. It is known as one of the safest beaches on Kauai because of the fringing reef that runs along the entire length of the beach. Protected by the longest reef in Hawaii, the beach offers perfect swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving conditions during the summer. On one of the sides of the beach, the water is only four feet deep. It is getting deeper slowly as you swim to the other side of the beach, where it reaches depths of a hundred feet.

Poipu Beach Park: Poipu Beach Park is not just one of the top 10 beaches in Hawaii, but it has also been voted for the best beach in America by the Travel Channel. It is located on the South Shore of Kauai and is a favorite gathering place for visitors and residents and their families.

The beach park is made up by two large crescent-shaped beaches. One of them is good for bodyboarding, and the other one is a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling. Poipu Beach Park has good surfing conditions offshore as well. Boards and gears can be rented on the beach.

Beaches on Maui

Hana Bay: Hana Bay is the perfect beach gathering spot for a view of nature in action. This impressive black-sand beach was created thanks to years of lava erosion and is now a safe and fun swimming haven. The bay is protected by a coral reef and harbored from the harsh swells by its circular shape, so Hana is not the best choice for surfers and bodyboarders. Outrigger canoe racing is frequently practiced in Hana Bay, and it is also a snorkeler’s paradise due to the calm waters and wide variety of colorful marine life.

Kaanapali Beach: Kaanapali Beach is one of Maui’s most popular retreats. Once an ancient playground of Hawaii’s kings, this beautiful white-sand beach and the soothing surf that accompanies it offer unparalleled views. The West Maui Mountains look down upon Kaanapali with a guardian spirit. The high-class 1,200 acre Kaanapali Resort rests behind Kaanapali Beach, beckoning visitors to take extraordinary strolls and catch memorable sunrises and sunsets.

Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

Kealakekua Bay: Scuba dive or kayak this infamous bay, where Captain Cook docked in 1778, making Hawaii known to the rest of the world. The Hawaiian name “Kealakekua” means “Pathway to the Gods” and this bay certainly earns its divine name. Located on the Kona coast of Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is rich with historical significance. Kealakekua is also the site of one of the most stunning coral reefs in the islands, a protected sanctuary designated as a marine life conservation district. The snorkeling and scuba diving are exceptional here and swimming is a popular activity.

Kona Coast State Park: Kona Coast State Park on the leeward side of the Big Island is a treasure of Hawaii. Here there are two of the island’s best swimming beaches, accentuated by freshwater springs which can form fun pools to arise in the sand. The beaches at Kekaha Kai (the Hawaiian name for this state park) consist of salt-and-pepper-colored sands bordered by a 1,500-acre land tract full of natural wonders to delight and enrapture. Traverse through the expansive trails of the park and take in the view of the sand dunes and wild flora and fauna.