Top 12 Beaches in Hawaii

Located adjacent to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, The beach area features beautifully landscaped walking paths that meander past ancient Hawaiian fishponds to a golden sand beach fringed by swaying palm trees.

This black sand beach is also a sanctuary for green sea turtles. You will often see them laying in the sand. The beach offers some of the only safe snorkeling and swimming on the south coast. Use caution, however, the waves here are unpredictable, and there often is a bad riptide.

This is the beach where much of the motion picture "South Pacific" was filmed. The path down to the beach is not easy to find and the walk down can be a bit slippery, but the views of the beach and waves crashing against the nearby rocks are exceptional.

Located on Kauaʻi's sunny southern shore, Poʻipu Beach Park was chosen by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. "Dr. Beach," as Americas Best Beach for 2001 and hence retired from competition. As outlined by the Poʻipu Beach Resort Association, "This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, wading and surfing. Palm trees dominate the coastline here with an expansive lawn at the park. The surf spots are slightly off-shore where a reef establishes perfect wave-breaks for beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers. Nearer to the shore, swimmers scan enjoy swimming in calm waters or snorkeling near a couple of interesting rocky points."

This is a great beach for family gatherings with lots of pavilions for eating and plenty of flat space on the beach for games. The water is relatively calm and the sun bright and warm. During the summer months you can still see Hawaiians making salt in the only natural salt pond in Hawaii still used to make salt. Seawater is pumped into containers and allowed to evaporate in the sun.

While most would choose Hulopoʻe Bay as their pick for best beach on Lanai, Shipwreck Beach is far more interesting. Not a swimming beach, Shipwreck is made up of boulders, lava rock, washed-up timber and sand. Shipwreck offers spectacular views of the nearby islands of Molokaʻi and Maui, the abandoned hull of a World War II Liberty Ship ship, green sea turtles and whales, and the nearby the Poʻaiwa Petroglyphs.

Located in West Maui just north of Lahaina, Kāʻanapali Beach is one of Hawaii's most famous and popular beaches. It is bordered by numerous elegant resort hotels. This lifeguard-protected beach is almost three miles long. Kāʻanapali is the beach for activities. You can snorkel in the crystal clear water, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail, or kayak. Don't leave valuables on the beach while you swim.

Chosen by Dr. Beach as America's best beach of 1999, Wailea is located in South Maui, at the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Resorts. Wailea offers good swimming, snorkeling in calm waters, and bodysurfing on a shore break that is not as punishing as Wailea's other beaches. The sandy bottom remains shallow inshore, and drops off slowly to deeper water.

Located on the west coast of Molokaʻi, Pāpōhaku Beach is one of the world's longest beaches. It is not unusual to be able to see no one on the beach for miles. If you want a private, secluded and beautiful beach, Pāpōhaku is for you.

Located on the Windward side of Oʻahu at the end of Kailua Road, in Kailua Beach Park was chosen by Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, a.k.a. "Dr. Beach," as Americas Best Beach for 1998 and hence retired from competition. Kailua Beach Park is known for its wide fine white sandy beach. There are generally no significantly hazardous ocean or beach conditions. Typically there are very small, if any, waves. It is a popular beach for family gatherings since there are picnic areas, lots of accessible parking, restrooms and showers, and even a concession stand.

The seven beaches of Waikīkī make up what may be the most famous stretch of sand in the world, With over 4 million visitors a year, it can be wall-to-wall bodies, but people-watching is half the fun. Waikiki is also the perfect place to learn to surf. There are also boogie boards, canoes, kayaks, snorkels and umbrellas for rent. Sans Souci Beach near Diamond Head offers great swimming.

Waimānalo is, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach on Oʻahu. It is a major weekend gathering place for local families who hold picnics and barbecues in the shaded area near the beach. It is ideal for bodysurfing, boogie boarding and swimming. Waimānalo offers spectacular view of the coastal mountain ranges of Oʻahu and of Mānana "Rabbit" Island.