The Best Beaches In Hawaii For Families, Couples & Solo Travellers!

Looking for all the best beaches in Hawaii? From the Big Island to Maui, these are the beaches suit families, couples AND solo travellers!

While Waikiki is deemed as one of the top tourist destinations, you can discover gorgeous beaches outside of Honolulu. In fact, there are eight, beautiful main islands to discover.

Each island is home to a different type of beach, whether that be in size, shape, color, or even scenery.

You might be looking for a wide, calm beach that is perfect for a family holiday, or maybe you are a couple or even a solo traveller looking to sun your buns 🙂

You want enough space that no one is crowded, and tons of room to adventure in the sand. You can even discover small, secluded coves, full of mystery and wonder.

When it comes to the sand, it’s extremely luscious, and you might even find some white, black, or red sandy spots.

If you’re wanting to explore the volcanic landscape, and sun-bathe in some remarkable white-sand beaches, then you’ll want to check out the most known island, the island of Hawaii.

This is also known as Big Island, as it’s the largest island in the state.

With that said, if you want to submerge yourself in a tropical paradise, then you should visit Kauai. It’s referred to as Garden Island, because it’s full of mountains and trees, and has some of the loveliest beaches.

If you’re looking to be out of the hustle and bustle, and you want to experience more of a local life, visit Molokai. It has some absolutely gorgeous beaches, and you’re more likely to experience authentic Hawaii here.

So, now that you’d had a heads-up, let’s explore some of the best beaches in Hawaii!

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Big Beach, Maui

The first beach I’m going to introduce, is Big Beach, Maui.

This is one of the best beaches for bodyboarding. It’s an absolutely awe-inspiring beach, that is more than a mile long, and is a 100 feet wide from the sand, to the shoreline.

Behind, you’ll see some stunning natural scenery — that’s the 165-acre Makena State Park. Before your eyes even gaze upon the green wonders, you’ll be captivated by the outstanding low lava cliffs, a true marvel.

The greatest thing about this beach, is that it’s underdeveloped. That means it’s as authentic as you can get, and boasts of natural beauty.

If you have children, then you’re going to want to be careful at Big Beach. The shore breaks are very powerful, so it’s not suitable for kids.

Likewise, if you’re not a strong swimmer, stick to the shallow end, as this beach is very experienced swimmers, surfers and bodybuilding.

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Kaihalulu Beach, Maui

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Kaihalulu Beach, Maui.

In the introduction, I mentioned that Hawaii has unbelievable beaches, with different colored sand. Well, at Kaihalulu Beach, you’re going to be admiring some incredible rust-red sand.

The sand is red due to the lava cinder cone, behind the beach.

It’s an otherworldly beach, almost out of reach from the grasps of tourists. In other words, this piece of paradise is difficult to reach.

If you want to adventure to this wonder, then you’ll need to get past some very steep, narrow steps, that have one heck of a curve. It’s very dangerous, due to the cinder and pine needles on the floor, so you’ll want your very best hiking boots.

There are a couple of hotels about, if you wanted to stay the night. It’s one hell of an adventure, but the result is unparalleled.

Looking to tan but avoid looking like a sunburnt crab? Check out this beach kit for adults.

Waikiki Beach, Oahu

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Waikiki Beach, Oahu.

I had to include Waikiki Beach, for obvious reasons. It’s one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii, and while I don’t think it’s the very best, you should definitely be aware of this beach. It’s an absolutely stunning, crescent shaped beach.

Behind the beach, you’ll notice tons of hotels, some of which are the oldest hotels in Honolulu. It’s a tourist spot, so if you’re looking for a totally relaxing beach day, it’s probably not the best place to lie down.

However, it is a glorious and remarkable beach, so you should certainly pay it a visit.

Hanalei Bay, Kauai

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Hanalei Bay, Kauai

So, if we’re looking at technicalities, Hanalei Bay is really a couple of beach parks, that have merged into one.

The result is a wonderful two-mile beach, perfect for gentle walking. If you like surfing, it’s a great beach in the wintertime, as the waves get rougher. In the summer, it’s perfect if you’re looking for a relaxing, calm spot.

The waters are soft, so it’s get for all types of swimmers. This beach is ideal for families, as it appears very safe for children.

I forgot to mention the best part of Hanalei Bay. The views are incredible.

You’ll witness 4,000-foot mountains, embracing the most remarkable, luscious green you’ve ever encounter. While the beach might not be authentic, it sure is a beautiful place.

Check out this cool beach kit for kids to keep them happy all day at the beach!

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawaii

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawaii.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is speculator. This is another beach located on the Big island, and you’re not going to want to miss it. The sand is completely black, and it looks absolutely gorgeous.

You should note that while it is a wonder, the shore can be a little rocky. If you have children, or mobility issues, be careful, as it’ll be difficult to spot rocks underwater.

If you don’t fancy a dip in the sea, just enjoy the wonderful sand! Plus, if you’re lucky, you’ll see some lovely sea turtles. Wouldn’t that be grand?

Papaohaku Beach, Molokai

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Papaohaku Beach, Molokai.

If a tourist trap is your version of a nightmare, then you should check out Papaohaku Beach. On average, the island of Molokai has much fewer tourists than other islands — such as Big Island, Maui and Oahu.

This beach is charming, it’s a whole three miles, perfect if you love strolling across warm sands.

In fact, it’s one of the largest beaches in the entire state, so you’re not going to want to miss out. If you do decide to go, aim to visit on a clear day. If you’re lucky, you might just be able to spot Oahu from across the channel.

Waimanalo Beach, Oahu

The next beach I’m going to introduce, is Waimanalo Beach, Oahu.

Waimanalo Beach is another three-mile, beautiful, white-sand beach. It’s also one of the few beaches on Oahu which is pretty uncrowded. It’s mostly visited by locals, and tourists who have done a lot of prep (you’re welcome).

If you appreciate a scenic beach, then you will love Waimanalo Beach. It’s placed between the cliffs of the Ko’olau mountain range, and the stunning waters of Waimanalo Bay.

The contrast of the gorgeous cliffs, and the irrisdent sea is unparalleled, it’s a sublime beach.

Plus, if you like sea turtles, you’re going to love this beach. Green sea turtles have taken a like to Waimanalo Beach, which means you just might be able to spot one.

Wailea Beach, Maui

The next beach, I’m going to introduce, is Wailea Beach, Maui.

This is the beach to go if you’re looking for a bit of glitz and glam. It doesn’t have a particularly lengthy beach, and the quarter mile-long shoreline is home to the very best five-star resorts, on the island.

However, the silvery sand is unbelievable, and contrasted with emerald water, it’s a treat for the eyes.

So, it’s known that if you like spotting celebrities, then this is the beach for it. While you might not come across any a-lister, if you visit during November to April, you might be able to discover something more amazing.

Throughout this period, you can spot whales, which for some, is a once in a lifetime experience.

Lanikai Beach, Oahu

The next beach, I’m going to introduce, is Lanikai Beach, Oahu.

While Lanikai Beach is only half a mile long, it’s one of the sweetest beaches on the island of Oahu. You’ll discover the purest white-sand, waving palm trees and iridescent waters.

If that isn’t enough to wow you, you can also see unbelievable views of Mokulua Island.

This is the beach to visit if you’re looking to relax, and not have to worry about the waves been too strong. Lanikai Beach is known for its very calm waters, which make it ideal for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

If it’s a windier day, then you’ll have the option of trying sailing, or windsurfing. Plus, you can even go snorkeling here, and discover the immense coral reef.

While it has tons of activities, and it is a gorgeous beach, it’s considerably remote from tourists, compared to other beaches on the island. It’s not without guests, but it’s generally far more peaceful and relaxing.

Hamoa Beach, Maui

The last beach, I’m going to introduce, is Hamoa Beach, Maui.

This beach is strictly for adventurous, and err — adventurous who can rent a car. Hamoa Beach is actually a small cove, and it is located near a town called Hana.

This town resembles the real Hawaii. Far from the tourist trap, this is how many of the locals live. Hamoa Beach itself is a marvel.

You’ll be surrounding by greenery, delicate sand and emerald waters. Isn’t that worth the journey?

Summary

So, that’s the end of my article on the very best beaches in Hawaii.

I hope you’ve found it informative, and it’s given you some information to further research, and plan some grand adventures. Whether you’re looking for a rocky adventure, or to relax amidst a white-sand paradise, Hawaii has it all.

Well, there you have it, the best beaches in Hawaii Hopefully that helped, but if you want more info, we found you a video below!

Thanks for reading 🙂