From Kauai to Hawaii Island, the Aloha State is home to more than 750 miles of coastline. Here, you will surely find some of the world’s greatest beaches – from massive beaches that seemingly stretch on for miles to tiny coves with gorgeous landscapes. These 15 picturesque beaches will undoubtedly have you daydreaming about your next beach day for hours.
- Lumahai Beach - although dangerous - is quite alluring.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr While Lumahai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, it is also one of the most dangerous. The steep sand slope creates a strong undertow and powerful waves that break on the sand. The conditions at this picturesque beach are best enjoyed during the summer months.
- It’s no surprise that Hanauma Bay is the No. 1 beach in America.
Prayitno/Flickr Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destinations for tourists and locals alike. And according to Dr. Beach, it is the best beach in America.
- You’ll feel like the only person in the world at this remote Kauai beach.
Kevin Schraer/Flickr At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches.
- Hawaii beaches come in a variety of colors, including red!
Paul Bica/Flickr This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
- Maui’s Waianapanapa Beach is simply awe-inspiring.
Stacy Egan/Flickr Located on Maui’s Road to Hana is this amazing state park, home to an absolutely stunning black sand beach, as well as hikes, a blowhole, ocean caves, sea arches, fresh water pools and cliff diving.
- The stunning Pounders Beach is home to unparalleled natural beauty.
Floyd Manzano/Flickr Not far from the Polynesian Cultural Center, you will find Laie Beach Park, also known as Pounders. With beautiful turquoise water flowing around old pier pillings, this picturesque view isn’t the only thing Pounders has to offer – a beautiful limestone cliff on the south end of the beach is a popular spot for fishermen, and the offshore coral reef makes this a perfect, protected area for swimming.
- Kauai’s Ke’e Beach serves as the gateway to the Na Pali Coast.
Gary Eyring/Flickr Located in Haena State Park, Ke’e Beach marks the end of the Kuhio Highway, the furthest you can drive on Kauai’s north shore. A protected reef makes this an idyllic spot for snorkeling and swimming during the summer.
- Oahu’s leeward coast is home to stunning beaches, including Yokohama Bay.
Annie/Flickr Keawa’ula Beach - or as it is commonly known - Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu’s western coast, and is home to stellar surfing during the winter months, and was once a popular hangout for squids.
- Papakolea is one of the few green sand beaches in the world.
Cleber Mori/Flickr This green sand beach is located near Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States. While the secluded beach is tough to get to, it is well worth the journey – where else are you going to experience a green sand beach? Absolutely nowhere.
- This lovely little cove couldn’t be more picturesque.
Michelle Lee/Flickr Situated between Halona Point and the Halona Blowhole, this small rocky cove is perfectly picturesque, and has been featured in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and 50 First Dates. Despite its Hollywood fame, the only way to reach the stunning cove is via a rocky and slightly treacherous walk, so it is often pretty secluded.
- Molokai’s Papohaku Beach is as remote as it gets.
Patrick McNally/Flickr Papohaku Beach is probably the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku Beach seems to go on for miles.
- You might recognize this famous Oahu beach from your television set…
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is the secluded Mokuleia beach – the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. In fact, this beach is so secluded that it was used in filming the first season of Lost.
- This stunning black sand beach on Hawaii Island didn’t exist 30 years ago…
Kim/Flickr This picturesque beach did not exist in its current state twenty years ago: the original Kaimu Beach was completely destroyed by lava flows in 1990. Because this mineral-rich beach is relatively new, and the larger Punalu’u is located just down the coast, this picturesque spot remains largely tourist-free.
- Waikiki Beach certainly is gorgeous by moonlight - and when it’s deserted.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Waikiki is the biggest tourist destination in Hawaii, and when coupled with the brilliant white sand beach and stellar surfing, you’ve got the best beach in America, according to the Huffington Post. While we don’t necessarily agree that Waikiki is the best, we do think you should check it out once in your lifetime.
- This secret cove on Maui is one of the island’s most picturesque spots.
Joe Parks/Flickr Also known as Secret Cove, this small – but gorgeous – stretch of sand is nestled between two homes in a southern Maui neighborhood. The cove is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies.
If you love exploring Hawaii’s natural beauty, you’re sure to dig these 15 epic spots where time stands still. Oh, and don’t forget to check out more information about America’s No. 1 beach – according to Dr. Beach, that is – Hanauma Bay.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
While Lumahai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on Kauai, it is also one of the most dangerous. The steep sand slope creates a strong undertow and powerful waves that break on the sand. The conditions at this picturesque beach are best enjoyed during the summer months.
Prayitno/Flickr
Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destinations for tourists and locals alike. And according to Dr. Beach, it is the best beach in America.
Kevin Schraer/Flickr
At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches.
Paul Bica/Flickr
This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
Stacy Egan/Flickr
Located on Maui’s Road to Hana is this amazing state park, home to an absolutely stunning black sand beach, as well as hikes, a blowhole, ocean caves, sea arches, fresh water pools and cliff diving.
Floyd Manzano/Flickr
Not far from the Polynesian Cultural Center, you will find Laie Beach Park, also known as Pounders. With beautiful turquoise water flowing around old pier pillings, this picturesque view isn’t the only thing Pounders has to offer – a beautiful limestone cliff on the south end of the beach is a popular spot for fishermen, and the offshore coral reef makes this a perfect, protected area for swimming.
Gary Eyring/Flickr
Located in Haena State Park, Ke’e Beach marks the end of the Kuhio Highway, the furthest you can drive on Kauai’s north shore. A protected reef makes this an idyllic spot for snorkeling and swimming during the summer.
Annie/Flickr
Keawa’ula Beach - or as it is commonly known - Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu’s western coast, and is home to stellar surfing during the winter months, and was once a popular hangout for squids.
Cleber Mori/Flickr
This green sand beach is located near Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States. While the secluded beach is tough to get to, it is well worth the journey – where else are you going to experience a green sand beach? Absolutely nowhere.
Michelle Lee/Flickr
Situated between Halona Point and the Halona Blowhole, this small rocky cove is perfectly picturesque, and has been featured in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and 50 First Dates. Despite its Hollywood fame, the only way to reach the stunning cove is via a rocky and slightly treacherous walk, so it is often pretty secluded.
Patrick McNally/Flickr
Papohaku Beach is probably the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku Beach seems to go on for miles.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is the secluded Mokuleia beach – the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. In fact, this beach is so secluded that it was used in filming the first season of Lost.
Kim/Flickr
This picturesque beach did not exist in its current state twenty years ago: the original Kaimu Beach was completely destroyed by lava flows in 1990. Because this mineral-rich beach is relatively new, and the larger Punalu’u is located just down the coast, this picturesque spot remains largely tourist-free.
Waikiki is the biggest tourist destination in Hawaii, and when coupled with the brilliant white sand beach and stellar surfing, you’ve got the best beach in America, according to the Huffington Post. While we don’t necessarily agree that Waikiki is the best, we do think you should check it out once in your lifetime.
Joe Parks/Flickr
Also known as Secret Cove, this small – but gorgeous – stretch of sand is nestled between two homes in a southern Maui neighborhood. The cove is a popular spot for wedding ceremonies.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
