Beaches

You know what they say about big islands…the bigger the island, the bigger the coastline. The bigger the coastline, the more beaches. And with 266 miles of coastline, the beaches on Hawaii leave nothing to be desired. From idyllic and bustling to remote and unearthly, there’s plenty of room for everyone’s idea of paradise, and then some. Expanses of dark lava jutting between smooth sandy oases make lounging and sporting on these shores a dramatic experience. Throw in the clarity and color of the water (anything from aquamarine to cobalt), the lazy sway of palms, and warm trade winds, and things get downright cinematic. The postcard-style white sand beaches are found along the island’s northwest shore (the Kohala Coast), including picture-perfect Kaunaoa Bay, one of the top-ranked beaches in the world. Equally picturesque are nearby Hapuna, Kahaluu, and Kua Bay, while Kiholo Bay and Makalawena provide stunning yet tranquil alternatives to the more popular spots. And don’t skip Punaluu, in the south. With black sand, coconut trees, and lounging sea turtles, it’s an unusually gorgeous must. Whether living it up at these sublime stretches or sunning in solitude on South Point’s otherworldly olivine sands, you’ll treasure the time you went big on the beaches of Hawaii.