No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a visit to these five beaches; from Oahu to Maui, these beaches can’t be beat.
The islands of Hawaii are known around the world for their remarkable beauty. One of the things that makes Hawaiian beaches so special is the amount of variety you’ll find from one beach to the next. Whether you are looking for soft, white sand to relax on, a fun beach to take your family to, or a thrilling spot to surf, Hawaii has the perfect beach for you.
Waikiki, Oahu
Perhaps the most famous beach in Hawaii, Waikiki beach is located on the south shore of Oahu. Waikiki is the main hotel and resort area in Hawaii, with a lot of incredible hotels, popular bars and restaurants, and high-end shops to visit. Despite there being so much to do, it’s crucial to spend some time on one of the most relaxing and beautiful beaches in the world. Waikiki is a great place to learn how to surf and there are always great teachers on the beach offering lessons to visitors. Be sure to stick around after dark, since Waikiki has an incredibly vibrant nightlife!
Lanikai, Oahu
No trip to Oahu is complete without a visit to Lanikai Beach. Often rated among the most beautiful beaches in the world, Lanikai is considered by locals to be the best swimming beach in Hawaii. Lanikai is also a popular spot for kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and windsurfing. The water at Lanikai is perfectly warm, clear turquoise, and often calm. The sand is powder-soft and clean. It’s such a beautiful beach that it’s common to see photographers and models at work. While Lanikai is definitely worth a visit, it’s important to note that it’s located in a neighborhood and the residents appreciate a certain level of consideration.
Photo credit: Steven Worster via https://www.flickr.com/photos/stevenworster/.
Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai
Located on the North Shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay is definitely among the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii. Set in an almost perfect semi-circle of white sand, this two mile beach is bordered by the Hanalei River and the Waipa River. In the water, you’ll find large and beautiful coral reefs to explore. People love to come to this beach for all kinds of different activities from boating to swimming. Hanalei is an extremely popular destination for serious surfers. If you’re concerned about the safety of serious surfing on the island of Kauai, rest assured, because there are medical transport services available. Emergency medical transport is offered by MedjetAssist, so make sure you’re secured with a membership. With a Medjet membership, if your emergency is non-life threatening, they will fly you back to your hospital of choice, which means you can be in the comfort of the hospital close to home.
Kaanapali – Black Rock Beach, Maui
Once named America’s Best Beach, Kaanapali Beach is an extraordinary place to visit. Kaanapali Beach sits in front of some of Maui’s most popular hotels and resorts. Spread out over three miles, this beach is known for its smooth white sand and clear water. While Kaanapali Beach is a breathtaking sight to see, there is also no shortage of activities available to you if you are lucky enough to visit. Whether you’re interested in shopping, golfing, or watersports, Kaanapali Beach has got something for you. Be sure not to miss the daily cliff diving ceremony off of Black Rock, the beach’s northernmost cliff. *Leave the cliff-diving to the professionals, or you’ll certainly need the aid of a medical transport!
Photo credit via Edmund Garman via https://www.flickr.com/photos/3cl/
Banzai Pipeline
If you’re looking for one of the most popular surfing destinations in the world, you should check out Banzai Pipeline. This world-famous beach is on the North Shore of Oahu. Pipeline, as it’s often referred to by locals, is popular with surfers because the massive waves form into large curls of water that are perfect for tube riding. These waves can be extremely dangerous and you should only attempt to surf them if you’re sufficiently experienced.
This post was made possible by partner MedJet Assist.
Renee Blodgett is the Founder and Managing Editor of We Blog the World, a global travel, culture and lifestyle publication exploring the world through the lens of meaningful experiences, human connection and cultural depth. Having lived in 10 countries and traveled to 95, Renee has spent much of her life immersed in the people, traditions, landscapes and ideas that shape how we experience the world.
Since launching We Blog the World in 2007, she has written and produced extensive editorial coverage spanning boutique and luxury travel, culinary experiences, arts and culture, wellness, adventure, technology, spiritual traditions and transformative travel. Her work is rooted in the belief that travel is about more than where we go—it is also about what a place, culture or encounter awakens within us.
Renee brings more than three decades of experience across journalism, photography, media, brand strategy, technology, wellness and global storytelling. She has worked with companies and organizations around the world on brand positioning, communications, product launches, media strategy, speaker positioning and storytelling. Through Blue Soul Media, she works with authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and purpose-driven brands to clarify their message and expand their impact, which includes speaker coaching/training for high-profile stages such as TED and bringing authors’ work to market while retaining authors rights.
She is also the co-founder of Blue Soul Earth, an educational platform exploring consciousness, ancient wisdom, spirituality, healing and the intersection between science and the nature of reality. Renee is the producer and host of the award-winning Blue Soul CHATS, a conversational series bringing together leading voices in science, technology, consciousness, wellness and spirituality.
Her growing body of work also includes Blue Soul Living, which extends her interest in consciousness and well-being into the spaces we inhabit, exploring how intentional design, energy and environment can support greater harmony and connection.
Renee is the award-winning co-author of the bestselling Magdalene’s Journey and founder of the Magdalene Collection, inspired by women’s voices, stories and wisdom across cultures and generations.
A longtime photographer and storyteller, Renee has documented people, places and cultures around the world and produced photographic collections focused on destinations including the Galápagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome and Ecuador. She also co-founded Traveling Geeks, an international initiative that brought entrepreneurs, journalists, creators and technology leaders together with their counterparts in other countries to exchange ideas and explore innovation across cultures.
Renee’s work has been recognized by Forbes, the United Nations and others for her influence in media and social storytelling. Across her work in travel, media, consciousness and culture, a common thread remains: curiosity about the world, the stories that connect us and the ways meaningful experiences can change how we see ourselves and one another.
