Best beaches on Hawaii's Kuai, Big Island, Lanai and Molokai islands
Hanalei
Bay Beach, Kauai
[swimming, snorkelling, bodyboarding, surfing, body surfing, windsurfing
++]
Hanalei Bay on the north shore is a large circular bay, with more
than 2 miles of clean white sandy beach backed by mountains, said
to be the most scenic setting in the Hawaii islands. It is also
one of the best recreation beaches in the island. Loads of ocean
activities include kayaking and sailing. There are 3 beach parks
with facilities in this bay, Black Pot Beach Park, Hanalei Pavilion
Beach Park, and Waiolli Beach Park. The beach is exposed to high
surf during the winter. Beware strong currents.
Kee
Beach, Kauai
[swimming, snorkelling]
The tropical-looking Kee Beach, located at the western end of Na
Pali Coast State Park on the North shore of Kauai, is the best snorkeling
spot in the island. Its shallow lagoon offers great swimming, especially
for families with children. The beach can have high surf during
the winter, sometimes summer as well. Beware strong currents.
Poipu
Beach Park, Kauai
[swimming, snorkelling, bodyboarding, surfing]
Kauai island is loaded with unspoiled beaches, some secluded and
only accessible by boat [such as Honopu Beach or Kipu Kai Beach].
Poipu Beach Park is not only one of the great Hawaii beaches, but
it is also packed with things to do and places to see. It is known
for its unique shape and excellent swimming beach, especially for
families with small children, because the lava borders create a
sheltered pool with still, shallow water. A few blocks from Poipu
Plantation is good for snorkelling due to the calm, clear waters
and plenty of colourful fish . Because of its popularity, this coral
beach can be crowded. Beware high surf during summer. A more isolated
place, a couple of miles east is Mahalepu Beach with a wild beauty.
Swimming is not quite as easy as Poipu Beach, but the views are
sensational.
Salt
Pond Beach Park, Kauai
[swimming, snorkelling, bodyboarding, surfing, windsurfing, scuba
diving]
A wide white sand beach with a large pool-like swimming area protected
by rocky ridge, Salt Pond Beach is an ideal place for families with
children. It is a great surfing and windsurfing site on surf days,
and a popular spot for snorkeling and diving on calm days. Salt
making is still active there in summer. Beware seasonal high surf
[usually summer].
Hapuna
Beach State Recreation Area, Big Island
[swimming, snorkelling, body surfing, surfing]
Hapuna Beach is one of the longest, widest [200 feet] sandy beaches
and the most popular beach on the island, especially with bodysurfers
and bodyboarders. Excellent public facilities and lifeguards on
duty every day. The high surf period is winter months. It is along
Queen Kaahumanu Highway [No. 19].
Anaehoomalu
Beach, Big Island
[swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving]
The Anaeho'omalu Beach which is pronounced A NA-AY HO O MAH LOO,
is adjacent to the Royal Waikoloan Hotel, and is one of the best
recreational beaches on Big island. Excellent for swimming, snorkeling,
diving and windsurfing. Even during the high surf of winter, unlike
many places in Hawaii the beach stays calm because it is protected
by a reef, and does not endanger swimmers near the shore. Offshore
is quite challenging for expert windsurfers.
There is a more secluded beach, Kapalaoa, on the south of the bay.
Take Waikoloa Beach Drive off from Queen Kaahumanu Highway.
Hulopoe
Beach, Lanai
[swimming, snorkelling, surfing, scuba diving]
Lanai used to be Hawaii's sleepy little island for nature lovers
and hikers, but in the last decade it has become an exclusive resort
for the rich, especially golfers. This crescent-shaped white sandy
beach is not just the only beach on the south coast and easily accessible,
but also the best swimming beach on the island.
It is popular with local bodysurfers and surfers.
It takes 15 minutes by car from Lanai City. Other Lanai beaches
are more than an hour's drive, and in some case require 4WD.
Papohaku
Beach Park, Molokai
[swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, surfing]
Papohaku Beach is the widest, longest beach on Molokai [400 feet
wide, one of the widest of Hawaii beaches, 2 miles long], and has
very few visitors.
The beach faces the open sea and has no reef so there is high surf
most of the time, but it is good for swimming and snorkelling in
calm summer months. The annual hula festival is held in May here.
Getting
around:
Flights: domestic flights operate frequently between Honolulu [Oahu]
and Lihue [Kauai], Kahului [Maui], Kona and Hilo [Big Island].
Ferries: there are also inter-island ferries between Lahaina [Maui]
and Manele [Lanai], and Lahaina and Kaunakakai [Molokai].
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