Regional Guide · 37 beaches
Hawaiian Islands Beaches
Hawaii coverage spans the four main visitor islands — Oahu's south shore (Waikiki, Hanauma Bay) and North Shore (Waimea, Sunset), Maui's west and south coasts (Kaanapali, Wailea, Big Beach), Kauai's south shore (Poipu) and Hanalei Bay, and the Big Island's Kohala Coast (Hapuna) plus the famous black-sand beach at Punaluu. The most consistently warm ocean water in the United States, but conditions vary dramatically by island, side, and season.
Current Conditions
Average water temperature: 81°F
Across 37 monitored stations on the Hawaiian Islands.
When to Go
Year-round — water temps stay 74–80°F. Summer (May–September) is calmest on the north shores; winter (November–March) brings massive surf to the north shores and calmer south-shore swimming. Trade winds blow most reliably May through September.
Watch Out For
Surf can shift from flat to overhead in hours on north-facing shores from October through April — never enter the water without checking the daily Hawaii Beach Safety report. Rip currents are present at most beaches; box jellyfish arrive on Oahu south shore 8–10 days after a full moon. Reef cuts get infected fast — bring antiseptic.
Ranked by Today's Conditions
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Ideal for a beach walk.
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)
Ideal for a beach walk.
Wailea Beach
Ideal for swimming.
Kaanapali Beach
Great day for swimming.
Big Beach (Makena State Park)
Ideal for a beach walk.
Polihale State Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Kamaole Beach Park III
Great day for a beach walk.
Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)
Great day for a beach walk.
Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay)
Great day for a beach walk.
Ala Moana Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Haleiwa Alii Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Great day for a beach walk.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Great day for fishing.
Mokuleia Beach Park
Great day for fishing.
Maniniowali Beach (Kua Bay)
Great day for a beach walk.
Salt Pond Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Waikiki Beach
Great day for swimming.
Makapuu Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Magic Island Lagoon
Great day for a beach walk.
Anini Beach Park
Great day for fishing.
Bellows Field Beach Park
Great day for photography.
Hookipa Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
H.A. Baldwin Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Lanikai Beach
Great day for photography.
Kailua Beach Park
Great day for photography.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Great day for a beach walk.
Sunset Beach
Great day for fishing.
Hanauma Bay
Great day for a beach walk.
Sandy Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Kalapaki Beach
Great day for photography.
D.T. Fleming Beach Park
Great day for a beach walk.
Napili Bay
Great day for a beach walk.
Kapalua Bay Beach
Great day for a beach walk.
Honolua Bay
Decent day for a beach walk.
Hanalei Bay
Great day for photography.
Tunnels Beach (Makua)
Decent day for photography.
Poipu Beach Park
Decent day for photography.