The Hawaii Beach Vacation
With your tour guide,
Anne P. Mitchell
| Summary: A Hawaii beach vacation is the perfect family vacation, but it can also be the perfect couple's or single's vacation. With so many wonderful and varying Hawaii beaches from which to choose, your Hawaii beach vacation can be whatever you want it to be! |
Whether you’re a water-sports fanatic, beachcomber or sunbather, few places rival the tropical oasis of Hawaii. Although there are far too many beautiful beaches to name them all, here are a few worth visiting.
Hapuna Beach is one of the Big Island’s widest, longest (and most popular) beaches. The gleaming ivory-hued sand is the perfect place to sunbathe after swimming; bodysurfing and boogie-boarding conditions are superb; abundant fish and coral in clear water make for excellent snorkeling, and lifeguards are on duty every day.
Hanalei Bay, on Kauai, is unsafe for swimming, but offers breathtakingly beautiful views of waterfalls and mountain peaks. The semi-circle of white sand is lovely for beach walks and sunset viewing. Ocean activities include kayaking and sailing, and hardcore surfers come for the serious waves.
Poipu Beach, also on Kauai, has a protected, shallow pool-like area where children can safely swim and snorkel, as well as ideal wave conditions for surfers and bodyboarders. Endangered monk seals occasionally come up for a snooze on the shore.
Lanai’s Shipwreck Beach is a beachcomber’s paradise with driftwood, beach glass and shells awaiting discovery among the lava rock and sand. Shipwreck is not for swimming but great for sunbathing, picnicking and exploring, with magnificent views of nearby Molokai, Maui and petroglyphs, plus a World War II ship (purposely sunk) is still visible. If trolling-for-treasures is not your thing, the crescent-shaped Hulopoe Beach near Lanai City is a fine swimming spot.
Kaanapali Beach, on West Maui, is THE beach for water lovers and people-watchers alike. Swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear water; windsurf, bodysurf, dive, parasail or kayak in gentle waves; sunbathe on a three-mile stretch of soft white sand. Surrounded by luxury resort hotels, restaurants and shopping centers, Kaanapali is a beehive of activity, but what you give up in solitude, you gain in fun.
Kapalua Bay and Wailea are two of Maui’s better family beaches, with good swimming, snorkeling and diving in relatively tranquil waters. Kapalua has spectacular views, golden sand, swaying palms, and whale-watching (in season). Lack of parking is the biggest drawback for both.
Papohaku Beach on Molokai’s remote west coast is where to go when you desire a gorgeous place to “get away from it all.” Papohaku has miles of white sand that’s largely deserted save for skittering crabs and sea birds. In the calm summer months it’s a wonderful, relaxing place to snorkel, swim and bodyboard.
Waikiki Beach on Oahu might be the most famous stretch of sand in the world, attracting 4-million+ visitors every year. The gentle waters are ideal for first-time surfers, and the wall-to-wall tanned bodies are a people-watcher’s heaven. Boogieboards, canoes, kayaks, snorkels and umbrellas are available for rent.
Lanikai Beach, also on Oahu, is a postcard-perfect lagoon with swaying palms, a mile-long stretch of sugary sand and clean, deep turquoise water. Sheltered by an offshore reef that keeps the surf calm, many locals regard Lanakai as the best swimming beach in all Hawaii, plus a great place for kayaking, canoeing, sailing, surfing and sunset viewing.
Whichever Hawaii beaches you end up choosing for your Hawaii beach vacation, you are sure to have plenty of sun, surf, sand, and fun!
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