Top beaches
BeachLanikai Beach
BeachKehena Beach
BeachGlass Beach
BeachKauapea Beach
BeachPoipu Beach Park
BeachSunset Beach
BeachHanakapiai Beach
BeachPapakolea Beach
BeachD.T. Fleming Beach
BeachSandy Beach
BeachWaikoloa Beach
BeachWai'anapanapa State Park
Beaches by county
All beaches (28)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanikai Beach | Honolulu County | 5 m | Lanikai | 7 |
| Kehena Beach | Hawaii County | 9 m | Leilani Estates | 2 |
| Glass Beach | Kauai County | 6 m | ‘Ele‘ele | 5 |
| Kauapea Beach | Kauai County | 13 m | Kīlauea | 4 |
| Poipu Beach Park | Kauai County | 4 m | Po‘ipū | 5 |
| Sunset Beach | Honolulu County | 7 m | Sunset Beach-Pūpūkea | 5 |
| Hanakapiai Beach | Kauai County | — | Princeville | 2 |
| Papakolea Beach | Hawaii County | — | Discovery Harbor | 1 |
| D.T. Fleming Beach | Maui County | 3 m | Napili-Honokowai | 4 |
| Sandy Beach | Honolulu County | — | Kalama Valley | 7 |
| Waikoloa Beach | Hawaii County | — | Waikoloa | 2 |
| Wai'anapanapa State ParkHaleakalā | Maui County | — | Hana | 2 |
| Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area | Hawaii County | 2 m | Waikoloa | 3 |
| Isaac Hale Beach Park | Hawaii County | — | Leilani Estates | 2 |
| James Kealoha Beach | Hawaii County | — | Hilo | 5 |
| Slaughterhouse Beach | Maui County | — | Napili-Honokowai | 4 |
| Barking Sands | Kauai County | 8 m | Kekaha | 2 |
| Anini Beach | Kauai County | 4 m | Princeville | 3 |
| Lumahai Beach | Kauai County | 3 m | Princeville | 2 |
| Gillins Beach | Kauai County | 6 m | Po‘ipū | 4 |
| Kalalau Beach | Kauai County | 7 m | Princeville | 2 |
| Papailoa Beach | Honolulu County | 1 m | Kawailoa | 6 |
| Kamilo Beach | Hawaii County | — | Discovery Harbor | 1 |
| Ha'ula Beach | Kauai County | — | Po‘ipū | 4 |
| Richardson Beach | Hawaii County | — | Hilo | 4 |
| Hoʻokena | Hawaii County | — | Honaunau-Napoopoo | 2 |
| Hideaway Beach, Princeville, North Shore, Kauai | Kauai County | — | Princeville | 3 |
| Royal Coconut Coast | Kauai County | — | Wailua | 5 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph beaches
Beaches facing east suit sunrise and west-facing beaches suit sunset; wet sand mirrors the sky color during golden hour.
- Time visits around low tide to reveal tide pools, sea stacks and reflective sand — check the tide widget below.
- Slow shutter speeds (0.5–2 s) turn receding waves into streaks that lead toward the horizon.
- Watch for sneaker waves; never turn your back on the ocean on exposed coasts.
- Salt spray coats lenses quickly; wipe often and rinse gear afterward.
- Fog and marine layers can make minimalist images; don't give up on grey days.
Season: Winter storms bring dramatic surf on Pacific coasts; summer and autumn sunsets are popular on Atlantic and Gulf beaches.