Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu [swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving]
Hanauma Bay, situated in the crater of a volcano, is one of the Hawaii's most beautiful bays, with world-class snorkeling and scuba diving. It is a conservation area, so has strict rules such as no smoking [the first no-smoking beach in USA], no consumption, and only 2000 visitor per day , so go early in the busy season.

Lanikai Beach, Oahu [swimming, windsurfing, kayaking]
Lanikai Beach, along Mokulua Drive, is regarded as Hawaii's best swimming beach by Oahu's residents, and once voted as the America's best beach by famous Dr. Beach. This mile long golden beach is clean, usually surf-free, and pretty with palm trees and offshore islands across the water, just like a postcard. The offshore Mokulua islands have small beaches where you can land and swim.

Sunset Beach, Pipeline, Waimea Bay, North Shore Oahu [surfing, surfing! swimming in summer]
Oahu's North Shore is the mecca of big wave surfing, and Sunset, Banzai Pipeline, Waimea Bay, and Haleiwa Beach Park are among the world's most famous surfing spots.

Sunset Beach is one of the best sites and is also the home of major professional events such as the World Surfing Cup.
In winter-spring time [Oct-May], waves at all these beaches can reach up to 15-20 feet [4-6m] high, generating dangerous water conditions, so the beach is for expert surfers only, but during the calmer summer months the beaches become excellent swimming places.

Kaanapali Beach, Maui [swimming, snorkelling, body surfing, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving]
Kaanapali beach is located in front of the Kaanapali Resort, extending nearly 3 miles from Kahekili Beach in the north to Hanakaoo Beach [Canoe Beach] in the south. The beach is lined by hotels, restaurants and activity centres and is one of the best place for watersports and activities in Hawaii. During no or low surf seasons, snorkeling and scuba diving are fantastic around Black Rock [a volcanic cinder cone on the north end of the Kaanapali Beach, known as Airport Beach].
Surfing is good to the south near the Marriot Hotel. Kaanapali has outstanding views across the Auau Channel and was voted 'Beach with the Best Sunset' by the Hawaii Magazine 1999. The beach can be overcrowded and thefts occur.

Wailea Beach, Maui [swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving]
One of the better family beaches, Wailea beach is wide, with shade, good snorkeling and swimming. However, parking nearby is difficult to find and offshore currents can be strong in the afternoon because of the Trade Winds. There are occasional jellyfish on the beach or in the water - don't touch the blue bubbles! The Four Seasons Hotel, one of the best beach resorts in Hawaii, is located at this beach, and there is a Shopping Village nearby. Whales sometimes appear in winter months. The beach is safe except during periods of high surf or Kona storms [severe winds from west].

Palauea Beach, Maui [swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, scuba diving]
If you like more secluded Hawaii beaches, go to Palauea [means 'lazy'] Beach south of Polo Beach in Wailea. This excellent swimming beach is one of the last undeveloped area on the Wailea-Makena coastline. Ideal for families with young children because it is sheltered from the winds and the water is shallow.
It is also a great place for scuba diving and snorkelling. At the south end of the beach there are underwater rock formations that make interesting diving. There are no facilities, nor lifeguards [the nearest food is at the Kea Lani Beach Hotel]. Do not leave anything in your car, break-ins are problem here! High winter surf and winds may occasionally cause dangerous water conditions.

Kapalua Beach Park, Maui [swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving]
Kapalua Beach is a beautiful golden stretch along the west coast of the Keanae Peninsula, with a spectacular view of Molokai, and one of the prettiest and safest beaches on Maui - once voted the best beach in the world by Condé Nast Magazine. It has an exclusive beach resort called Kapalua Bay. Inside the bay is well-protected from big waves by offshore reefs and by lava peninsulas on the both sides, making this a superb swimming beach for families with small children. It is also a good place to watch whales, during the whale season. If you drive, beware that public parking and beach access is not easy to find, and it's a bit of a walk to the beach.

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.