There’s one thing every visitor to Hawaii wants to do – hit the beach. And it makes sense since Hawaii’s beaches are among the best in the world. From powdery-white sands to otherworldly volcanic landscapes, from secluded coves to world-class surf breaks, the islands boast a variety of beachy escapes perfect for every traveler. All are open to the public below the high-tide line; there are no private beaches in Hawaii.
Here are our picks of the state’s best beaches, ordered by island.
On Oʻahu’s windswept windward side, Kailua Beach is a beach lover’s paradise, with soft sands that stretch 2.5 miles long with the majestic Koʻolau Mountains as the backdrop. Its aquamarine waters are a fabulous playground – you’ll see people surfing, paddling canoes, swimming, kiteboarding, bodysurfing and kayaking here. And there’s so much space, you can easily find a spot to yourself.
On the east end of the beach, there’s a big parking lot, with restrooms and picnic pavilions. It’s also one of the few beaches on Oʻahu that’s dog friendly, so you’ll likely see four-legged friends running and playing in the sand. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to nearby Lanikai Beach; this gorgeous beach is smaller and often more crowded than Kailua Beach, as people flock here to catch the sunrise over the twin Mokulua Islands.
Planning tip: The parking lot can fill up quickly, and finding a spot near a beach access point can be difficult. Consider renting a bike from the Bike Shop in Kailua Town. (There’s no city-run bike-sharing on this side of the island.) The shop has a range of cruisers, mountain bikes and road bikes for rent, complete with helmets and bike locks. Electra cruises – the most popular bike – start at $18 for up to four hours. You can book online and pick it up at the shop.
Waikiki is the quintessential Hawaiian beach – sparkling waters, golden sand and so much to do at and around it. No wonder Hawaiian aliʻi (royalty) lived and played here! The legendary surfer and Olympian Duke Kahanamoku rode the waves in Waikiki, and you can learn how to surf here from a modern-day beach boy or girl. Ride rolling waves in an outrigger canoe or hop on a catamaran for a sunset sail.
There are several separate named beaches in Waikiki, from the picturesque Kaimana Beach by the 200-acre Kapiʻolani Park to the glistening sands of Duke Kahanamoku Beach, which boasts a kid-friendly lagoon in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. Sip a mai tai at a beachside bar or take in afternoon tea at the historic Moana Surfrider. Everything – hotels, restaurants, boutiques, convenience stores, coffee shops, a zoo and aquarium – is within walking distance.
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We’ve all seen those forehead-slap-inducing headlines about a negligent tourist doing something downright egregious on Native American homelands. It's easy to scoff, but the reality is that even the most well-intentioned travelers among us can make mistakes—say, inadvertently perpetuating harmful stereotypes or unknowingly trespassing onto protected lands.
Tourists will see a new, more resilient Maui next year, thanks to billions in spending from the Hawaiian government, according to Hawaii Governor Josh Green.
Here at TPG, we love our transferable credit card points. You can use them to book award travel with various airline and hotel partners, even if you're not loyal to said airlines and hotels. For instance, I once transferred Chase Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt and redeemed them for a weeklong stay in Hawaii — even though I'd never set foot in a Hyatt.
Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year. In the US, the leaves begin to change into vibrant hues, pumpkin patches and apple orchards welcome guests, sports seasons start to pick up, and, best of all, there’s a lull in the travel calendar causing prices to drop. One of the most highly anticipated sporting events this season is Formula 1's return to Las Vegas this year. Sin City is gearing up by offering bundle packages that combine race tickets with hotel stays on the strip. For hockey fans, Holston House Nashville is offering 10 percent off bookings and an exciting fan experience at their property. Guests can look forward to a custom jersey, dining credit, and themed cocktails.
This week, Alaska Airlines announced sweeping changes to its Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan program. The overhaul will make it easier for customers to earn elite status and loyalty perks in 2025. Plus, the carrier revealed that customers should soon be able to book international itineraries aboard multiple Alaska partners through its website.
Hawaii recently took the top spot in a ranking of the happiest states in the US to live in — and it's also long been a favorite vacation spot for my family.
What makes each of us happy is certainly subjective. However, there is one easy way you can increase your chances of feeling that emotion: Choosing to live in a happier state. In September, WalletHub released its study ranking the happiest states in the U.S. It came to its conclusion after evaluating all 50 states across three key dimensions: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment. Those three dimensions were evaluated using 30 metrics, including the physical health of the population, sleep rates, food insecurity, commute times, income growth rate, average leisure time per person, safety, and more. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing maximum happiness. It then averaged each state's numbers to calculate its overall score.
The famed Road to Hana on Hawai’i’s Maui island starts in Kahului, near the airport. It traverses 63 miles and a seemingly endless stretch of one-lane bridges and switchbacks — taking you past some of the planet’s loveliest waterfalls and hiking trails. It’s a drive that embodies the journey-is-the-destination mindset. So why not keep the journey going a little longer by breaking it up with some overnight stays? Add in some beachside camping and waterfall hiking without having to skimp your time in the destination itself.