Beaches in the Americas
The setting of Green Sand Beach is more spectacular than the greenish colour of the sand. Located at the bottom of an aqua blue horseshoe-shaped bay at the foot of steep cliffs, the first look of this secluded beach will for sure take your breath away. To reach the beach from the parking lot you have to hike for about 5 km along the wild barren coastline on a beaten track. Locals have set up a thriving business by driving peple back and forth in their beat up 4x4s.
The beautiful northern shore of Kaua'i Island is dotted with beaches. Stunning Haena Beach is one of the easiest to access as there is a parking lot. The three beaches, Haena, Makua and Tunnels, then lies as white pearls on a string with cragged Makana Ridge (Bali Hai) as a photogenic backdrop. The middle section is popular with resting monk seals, while Tunnels Beach at the tip is considered one of the best snorkeling spots on Kaua'i - particularly during summer, when the sea is at its calmest. Note that swimming can be dangerous with both strong currents and maiming shore breaks, so like everywhere else in Hawai'i: "If in doubt, don't go out!"
It's easy to understand Hapuna Beach's reputation as one of the finest in Hawaii. A gorgeous sliver of white sand enclosed by black lava rocks. However, when the waves are big (in winter), the shore break can get rough and flood the entire beach. Luckily, you can always retrieve to the grassy patches on higher ground at the beach park. Here you also find showers, toilets, and shady pavilions along with a big parking lot (a hint of its popularity).
Ka'anapali Beach is lined with big luxury resorts (Hyatt, Marriott, and Sheraton, just to name a few), but since all beaches in Hawaii are public, there are paths between the private grounds. The wide beach is a mile long with fine sand and crystal clear water. It is surprisingly empty, since most holidaymakers are using the sunbeds around the pool at their resort. There are parking spaces allocated to public beach use, but they can be hard to find.
One of the best beaches on O'ahu is the long Kailua Beach. It has soft white powder sand, turquoise blue waters, and views several small islands off-shore. It's protected by Kailua Bay which makes for gentle waves, perfect for swimming, kite surfing and other water fun. The beach is located in the posh, but hippieish, community of Kailua and has a nice shady beach park with all facilities.
There are plenty of pretty beaches to choose from at Kihei. If you don't like the first one, go to the next. They all have some kind of beach park with parking and toilets. It's a popular area to stay in Maui, but lacks the restaurants and tourist shopping of Lahaina.
If you feel the gentle waves at Kailua are "too rough", then head to the even more esteemed beach next door at Lanikai. The picture perfect beach has been mentioned as the prettiest beach on O'ahu - and for good reason. Not only is the sand white and soft, but the aqua blue water is calm, which is unusual for Hawai'i. However, there isn't much shade and hardly any parking (besides a few spots on the residential streets), so you will have to park at Kailua and walk about 20 minutes.
Magic Sands Beach is a gorgeous beach with tall palms. The powerful shore break is very popular with both body surfers and boogie boarders. As the beach is small, it can get packed, particularly at sunset. The real name is La'aloa Beach, but the nickname "magic" refers to the fact that the beach can vanish during high surf in winter. The picture is taken on a day, when it was closed due to dangerous surf.
Away from the tourist zones of Kihei and Wailea with not a resort insight, lies this wild and scenic beach. It's a wide stretch of golden soft sand on a backdrop of thorny Kiawe trees. Though Makena Big Beach is popular, it's never crowded. Be careful if going into the turquoise ocean, as the shore break has a reputation of being extremely strong. There is another "Little Beach" further north.
Poipu Beach is actually two beaches naturally split by a sand bar, which is a popular spot for napping Hawaiian monk seals. The east section is a protected cove popular with kids, while the west is good for snorkeling. Expect a crowd here (as crowded as it gets on Kauai), as Poipu Beach is considered one of the best beaches in the US and is flanked by pavilions, toilets and resorts.