The Four Award-Winning Beaches

Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards survey polls readers who actually travel, not a panel. The four Hawaii beaches that made the cut earned their spots for different reasons — one for family-friendly swimming, another for raw wilderness, one for resort-quality polish, and one for sheer geological strangeness.

A quick safety note: Hawaii's ocean conditions shift fast. Rip currents, shore break, and unguarded stretches are common even at popular spots. Check HawaiiBeachSafety.com before heading out, and never turn your back on the waves.

You'll need a rental car to reach these beaches across the islands. Discount Hawaii Car Rental compares rates across the major agencies and often beats booking directly with the brands.

Polihale Beach — Kauai

Polihale Beach is 17 miles of white sand at the western end of Kauai, where the Na Pali Coast meets the Mana Plains. The dunes here hit 100 feet. Cactus grows in the sand. Sunsets drop behind the Forbidden Island of Ni'ihau. This is not a resort beach.

Getting there requires a 5-mile dirt road (check conditions — it washes out in heavy rain and a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended). There are basic facilities like pit toilets and picnic shelters but no lifeguards. Swimming is dangerous year-round due to strong currents and shore break. This is a beach for long walks, shell hunting, and watching the sky change colors.

Camping requires a permit through the Hawaii DLNR system. Bring everything you need: water, shade, food. The nearest store is miles back toward Waimea.

Wailea Beach — Maui

Wailea Beach sits on Maui's south shore between the Four Seasons and the Grand Wailea. The sand is fine gold, the water is calm most of the year, and the slope into the ocean is gentle enough for kids. It's the polished, resort-side version of a Hawaii beach, and it earned its spot on the list for exactly that reason.

Winter months bring humpback whale sightings offshore, plus clear views of Kaho'olawe, Molokini Crater, and Lana'i. Snorkeling is solid along the rocky points at both ends of the beach when conditions are calm. Boogie boarding works on the small, well-formed shore break.

The Wailea Beach Path, a paved 1.6-mile coastal walkway, connects this beach to four others along the resort corridor. Free public parking is available off Wailea Alanui Drive, along with restrooms and outdoor showers. Arrive early — the lot fills by mid-morning.

Hapuna Beach — Big Island

Hapuna Beach is the longest white sand beach on the Big Island — roughly half a mile of wide, open shoreline on the Kohala Coast. In summer, the water is calm and clear, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and boogie boarding. Whale watching is common from the shore between December and April.

The state park has a large parking lot ($5 per vehicle for non-residents), restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions, and a lifeguard tower. It's one of the most accessible beaches on the island. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort sits at the north end.

Winter is a different story. High surf generates powerful shore break and rip currents that catch people off guard every year. Hapuna ranks among the most dangerous beaches in Hawaii during big swells. If the lifeguards post red flags, stay out of the water.

Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach — Maui

The black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa State Park is one of the most visually striking shorelines in Hawaii. The sand is volcanic — ground down from ancient lava flows off Haleakala over millions of years. It sits in a small cove surrounded by black lava rock, sea caves, and a freshwater cave pool tied to Hawaiian legend.

The park requires advance reservations for non-residents. Book through the Hawaii DLNR website. Entry is $5 per person (non-resident) and $10 per vehicle. Time slots fill up fast, especially during peak season — reserve at least a few days ahead.

Beyond the beach, explore the coastal trail, blowholes, natural stone arches, and the lava tube caves. The park is about 3 miles north of Hana off the Road to Hana (Mile Marker 32). Pack water and snacks — there are no concessions.