The Best Beach
 

I know what the magazines say. But what do you think? What is the best beach in all of Hawaii, and why?

Hate to be nitpicky, but one person's definition of best will differ from another's because there are many characteristics which form parts of the overall impression.
Some people want secluded sand, some want available activities; warm water, light colored water, clear water, big waves, no waves, nearby parking, restroom facilities, available food, cleanliness, color of sand, size of sand grains........

I'll pick Wailea Beach because it's convenient to my favorite hotel and has most of the good qualities of the better Hawaiian beaches. But it's not secluded or quiet.

Once at sunset we watched a group of local boys diving in and out of the waves at Hapuna Beach/BI. The color of the sky, the sound of the waves, the setting in general with it's soft sunwarmed sand and lava rocks, it just epitomized the perfect beach for me! As it got darker, the boys seemed almost like fish splashing around and I lost myself in a fantasy of Old Hawaii and what it might of been like for the people of these islands so many years ago. Whan a palce moves you like this I think it worthy of the title. Aloha

I vote for ((R))Ke'e Beach((R)), Kauai. Stunningly beautiful, framed by inspiring mountains and offers great snorkeling on a calm day. Downside-parking. :S-

I vote for Kalalau Beach, Kauai, on the Na Pali Coast 11 miles by trail from Ke'e Beach. Not just a long, wide, golden sand beach but one of the most spectacularly beautiful places I've ever seen anywhere.

Downside - that long, hard trail, and you usually can't swim there.

While I've been to many of the islands, I've only been to Maui more recently - one of my fav. beaches there is Makena Beach (aka..Big Beach) past Wailea. We've also enjoyed DT Fleming Beach Park alot, but last time there (just recently) the waves were very rough.

My favorite beach is at Ehukai Beach park in the North Shore of Oahu. It's not a great place for "laying out," but if you enjoy surfing and watching the best in the world surf at Pipeline, grab a coffee and a muffin at the Foodland Starbucks around 7 am in December and head to the beach to watch world class surfing in a completely unspoiled environment. I dream about it every day!

Our favorite last July was Palauea beach on Maui, south of Wailea. The beach is flanked by two rocky lava outcroppings that had great snorkeling ("White Rock"), there was lots of shade, the sand was soft, it was pretty quiet both times we were there, you enter through a shady little grove of trees with chickens running around, AND those rocky points are dotted by palm trees that make it look like Gilligan's Island.

love
roxy

While in Kauai this summer I fell in love with Tunnels Beach. I love the mountainous backdrop, the lovely curve of the bay, and the fabulous snorkeling. Ke'e beach was crowded and congested, but there were just a few of us at Tunnels that day. Prior this I would have said Hamoa Bay on Maui for peace and serenity.

My favorite beach on Maui is ... I can't choose. I love them all for one reason or another. Hamoa, for it's beauty. Kam 2, because of the great whale watching. Ulua for snorkling. D.T. Fleming for watching the waves roll in. Charlie Young beach for watching the local kids boogie boarding. I could go on and on. I just love the beaches on Maui.

While the ones above are all nice, none compare to Polihali State Beach Park, Kauai (IMHO).

In Maui, my favorite is DT Fleming:

- Nice waves for body surfing
- No hotels

Great nominations! My favorites are: 1) Kalalau, Kauai - wild and beautiful, 2) Hamoa, Maui - beautiful setting, 3)Kailua, Oahu - Soft sand, calm waves, 4) Haena/Tunnels, Kauai - beautiful setting and great snorkeling

I've lived in Hawaii for a long lime, and I'm always impressed, no, stunned when I see the islands off-shore at Kailua Beach near the entrance to Lanikai.

I live Maui and can be pretty biased about our beaches but to be honest......the best beach is Lumahai beach between Haena and Hanalei on the island of Kauai.

I would say Hapuna Beach on the Big Island. In terms of water clarity, soft sand, and general swimming (except during the winter months when the surf is too strong), it's just about the only Hawaiian beach that rivals the dream beaches of the Caribbean.

Kailua Beach in the morning. If you can get up for the sunrise, you'll be rewarded with one of life's pleasures. And, it's uncrowded, friendly and a nice walk from the Kailua Beach park.

Are there any beaches on Molokai or Lanai that should be included in a list of best beaches?

My favorite beach has to be Waimanalo on Oahu - when I was there this summer it was simply awesome. There was hardly a soul there and it was so beautiful. I could have stayed there forever.

And Waimanalo is just a short drive from my other favorite - Waikiki. I love Waikiki for the people - where else do you find such a diverse bunch?

I definitely agree on Polihale on Kauai but I would also nominate Polihua on Lanai. It is past the Garden of the Gods and is essentially deserted all of the time because it is so remote. The day we were there, we were the only ones on this long stretch of perfect white sugary sand. And the water is beautifully clear and blue because Lanai doesn't have the runoff that some of the other islands have. You need to go in the morning or on a day when there is little to no wind though because otherwise the waves can be rough and you will be pelted with sand.

I also vote for Hapuna Beach on the Big Island, especially when you can have fish tacos for lunch from the snack shack there.

OK - how about the best secluded beaches - where practically no one else is in sight?

Makalawena on the Big Island is secluded (about a fifteen minute walk from the nearest parking), and has three crescent beaches separated by lava outcrops, with powdery white sand, large sand dunes behind the beach, sparkling turquoise water, and great swimming and snorkeling.

The best secluded beach is past telephone pole #71 just past Kohala on BI-incredible!!!!!