We just got back from Oahu. I will post a trip report sometime soon but I can tell you that, of all the beaches we saw in Oahu, Kailua beach is the most beautiful one. I think it's tough to beat this one. However, since Kaanapali is known to be the best beach in Maui and since I have never been to Maui, I am curious if Kaanapali is even prettier than Kailua.

IMHO Kailua beats Kaanapali hands down. For one reason, it is not crowded, and for another, it doesn't wash away and shrink away like Kaanapali does. The Kaanapali beach is much narrower than Kailua Beach. Add to that the fact that there is one resort after another all along the Kaanapali coastline. Pretty as it is, it doesn't - IMHO - hold a candle to Kailua.

"Best beach" is purely subjective, but I personally would not consider Ka`anapali the best beach on Maui. It may be considered a good beach by those who seek a resort type beach experience, but is you are seeking a beautiful beach we can do better than Ka`anapali. As Bashful said, Ka`anapali is lined with hotels. If you are looking for beautiful beaches on Maui, try Hamoa, any of the beaches from Wailea to Makena, Ho`okipa (takes my breathe away still everytime I come down from Haiku and see H'kipo before me), Flemings, or maybe Mokule'ia (Slaughterhosue).

Personally, I don't even consider most of Kaanapali a beach. More like a thin strip of sand.

You are right. "Best beach" is pretty subjective. Kaanapali may be the best-known beach on Maui, even if it is not the prettiest.

Kailua and Lanikai beaches are indeed breathtaking. Part of their beauty is the delicious turquoise color of their water. I haven’t been to Maui yet but I haven’t seen such water with so many different shades of blue.

By the way, here is my ranking of Oahu beaches that I saw based on their beauty:

1: Lanikai
2: Kailua
3: Waimanalo
4: Sunset
5: Waimea Bay
6: La’ie
7: Sandy
8: Waikiki

gzseattle - Glad to hear you discovered some of Oahu's beautiful beaches. I haven't yet been to Kailua or Lanikai (am planning on it when I go back in April 2005!), but I can say that I was really disappointed with Kaanapali. Much of it was washed out when we went, and we just kept scratching our heads as to why that beach and that island is the #1 island destination. From what I've seen, Oahu has prittier beaches than Maui, and more of them.

Did you make it out to the Ko'Olina lagoons? Hope the whole trip was enjoyable!

Yes, I did go to Ko'olina lagoons. They are indeed exceptionally pretty. I didnt include them in my list only because they aren't natural.

By the way, it seems that most visitors to Oahu miss Lanikai, Kailua and Waimanalo beaches (indeed, the entire area between Waimanalo and Kailua). Instead, they head straight to Waikiki, Waimea or Sunset.

The trip on the whole was enjoyable. However, the weather wasnt too good most of the time (rainy and windy) which didnt let us enjoy it to the fullest.

Sorry you weren't able to go to Makapuu but in terms of your main question...the last time I went into the water at Kaanapali the bottom was full of what semed to be pieces of concrete..literally..but that was several years ago.

It really is too bad that all the "hype" about Maui has managed to obscure the fact that Oahu has some great beaches. Of course, travelers like you who actually go to somewhere based on more than the recommendations of a bunch of folks who believe everything they hear end up finding some great places to visit.

Hype about Maui!! What hype?? Oahu is the most visited, most written about, most featured in TV and movies island that ever existed. And the same is true of Waikiki beach, the most famous (and over rated) beach in the world! All the hype is about Oahu and Waikiki, both of which are highly over rated!

Some say one, some say the other. It's a matter of opinion.

Maui is still the #1 island destination in the world, according to many travel industry publications, so I do say it is over hyped. Yes, Oahu gets a lot of press, too, and I agree that Waikiki isn't for everyone. But, in my experience, Oahu (including the whole island, not just Waikiki) exceeded my expectations, while Maui did not. I expected much more from all the hype, and although it is pretty, I don't get the #1 rating. I know some will disagree, and to each his own. Heck, you won't find me complaining no matter what Hawaiian island I'm on!

Oahu has the best beach. Kailua is one of them.

OK, I grew up in Kailua, so it's pretty cool to see how much everyone loves Kailua beach! Not that I'm bias or anything, but I would say that it's a hands down local secret (shhhhhhh!) that Kailua and Lanikai are the best. My favorite thing is to take our kayaks and paddle out to the Mokes or flat island, then swing by Island Snow for some shave ice. I'll be home in 2 weeks.... Can't wait!