Surf Cat

Good for: Bodyboarding

Backed by the lush, 165-acre Makena State Park and sheltered by low lava cliffs, Big Beach is one of Maui’s most breathtaking beaches—and also one of its largest. True to its name, Big Beach stretches more than a mile long, and is 100 feet wide from sand to shoreline. It’s completely undeveloped, but that’s precisely why you’re here: There’s nothing around to distract you from its cushiony white sand and cool crystalline waters. That said, Big Beach has powerful shore breaks that can make it dangerous for kids and less experienced swimmers, so unless you’re a surfer or a body boarder, we recommend wading in the shallows or simply relaxing on the sand with an onolicious Jawz taco in hand (you can’t miss the big yellow truck at the entrance of the parking lot). If you find it tough to sit still on the sand, you can also try your hand at one of the beach’s weekly open volleyball games.

Good for: Snorkeling

Protected by two reefs that extend outward on both ends to form a crescent-shaped cove, Kapalua is one of Maui’s best beaches for snorkeling thanks to its calm, clear waters and its abundance of marine life. Its rocky northern end has particularly good visibility, since it has less sand, and you can expect to see everything from butterfly fish to large green sea turtles. Plus, the beach is superlatively beautiful, and despite its popularity, has somehow managed to remain pristine and peaceful. A seafood dinner at Merriman’s, a tony farm-to-table restaurant located at the south end of the beach, is the perfect way to cap off the day.

Good for: Whale watching and celebrity-spotting

If you’re more interested in glitz and glamour than the rugged and remote, head to the soft golden sands of Wailea, on Maui’s southwestern coast. Though its quarter mile-long shorefront is bookended by swanky five-star resorts—Four Seasons Maui at its south end and Waldorf Astoria’s Grand Wailea to the north—its silvery sands remain immaculate and its emerald waters clear and uncrowded. Wailea Beach also has stunning views over the Molokini Crater (if you’re game for a tour, we like Sail Trilogy’s newer vessels and skilled crew) and the islands of Lanai and Kahoolawe, and it’s an excellent spot to watch whales from November through April. Plus, there are tons of places nearby to grab a sundowner after a day spent flopping around in the ocean, from the casual Monkeypod Kitchen to the sleek Lehua Lounge. Pro tip: There are nightly hula shows, followed by live piano and guitar performances, at the Four Seasons’ classy Lobby Lounge—and you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy them, either.

Good for: Adventure seekers and Instagram junkies

An essential stop on the road to Hana, Kaihalulu Beach is one of Maui’s most striking stretches, thanks to the contrast between its rust-red sand (a product of the lava cinder cone that towers directly behind it) and its electric blue waters. It also happens to be one of the most isolated and difficult to reach: the path down is steep, curvy, and narrow, and can get slippery as a result of crumbling cinder and fallen ironwood pine needles. But tread carefully—preferably in hiking boots—and at the bottom you’ll be rewarded with calm, protected waters and the kind of dramatic, Instagram-worthy views that make it worth the trek. And if you don’t want to leave (or just need a good night’s sleep to recover from the trip), check into the dreamy Travaasa Hana nearby.

Good for: Swimming and watersports

Though it’s only a half-mile long, Lanikai is one of the prettiest stretches of sand on Oahu. It’s the archetypal Hawaiian beachscape: powder-white sands melting into shimmering turquoise water, leafy palm trees, and views out to the beautiful Mokulua Islands. As one of the few beaches in Oahu without shore-breaking waves, its calm waters are perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking, as well as windsurfing and sailing on windier days. (If you’re up for it, we recommend renting snorkeling gear from local operator Kailua Beach Adventures; there are some serious patches of coral reef worth ogling.) Thanks to its location in the quiet residential neighborhood of Kailua, about a 40-minute drive from Honolulu, it also remains infinitely more peaceful and relaxed than tourist-magnet Waikiki—but do note that for this reason, there’s no public lot, so parking can be tricky to come by.

Good for: Surfing—and surf-watching

A trip to Oahu isn’t complete without exploring the island’s windswept North Shore—specifically, Haleiwa and this slice of golden sand known as Sunset Beach. In the summer, the water is flat and calm, ideal for swimming, but in the winter, the waves can get really wild—and that’s exactly why you’re here. Sunset Beach is home to one of Oahu’s best surf breaks, with gigantic swells of up to 25 feet high, making it heaven for experienced surfers (so much so that it hosts the annual Vans World Cup of Surfing, one of the sport’s top events). Even if you’re not a surfer, the views alone make it worth a visit—as the name suggests, it’s a great spot to sit back and watch the sun go down.

Good for: Leisurely strolls

Do you enjoy long walks on the beach? No, really. If you do, then look no further: Clocking in at just over three miles long, Waimanalo Beach is the longest uninterrupted white-sand beach on Oahu and a good place to mosey around, scooping up shells and watching the surf roll in. It’s also one of the most breathtaking beaches on the island, sandwiched between the dramatic cliffs of the Ko’olau mountain range and the iridescent blue-green waters of Waimanalo Bay. Thanks to its tucked away location on Oahu’s windward, or eastern, coast, it remains relatively uncrowded compared to most other beaches on Oahu, frequented only by local families and in-the-know visitors. And if all that weren’t enough reason to visit, Hawaiian green sea turtles love to visit Waimanalo, so keep your eyes peeled for their glossy shells.

Good for: Total solitude

Hawaii’s Big Island is known best for its dramatic black sand beaches—but due to their popularity, they’re often pretty crowded and not that great for swimming, let alone relaxing. Makalawena, on the other hand, is as blissfully deserted as it gets, thanks to its (literally) off-the-beaten-path location—you’ll need a four-wheel drive vehicle to traverse the rough black lava rocks, then hike for another half-hour over a lava field just to get there. (It should go without saying, but you’ll want to pack plenty of water and sunscreen for the journey.) Fortunately, it’s worth the fuss: you’re rewarded with a string of postcard-perfect white-sand coves, lots of shady palm trees to laze beneath, and a beautiful coral reef just a few feet offshore that’s perfect for snorkeling. A heads-up: The southernmost cove is known for nude bathing, which—coupled with the arduous trek—doesn’t make this spot especially family-friendly.

Good for: Families and turtle-spotting

Punalu’u is one of the most popular sunbathing spots in all of Hawaii, and for good reason: just off the Māmalahoa Highway (also known as the Hawaii Belt Road), it’s easy to get to; it’s ideal for swimming and snorkeling; and it’s beautiful to boot, with its lush coconut palms, jet-black sand, and jewel-tone waters. Plus, it’s a popular spot to see groups of enormous Hawaiian sea turtles catching some rays right on the sand in front of you, along with endangered Hawksbill turtles, who often come right up to the shore. (Just remember: It’s illegal to touch sea turtles in Hawaii, so make sure to keep a distance of at least 15 feet). Lifeguards, a picnic area, and natural freshwater pools at the beach’s southern end make Punalu’u especially family-friendly.

Good for: Camping

You’ll need a four-wheel drive to get to Polihale Beach, which is accessed via a rough and rocky five-mile road to Kauai’s Polihale State Park. But this sweeping stretch of golden beach, flanked by the soaring Napali Coast cliffs and 100-foot-high sand dunes, is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii to set up camp, and well worth the effort it takes to do it. Pick your spot along the 15-mile beachfront (there are several campsites along the beach; you’ll need to get a camping permit to snag one) and then relax, take a dip, and enjoy the spectacular sunset. Being so far removed from any light pollution, the stargazing is unforgettable—though nothing beats waking up just steps from the ocean on the paradise that is Kauai.