Which Hawaiian island has the best beaches?

The honest answer is that it depends entirely on what "best" means to you, and the islands are different enough that a single ranking flattens something worth understanding. Oʻahu has the most iconic beaches — Waikīkī, Pipeline, Hanauma Bay — and the easiest access to all of them. Maui has the most variety, from luxury resort beaches in Wailea and Kāʻanapali to the black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa. Kauaʻi has the most dramatic landscape settings, such as Hanalei Bay, which is backed by fluted green mountains, and Polihale at the end of the road on the west side below the Nā Pali cliffs. Hawaiʻi Island has the most geologically unusual sand: black, green and white. First-timers who want easy, beautiful and swimmable should start with Oʻahu or Maui. Visitors chasing dramatic landscapes who don't mind taking a drive or a boat to get there should go to Kauaʻi.

Are Hawaiʻi beaches public?

Yes, all beaches are public across Hawaiʻi, by state law. Every beach in Hawaiʻi is public to the high-water mark, and no resort, private property or gated community can legally block access to the shoreline. What resorts can control is their own parking lots and pathways, which is why public beach access points — sometimes a small gap between buildings or a marked pedestrian path — exist by requirement along developed coastlines. Wailea on Maui is a good example. It has public parking, a public beach walk and full legal access to every inch of the shoreline, regardless of which resort's grounds you walked through to reach it. You do not need to be a hotel guest to use any beach in Hawaiʻi. You just need to know where the access path is.

What is the best beach in Hawaiʻi for families?

Four beaches earn consistent high marks for families across the islands: Ala Moana on Oʻahu for calm, shallow water; Wailea on Maui for resort-area convenience with public parking and facilities; Poʻipū on Kauaʻi for the south shore's reliable sunshine and gentle surf; and Hāpuna on Hawaiʻi Island for white sand, a lifeguard on duty and water that is calm most days of the year. All four have easy beach entry, no serious reef hazards close to shore and the kind of conditions that suit children who are still learning to be comfortable in the ocean.

When is surf season in Hawaiʻi?

There are two, and they affect opposite sides of the islands. Winter surf season runs December through March on north shores — Oʻahu's "Seven Mile Miracle," Maui's Honolua Bay — when large North Pacific swells arrive with enough power to produce the waves that define professional surfing. Summer surf season runs June through September on south shores — Waikīkī and Ala Moana on Oʻahu, Māʻalaea on Maui — when Southern Hemisphere swells move through. East and west sides see surf year-round at varying sizes. The practical implication for swimmers is that the beach that was calm when you visited last February may be closed to swimming in July, and the North Shore that looked terrifying in winter is a calm, swimmable bay by June.

Is it safe to swim at Hawaiʻi beaches?

Mostly, yes. Lifeguarded beaches flying green or yellow flags are generally appropriate for moderate swimmers on those specific days. Red flags mean stay out. Unguarded beaches require local knowledge and honest self-assessment. The two causes behind most Hawaiʻi drownings — rip currents and shorebreak — are not always visible from the sand. Some of the most dangerous beaches in the state look completely benign. Check the lifeguard flags when you arrive, ask the lifeguard on duty about specific conditions and never swim alone at a beach you do not know. Hawaiʻi's ocean drowning rates are among the highest in the United States — not because the water is uniquely dangerous but because visitors consistently underestimate it.

Why are Hawaiʻi beaches different colors?

The different colored sands in Hawaiʻi are related to volcanic geology. White sand is primarily broken coral, shell and calcium carbonate ground down by wave action over centuries — the same process that produces the white beaches of Maui's Kāʻanapali and Hawaiʻi Island's Hāpuna. Black sand forms when lava meets the ocean. The thermal shock shatters the molten rock into fine, dark particles that waves grind and sort over time. Punaluʻu on Hawaiʻi Island and Waiʻānapanapa on Maui are both active black sand beaches still receiving new material from inland flows. Green sand comes from olivine, an iron-magnesium silicate mineral common in Hawaiʻi's basalt, which weathers out of the surrounding rock and concentrates on the shore — Papakōlea on Hawaiʻi Island is one of only four green sand beaches on Earth. Red sand, visible at Kaihalulu Beach in Hāna on Maui, comes from iron-rich volcanic cinder that oxidizes — essentially, rust — and colors the surrounding deposit.

How many beaches are in Hawaiʻi?

There's no official total for the number of beaches in Hawaiʻi. The Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism listed 54 public beaches statewide as of April 2024 in its State of Hawaii Data Book: 12 on Hawaiʻi Island, 9 on Maui, 24 on Oʻahu and 9 on Kauaʻi. According to the table, there are 610 miles of shoreline throughout the state, 169 of those sandy beaches.

Which beach in Hawaiʻi has the clearest water?

The beaches that have calm water and are the least crowded tend to have the clearest water: Hulopoʻe Beach on Lānaʻi, Makalawena and Mauna Kea Beach on Hawaiʻi Island, Kapalua Beach on Maui and Maniniʻōwali Beach on Hawaiʻi Island are some of them.

Hawaiʻi Beach Guide

Which island for which kind of beach day — and how to stay safe in the water.

By Sarah Burchard, EditorUpdated July 16, 2026Expert verified

Maui has the best resort beaches. Oʻahu has Waikīkī and the "Seven Mile Miracle" for the best surfing beaches. Kauaʻi's North Shore beaches are backed by the incredible Nā Pali coast. And Hawaiʻi Island has the most unique beaches, with most of them lined with lava rock.

All of Hawaiʻi's beaches are open to the public, but that doesn't mean they're all easily accessible. To visit Waiʻānapanapa's black sand beach on the Road to Hāna, you must have a reservation that takes weeks to secure, and it's a hassle to find parking for Maui's popular beach, Kāʻanapali, if you aren't staying in one of its resorts. This guide will help you understand the variety of beaches on each island to find the best ones for you — hint, sometimes, the best beach is the one that is most convenient.

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Best For Beaches at a Glance Oʻahu Maui Kauaʻi Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)Winter vs. Summer Beach Safety and Rules What are some less crowded beaches in Hawaiʻi? FAQ

Best Hawaiʻi Beaches

The islands are different enough that the right beach depends on what you're after. Here are the picks across all four.

Best for first-timer families

The four beaches that consistently deliver for families with young children, providing calm water, easy access, lifeguards and basic facilities, are Ala Moana Beach Park on Oʻahu, Wailea Beach on Maui, Poʻipū Beach on Kauaʻi and Hāpuna Beach on Hawaiʻi Island. Each is reef-protected or naturally sheltered enough to make it easy for kids to play, each has parking and restrooms and they are all close to hotels. Of the four, Wailea ranks number one for families staying on Maui's south shore. The beach is wide, the water is reliably calm, parking is easy and restrooms are close by. Hāpuna is the most beautiful of the four in a purely classical sense — long white sand, clear turquoise water, dramatic mountain backdrop.

Best for snorkeling

Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu is the best for a first-time snorkel experience. The protected bay with shallow coral reef and dense fish population make it a wonderland to explore, and the safety briefing ahead of your experience will answer any safety questions you may have ahead of time. Keep in mind, you will need reservations which sell out two days in advance at 7 a.m. Molokini, roughly 2.5 miles offshore from Māʻalaea Harbor on Maui, is an eroded volcanic crater accessible by tour boat only. Here, you'll experience clear visibility of up to 150 feet and deep, open-water snorkeling which may mean bigger fish. Tunnels Beach on Kauaʻi's north shore also has an extraordinary reef. Go during summer when the water is calm; in the winter the swell gets too big to snorkel safely. Two Step near Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau on Hawaiʻi Island is also a popular snorkeling spot and has regular sea turtle activity. If you can only snorkel once in Hawaiʻi, we recommend taking a tour to Molokini.

Best for sunset

Wailea on Maui and Hāpuna on Hawaiʻi Island both face west, which means you'll have unobstructed sunsets over the ocean with the offshore islands of Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe or Maui's silhouettes on the horizon. Keawaʻula Beach — known to most visitors as Yokohama Beach — at the far western tip of Oʻahu is one of the most spectacular and undervisited sunset locations in the state. The secluded beach puts the Waiʻanae Mountain range at your back and nothing but ocean ahead. Poʻipū on Kauaʻi faces southwest and catches the last light beautifully, with the added bonus of monk seal sightings on the sand with some regularity.

Best for photography

Waikīkī Beach earns its photographic reputation from the action on the beach and everything surrounding it — Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) in the east, the resort skyline to your back, the catamarans coming in and out and the longboard surfers bobbing in the water at golden hour. Waiʻānapanapa black sand beach on Maui is one of the most stunning in the state. The jet-black volcanic sand, the lava caves, the powerful waves and deep green coastal vegetation creates a vivid contrast you'll hardly have to edit. Hanalei Bay on Kauaʻi — with its wide crescent beach backed by fluted green mountains dripping with waterfalls — is the most classically beautiful beach landscape in the state. Punaluʻu black sand beach on Hawaiʻi Island adds Hawaiian green sea turtles resting on volcanic sand, which requires no photographic skill to make extraordinary.

ʻEhukai Beach Park / "Banzai Pipeline." Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Best for big-wave spectating

Banzai Pipeline (ʻEhukai Beach Park), Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach on Oʻahu's North Shore go off from December through February. On a 15-foot swell, standing on the sand at Pipeline is one of the most viscerally impressive things you can do in Hawaiʻi without entering the water. Peʻahi on Maui, known internationally as Jaws, can reach 40-foot faces on the right swell. Access to Jaws viewpoints requires local knowledge and timing; it is not a casual stop. Polihale on Kauaʻi does not produce surfable big waves, but the remote beach's exposure to open ocean swells creates a wave-watching experience with serious power and very few other people watching alongside you.

Most secluded

Keawaʻula Beach (Yokohama) on Oʻahu requires driving the entire length of the Waiʻanae Coast to reach the end of the paved road. Polihale on Kauaʻi requires several miles of dirt road past the end of the highway — a beach at the literal edge of the island, backed by the Nā Pali cliffs. Makalawena on Hawaiʻi Island is a 1.5-mile walk across ʻaʻā lava from the parking area, although the white sand and calm bay at the end is a nice reward for the effort. Mākena on Maui — specifically the stretch past the state park's third entrance on a weekday — is also secluded.

Beaches at a Glance

Beach	Island	Best for	Swimming	Lifeguard
Ala Moana	Oʻahu	Swimming, SUP	Year-round	Yes
Wailea	Maui	Swimming, boogie boarding	Calm most of the year	No
Poʻipū	Kauaʻi	Swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling	Calm most of the year	Yes
Hāpuna	Hawaiʻi Island	Swimming, snorkeling	Calm most of the year	Yes
Makalawena	Hawaiʻi Island	Snorkeling, sunbathing	Use caution	No
Tunnels	Kauaʻi	Snorkeling	Summer only	No
ʻAnini	Kauaʻi	Snorkeling, SUP, camping	Summer only	Yes
Waikīkī	Oʻahu	Swimming	Calm most of the year	Yes
Waiʻānapanapa	Maui	Swimming	Watch only	No
Hanalei Bay	Kauaʻi	Swimming	Seasonal (summer only)	Yes
Punaluʻu	Hawaiʻi Island	Picnicking, sunbathing	Watch only	No
Polihale	Kauaʻi	Sunbathing, picnicking, camping	Watch only	No
Banzai Pipeline	Oʻahu	Big-wave surfing	Watch only	Yes
Waimea	Oʻahu	Swimming, big-wave surfing	Seasonal (summer only)	Yes
Sunset	Oʻahu	Big-wave surfing	Seasonal (summer only)	Yes
Mākena	Maui	Boogie boarding	Use caution, too rough for swimming	Yes

Aliʻi Beach Park in Haleʻiwa, North Shore, Oʻahu. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Oʻahu

You'll find a wide variety of beaches on Oʻahu that are easily accessible. The world-famous Waikīkī Beach is directly off the main drag — Kalākaua Avenue. It's walking distance from every hotel in Waikīkī. You can also easily access it by bus, Bikeshare or rideshare. Parking garages are pricey in Waikīkī and you don't need a rental car unless you are exploring other parts of the island outside of Honolulu. The North Shore is where you will find big-wave surfing in the winter. Parking is free along these beaches, but can be difficult to secure during international surf competitions and on weekend afternoons. Windward beaches offer views of the Koʻolau Mountains with several notable spots to stop along the highway such as Hālona Blowhole. There are lots of beaches in between with free parking and swimmable waters. Oʻahu beaches are best for Hawaiʻi first-timers and serious surfers.

Oʻahu's North Shore beaches

Waikīkī

The most famous beach in Hawaiʻi and the most crowded. This is where Duke Kahanamoku popularized surfing, introducing it to the Western world. For first-timers and anyone who loves a festive crowd. There is no shade on the beach, so if you are not staying at a resort that provides umbrellas you may want to rent one. Parking is essentially nonexistent, unless you park at a resort or International Marketplace, which can run around $20 per day and up.

Waikīkī Beach.

Ala Moana

Ala Moana Beach Park and its adjacent Magic Island are where the locals go. On any day, you can find families and friends huddled around pop-up tents and grills, eating and hanging out. The reef-protected waters make them calm for swimming, snorkeling and SUP. Plenty of free parking. Beautiful morning, afternoon or evening for sunset.

Ala Moana Beach Park.

Kailua

A white sand beach on the East Side. Can be very windy and suffers from overtourism, along with its neighbor, Lanikai Beach. Parking is difficult. Unless you are staying in Kailua, I would skip these beaches — Ala Moana is just as nice and you won't have to worry about parking. Good for windsurfing and wind foiling.

Kailua.

North Shore Beaches (Haleʻiwa, Waimea, Sunset)

Traffic is an issue on the North Shore. Try to arrive early and leave by 2 p.m. Many beaches here have a reef to contend with when you get into the water; that's one of the reasons this is where the best surf on the island is. Waimea Bay can be good for swimming in the summer, but parking is near impossible.

Haleʻiwa Beach Park. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Ko ʻOlina Lagoons

Four man-made lagoons with calm water perfect for families with small children. Good for families staying in a Ko ʻOlina resort as parking can be difficult. Sunsets are gorgeous here too.

Ko ʻOlina Lagoon.

Hanauma Bay

World-class snorkeling spot at a protected nature preserve. Reservations only. Fills by 8 a.m., so get there early. Good for beginners and families with kids. They will show you an instructional video on how to snorkel safe. Tons of coral reef and fish.

Hanauma Bay. Photo courtesy of Robert's Hawaii.

Yokohama Bay / Keawa'ula Beach

Quiet beach at the end of the road on the West Side. Gorgeous sunsets and good place to picnic or sunbathe. Water is too rough for swimming or snorkeling. Restrooms onsite. Park along the highway.

Maui

For the resort beach experience, come to Maui. Kāʻanapali and Wailea beaches have soft white sand and gentle waters and are steps from the island's best hotels. Maui is also where you will find unique and especially photogenic beaches like Waiʻānapanapa black sand beach, Hoʻokipa Beach (for sea turtles) and the forest-lined Mākena Beach. Maui beaches are best for visitors wanting the quintessential Hawaiʻi beach resort experience.

Wailea Beach, Maui

Kāʻanapali

The most popular beach in West Maui, with boardwalk, shops, restaurants, swimming and snorkeling. Good for visitors who love crowds and a lot of action. Also good for families with kids as the water is generally calm, especially in the summer. Skip it if you are looking for something quiet.

Kāʻanapali Beach. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Wailea

Beaches along this resort strip of Kīhei are quieter than Kāʻanapali. Lounge chairs with umbrellas are reserved for resort guests. Good for visitors of any age. Free parking.

Wailea Beach. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Mākena

Mākena State Park offers 165 acres of sandy beaches along Maui's southwestern coast. This is where you will find Big Beach and Little Beach — both essentially part of the same beach. There are parking lots, but non-visitors will need to pay a $10 parking fee plus $5 entry fee per person. Beach closes at 7 p.m.

Mākena Beach, Maui

Kapalua Bay

Best for snorkeling and anyone staying in a Kapalua resort. The water is clear and typically calm, except in winter months. There is parking, restrooms and showers.

Waiʻānapanapa

Black sand beach on the Road to Hāna. You'll need a reservation booked ahead of time to get in, but it is worth it. This is the most unique beach on the Hāna journey. You can swim in the summer, but there is a forceful shorebreak, so use caution. The easiest way to go to this beach is by booking a tour that will take you there.

Waiʻānapanapa Beach. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Hoʻokipa

Good for surfing and turtle watching, not for swimming. Stop by here when you are hanging out in Pāʻia or on your way to the Road to Hāna. Free parking, covered picnic tables and restrooms available.

Hoʻokipa Beach. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Kauaʻi

Kauaʻi beaches are typically not as crowded as Oʻahu and Maui beaches. Many visit Hanalei Bay for the photogenic Hanalei Pier and dramatic green backdrop — towering cliffs covered in waterfalls. There are resort beaches in Poʻipū, but they are not the best for swimming. What's cool about some of Kauaʻi's beaches, like Keālia Beach for example, is that you can drive on them. This means you can load up your car with coolers and beach toys and not have to carry them from the car. Kauaʻi beaches are best for visitors who care more about the landscape than convenience.

Kauaʻi's beaches change with the season

Poʻipū

Steps from South Shore resorts and a popular beach for year-round swimming, snorkeling and spotting monk seals. Can be difficult to find parking. I've seen people surf here too. If you are staying on the North Shore, you can skip it.

Pōʻipū Beach. Photo by Ben Oto / Hawaiʻi Travel Authority.

Hanalei Bay

Home to the famous Hanalei Pier. Come here to snap photos, picnic or sunbathe with towering mountains and waterfalls as your view behind the water. If you are staying on the other side of the island, you should make a day trip up to Hanalei for beach, shopping and eating.

Hanalei Peir. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Keʻe

Swimming and snorkeling beach at the end of the road on the North Shore. Rains often. Best to go during the summer months. If you are not staying on the North Shore and you do not have a day trip planned, you can skip it.

Tunnels

Another popular spot on the North Shore for summer snorkeling. If you can't find parking here, continue on to Keʻe Beach. If you are not staying on the North Shore and you do not have a day trip planned, you can skip it.

Tunnels Beach via Shutterstock.

ʻAnini

Popular summer snorkeling spot with long reef and clear water on the North Shore. Good for SUP and swimming in the shallow end. Free parking, although limited. Worth it if you are driving up to the North Shore.

ʻAnini beach. Photo courtesy of @julierayme on Instagram.

Polihale

A big, beautiful beach on the west side, but the only downside is you can't swim here. The water is too rough. Most people come here to camp. I have camped here; it was nice in the summer, didn't even need a tent. Must reserve ahead of time. Fee is $30 per campsite. Unless you are camping, you can skip it.

Polihale Beach. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Lydgate

A protected swimming beach, great for families with small children on the East Side. If you are staying in Līhuʻe, stop here on the way to or from Kapaʻa Town. It's on the Kapaʻa Bike Path too.

Māhāʻulepū Beach

A secluded beach on the South Shore near the Hyatt Resort with hiking trail and no facilities. Come for swimming and snorkeling. If you are staying on the North Shore, skip it.

Māhāʻulepū Beach via Shutterstock.

Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island)

Many of Hawaiʻi Island's beaches are not beaches at all, but lava rock cliffs over the ocean — especially on the Hilo side. If you are looking for the white sand beach experience, where you can get in the water, your best bet is the Hāpuna Beach or Mauna Kea resort experience. There are a few interspersed along the Kona coast as well. Two Step on the south shore is great for snorkeling, Kohanaiki (Pine Trees) Beach Park is a popular surf break and you'll for sure see turtles at Punaluʻu black sand beach. Many beaches close by 7 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Island's Kohala Coast

Hāpuna

A half mile of soft white sand with a manicured lawn and palm trees. Water is calm and clear in summer. Hāpuna Beach is good for anyone, especially families with small children. Winter swells, roughly November through March, build a heavy shore break. No swimming during these months. Nonresidents pay $5 per person (children 3 and under are free) plus $10 per vehicle, credit card only; residents are free with ID. Restrooms and picnic areas are on-site. Arrive before 9 a.m. to get a parking spot.

Hāpuna Beach.

Maniniʻōwali (Kua Bay)

A small white-sand cove with clear water. The entrance is off Highway 19 between mile markers 88 and 89. After parking, you'll need to walk a short paved path to get here. Good for swimmers, bodyboarders and snorkelers on calm days. The best snorkeling is at the south end, near the rock formation known as "the wall." Waves get strong in winter, and there's no lifeguard, so don't swim during these months. Weekends get crowded. Nonresidents pay $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle, credit card only. There are restrooms, showers and picnic tables. Go on a weekday or before 9 a.m. The lot fills quickly on weekends.

Maniniʻōwali (Kua Bay).

Punaluʻu

A black-sand beach where honu (green sea turtles) crawl out of the ocean to rest. It's more a place to watch turtles and photograph the shoreline than to swim. Good for sightseers, photographers and families with older children. Skip it if you want a swim day. Currents can be strong and the shallow end is rocky. Bring water shoes, since the black sand gets very hot by midday. Go early or late in the day for the best chance of seeing honu. Stay at least 10 feet away from turtles. Recent ownership issues have been resolved and the government will soon be taking care of facilities here again.

Punaluʻu Beach via Shutterstock.

Two Step (Hōnaunau Bay)

Not so much of a beach as a popular snorkeling spot on the Kona coast. There's no sand, just a lava-rock ledge that makes entering the water easy for confident swimmers. Intermediate snorkelers will find clear water, coral and frequent turtle sightings. Skip it if this is your first time snorkeling, if you have young children or if the water looks rough — it's usually calm in the morning. No lifeguard and no parking lot. A small private lot about a five-minute walk away charges $5, cash only, and fills by about 8 a.m. The alternative is parking next door at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park for $20. Restrooms are at the park, but there are no showers. Plan to be in the water between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m., before the wind picks up and the lot fills.

Hōnaunau Bay, Big Island

Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay)

White sand beach in front of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, with palms for shade and a gentle slope into the water. Good for families and snorkelers. It's usually less crowded than nearby Hāpuna because parking is capped. Snorkeling is best at the rocky north end, which is more exposed and better for stronger swimmers. Skip it if you can't arrive early. The hotel releases only about 40 public parking spaces a day, and they're usually gone by mid-morning. Not suitable for swimming in the winter months. If the parking lot is full, go to Hāpuna Beach instead.

Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay). Photo by Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku.

Makalawena

A remote beach bordered by sand dunes, next to ʻŌpaeʻula Pond, a bird sanctuary. Good for adventurous swimmers and snorkelers who want quiet and don't mind a walk. Skip it during winter swells, when the shore break can be dangerous, and avoid midday, when the lava rock is hot and there's no shade. There are no facilities, drinking water or lifeguard. Swimming is best in the largest inlet, where the bottom is sandy and water is calm. You will need a four-wheel drive to get here. Park in the Mahaiʻula section of Kekaha Kai State Park. From the north end of Mahaiʻula Beach, it's a hike of about 15 to 20 minutes across rough ʻaʻā lava. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring plenty of water, and go early, before it gets too hot.

Makalawena Beach. Photo by Kirk Lee Aeder / Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

Winter vs. Summer

The North Shore on all islands see their largest surf from December through March, when winter swells generated in the North Pacific arrive with full force. This includes Pipekline, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beaches on Oʻahu and Hanalei, Tunnels and Anini beach on Kauaʻi. The south shore across the islands sees summer surf from June through September. East and west sides see surf year-round at varying sizes. These are not fixed rules, as conditions change daily and sometimes hourly, but knowing which direction a beach faces and what season it is gives you a useful baseline of information. You should not plan any swimming or snorkeling on North Shore beaches during the winter months. South Shore beaches are generally swimmable year-round.

Banzai Pipeline. Photo by Sarah Burchard.

Beach Safety and Rules

Lifeguard flags and signs — Hawaiʻi's drowning rates are among the highest in the United States. Always heed the signs lifeguards put out and don't be embarrassed to ask questions. Locals can be a wealth of information too. If one gives you a warning, you should listen, and if you are unfamiliar with the beach and there's no lifeguard, don't swim. Yellow flags mean elevated caution — conditions deserve consideration and less confident swimmers should stay closer to shore or out of the water entirely. Red means the beach is closed to swimming. Double red means the area is closed entirely.

Shorebreaks — Hawaiʻi's drowning rates are among the highest in the country, and the two causes that account for most of them are rip currents and shorebreak, neither of which looks obviously dangerous to the untrained eye. Sandy Beach on Oʻahu and Mākena Beach on Maui cause spinal injuries every year from shorebreak that appears gentle but is not. The wave breaks directly on the sand with sudden, downward force that can put a person headfirst into the bottom. Go to Sandy's to watch pro bodyboarders, not to get in the water.

Rip currents — Channels of fast-moving water that pull you out during breaking waves. They are present at beaches across all the Hawaiian islands. If you get stuck in one, swim parallel to the shore until it releases you, then swim in. Never swim alone at an unfamiliar beach.

Reef-safe sunscreen — Required by Hawaiʻi state law. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are banned in Hawaiʻi, so look for mineral-based zinc oxide formulas.

Protected sealife — Hawaiian green sea turtles, known as honu, and monk seals are federally protected. You must maintain a minimum 10-foot distance from them, do not touch or feed them and do not position yourself between a turtle and the water. The turtles crawl out of the water onto beaches to rest and regulate their body temperature; approaching them forces them back into the water, costing them significant energy. Fines start at $10,000.

Public access — All Hawaiʻi beaches are public to the high-water mark, regardless of whether there is a resort or private home in front of it. The only exception is military bases. Resorts must provide access to everyone, as well as designated public parking, although sometimes spaces are limited or expensive — this is the case in Waikīkī on Oʻahu and Kāʻanapali on Maui. Sometimes the best beaches are tucked behind the nicest resorts.

What are some less crowded beaches in Hawaiʻi?

Beaches like Waikīkī, Hanauma Bay, Kāʻanapali and Poʻipū are crowded, especially in the summer. If you are looking for a quieter beach on Oʻahu, try Waimanālo or Bellows on the East Side instead. On Maui, head to Makena Beach or Polo Beach on the South Side. On Kauaʻi, check out Keālia or Lydgate Beach Parks on the East Side. If you’re on the Kohala side of Hawaiʻi Island, try Mauna Kea (if you can score a parking spot) or Makalawena, if you donʻt mind a short hike. On the Hilo side, check out Kealoha or Richardson Ocean Park — two of the 11 beach parks located along Kalanianaʻole Street.