Best Tropical Beaches in Hawaii & Florida

• Hanauma Bay // Hawaii

  

  The sandy beach of Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu. Given the wealth of beautiful beaches in Hawaii, what makes this one so special?

  Well, firstly it is a bit of a stunner. The crescent of golden sand looks out onto the near circular bay formed from two sunken volcanic craters. When the bay formed it would have been completely enclosed with the Pacific waves eventually breaking through around 35,000 years ago.

  Hanauma Bay is very well protected from the currents… read more »

• Fort Lauderdale Beach // Florida

  

  Fort Lauderdale beach is a beautiful stretch of white sand that runs alongside the crystal clear blue waters of the ocean. It is quieter than Miami, with more of a family-friendly feel than a wild college party destination. The promenade that runs behind the beach is lined with palm trees and there is always plenty going on.

  This beach at Fort Lauderdale is clean with generally calm waters that are safe for kids. Also it's a big enough beach that even in the middle of the summer you won't… read more »

• Caspersen Beach // Florida

  

  Florida's Gulf Coast has some of the best white sandy beaches in the world (with the awards to prove it) but Caspersen Beach is rather special. It is known as the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World" for reasons which are explained below.

  Close to Venice, Caspersen Beach stretches along the Gulf of Mexico for 1.5 miles and is a great spot for shelling and spotting wading shorebirds and the trails of nesting turtles.

  Mostly sandy and backed by protected dunes, it has some limestone rocks near the water's edge.… read more »

• Ko Olina // Hawaii

  

  Ko Olina is a gorgeous 2 miles stretch of coastline with a series of sandy coves and several natural and manmade lagoons. The name "Ko Olina" means "fulfillment of joy" and was originally a fishing camp for native Hawaiian rulers.

  Just a short distance from Honolulu and the North Shore, Ko Olina is a popular and beautiful beach to visit on the drier western side of Oahu. Non-resident guests are welcome at the master-planned luxury resort of the same name which borders the beach.

  Ko Olina Beach is divided into… read more »

• Kama'ole Beach Park I // Hawaii

  

  Located in the town of Kihei, north of Wailea on Maalaea Bay, Kama'ole Beach Park incorporates three sandy beaches separated by rocky outcrops. All three beaches are worthy of a mention. For ease of reference, the locals have christened them Kam 1, Kam 2 and Kam 3. 

  Let's check out the northernmost Kamaole Beach 1 first, which is generally considered the nicest. Accessed from Kaiau St down a public access footpath and stairs, this neat sandy beach with its light-coloured sand and tidal rock pools is relatively safe for… read more »

• Barking Sands Beach // Hawaii

  

  Barking Sands Beach is part of the 140-acre Polihale State Park which is one of Hawaii's longest beaches. The sand stretches for over 12 miles and includes towering sand dunes that rise to a height of 100 feet.

  The movement of the masses of sand is what gave the beach its curious name. The dry grains of sand have microscopic holes that cause reverberations when they move and rub together. The sound they create is like a barking dog, hence the name.

  The beach starts at Kekaha but several… read more »

• Laniakea Beach // Hawaii

  

  Laniakea Beach, Oahu is commonly known as Turtle Beach, and when you visit it and see the sand scattered with rocks and turtles you'll understand why!

  The long narrow beach is popular so you need to arrive early to secure a coveted parking place. You then have to walk across the busy highway to reach this natural beauty spot.

  The golden sandy beach is lapped with white-foam surfing waves as the beach is part of the "Seven Mile Miracle", an area of North Shore boasting the most concentrated collection of… read more »

• Sanibel Island // Florida

  

  Sanibel Island is a barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast. Whilst there are several other such islands in the vicinity, only Sanibel has an "east to west" orientation which apparently makes for sandy beaches and helps explain why this beach is considered a shell-seeker's paradise.

  Until the 1960s Sanibel Island was only connected to the mainland by a ferry. These days a huge bridge connects Sanibel to the rest of Florida which has opened the island up to tourism, however strict control of development have preserved the island and it remains… read more »

• Haulover Beach // Florida

  

  White sand, clear turquoise sea - nothing unusual there for a Florida beach. Oh, and clothes are optional! That's right, the northern third of Haulover is an officially sanctioned nude beach.
  But there is more to Haulover beach than getting naked - this beach has a fantastic array of amenities and things to do making it one of the best family beaches in the Miami area. Along with acres of picnic area, a concession stand, showers and plenty of restrooms there is a tennis center, golf course and… read more »

• Hollywood Beach // Florida

  

  With its gorgeous white sand reaching out to turquoise waters, Hollywood Beach is a South Florida gem. Located between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, the beach here stretches for 2.5 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. A boardwalk runs the length of the beach and is lined with all kinds of cafes, attractions and shops. If that isn't enough, then there is a trolley to take you from the beach to downtown Hollywood. It's also a great place for just sitting on the beach and people watching.

  Hollywood Beach is popular… read more »

• Waimānalo Beach // Hawaii

  

  Waimānalo Beach, on the windward side of the island of Oahu has several claims to fame; firstly it is were Magnum, P.I. resided in the 80's TV series. Second, and perhaps more importantly it is the longest stretch of sandy shore on Oahu at well over 5 miles (9km). This expanse of unbroken white sand is sandwiched between the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean and the welcome shade of the many ironwood trees behind.

  Being on the windward side of Oahu means Waimānalo takes the brunt of the north-easterly trade… read more »

• Fort Zachary Taylor Beach // Florida

  

  Set on the western tip of Key West, Fort Zachary Taylor is Florida's most southerly state park. It is also home to what is highly regarded as Key West's best beach.

  A stretch of near-white coral sand, lapped by the clear blue waters of the what feels like the Caribbean Sea make this spot is idyllic. The look is completed by a backdrop of palm trees and Australian pines, making it easy to imagine you are on a tropical island - which in fact you are!

  Beyond the shoreline the seabed can… read more »

• Waikīkī Beach // Hawaii

  

  The calm blue waters and two miles of pristine white sands attract millions of visitors to Waikiki Beach each year. Tourists flock to the shores for the mellow ocean and year-round, nice temperatures.

  Waikiki Beach offers something for everyone. Swimming, surfing, dining, shopping, and live events are just a few of the highlights. 

  On one side of the shore, you have the beautiful ocean while the other side is overlooked by high-rises and small boutique resorts mingled with commercial strips.

  The ocean remains relatively calm throughout most of the year. Surfers love the… read more »

• Little Beach // Hawaii

  

  Little Beach is so called, not only because it is fairly small, but because it is next door to the longest beach on Maui's south coast - Big Beach. Both are beautiful stretches of golden sand backed by the near-pristine tropical greenery of Makena State Park, it's just the scale is different... well mostly that.

  Perhaps what Little Beach is most famous for is the fact it is Maui's best-known clothes optional beach. But, I hear you say, public nudity is still illegal in Hawaii. This is true, but no… read more »

• Secret Beach // Hawaii

  

  The western end of Kauapea Beach is known as Secret Beach or just "Secrets" by locals. At high tide these two neighbouring sandy coves are separated by a rocky outcrop.

  Secret Beach is a frequent feature on lists of Hawaii's best beaches, and its golden sands, secluded location and scenic outlook to Moku’ae’ae Island make it a real gem.

  Backed by steep cliffs covered in lush vegetation, the only way to reach Secrets is down a steep unmarked trail, maintaining its hidden status. You need to carry everything down… read more »

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