Best Tropical Beaches in Hawaii & Florida

• 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 »

• Napili Beach // Hawaii

  

  The white sloping sands of Napili Bay Beach are often lined with beach blankets and umbrellas, providing tourists the ideal area for tanning and relaxation. It is also one of the top swimming destinations in Maui as the waters are often calm and the perfect temperature for diving right in.

  As you look across the ocean, you may spot the area where the outer reefs protect the shore from the Pacific swells. The reefs take the power out of the waves, which are only gently lapping ripples by the time they… read more »

• Boca Grande Beach // Florida

  

  Boca Grande Beach is somewhat of an underrated beach destination on Gasparilla Island on Florida's west coast. Bathed by the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this upmarket resort has a laid-back ambience and old-world charm that's great for families. Couples looking for a romantic escape with a difference will also enjoy time here.

  The light-coloured sands of Boca Grande Beach are accessed via several points on 19th Street, where beachgoers will find limited free parking a short stroll away. Edged by palms and other subtropical plants, the… read more »

• Shipwreck Beach // Hawaii

  

  Known for its scenic trails and lookout points, Shipwreck Beach is a favorite of nature lovers and surfers. The beautiful, clear waters and striking features of the landscape are a feast for the eyes while the powerful swells are favored by adventurous surfers and boogie boarders.

  Shipwreck Beach received its name from an old wooden boat that sat near the shore for many decades. The boat slowly deteriorated until it was completely destroyed by storms in the 1980s. Although the boat no longer remains, people still use the name. The Hawaiian… read more »

• Kauapea Beach // Hawaii

  

  Hugging the northern shoreline of Kauai between Kalihiwai Beach and Kilauea Point, Kauapea Beach merges as one with Secret Beach at low tide. The golden sands are quite large by Kauai standards, stretching for half a mile or so with black lava rocks dotted here and there sheltered by tree and vegetation covered cliffs.

  The beach is accessed down a steep unmarked trail, maintaining its seclusion and, of course, amenities are nil. Watch out, as in wet weather the path can be slick and dangerous to descend. Although the… read more »

• Hanalei Beach // Hawaii

  

  Set around Hanalei Bay, this is one of the largest beaches on Kauai's north shore at almost two miles long. Surrounded by a stunning backdrop of emerald-green mountains and tumbling waterfalls this is an idyllic tropical location. The combination of the deep blue ocean and the rich green mountains, separated by a crescent of white sand is quite breathtaking.

  When it is calm in the summer months, the ocean feels like a giant swimming pool. If you're lucky you may even see a pod of playful dolphins in the bay.… read more »

• Lydgate Beach // Hawaii

  

  Sheltered from the waves by a lava stone breakwater creating two shallow child-friendly pools, Lydgate Beach Park is located on the eastern side of Kauai Island close to where the mouth of the River Wailua meets the Pacific Ocean.

  The setting for various movies including Elvis' Blue Hawaii, the calm waters are inhabited by tropical fish, making snorkelling a popular leisure activity. Its soft sands stretch roughly north-south in a straight line for over two miles, every inch of which can be accessed via its paved coastal path.

  Beside Lydgate Beach run… read more »

• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park // Florida

  

  This pristine tropical beach forms a mile long of a seemingly endless stretch of white powder sands which make up a barrier island off the coast of Naples in southwest Florida. With clear blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico to one side and tidal creeks and mangroves the other the 166 acre Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is both a beachgoer's and nature lover's paradise.

  This is the perfect Florida beach for relaxing, but there are plenty of activities on the water too. It is suitable for swimming, paddle boarding, and… read more »

• Kauna'oa Beach // Hawaii

  

  The beach here is often referred to as Mauna Kea Beach because it is in front of the Mauna Kea Hotel. It features a beautiful crescent of white sandy beach with clear green-blue waters, and the sea is safe for families during the summer months. This is the perfect beach for relaxing or splashing in the waters. In the winter, the surf can be high, causing strong rip currents - it is best not to swim during those times.

  The beach runs about a half mile, and there are two small… read more »

• Curry Hammock State Park // Florida

  

  Curry Hammock State Park is set in the heart of the Florida Keys just to the north east of Marathon. Given how developed neighbouring keys are it is somewhat of a surprise just how pristine and wild this stretch of the Keys is.

  Centered on Little Claw Key the park occupies over 1,000 acres of woodland (hammocks), mangrove and most importantly, beach! A stretch of powdery white sand, this sits in front of the small campsite and other facilities such as picnic pavilions, restrooms and a playground.

  This is a nature lover's… read more »

• Miami Beach // Florida

  

  Located on a barrier island, Miami Beach is a continuation to the north of the white sands that Miami's South Beach is famous for. Miami beaches are said to be the best in the USA, and arguably the most famous.

  Miami Beach stretches from 21st to 45th Street and is a mecca for tourists, dog walkers, sunbathers and anyone wanting to see and be seen working on their tan..

  Stroll or jog along the boardwalk lining this strip of beautiful sand and blue waters and enjoy people watching as… read more »

• John Pennekamp State Park // Florida

  

  John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, to give it its full name, is more than just a beach. In fact there are several beaches, all of which face into the calm waters of Key Largo Sound. That said, most of the park is underwater - it's actually the first undersea park in the U.S., established in 1963.

  The first thing to point out about the park and the beaches is you may be disappointed if you are expecting the coral reefs to be right off the sand. John Pennekamp state park covers… read more »

• Higgs Beach (Key West) // Florida

  

  Set between Smathers Beach and Fort Zachary Taylor Beach is the somewhat lower key and smaller Higgs Beach. A very pleasant stretch of perfect white sand backed by tall palm trees Higgs is everything you would expect from a tropical beach.

  However, not everything is as it seems - in fact the sand is actually imported from the Caribbean, something that is true of most of Key West's beaches. But that's a good thing, after all this is the best sand money can buy.

  Aside from lying on this… read more »

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