Best Tropical Beaches in Hawaii & Florida

• Crandon Beach // Florida

  

  Crandon Beach is part of Crandon Park, a former coconut plantation, in the middle of exclusive Key Biscayne barrier island. It is frequently listed as one of the Top 10 Beaches in the USA.

  The white sandy beach is truly idyllic, facing east and protected from the rough surf by an offshore sandbar. This allows the Atlantic waves to break gently along the shores of this 5-mile-long barrier island which backs onto Biscayne Bay. The clear blue waters are ideal for wading and swimming but the park does not permit any… read more »

• Coco Plum Beach // Florida

  

  Coco Plum Beach is one of the more naturalistic of beach settings within the chain of islands which make up the Florida Keys and is generally less crowded than others in the area. Enjoying the warm shallows of the Atlantic Ocean around the town on Marathon, it backs onto wetlands that provide a vital habitat for the region's bird and plant life.

  Coco Plum Beach is also a known turtle nesting site at certain times of year, with five different turtle species (Atlantic green, loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp's ridley and hawksbill) all… read more »

• Sombrero Beach // Florida

  

  A cosy backyard playground for Islanders, this is one of the best kept beach secrets in the Florida Keys and is located on Marathon Key. Visitors to this beach get to enjoy the soft sand and turquoise waters. It's not a large beach but your little piece of "sand estate" can be claimed regardless if it is crowded. There's plenty of places to park nearby too.

  Popular activities on this beach include snorkelling, fishing and working on that perfect tan. There's more to this beach than sand and beautiful water though.… read more »

• Calusa Beach // Florida

  

  Lying close to the southernmost point of Bahia Honda Key, one of the Florida Keys, Calusa Beach comes complete with palm trees and white sand gently-sloping into warm azure blue waters.

  One of just a handful of great beaches in the keys, and one of very few that are entirely natural, Calusa Beach is part of Bahia Honda State Park. Encroached by grasses, it has a relatively narrow extent, and space for just a handful of picnic tables, providing a beachside spot from which to enjoy the produce of the… read more »

• Green Sand Beach // Hawaii

  

  Officially called Papakōlea, and also going by the name Mahana Beach, Green Sand Beach takes its most common moniker from its unusually-coloured sands. It is one of just four known beaches worldwide to comprise green sand through the degradation of a volcanic rock known as olivine.

  Located on Big Island's southeast coast at the end of a small inlet, the rocks of an ancient volcanic cone lie on either side. Swimming is possible, however the waves can be rough, so caution is advised.

  The only legal way to reach Green Sand Beach… read more »

• Hapuna Beach // Hawaii

  

  Situated on the Kohala Coast, Hapuna Beach is one of the Big Island's largest white sand beaches. A great choice for families with children, Hapuna is a reliable pick because of its range of attractions. These including sunbathing and sand castle building as well as swimming, snorkelling and bodyboarding thanks to a near-continuous shore break.

  Roughly 800 metres long and relatively broad, especially during the summer when the sand builds further, natural shade can be enjoyed from the surrounding tree cover. There's also a public pavilion built to provide respite from… read more »

• Kehena Black Sand Beach // Hawaii

  

  A thin sliver of black sand on the eastern coast of Big Island in Puna, Kehena Black Sand Beach is best accessed by following the path leading from the left of the car park. Because of its isolation, it is often used by nude sunbathers, although this is illegal on Hawaii and those who strip off may face a fine from local law enforcement officials.

  Sometimes also called Dolphin Beach because of a population of Spinner dolphins that live offshore, the beach is edged by lava rock and trees. It was… read more »

• Pololu Beach // Hawaii

  

  Set on a remote stretch of coast near the northern tip of the Big Island is the pristine black sand Pololu beach. Only accessible by driving to the end of Highway 270 and then walking the remaining quarter mile, this spot has something of a primeval feel to it - definitely a bit Jurassic Park.

  Pololu Beach lies at the foot of an ancient wooded valley which is also home to a small lagoon. To either side lush green cliffs rise up to some height, while the beach is backed by… read more »

• Mahai'ula Beach // Hawaii

  

  Set within Kekaha Kai State Park, Mahai'ula Beach is the most southerly of three beautiful white sand beaches. It is also usually the quietest, although part of the reason for this is that the road down to the beach is really bad.

  The crescent of sand at Mahai'ula is backed with plenty of shade from the ironwood trees and clumps of coconut palms. Set among the trees at the southern end of the beach are a number of picnic tables - you'll be bringing your own food.

  It goes without saying that the water here… read more »

• Sandy Beach // Hawaii

  

  Situated on the southeastern tip of Oahu island, Sandy Beach is a beautiful and remote spot that is far from the well-trodden tourist path.

  Thirty minutes by car from Waikiki, it is just beyond the Halona Blowhole and makes a dramatic first impression for those driving along the single track road on the lava cliffs from Koko Head Crater. There is plenty of free parking at this sheltered inlet of aquamarine waters, making it easy to unload your body board and beach gear and descend to the beach itself.… read more »

• Donkey Beach // Hawaii

  

  Donkey Beach, also known as Paliku Beach, is a relatively secluded beach on the east coast of Kauai. A stretch of unspoilt golden sand backed by fields and a few trees this is a lovely spot to throw down a towel and soak up the tropical sun.

  The beach here isn't the best for swimming and snorkeling though as the waves can be powerful and the currents strong. In fact it is more popular with surfers and bodyboarders when the conditions are good.

  What Donkey beach is perhaps best known for is… read more »

• Makapuu Beach Park // Hawaii

  

  Situated on the southeastern tip of Oahu, Makapu'u Beach is in the shadow of Makapu'u Point and the dramatic Lookout Point. The word Makapu'u means "bulging eye" and is thought to refer to a natural feature in the nearby Keanaokeakuapōloli Cave.

  Located about a mile east of Waimanalo Beach, the gently undulating beach has masses of golden sands in a cove-like setting bordered with palm trees and greenery. The steep green-covered slopes rise to almost 200 metres and make a dramatic backdrop to this beautiful beach park.

  Stand on the… read more »

• Salt Pond Beach // Hawaii

  

  Salt Pond Beach on Kauai’s south shore is a popular spot for swimming, snorkelling, and relaxing. The beach gets its name from the salt ponds just behind the beach. These are where Hawaiian families have been harvesting sea salt for generations.

  A natural rock barrier creates a calm, shallow swimming area, making it a good choice for families. Beyond the protected area, snorkellers can explore patches of reef with tropical fish. This outer reef provides some protection from waves, though conditions can change with the tides and weather. The beach… read more »

• Kailua Beach // Hawaii

  

  The turquoise blue waters of this beach are quite a sight to behold. And the soft white sand just melts under your feet as you walk to the water. The beach is surrounded by green mountains and lined with trees. Stretching along Oahu's west coast for two and a half miles you will never feel crowded in and it is the ideal place for walking and taking in the view.

  Kailua Beach Park has great facilities that will cater for most beachgoers; picnic tables, beach volleyball courts, picnic shelters, and… read more »

• Diamond Head Beach // Hawaii

  

  Just 2 miles southeast of famous Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head Beach is popular with beach lovers, surfers and windsurfers due to the ever-present white-crested swell that rolls in relentlessly. The surf breaks are about a quarter mile out to sea and there are multiple good spots to choose from.

  Quieter than many beaches on Oahu, Diamond Head Beach is accessed from car parks on the clifftop via a couple of paved footpaths that zig-zag down the steep cliffs. The strip of light-coloured sand is bordered with leaning palm trees,… read more »

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