Best Tropical Beaches in Hawaii & Florida

• Keawakapu Beach // Hawaii

  

  Keawakapu Beach is situated on the west coast of Maui, south of Maalaea Bay. Over half a mile in length, the beach is made up of a rich orange sand which slips into shallow waters from banks of shrubs and palm trees. Its shallow entry into the waters of the Pacific Ocean make it a great choice for swimmers, bodyboarders and snorkelers, in addition to those looking to enjoy the sand.

  Although the area around Keawakapu Beach has been fully developed, the area's blend of condos, restaurants and hotels have been… read more »

• Kapalua Beach // Hawaii

  

  Kapalua Bay definitely lives up to its reputation as one of America's Best Beaches. The crystalline green-blue waters lap the golden sands which line this horseshoe shaped bay. With fairly calm sea and gently breaking waves Kapalua Bay is ideal for swimming, although there is no lifeguard on duty. You can also snorkel and scuba dive; you will see corals, tropical fish, and turtles under the water.

  This is a place to enjoy walking on the beach and relaxing in the sand. The sunset views are beautiful, so you… read more »

• DT Fleming Beach Park // Hawaii

  

  Set on the far northwest of Maui, D.T. Fleming Beach Park has a long sandy beach which is surrounded by trees, and is quieter than many of the island's other beaches. The white sand runs for 1,500 feet with a width of 150 feet between two lava healands. The surrounding trees are Ironwoods, and there are dunes leading up to them. There is a shallow sandbar in front of most of the beach, but beyond this is a steep drop off. There are lifeguards on duty daily, and you should… read more »

• Kamaole Beach Park II // Hawaii

  

  Kamaole Beach Park II is the mid-section of a trio of beautiful beaches in central Kihei. Kam 2, as it is often referred to, stretches for about 1/3rd mile along the edge of the relatively calm waves. There are rocky outcrops at either end that separates it from Kam I and Kam III at high tide. 

  The beach is popular with local families as it is not only beautiful, but also has a white sandy bottom making it good for swimming, paddleboarding and snorkelling. Of course, there's not much marine life… read more »

• Kamaole Beach Park III // Hawaii

  

  Kamaole Beach Park III is the southernmost of the trio of sandy beaches that make up Kamaole Beach in Kihei. It's the smallest of the three and has rocks at either end providing interest in contrast to the soft white sand.

  Like its neighbours, Kam III is beautiful with a backdrop of lush greenery and a large grassy park area which is tailor-made for picnics and ball games. It's a popular beach for swimming and snorkelling, particularly over the rocky outcrops separating it from Kam II.

  There are some regular shore breaks… read more »

• Bowman's Beach Park // Florida

  

  Several miles in length, Bowman's Beach sits on the Gulf of Mexico on the southern shores of Florida's Sanibel Island. Situated on one of the quieter parts of island, with just one main road heading north, Bowman's Beach is close to both JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge and the lagoon-like waters of Clam Bayou.

  Roughly ten minutes on foot from the nearest car park, the path leads through the grassy scrub to white sands which incorporate a fitness trail, children's playground, portable toilets and picnic tables alongside public barbeque grills.

  Open… read more »

• Anne's Beach // Florida

  

  Located at Lower Matecumbe Key, Anne's Beach can be found in the village of Islamorada. Named for a local environmentalist called Anne Eaton after her death in 1992, its stretch of white sand provides a secluded spot to sunbath or enjoy some time in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

  Surrounded by native planting, the immediate entrance into the water is both shallow and calm year-round, like similar beaches in the Florida Keys, with swimming difficult until you wade further out.

  Although secluded, Anne's Beach is close to two… read more »

• Ha'ena Beach // Hawaii

  

  After suffering historic floods in 2018, the highway access to Ha'ena Beach on North Shore Kauai reopened with new restrictions of just 900 visitors per day. This is intended to preserve the pristine natural beauty of this fragile and popular beach. You need to reserve your spot online up to 14 days ahead, pay for parking (currently $5 in 2023) and for the round-trip shuttle (another $11 per person) if you don't intend to walk to the sands. 

  Don't be put off as this famous beach is well worth the effort.… read more »

• Kalihiwai Beach // Hawaii

  

  Kalihiwai Beach is a North Shore beauty with a crescent-shaped sandy beach edged with ironwood trees. Even before you reach the beach it will entrance you with views from the scenic highway revealing idyllic green-clad cliffs and ocean vistas. The stunning setting and easy access to this drive-up beach make it a  popular spot for barefoot weddings.

  The western edge of the beach marks the mouth of the Kalihiwai River so you can paddle and swim in freshwater where the river flows out into the ocean. The onshore waves are generally… read more »

• Anini Beach // Hawaii

  

  Anini Beach is an idyllic spot between Kilauea and Princeville on the island's beautiful north coast. The scenic drive is reason enough to visit this breathtakingly beautiful beach as the road follows the contours of the coastline delivering spectacular views at every twist and turn.

  Anini Beach is the quintessential desert island hideaway with pristine sands and calm clear waters in summer. Park your car and head over to the fish taco truck for a tasty bite before heading down onto the sand.

  The beach is a prime spot for… read more »

• Hāmoa Beach // Hawaii

  

  Hamoa Beach is a beautiful crescent of silky smooth sand not far from the eastern tip of Maui. It is backed by tropical greenery, low cliffs and Hala trees which provide some welcome shade. The beach is about 1,000 feet long and 100 feet wide when the tide is low. This is plenty big enough as the beach never really gets busy.

  Located about 2.5 miles outside of Hana, there are two ways to enter the beach. You can walk from the road down a steep path or come from the… read more »

• Cape Florida State Park // Florida

  

  Cape Florida beach is set within the greenery of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and has perfect white sand which stretches along the Atlantic coast. The waters here are warm, and this beach has often been listed as one of the top 10 beaches in America. You will have just over a mile of beach that is open for swimming, but there is no lifeguard.

  Situated on the southern tip of Key Biscayne, just a sone's throw from Miami, Cape Florida has a long and fascinating history. It was… read more »

• Honokalani Beach // Hawaii

  

  A black sand beach on Keawaiki Bay, Honokalani Beach is located within Waianapanapa State Park and has views towards a sea arch. Considered sacred to the people of Hawaii, Waianapanapa means 'glistening water' and its waters certainly create a powerful contrast of colours between the black rocks and foliage which surround Honokalani Beach on all sides.

  Rip currents and a steep drop off close to shore make it dangerous to swim from Honokalani beach most of the year. However, it still makes for an excellent day out or rest stop. 

  Make sure… read more »

• Yokohama Bay // Hawaii

  

  Head to the northern tip of Oahu and you'll reach Yokohama Bay, also known as Keawa'ula Beach at Ka'ena Point. The remote route to the beach takes about 90 minutes to reach by car from Waikiki.

  Incidentally, "Keawa'ula" means "Red Bay" and it earned the name due to the squid that regularly spawned in the bay, apparently in such numbers that the bay waters turned red for a time.

  It's one of the most secluded beaches on the island with golden sands sloping gently down into clear shallow waters but there… read more »

• Mākua Beach // Hawaii

  

  Situated at the northern end of Oahu's west coast between Ka'ena Point State Park and Makua Kea'au Forest Reserve, Makua Beach is one of the island's most undeveloped and natural. The golden sand extends for approximately 800 metres (half a mile). Backed by atmospheric mountains, Makua is sometimes called Tunnels Beach.

  Its ribbon of light sand is met by verdant foliage to one side, and startlingly clear waters on the other, which hasn't gone unnoticed by the snorkelling community. Visibility can extend for 10 metres (30 feet). The prevailing offshore winds… read more »

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