Best Tropical Beaches in Hawaii & Florida

• Wailua Beach // Hawaii

  

  Wailua Beach is a long, sandy stretch near the mouth of the Wailua River on Kauai’s east shore. Its golden sand and open ocean views make it a scenic spot, but the waves and currents can be strong, especially in winter. While it isn't the best beach for swimming, it's popular with experienced surfers and bodyboarders.

  While the beach is easily accessible, right off Kuhio Highway, it still retains a rugged, undeveloped feel. Not far from here, you’ll find historical sites like the Hikinaakala Heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple.

  Wailua… 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 »

• Hulopo'e Bay Beach // Hawaii

  

  Considered one of the best beaches not only in the state of Hawaii but also the entire United States, Hulopoe Bay Beach consists of a beautiful arc of richly coloured sand. This drifts towards sparkling Pacific waters, while being backed onto by areas of native flora containing few manmade structures.

  During the summer months, Hulopo'e's shallows are a prime swimming spot, although the seabed quickly drops off. Snorkelling is also possible thanks to the clarity of the water of this protected marine reserve. Parrotfish, goatfish, and several species of tang all… read more »

• Dry Tortugas National Park // Florida

  

  Dry Tortugas National Park sits in the Gulf of Mexico close to Florida's Key West and consists of seven islands surrounded by coral reefs. The main beaches are considered to be those on Garden Key, which is also home to Fort Jefferson, a nineteenth-century defensive position.

  Loggerhead Key is best known for its visits by the turtles of the same name, while Loggerhead Reef is one of the region's best dive spots since it is the location of a shipwreck dating back to the time of the fort. Bush Key is… read more »

• Punalu'u Beach // Hawaii

  

  Perhaps the most famous of Hawaii's black sand beaches, Punalu'u is located on the southeast coast of the Big Island. Along with the spectacle of jet black sand contrasting the verdant greens of the palm trees behind, the beach here is also known for its turtles. 

  Both the rare hawksbill and Hawaiian green turtles (Honu) frequent Punalu'u's black sands. Another endangered species that is often spotted here is the Hawaiian monk seal.

  Whilst it might be tempting to try and get as close to these special animals as possible you should respect… read more »

• Shark's Cove // Hawaii

  

  Set on Oahu's North Shore, home to some of the most legendary surf spots on the planet, is this popular little beach. Unlike neighbouring beaches, Shark's Cove is not about the surf - this is one for the snorkelers. In fact it was rated as one of the best shore dives in the world by Scuba Diving Magazine back in 2005.

  Sharks Cove is part of Pupukea Beach Park. It has small patch of sand backed by the obligatory swaying palm trees, but it is what is out front that… read more »

• Mokuleia Beach Park // Hawaii

  

  Mokule'ia is a lovely stretch of white sand located towards the western end of Oahu's North Shore. Being a fair way down the coast from Haleiwa means the beach here is generally pretty quiet. Set about halfway between the town and Ka'ena Point (Oahu's most westerly point) this is your last chance of  beach with any amenities.

  There always something to do at Mokule'ia whatever the conditions. In the summer months, when the sea is generally calm, it is a great place to snorkel. There is a large area of flat… read more »

• Polo Beach // Hawaii

  

  Located near the western corner of Oahu's North Shore, not far from Haleiwa, is this lovely little pristine stretch of sand. Despite not being that far from anywhere Polo beach has a wonderfully secluded feel to it with its backdrop of ironwood trees. Often as not the beach here will be empty but don't be surprised to see horses being ridden on the beach - after all it is named for the Polo Club next door.

  The water here is an enticing turquoise color and Polo beach is generally more… read more »

• Harry Harris Park // Florida

  

  The beach at Harry Harris Park on Key Largo is one of the best family beaches in all of the Florida Keys. OK, so the beach is man-made with sand imported from the mainland, but who cares. Backed by swaying palms and parkland and with calm, clear water out front Harry Harris beach doesn't get many complaints.

  One of the main attractions of Harry Harris Park beach is the large enclosed pool right in front of the western part of the beach. Encompassing the entire section of beach this tidal… read more »

• Waialea Bay // Hawaii

  

  Located on the northwest coast of the Big Island is the ever popular Waialea Bay. Although it isn't difficult to reach the beach from nearby Puako it still retains a rather secluded feel. There really isn't much in the way of development here with just a few houses hidden away beyond the kiawe trees that line the beach.

  Waialea beach 69 sits in a little bay which is made to feel all the more cosy by a couple of rocky outcrops and several trees effectively dividing the beach up into more… read more »

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