The Hawaiian Islands are world famous for their crystalline, turquoise waters, and pristine white sand beaches – and while there are too many beaches to name that share these features, there is one particular coastline that trumps all others. Oahu’s windward coast – specifically the 10-mile stretch from the Marine Corps Base Kaneohe to Makapu’u Beach Park – is home to the bluest water in Hawaii, sure to make your next beach day unforgettable. From north to south, here are the eight incredible beaches that make up this breathtaking stretch of Hawaiian coastline.
Geoff Livingston/Flickr
- Kalama Beach
Beautifulcataya/Flickr First up in the striking Kailua Bay, we’ve got the lesser-known Kalama Beach, a beautiful slice of heaven with fine sand and incredible waters that is popular among windsurfers, as well as body boarders. Kalama Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
- Kailua Beach
M.Ezzeddine/Flickr With powder-soft white sand, magnificent turquoise water and swaying palm trees, Kailua Beach is a photographer’s paradise – if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. The water is relatively shallow, and is perfect for enjoying a lazy day at the beach. Kailua Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
- Lanikai Beach
Ollie O/TripAdvisor Lanikai is one of the most popular beaches not only in Hawaii, but in the entire world. We’re not surprised, though - with striking blue waters, the finest sand you’ll find in Hawaii, and two beautiful offshore islands, Lanikai is truly paradise. Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
- Bellows Field Beach Park
プロックスマテリアル株式会社/Google Local Often considered to be one of the best beaches on Oahu, Bellows Field Beach Park features crystal blue water and fine, white sand. The beach is split into two sections: the military side, and the public side. The public side of the beach is only open on the weekends, since military training is common during the week. The camping here is pretty spectacular, too! Bellows Field Beach Park, 41-43 Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
- Sherwoods Beach
Richard/TripAdvisor Nestled in between the famous Bellows Waimanalo and Bellows is this picturesque stretch of sand - in fact, you might not even realize that you’re at a different beach. This fairy-tale perfect beach isn’t usually visited by tourists, and it’s the perfect destination for a Saturday spent at the beach. Sherwood Beach, Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
- Waimanalo Beach
KT45KT/TripAdvisor With three miles of sloping white sand and the seemingly endless azure sea, Waimanalo Beach is an award-winning Hawaii beach; the famous spot was named the best beach in America for 2015 by Dr. Beach. Hundreds of ironwood trees provide much-needed relief from the sun, and the beach’s picnic tables and grills make Waimanalo a destination for weekend barbecues. Waimanalo Beach, HI, USA
- Kaupo Beach
Nichole Dau/Google Local Home to the famous - and picturesque - Makai Research Pier is Kaupo Beach. Swimming off this small stretch of sand can be difficult since the ocean floor is quite rocky, but we guarantee that you won’t regret a trip to the stunning pier. Don’t forget to take a photograph while you’re there! Kaup? Beach Park, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
- Makapu’u Beach
Pandy D/TripAdvisor This small stretch of sand located near Oahu’s southeastern point is backed by sea cliffs, and provides stunning views of Rabbit Island. But be warned - rip currents and a dangerous shore break make this a destination better suited for body boarders and body surfers. Makapuu Beach Park, Waimanalo Beach, HI 96795, USA
Which of these windward Oahu beaches is your favorite beach day destination? Where are your favorite places to go for the bluest water in Hawaii? Share your top picks in the comments below!
Geoff Livingston/Flickr
Beautifulcataya/Flickr
First up in the striking Kailua Bay, we’ve got the lesser-known Kalama Beach, a beautiful slice of heaven with fine sand and incredible waters that is popular among windsurfers, as well as body boarders.
Kalama Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
M.Ezzeddine/Flickr
With powder-soft white sand, magnificent turquoise water and swaying palm trees, Kailua Beach is a photographer’s paradise – if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. The water is relatively shallow, and is perfect for enjoying a lazy day at the beach.
Kailua Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
Ollie O/TripAdvisor
Lanikai is one of the most popular beaches not only in Hawaii, but in the entire world. We’re not surprised, though - with striking blue waters, the finest sand you’ll find in Hawaii, and two beautiful offshore islands, Lanikai is truly paradise.
Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI 96734, USA
プロックスマテリアル株式会社/Google Local
Often considered to be one of the best beaches on Oahu, Bellows Field Beach Park features crystal blue water and fine, white sand. The beach is split into two sections: the military side, and the public side. The public side of the beach is only open on the weekends, since military training is common during the week. The camping here is pretty spectacular, too!
Bellows Field Beach Park, 41-43 Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
Richard/TripAdvisor
Nestled in between the famous Bellows Waimanalo and Bellows is this picturesque stretch of sand - in fact, you might not even realize that you’re at a different beach. This fairy-tale perfect beach isn’t usually visited by tourists, and it’s the perfect destination for a Saturday spent at the beach.
Sherwood Beach, Kalaniana?ole Hwy, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
KT45KT/TripAdvisor
With three miles of sloping white sand and the seemingly endless azure sea, Waimanalo Beach is an award-winning Hawaii beach; the famous spot was named the best beach in America for 2015 by Dr. Beach. Hundreds of ironwood trees provide much-needed relief from the sun, and the beach’s picnic tables and grills make Waimanalo a destination for weekend barbecues.
Waimanalo Beach, HI, USA
Nichole Dau/Google Local
Home to the famous - and picturesque - Makai Research Pier is Kaupo Beach. Swimming off this small stretch of sand can be difficult since the ocean floor is quite rocky, but we guarantee that you won’t regret a trip to the stunning pier. Don’t forget to take a photograph while you’re there!
Kaup? Beach Park, Waimanalo, HI 96795, USA
Pandy D/TripAdvisor
This small stretch of sand located near Oahu’s southeastern point is backed by sea cliffs, and provides stunning views of Rabbit Island. But be warned - rip currents and a dangerous shore break make this a destination better suited for body boarders and body surfers.
Makapuu Beach Park, Waimanalo Beach, HI 96795, USA
If you’re located on any of Oahu’s neighboring islands, check out these 17 little-known beaches, these beautiful colored beaches, or these 22 beaches to add to your Hawaii beach bucket list.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Bluest Water in Hawaii August 02, 2022 Sarah M. What beaches in Hawaii have the most striking sand? Hawaii’s beaches are an all-inclusive package deal: water, sand, cliffs, and all. Once you’ve visited the beaches with the bluest water in Hawaii, we recommend checking out some of the state’s most noteworthy sand beaches. These are places where sand, not water, steals the show, and believe us when we say that these sandy shores most certainly rival their cerulean blue siblings! Because in addition to water, Hawaii is world-renowned for its superlative shores, offering a veritable ROYGBIV of coastal landscapes. One of the many things that set Hawaii apart is the incredible variety of colorful beaches populating its islands; black, red, green, white, and orange – the contrast between shores and seas is nothing short of sublime. And among the state’s colored beaches, Kaihalulu certainly stands out. Located south of Hana Bay on the eastern coast of Maui, Kaihalulu is one of only a few red sand beaches in the entire world. You’ll access the stunning beach via a verdant cliff-side trail, and the water can be pretty rough – but it’s all worth it, because when you arrive at this red sand beach? You’ll be at a loss for words. Feeling a bit dark? Nestled between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punaluu is perhaps Hawaii’s most famous black sand beach and is a popular haven for honu to relax. (Wainapanapa Beach also has some midnight-black beaches, as well.) And we’d be remiss not to mention Papohaku Beach, located on Molokai’s western tip, and worthy of a visit simply because it is so secluded — and there’s no beating the sand’s orange hue when the sun sets!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Bluest Water in Hawaii
August 02, 2022
Sarah M.
What beaches in Hawaii have the most striking sand? Hawaii’s beaches are an all-inclusive package deal: water, sand, cliffs, and all. Once you’ve visited the beaches with the bluest water in Hawaii, we recommend checking out some of the state’s most noteworthy sand beaches. These are places where sand, not water, steals the show, and believe us when we say that these sandy shores most certainly rival their cerulean blue siblings! Because in addition to water, Hawaii is world-renowned for its superlative shores, offering a veritable ROYGBIV of coastal landscapes. One of the many things that set Hawaii apart is the incredible variety of colorful beaches populating its islands; black, red, green, white, and orange – the contrast between shores and seas is nothing short of sublime. And among the state’s colored beaches, Kaihalulu certainly stands out. Located south of Hana Bay on the eastern coast of Maui, Kaihalulu is one of only a few red sand beaches in the entire world. You’ll access the stunning beach via a verdant cliff-side trail, and the water can be pretty rough – but it’s all worth it, because when you arrive at this red sand beach? You’ll be at a loss for words. Feeling a bit dark? Nestled between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punaluu is perhaps Hawaii’s most famous black sand beach and is a popular haven for honu to relax. (Wainapanapa Beach also has some midnight-black beaches, as well.) And we’d be remiss not to mention Papohaku Beach, located on Molokai’s western tip, and worthy of a visit simply because it is so secluded — and there’s no beating the sand’s orange hue when the sun sets!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hawaii’s beaches are an all-inclusive package deal: water, sand, cliffs, and all. Once you’ve visited the beaches with the bluest water in Hawaii, we recommend checking out some of the state’s most noteworthy sand beaches. These are places where sand, not water, steals the show, and believe us when we say that these sandy shores most certainly rival their cerulean blue siblings! Because in addition to water, Hawaii is world-renowned for its superlative shores, offering a veritable ROYGBIV of coastal landscapes.
One of the many things that set Hawaii apart is the incredible variety of colorful beaches populating its islands; black, red, green, white, and orange – the contrast between shores and seas is nothing short of sublime. And among the state’s colored beaches, Kaihalulu certainly stands out. Located south of Hana Bay on the eastern coast of Maui, Kaihalulu is one of only a few red sand beaches in the entire world. You’ll access the stunning beach via a verdant cliff-side trail, and the water can be pretty rough – but it’s all worth it, because when you arrive at this red sand beach? You’ll be at a loss for words. Feeling a bit dark? Nestled between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punaluu is perhaps Hawaii’s most famous black sand beach and is a popular haven for honu to relax. (Wainapanapa Beach also has some midnight-black beaches, as well.) And we’d be remiss not to mention Papohaku Beach, located on Molokai’s western tip, and worthy of a visit simply because it is so secluded — and there’s no beating the sand’s orange hue when the sun sets!
