Regional Guide · 37 beaches

Hawaiian Islands Beaches

Hawaii coverage spans the four main visitor islands — Oahu's south shore (Waikiki, Hanauma Bay) and North Shore (Waimea, Sunset), Maui's west and south coasts (Kaanapali, Wailea, Big Beach), Kauai's south shore (Poipu) and Hanalei Bay, and the Big Island's Kohala Coast (Hapuna) plus the famous black-sand beach at Punaluu. The most consistently warm ocean water in the United States, but conditions vary dramatically by island, side, and season.

Current Conditions

Average water temperature: 80°F

Across 37 monitored stations on the Hawaiian Islands.

When to Go

Year-round — water temps stay 74–80°F. Summer (May–September) is calmest on the north shores; winter (November–March) brings massive surf to the north shores and calmer south-shore swimming. Trade winds blow most reliably May through September.

Watch Out For

Surf can shift from flat to overhead in hours on north-facing shores from October through April — never enter the water without checking the daily Hawaii Beach Safety report. Rip currents are present at most beaches; box jellyfish arrive on Oahu south shore 8–10 days after a full moon. Reef cuts get infected fast — bring antiseptic.

Ranked by Today's Conditions

Makapuu Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 13 mph wind

Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 85°F air 1 to 10 mph wind

Tunnels Beach (Makua)

Kauai County, HI

Great day for photography.

78°F water 87°F air 2 to 6 mph wind

Bellows Field Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 82°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Mokuleia Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 86°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Polihale State Park

Kauai County, HI

Great day for photography.

78°F water 89°F air 2 to 10 mph wind

Lanikai Beach

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Kailua Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 9 mph wind

Sunset Beach (Oahu)

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 86°F air 2 to 14 mph wind

Waimea Bay Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 87°F air 1 to 13 mph wind

Hanauma Bay

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 83°F air 2 to 13 mph wind

Haleiwa Alii Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 86°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Sandy Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 84°F air 1 to 15 mph wind

Honolua Bay

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 83°F air 8 to 15 mph wind

Anini Beach Park

Kauai County, HI

Great day for a beach walk.

78°F water 86°F air 1 to 7 mph wind

Hookipa Beach Park

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 84°F air 6 to 16 mph wind

Hanalei Bay

Kauai County, HI

Great day for a beach walk.

78°F water 88°F air 1 to 6 mph wind

Big Beach (Makena State Park)

Maui County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 87°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Ala Moana Beach Park

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for a beach walk.

80°F water

Kaanapali Beach

Maui County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 87°F air 2 to 6 mph wind

Poipu Beach Park

Kauai County, HI

Great day for photography.

78°F water 87°F air 2 to 6 mph wind

Kalapaki Beach

Kauai County, HI

Great day for photography.

78°F water 89°F air 5 to 8 mph wind

H.A. Baldwin Beach Park

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 87°F air 3 to 10 mph wind

Wailea Beach

Maui County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 89°F air 0 to 5 mph wind

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Hawaii County, HI

Decent day for photography.

81°F water 81°F air 3 to 9 mph wind

D.T. Fleming Beach Park

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 85°F air 9 to 13 mph wind

Napili Bay

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 85°F air 9 to 13 mph wind

Kamaole Beach Park III

Maui County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 89°F air 1 to 6 mph wind

Kapalua Bay Beach

Maui County, HI

Decent day for photography.

80°F water 85°F air 9 to 13 mph wind

Magic Island Lagoon

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 87°F air 1 to 9 mph wind

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Hawaii County, HI

Decent day for photography.

81°F water 86°F air 10 to 14 mph wind

Waikiki Beach

Honolulu County, HI

Great day for photography.

80°F water 90°F air 1 to 10 mph wind

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

Hawaii County, HI

Great day for photography.

81°F water 84°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)

Hawaii County, HI

Great day for photography.

81°F water 84°F air 1 to 8 mph wind

Maniniowali Beach (Kua Bay)

Hawaii County, HI

Skip the beach today.

81°F water 89°F air 2 to 8 mph wind

Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay)

Hawaii County, HI

Skip the beach today.

81°F water 88°F air 3 to 8 mph wind

Salt Pond Beach Park

Kauai County, HI

Skip the beach today.

78°F water 87°F air 5 mph wind