Hawaii, the newest of the United States, is made up of eight main and more than 100 smaller volcanic islands. The four islands most visited by tourists -- Oahu, Maui, Hawaii and Kauai -- offer the lure of some of the world's most famous and highest-rated beaches. Some have black lava sand; some are bright white. All offer that ethereal, Polynesian beauty.
Oahu's 112 miles of shoreline includes Hawaii's most famous beach, Waikiki. Located in the heart of Honolulu, this three-mile stretch of sand attracts more than three million visitors each year and offers spectacular views of Diamond Head, the volcanic cone just outside of the city. Also on Oahu is Sunset Beach, located on the north shore and home to surfing's Bonzai Pipeline and the annual Triple Crown of Surfing championship.
The island of Maui has more than 120 miles of shoreline, 30 miles of which are covered in sand. The best-known beach on the island is Kaanapali Beach, a three-mile stretch of white sand on the west side of the island. Other popular spots include D.T. Fleming Beach Park and Kapalua Beach on the northwest part of Maui; Kikei Beach, Makena Beach State Park, and Wailea Beach on the southwest part of the island; and Hana Beach Park on the lush and wild southeast part of Maui.
Kauai, the Garden Isle, is less crowded than Oahu and Maui, but still offers some excellent beaches -- 50 miles of them. Chief among these is Lumahai Beach on the north shore, the beach where "South Pacific" was filmed. Other scenic beaches include Poipu Beach on the sunny south shore; the east side Kalapaki Beach, popular with surfers; and remote Kee Beach along Kauai's dramatic Napali Coast.
The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and, fittingly, the island offers some of Hawaii's most dramatic and scenic stretches of sand. On the south shore is Punaluu Beach, known for its black, lava-colored sand. On the western side of the island of Hawaii are most of the resort beaches, including Anaehoomalu Beach, near the Marriott Waikoloa Beach, and Hapuna Beach, adjacent to the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Also located on the west side of Hawaii is Kaunaoa Beach, a crescent-shaped beach, named by "Conde Nast Traveler" magazine as one of the top 10 beaches in the United States.
