USA TODAY 10Best
Hulopoe Beach Wins Title of Best Hawaii Beach
Best Hawaii Beach (2015)
Hawaii is home to an incredible diversity of stunning beaches, which made the task of naming the best a tough one! After four weeks of voting, the polls are closed and the results are in; Hulopoe Beach on the island of Lanai took home top honors.
The Big Island and Maui dominated the rest of the top five list, with the Big Island's Hapuna and Kaunaoa Beaches coming in second and fifth, and Maui's Kaanapali and Wailea Beaches placing third and fourth.
The winners in the 'Best Hawaii Beach' contest category for USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice are as follows:
- Hanauma Bay - Oahu
- Waikiki Beach - Oahu
- Lanikai Beach - Oahu
- Punaluu Black Sand Beach - Big Island
- Makena "Big" Beach - Maui
- Kaunaoa Beach - Big Island
- Wailea Beach - Maui
- Kaanapali Beach - Maui
- Hapuna Beach - Big Island
- Hulopoe Beach - Lanai
Photo courtesy of Bluediscovery
No. 10:
The beach in the Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve, sandwiched between two dormant volcanoes on the southeast tip of Oahu, has become one of the most popular snorkeling beaches in Hawaii. The volcanic crater cove hugged by the beach is teeming with reefs and colorful reef fish — Mother Nature's very own aquarium. Snorkeling equipment and lockers are both available, and the nature reserve's education center screens a short video about the bay.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 9:
On Oahu's southern shore, world-famous Waikiki has long been a beachy playground for the rich and famous, including Hawaiian royalty. Beneath the shadow of Diamondhead, the 2-mile-long beach here welcomes more than 4 million visitors each year. Visitors who aspire to take on the big breaks on the North Shore can learn to surf on the small and consistent wave breaks of Waikiki.
Photo courtesy of Purestock
No. 8:
Tucked away in the residential neighborhood of Kailua on the island of Oahu, Lanikai Beach has everything you dream of when you dream Hawaii: powder soft sand, scenic offshore islands, gentle salty sea breezes and Hawaii's signature turquoise water. While surrounded by multimillion dollar mansions, state law requires public beach access every 400 yards, making this gorgeous beach accessible to visitors as well as locals.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 7:
Thirty miles south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits the Big Island's most famous black sand beach, Punaluu. Consistent volcanic activity on the island has created beaches with all sorts of colored sand, and the shores at Punaluu are jet black and fringed with coconut palms. Many a beach-goer finds themselves sharing the sand with basking Hawaiian green sea turtles who come to warm themselves beneath the tropical sun.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)/Tor Johnson
No. 6:
Makena Beach State Park on the southwestern coast of Maui is home to Makena Beach, or Big Beach as locals call it, with golden sands stretching for nearly two thirds of a mile. One of the island's longest beaches, Makena Beach is vast enough that it never feels crowded, and there's hardly a bit of development in sight.
Photo courtesy of Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) / Kirk Lee Aeder
No. 5:
Near perfect Kaunaoa Beach, also known as Mauna Kea Beach, boasts a long crescent of white sand lined by coconut palms. A gradually sloping soft sandy bottom and calm waters make Kaunaoa an excellent option for swimming throughout the year, and with a snorkeling mask in tow, it's possible to spot tropical fish, sea turtles and manta ray along the rocky points of the bay.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson
No. 4:
Arguably the most beautiful of the five beaches in Maui's Wailea Resort, Wailea Beach is long, wide and protected by black lava points to either side, making it a popular choice for swimming and snorkeling on Maui. For sunbathers, the views from the beach are nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokini in the distance. Sunsets are top notch, and in winter, humpback whales can be spotted offshore.
Photo courtesy of Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa
No. 3:
Stretching for 3 miles between the Sheraton Maui to the north and the Hyatt Regency Maui to the south, Kaanapali Beach was once the retreat of choice for Hawaiian royalty and today is one of the island's most popular expanses of white sand. Puu Kekaa, or Black Rock, anchors the beach at the north, and each evening at sunset a cliff diver lights torches along the cliff before diving from the top in a ceremony commemorating a feat by King Kahekili.
Photo courtesy of Marek Poplawski
No. 2:
Located on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, Hapuna Beach represents the largest of the island's white sand beaches. The half-mile crescent of powder soft sand and crystal blue waters ranks among the island's top spots for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing, and come sundown, the beach fills with onlookers hoping to see the "green flash" of a Hawaiian sunset.
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Tourism Japan (HTJ)
No. 1:
Hulopoe Beach, Lanai's most famous stretch of sand, extends pearly white along the island's southern coast. Throughout much of the year, protected Hulopoe Bay offers ideal swimming and snorkeling conditions, and at low tide, the eastern side of the bay boasts several large volcanic rock tide pools filled with colorful sea life.
Congratulations to all our winners!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Dave Mazor
Dave Mazor, owner of Pacific Sports Tours,... Read More
Dave Mazor, owner of Pacific Sports Tours, specializes in booking vacations to blue water, white sand destinations like Hawaii. He has over 30 years of travel experience.
Dave Mazor
Dave Mazor, owner of Pacific Sports Tours, specializes in booking vacations to blue water, white sand destinations like Hawaii. He has over 30 years of travel experience.
Keiko Mori
Keiko Mori is a home-based travel agent with... Read More
Keiko Mori is a home-based travel agent with Cruises & Tours Unlimited in Jacksonville, Fla. She fell in love with Hawaiian Islands and tries to visit Hawaii as many as possible to learn their unique personalities, diverse culture, delicious local food and of course Aloha spirit! Keiko was honored to be invited to attend the Hawaii Travel Exchange 2014 in Maui as a travel adviser. It was a great opportunity to gain knowledge about the beautiful Hawaiian Islands while experiencing the many activities Maui has to offer. Kittie Travel, Keiko's home-based agency, is a partner of the Hawaii Visitors Convention Bureau since May, 2014.
Keiko Mori
Keiko Mori is a home-based travel agent with Cruises & Tours Unlimited in Jacksonville, Fla. She fell in love with Hawaiian Islands and tries to visit Hawaii as many as possible to learn their unique personalities, diverse culture, delicious local food and of course Aloha spirit! Keiko was honored to be invited to attend the Hawaii Travel Exchange 2014 in Maui as a travel adviser. It was a great opportunity to gain knowledge about the beautiful Hawaiian Islands while experiencing the many activities Maui has to offer. Kittie Travel, Keiko's home-based agency, is a partner of the Hawaii Visitors Convention Bureau since May, 2014.
Sandi MacKenzie
Sandi Mackenzie, a native Californian, lives in... Read More
Sandi Mackenzie, a native Californian, lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. She is a business owner, wife, mother and grandmother. Growing up in Southern California, Sandi developed a love for the beach. The Hawaiian Islands are her favorite vacation spot. As a Travel Consultant, Tropical Destinations are her specialty. “Beach destinations make perfect locations for Honeymoons, Weddings, Family Vacations and Groups.“ As a member of the Advisory Board for A Ticket 2 Travel, she educates other travel consultants on the Lead Generation aspect of their business and provides support and encouragement to new agents.
Sandi MacKenzie
Sandi Mackenzie, a native Californian, lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California. She is a business owner, wife, mother and grandmother. Growing up in Southern California, Sandi developed a love for the beach. The Hawaiian Islands are her favorite vacation spot. As a Travel Consultant, Tropical Destinations are her specialty. “Beach destinations make perfect locations for Honeymoons, Weddings, Family Vacations and Groups.“ As a member of the Advisory Board for A Ticket 2 Travel, she educates other travel consultants on the Lead Generation aspect of their business and provides support and encouragement to new agents.
