The Hawaiian Islands are home to approximately 750 miles of coastline – and countless incredible beaches in a variety of colors and landscapes. And while we love the famous beaches – Waikiki and Ka’anapali, for example – there’s something about visiting a secluded spot that makes your weekend feel much more adventurous. Luckily, the Hawaiian Islands are home to some pretty incredible secret beaches, as well as these 13 secluded and serene spots perfect for your next beach day.
- New Kaimu Black Sand Beach
Phil Whitehouse/Flickr This picturesque beach did not exist in its current state twenty years ago: the original Kaimu Beach was completely destroyed by lava flows in 1990. Because this mineral-rich beach is relatively new, and the larger Punalu’u is located just down the coast, this picturesque spot remains largely tourist-free.
- Alan David Beach Park
Taka T./Yelp At the trailhead for the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail, take the dirt path to the right to reach this beautiful Hawaii beach. It will take you approximately 10 minutes on the Kaiwi Shoreline Trail to reach Alan David Beach, a place famous for its cliff jumping.
- Kalepolepo Beach
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr Once the site of a historically significant fishpond, this beach is off the beaten path. Located in North Kihei, Kalepolepo is out of the way for most Maui tourists, so there’s a good chance you might have the beach to yourself.
- Kalalau Beach
Michael Caroe Andersen/Flickr This rugged 11-mile trek (one way) into Kalalau valley + beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast may only be recommended for experienced hikers, but there is certainly something to be said for the incredible ocean views - and perhaps the most secluded beach in all of Hawaii.
- Papohaku Beach
Caleb Slemmons/Flickr This Molokai beach is probably the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku Beach seems to go on for miles.
- Waipio Valley Beach
Paul Bica/Flickr While this Big Island beach is often seen from above at the Waipio Valley lookout, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot down to the beach, so you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.
- Kalihiwai Beach
Kyle Pearce/Flickr Kalihiwai is an ironwood-lined crescent shaped bay located on Kauai’s northern shore. Be sure to check out the brackish pools located behind the beach near the stream - this is a perfect area for kids to wade, swim and float.
- Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
Paul Bica/Flickr This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
- Makalawena Beach
Marcos Ojeda/Flickr Situated on the Big Island’s western shore is this stunning white sand beach with crystal waters, sand dunes, fresh water pools, and a series of secluded coves. The beach is definitely worth the fifteen-minute hike on a lava path from neighboring Kekaha Kai Beach.
- Polihua Beach
rickh710/Flickr Though often overlooked for the larger, more populous islands, Lanai is a secret paradise full of secluded beaches. Polihua Beach feels especially hidden though, as it is located on the island’s northwestern coast and is only accessible via four-wheel drive vehicle.
- Mokuleia Beach
Christian Michel/Flickr Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is this secluded beach – the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. In fact, this beach is so secluded that it was used in filming the first season of Lost.
- Honomalino Beach
Scott Carpenter/Flickr This secluded salt and pepper beach on Hawaii Island’s Kona coast is surrounded by coconut palms, and is accessible via a 20 minute walk from nearby Miloli’i Beach Park.
- Polihale Beach
Kevin Schraer/Flickr At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’I Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches.
If you’re up for a good hike, you’ll love these 11 beaches only accessible on foot. Don’t forget to add these 22 epic beaches to your Hawaiian bucket list.
Phil Whitehouse/Flickr
This picturesque beach did not exist in its current state twenty years ago: the original Kaimu Beach was completely destroyed by lava flows in 1990. Because this mineral-rich beach is relatively new, and the larger Punalu’u is located just down the coast, this picturesque spot remains largely tourist-free.
Taka T./Yelp
At the trailhead for the Makapu’u Lighthouse trail, take the dirt path to the right to reach this beautiful Hawaii beach. It will take you approximately 10 minutes on the Kaiwi Shoreline Trail to reach Alan David Beach, a place famous for its cliff jumping.
Forest and Kim Starr/Flickr
Once the site of a historically significant fishpond, this beach is off the beaten path. Located in North Kihei, Kalepolepo is out of the way for most Maui tourists, so there’s a good chance you might have the beach to yourself.
Michael Caroe Andersen/Flickr
This rugged 11-mile trek (one way) into Kalalau valley + beach on Kauai’s Na Pali Coast may only be recommended for experienced hikers, but there is certainly something to be said for the incredible ocean views - and perhaps the most secluded beach in all of Hawaii.
Caleb Slemmons/Flickr
This Molokai beach is probably the closest you will ever get to the deserted tropical island paradise you’ve been dreaming of. Whether you want to get away from the world and relax, or catch some world-class waves, Papohaku Beach seems to go on for miles.
Paul Bica/Flickr
While this Big Island beach is often seen from above at the Waipio Valley lookout, you will need to hike 1.5 miles from the parking lot down to the beach, so you can bet that you’ll be mostly alone once you arrive.
Kyle Pearce/Flickr
Kalihiwai is an ironwood-lined crescent shaped bay located on Kauai’s northern shore. Be sure to check out the brackish pools located behind the beach near the stream - this is a perfect area for kids to wade, swim and float.
This stunning red sand beach on Maui’s eastern coast is one of only a few red sand beaches in the world. You’ll have to access the stunning beach via an overgrown cliff-side trail, and the water is rough, but the views are well worth the effort.
Marcos Ojeda/Flickr
Situated on the Big Island’s western shore is this stunning white sand beach with crystal waters, sand dunes, fresh water pools, and a series of secluded coves. The beach is definitely worth the fifteen-minute hike on a lava path from neighboring Kekaha Kai Beach.
rickh710/Flickr
Though often overlooked for the larger, more populous islands, Lanai is a secret paradise full of secluded beaches. Polihua Beach feels especially hidden though, as it is located on the island’s northwestern coast and is only accessible via four-wheel drive vehicle.
Christian Michel/Flickr
Located on the remote northwestern shore of Oahu, just past Haleiwa, is this secluded beach – the nearest store and restrooms are more than ten miles away. The bright blue water is almost always choppy, and green sea turtles tend to hang out on the shore during the summer. In fact, this beach is so secluded that it was used in filming the first season of Lost.
Scott Carpenter/Flickr
This secluded salt and pepper beach on Hawaii Island’s Kona coast is surrounded by coconut palms, and is accessible via a 20 minute walk from nearby Miloli’i Beach Park.
Kevin Schraer/Flickr
At the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’I Highway, Polihale is the largest stretch of sand in Hawaii, and is often overlooked for more accessible Kauai beaches.
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