Check Out These 6 Family-Friendly Beaches in Hawaiʻi

Bust out the reef-safe sunscreen and plan a beach day. When you’re deciding on which beach to go to, consider amenities like clean restrooms, keiki-friendly waves and easy parking. Here are our favorite beaches that make for a fun day out for the whole family.

Hanauma Bay (Honolulu, O‘ahu)

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Fun for the whole family, Hanauma Bay is perfect for keiki and parents looking to snorkel without having to worry about rip currents or deep sea dropoffs. With a colorful collection of sealife all calling the shallow reefs of Hanauma Bay home, it’s easy for everyone to have a good time snorkeling here. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time, or you could be turned away at the gate and have some very cranky kiddos on the drive back to your hotel or home.

• Food concession, gift shop and snorkel concession available.
• Wheelchair accessible.
• Lockers to store personal items.
• Open to the public Wednesdays-Sundays, reservations required.

Hāpuna Beach (Waimea, Hawai‘i Island)

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One of Hawaiʻi’s longest white sand beaches, Hāpuna Beach has more than enough space for you and your ʻohana to lay out a towel and relax in the sand. If you want to get in the water, we recommend visiting the beach during the summer months, when the waves are flat and the shorebreak is non-existent.

• Access to bathrooms, showers and picnic tables.
• Good for snorkeling and bodysurfing, but there are seasonal exceptions (keep out of rough waves during winter months).
• Great for volleyball and other forms of recreation.

Po‘ipū Beach (Kōloa, Kaua‘i)

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A jewel of a beach on Kauaʻi’s south shore, Poʻipū Beach is very accommodating for families looking to picnic, watch the sunset and hang out in a very protected cove of water. Rock walls jetties protect beachgoers from most surf and swell, meaning even the youngest of keiki can get wet without worry.

• Listed as one of the five best beaches in the state according to HAWAI‘I Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
• Lifeguard on duty seven days a week.
• Access to bathrooms, showers and picnic tables.

Baldwin Beach (Pā‘ia, Maui)

Local families love Baldwin Beach, and for good reason. With showers, picnic tables, lifeguards and plenty of shade, this stretch of sand is truly accommodating for families looking to spend the day in the sand. There are also protected coves on the east and west ends of the beach, perfect for younger children or those not experienced with swimming in the ocean.

• Easy access to bathrooms, showers and picnic tables.
• Lots of shaded areas to set up under.
• Great for bodysurfing, but there are seasonal exceptions (keep out of rough waves during winter months).

Kuli‘ou‘ou Beach (Honolulu, O‘ahu)

While Kuliʻouʻou Beach isn’t the best choice for snorkleing, the large grassy park fronting the beach makes it a great place to spend the day with the fam. The waters are shallow enough to wade in, and the beach doesn’t often get crowded—even during the weekends—making it a relaxing family escape for parents looking to get away from the masses.

• Access to bathrooms, showers and picnic tables.
• Easy parking in the lot if you arrive early—plenty of street parking if the lot is full.
• Waves are shallow enough for keiki to wade in.

Waikīkī Beach (Honolulu, O‘ahu)

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The epitome of a family-friendly beach, Waikīkī Beach features golden sands, calm waves and on-duty lifeguards. From surfing lessons to riding in an outrigger canoe, there are more than enough activities available here for the whole family, and everything you need—ABC Stores, restaurants, and more—is located just across the street from the beach.

• Lifeguard on duty year-round.
• Plenty of nearby restaurants and hotels.
• Calm waves for keiki to frolic in.