The Best Family Beaches in Hawaii, According to Travel Experts

Many people travel to Hawaii every year to enjoy a beach getaway, with beautiful stretches of sand throughout the islands. Of course, that can make it a bit tricky when trying to decide where to base yourself. If you’re traveling as a family, there are a few things to consider when planning a trip around the best beaches in Hawaii for families. At minimum, you’ll probably want soft sand for playing, calm water for swimming or snorkeling, shade to duck under occasionally, and on-site restrooms. 

Over the past decade, I’ve been lucky enough to spend quite a bit of time on all the major islands—it definitely helps to have a good friend living here! Being shown some of the best beaches by a local is a big benefit, and I’ve done plenty of independent exploration as well. These family-friendly beaches on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai are all worth planning your next family trip around.

One of the best beaches in the U.S. for families, Ko Olina is a series of white sand beaches that surround four lagoons on the west side of Oahu. While they front resorts like Disney Aulani Resort and the Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina, you don’t have to stay at them to visit, as all beaches are available to the public per Hawaii state law. 

Ko Olina is one of the best places on the island for kids to safely swim or splash around. The water is shallow, no more than six feet at the deepest areas, and as it’s protected by huge rock formations, it stays calm.  Swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding are all possible here.

Why Families Love It: “Ko Olina Beach on Oahu is one of the best beaches in all of Hawaii for families because the four man-made lagoons are calm and protected all year round, making them the perfect place for kids to play and explore,” says Bryan Murphy, Owner of Hawaii’s Best Travel. “Although, please note that there are no lifeguards on duty here, so families should still keep a close eye on their little ones.”

Travel photographer and father Eric Rubens agrees: “Ko Olina is my family’s favorite beach in Hawaii. It has everything you need for the perfect beach day. The lagoons are calm and protected, making them great for kids to swim safely, and the walking path that connects each bay is perfect for stroller walks or family bike rides. It’s beautiful, clean, and easy to access—everything a family could ask for,” says Eric Rubens.

Ala Moana Beach Park provides an oasis in the city with a much more tranquil atmosphere as compared to Waikiki Beach, while still being close to numerous shopping and dining venues. In fact, Ala Moana Center is right across the street with multiple options convenient for those who want to spend an entire day at the beach.

Why Families Love It: Ideal for families with young kids, not only is Ala Moana less crowded than other beaches nearby, but the water is calm and clear for swimming, and lifeguards are on duty to help ensure a safer environment. You’ll also find trees for shade, picnic pavilions, barbecue grills, tennis courts, food stalls, outdoor showers, and restrooms.

Located on the northeast side of Oahu, Kualoa Regional Beach Park sits across from Kualoa Ranch, a 4,000-acre nature preserve that’s been used as a setting for many films, most notably the Jurassic Park movies. The combination of the beach, turquoise water, palms, and lush Ko‘olau mountains creates an especially breathtaking scene for photos.

Why Families Love It: It’s perfect for families who want to enjoy time at the beach and the activities offered at Kualoa Ranch, from horseback riding to ziplining and ATV tours. The beach itself has soft sand and plenty of room for the kids to run around. Lifeguards are staffed here, and the water is almost always calm enough for swimming.. Picnic tables, BBQ pits, showers, and restrooms are all on-site too. 

There’s plenty of room and something for nearly every type of beachgoer at Makena, with pristine golden sands stretching for about 1.5 miles (up to 100 feet wide in some spots). This is one of the largest beaches on Maui, located in Makena State Park just a 10-minute drive from the Wailea resorts. Although facilities are minimal, there are picnic tables and porta-potties at the entrance, along with the occasional food trucks in the parking lots. 

Why Families Love It: Those seeking tranquility away from sprawling resorts will especially appreciate the lack of development here. Makena is the perfect place to simply enjoy the beauty of the island, with the water a dazzling Easter egg blue. In the winter, you can almost always see the spouts of humpback whales. Beach strolls are particularly memorable, and swimming is possible for those with experience in the calmer waters at the northern end. Older kids, teens, and adults can enjoy boogie boarding too. 

Kamaole Beach Park offers three beaches referred to as Kam I, II, and III. Located in popular Kihei, there’s a wide range of accommodation here, with everything from condo rentals to resorts for those who want to spend most of the time on the sand and in the water. 

Why Families Love It: There are a variety of activities that can be enjoyed at each section, from Kam I and Kam II’s large swimming areas to the waves ideal for bodyboarding at Kam III. Lifeguards are on duty, and all three have picnic areas, grills, showers, and restrooms. If you bring your own supplies for a picnic or grilling out, it’s easy to enjoy an entire day soaking up the sun and the surf, even if you aren’t staying in a hotel or vacation rental nearby.

Located north of the popular resort area of Ka’anapali, Napili Bay offers a much quieter stretch with soft sands and a gentle slope down to shallow, often calm, water. The trade off for the more peaceful ambiance is that amenities are limited, with no lifeguards on duty or public restrooms right on-site. That said, Napili Kai Beach Resort and its Sea House Restaurant are on the beach at the north end when you’re in need of a bite.

Why Families Love It: Snorkeling is outstanding, particularly in the summer. But anytime you explore the underwater world at Napili, you’re likely to find a sea turtle or two to swim right next to.

Hapuna Beach Park is home to a large beach with soft, ivory sands and plenty of room for everyone to spread out and play. It spans about a half-mile from one lava point to another, and it’s 2,000 feet wide from one lava point to another, making it the island’s widest sandy beach. The water is typically calm enough for swimming, especially in the morning or during the summer. A bit later in the day, there are usually moderate waves for boogie boarding. The park hosts showers, restrooms, and picnic pavilions, while Naupaka Beach Grill at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is steps away and available to non-guests.

Why Families Love It: “Hapuna Beach is one of the best family beaches in Hawai‘i because of its wide, gently sloping shoreline and soft white sand. The waves are usually friendly enough for kids to swim and boogie board safely, especially in summer, and the beach is so spacious that it never feels overwhelming, even on busy days,” says Christina Gales, Founder of Christina Gales Travel. “It’s an easy beach day. There’s parking, restrooms, shade, and lifeguards on duty. Kids get plenty of room to play and explore, and parents can relax instead of constantly worrying about currents or crowded conditions. It’s a low-stress beach, which isn’t something you can always count on in Hawai‘i.”

One of the few sandy beaches in South Kona can be found at Ho’okena Beach Park, about a 45-minute drive from Kailua-Kona in Captain Cook. It’s a favorite locals’ beach as one of the best for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. In fact, it’s been used for centuries for fishermen to launch their canoes. If you time your visit right, you can watch them launch to fish just as their ancestors have for centuries, often returning with their bounty before leaving the vessels strewn along the sands. 

Bordered by sea cliffs at the northern end of Kauhako Bay, the beach is a mix of soft white and black sands, with great snorkeling at both ends. Swimming is best at the south end, which has a sandier bottom. If you want to spend the night, you can camp out under the stars and even rent your camping gear here. 

Why Families Love It: Snorkeling equipment is available for rent, and there’s also a concession stand with food, drinks, and ice. Restroom facilities, outdoor showers, and picnic tables are all on-site too, which means beach towels are really the only thing you need to bring.

Nestled along the northwest coast of the Big Island, Spencer Beach Park is easily accessible with convenient and free parking while offering a beach with soft golden sands and calm, clear turquoise waters, thanks to the offshore reef. There are shaded picnic areas, BBQ pits, outdoor showers, and restroom facilities on-site too. 

Take note that while the Kiawe trees also provide shade, if you take advantage of it, be sure to wear your flip-flops (referred to as slippahs here in Hawaii) due to the fallen thorns. 

Why Families Love It: It’s a great spot for young kids and beginning snorkelers of all ages to snorkel among tropical fish, and occasionally, sea turtles.

Poipu is an ideal beach for relaxation and taking advantage of a wide range of activities, often ranked among Hawaii’s very best family-friendly beaches. Coastal walks, tidepooling, snorkeling, and many other water sports are all popular here. And, as the beach is on the island’s drier side, it’s often sunny even when some of the other areas are getting rain. On the main beach, there’s a section with small waves suitable for older kids, teens, and adults who want to boogie board or learn to surf. There’s also a playground, picnic tables, public restrooms, and showers on-site, while numerous shopping, dining, and accommodations are nearby. 

Why Families Love It: Ko‘a Kea Resort at Po‘ipu Beach notes, “On Kauai’s sunny south shore, Po‘ipu Beach shines as one of Hawaii’s most family-friendly destinations. The beach’s calm, protected waters and gentle waves make it ideal for young swimmers and beginner snorkelers, while its soft sands and frequent sightings of sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals delight visitors of all ages. Po‘ipu offers the perfect blend of adventure and tranquility for outdoors-loving families amongst the Garden Isle’s renowned natural beauty.”

Anini offers 2.5 miles of white sands and a tranquil lagoon that’s sheltered by a huge coral reef, making it a popular place to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, and more. There’s lots of room to spread out beach towels and blankets, along with trees for shade, picnic tables and pavilions, showers, drinking fountains, and restrooms. Plus, camping is allowed in the Anini Beach Park Campground with sites available for tents and RVs.

Why Families Love It: Despite the lack of lifeguards, Anini is one of the safest beaches along the North Shore of Kauai for families with children to don a snorkel and mask. Green sea turtles, the occasional Hawaiian monk seal, and a wide range of tropical fish, including the state fish with the insanely long name, humuhumunukunukuapuaa, can all be spotted here. 

Along the east coast of Kauai, Lydgate Beach can be found in Lydgate State Park, along with a wealth of desirable facilities that make it fun to enjoy an entire day here. There are lifeguards to help ensure everyone stays safe in the water, with swimming and snorkeling ideal in the protected lagoons. The two man-made rock walls shield them from the open ocean, keeping the water calm. It’s an excellent opportunity to admire sea turtles and all sorts of fish, including angelfish, parrotfish, unicornfish, and butterflyfish. 

Why Families Love It: The park also has a saltwater swimming pool, a playground for swinging, sliding, and climbing, picnic grounds, showers, and restrooms. Plus, at the beach’s entrance, you’ll find a reef fish identification cart to help you identify what you see while snorkeling—a fun game to play with the kids.