13 Best Beaches in Hawaii for Couples Who Love Sun, Sand, and Aloha

If you’re dreaming of postcard-perfect beaches where you can enjoy some romantic time with the one you love, Hawaii offers a wide range of choices.

Did you know that the state officially recognizes 137 islands? Of course, most aren’t easily visited or can’t even be visited at all, with four major islands well-developed for tourism: Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), and Kauai. While some travelers spend time on Molokai and Lanai, those islands have limited accommodation and tourist facilities, so we’ve decided to stick to the top islands for visitors when determining the best beaches in Hawaii for couples.

Having spent time on all of the main islands multiple times, I’ve managed to explore many of the beaches that encircle their shores. These picks are all sure to please any couple craving romantic time on a beautiful Hawaiian beach.

Nestled along Kauai’s lush north shore, crescent-shaped Hanalei Beach is lapped by the turquoise waters of Hanalei Bay, with its striking beauty framed by cascading waterfalls and emerald mountain peaks. While it’s certainly not a best-kept secret, it feels like a hidden paradise with the fine, soft golden sands stretching for over two miles, ideal for romantic strolls. On a sunny day, the crystal-clear water reflects the brilliant blue sky, creating an even more surreal scene.

Whether you dive into the bay, paddleboard, kayak, or simply cuddle up together and soak up its beauty from the historic pier, sticking around for a magical sunset, there are few better places for romance than Hanalei. 

Located at the end of the road on the north shore, providing a dramatic view of the Na Pali Coast, Ke’e Beach offers a secluded feel that’s ideal for a romantic picnic, swimming, snorkeling among sea turtles in the vibrant reef offshore, and sunset watching. If you visit around sunrise or sunset, you might even witness a wedding ceremony, as this beach is a popular spot for tying the knot.

If you’re an adventurous couple, this beach is where you’ll find the Kalalau Trail for taking one of Kauai’s most famous hikes, providing access to the Na Pali Coast. While hiking the entire length of the trail is challenging and requires permits, it’s possible to enjoy a shorter day trek.

Spanning 2.5 miles, even during busier times, it’s easy to find a secluded spot to relax and enjoy romantic moments at Anini Beach. Even during the winter when other beaches on the North Shore often have rough conditions, the protected reef here creates a safe place to swim and snorkel in calm, shallow waters. There are plenty of trees for shade and picnic tables where you might bring gourmet food to make it an extra-special outing. 

Maui is home to many beautiful beaches for couples, including Wailea along the southwestern coast. Located in the luxurious resort community of the same name, it offers a relaxed setting with a sense of exclusivity that makes it especially popular among honeymooners. The light golden sands are ultra-soft, ideal for romantic barefoot strolls while being perfectly positioned for breathtaking sunsets that cast a beautiful glow over the beach. Plus, after watching the sun go down, there are many eateries for an intimate beachfront dinner. Or combine the two by taking a sunset dinner cruise, with Wailea a popular departure point.

A hidden paradise tucked away at the end of the famous Road to Hana, tiny Hamoa Beach is one of the most stunning you’ll find on Maui, embraced by lush greenery with soft sand made up of lava and coral, lapped by clear cobalt waters. The gentle waves make it one of the island’s best beaches for swimming, and as it’s a fairly secluded stretch, you might even enjoy it all to yourselves if you arrive early in the morning. Afterward, you can explore the nearby Kahanu Garden together, which displays native Hawaiian plants and a well-preserved sacred temple, Piilanihale Heiau.

Often named the most beautiful beach in Hawaii, Makena Beach (also called Big Beach), offers an unspoiled expanse of golden sands that stretch for 1.5 miles, with plenty of room to find a tranquil spot as it’s far from the busy resorts. The seclusion and dramatic rock formations combined with its length make it ideal for romantic strolls, picnics, and simply gazing out at the scenery together. During the winter, you’ll often see the spouts of humpback whales that pass by. The sunrises here are absolutely stunning with vibrant pink, orange, and gold hues filling the sky, making it well worth an early wake-up call. 

Tucked between Paia Bay and Baldwin Beach Park on Maui’s north shore, Kuau Beach Park is often referred to as Paia Secret Beach, providing a beautiful, peaceful setting with golden sands and clear blue waters. The waves are gentle, making it ideal for swimming or snorkeling. Not only can you often encounter Hawaiian green sea turtles while underwater, but they can also be seen basking in the sun along the shore. 

Kuau is also another stretch worth arriving early to watch a sunrise together and enjoy a picnic spread out on a beach blanket. Alternatively, the famous Mama’s Fish House restaurant is nearby for a gourmet meal—just be sure to book your reservation well ahead of your trip (accepted up to 18 months in advance) to avoid disappointment. 

Only a couple of miles down the road from the renowned Kualoa Ranch, where romantic horseback rides and other activities like SUP can be enjoyed, Ka’a’ wa is a dream. The off-the-beaten-path two-acre park on the windward coast of Oahu offers stunning views of the dramatic peaks of the Koolau Mountains that can be enjoyed while strolling hand-in-hand on the soft sands. 

Ka’a’awa is almost always quiet, as it’s not the best for swimming due to a shallow reef, attracting mostly locals who come to fish or picnic. Its location makes it ideal for sunsets, so you might want to bring a beach blanket, some drinks and snacks to watch Mother Nature’s grand finale with a romantic ambiance. 

Just a few minutes from the famous Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve that’s almost always packed with tourists, Halona Cove offers a secluded stretch just to the right of the Halona Blowhole Lookout. Be sure to stop and watch the water that shoots at least 30 feet through a hole in a lava tube at high tide, before or after your visit to the beach. Sometimes referred to as Eternity Beach, this hidden gem was featured in 1953’s “From Here to Eternity,” widely regarded as one of the world’s most romantic performances on film. The kiss between Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr took place on this narrow span of tranquil sands. Perhaps you can replicate the moment and enjoy a dip when the waves are calm.

At the northern tip of Oahu, Hanakailio offers a rare, uncrowded gem that requires a little work to reach. You’ll need to take a 1.2-mile walk along Marconi Road to reach it, which keeps most visitors away, ensuring a peaceful setting that can be enjoyed along with the striking beauty. It’s a wide expanse of pristine white sands ideal for walking, relaxing, and watching sea turtles, along with the occasional monk seal. 

For the adventurous couples, Kehea Beach on the east side of the Big Island may be ideal. Clothing optional, you can enjoy it without your suit, along with the opportunity for a romantic, if somewhat challenging, swim alongside wild dolphins. Don’t book a tour to swim with captive dolphins—it can cause severe physical and emotional stress to the animals. Instead, if you’re strong swimmers, head to the cliffs overlooking the beach to watch for the pod of spinner dolphins that often swim by. When they’re spotted, you can ascend to the black sandy shore to leap in and join them. 

If you’d rather not swim at Kehena, you can simply watch for the dolphins (and whales in the winter) to pass by. On Sundays, a drum circle usually takes place, with a constant rhythm for dancers, hula-hoopers, jugglers, and even fire spinners.

Makalawena is a beach that can’t be accessed by road, with the roughly one-mile hike keeping big crowds away, making it especially tranquil on a weekday. Birdwatchers will find a 12-acre paradise just behind it known as ʻŌpaeʻula Pond, a National Natural Landmark protecting breeding and nesting areas for native Hawaiian birds. Keep an eye out for theʻApapane, Hawaii ʻAmakihi, ʻIʻiwi, Hawaii Creeper, the Hawaiian hawk, and the Hawaiian goose among a long list of others. The white sand is gorgeous and lined with palms for shade, while swimming is safe when the water is calm. 

Nestled along the Kohala Coast about 30 miles north of Kailua-Kona, Hapuna is ideal for romance-seeking couples with magnificent white sand lapped by typically calm, clear cobalt waters for swimming, snorkeling, and bodyboarding. It’s positioned perfectly for sunset watching, and it’s a prime spot to see whales in the winter. 

While romantic strolls are popular at Hapuna, the more adventurous might hike the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which runs right through and provides spectacular coastal views. You can hike as much or as little of the 175-mile-long route as you like, as it’s made up of a network of trails following the coast. There’s also a walking path along the cliffs behind the beach with scenic overlooks.