10-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 10 days |
| Islands | Oʻahu, Maui |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Volcanic-crater marine preserve with Oʻahu’s best snorkeling. Online reservation required (book 2+ days ahead). Mandatory education video. Closed Tuesdays. Inner reef in waist-deep water, hundreds of fish species. Parking $3. The enclosed shape means slower flushing — check advisories after rain.
Four man-made lagoons on the leeward coast with imported sand and calm water. Lagoon 4 is least crowded, Lagoon 2 has the best snorkeling. Conditions never change regardless of swell or wind. Free public parking at each lagoon. A reliable backup if other beaches have advisories.
Small crescent sheltered by rocky headlands at west Maui’s north end. Among the calmest swimming on the island year round. Snorkeling along the south rock point is excellent — healthy coral, sea turtles, reef fish. Tiny parking lot (20 spaces) fills before 9 AM. Walk from the Kapalua resort if the lot is full.
Small sandy cove south of Kapalua, protected by the bay’s curved shape. Sea turtles graze on algae in the inner bay regularly. No lifeguards or public restrooms. Limited street parking along Lower Honoapiilani Rd. A quieter, more intimate alternative to the resort beaches.
| Inter-island flight | HNL (Honolulu) to OGG (Kahului): ~35 min. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest both run this route multiple times daily. Book early for fares under $80 |
| Waikiki to Hanauma | 20 min via Kalanianaʻole Hwy. $3 parking. Reservation required online |
| Waikiki to Ko Olina | 35 min via H-1 West. Free parking at each lagoon, arrive before 9 AM weekends |
| OGG to Kapalua | 50 min west via Hwy 30. Midday Lahaina traffic adds 10–15 min |
| Best swimming time | 7–10 AM on both islands before afternoon trade winds build chop |
After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours before entering the ocean. Check each beach's water quality page.
We recommend at least 5 days per island. This 10-day itinerary gives you enough time to experience the best beaches on each island without rushing.
Start with the most urban/accessible island (Oʻahu), then move to resort islands (Maui), and end with the most remote (Kauaʻi or Big Island). This lets you ease into the relaxation.
Inter-island flights on Hawaiian Airlines or Southwest typically cost $60-150 one way. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for best prices. Flights are 30-45 minutes between islands.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Free alerts when advisories change at your beach.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, any entity mentioned on this page, or any government agency or hotel brand. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
When in doubt, donʻt go out. 🤙