7-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 7 days |
| Islands | Big Island, Kauaʻi |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Half-mile white-sand crescent on the arid Kohala Coast. Gradual sandy slope into open water. Bodyboarding popular on the shore break. Lifeguards on duty. Winter swells bring powerful waves — check posted surf conditions. $5 state park lot fills by 10 AM on weekends.
Kaunaʻoa Bay, 5 minutes north of Hapuna. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel limits public access to 30 parking passes daily, available at the gate starting 7 AM. Fine white sand, gentle slope, calm year round. Snorkel the rocky points at either end for green sea turtle sightings.
Sheltered crescent in front of the Waikoloa resort complex. Anchialine ponds support unique species. Water calm enough for year-round paddleboarding. Snorkel along the south lava shelf for reef fish. Free parking and on-site gear rentals.
Brilliant white sand pocket beach surrounded by black lava rock. Turquoise water in summer, powerful shore break in winter. Gates open 8 AM, close 7 PM. Parking lot holds ~50 cars. No shade at the beach — plan morning visits. No facilities beyond a restroom at the parking area.
On the sunny south shore, the most reliable swimming beach on Kauaʻi. Natural tombolo creates two distinct swimming areas. Left side is a calm cove for families; right side has occasional surf. Monk seals rest on the sand frequently. Free lot holds ~50 cars, fills by 10 AM.
Protected by an extensive fringing reef creating a shallow lagoon. Knee to waist deep for 200 yards — ideal for wading and paddleboarding. Only 30 parking spots, and the shallow water can hold elevated bacteria longer after storms since the reef prevents flushing.
Two-mile crescent framed by dramatic green ridges. Pier area on the east end is the most sheltered section. Summer brings calm, flat water; winter can produce serious surf. The Hanalei River empties mid-bay — stay away from the discharge point after rain. Beach park lot near the pier holds about 40 cars.
| Inter-island flight | KOA (Kona) to LIH (Līhuʻe): typically connects through HNL. Total travel 3–4 hours including layover |
| Hapuna parking | $5 state park lot. Fills by 10 AM weekends. Overflow along the access road |
| Kua Bay gates | Open 8 AM, close 7 PM. No shade — plan morning visits and bring water |
| LIH to Poʻipū | 25 min south. Free beach park lot fills by 10 AM |
| Poʻipū to Anini | 50 min via Līhuʻe. No shortcut across the island center |
| Anini to Hanalei | 15 min west. One-lane bridges past Princeville |
After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours before entering the ocean. Check each beach's water quality page.
We recommend at least 4 days per island. This 7-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. 🤙