Best courts, pick-up games, tournaments, and water safety at Hawaiʻi’s top volleyball beaches
Beach volleyball and Hawaiʻi go hand in hand. From the nets at Kailua Beach Park on Oʻahu to the courts strung along Maui’s resort corridor, you’ll find games running year-round. This guide covers the best spots to play, what to expect from pick-up culture, tournament opportunities, and how to stay safe near the water while you’re at it.
The top destination for beach volleyball on Oʻahu. Multiple nets are maintained here year-round, and there’s a strong local community running competitive pick-up games most mornings and weekends. The beach itself is flat, wide, and has excellent sand consistency for diving. The calm waters of Kailua Bay also make it one of the better swimming spots after your game.
A convenient option for visitors staying in Waikiki. The beach near Fort DeRussy has maintained volleyball nets, easy access, and full facilities. It’s more casual than Kailua — expect mixed-skill pick-up groups and plenty of visitor turnover. The tradeoff for convenience is that the sand can get crowded on peak days.
Both beaches near Kailua sometimes have informal games. Lanikai is smaller and more residential, so organized play is less common. Bellows (open to public on weekends) has space for games and occasionally sees pick-up activity from visitors and military families.
One of Maui’s most popular local beaches, Baldwin Beach Park near Paʻia has volleyball nets and draws a regular crowd of locals. The beach is wide and long with good sand for play. Mornings are best before the trade winds pick up.
Several resorts along the Kaʻanapali corridor maintain beach volleyball nets for guests. If you’re staying in the area, check with your hotel concierge for net locations and any organized games. The sand is excellent and the beach is wide enough for multiple simultaneous games.
Beach volleyball is less organized on Kauaʻi and the Big Island, but you’ll find occasional nets at Kapaʻa Beach Park and Poʻipū Beach Park on Kauaʻi, and at Old Kona Airport Beach Park and Hapuna Beach on the Big Island. These tend to be informal — bring your own ball and set up where space permits.
The Hawaii Beach Volleyball Association (HBVA) runs leagues and open tournaments on Oʻahu year-round, primarily at Kailua Beach Park. USA Volleyball’s Hawaii region lists sanctioned events. Most open tournaments welcome out-of-state participants — check registration deadlines as spots fill quickly.
Charity tournaments and resort-sponsored events are common on Maui, especially in the Kaʻanapali and Wailea areas during winter months when mainland visitors peak.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality information on this site is based on publicly available data and is not real-time. Always verify current conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
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