7-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 7 days |
| Islands | Maui, Big Island |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Three miles of golden sand along west Maui’s resort corridor. Black Rock at the north end is the island’s signature snorkeling spot with sea turtles and reef fish. Morning water is clearest before 10 AM. Cliff jumping from Black Rock happens at sunset. Check the Kaʻanapali page for stormwater drain advisories after rain.
Southwest-facing golden crescent on Maui’s dry south shore. Gentle sandy slope into calm water. The Wailea Beach Path links five beaches along 1.5 miles — walk north to Ulua Beach for a quieter alternative. Snorkeling at the rocky south end reveals parrotfish, tangs, and occasional eagle rays.
Small crescent sheltered by rocky headlands at the north end of west Maui. Among the calmest swimming year round. Snorkeling along the south rock point is excellent with healthy coral. The parking lot holds only 20 cars — arrive before 9 AM or walk from the Kapalua resort.
Wide white-sand crescent on the arid Kohala Coast. Gradual slope is popular for bodyboarding. Lifeguards daily. Winter shore break can be powerful. The $5 state park lot fills by 10 AM on weekends. Runoff events are rare due to the dry climate, but confirm conditions after island-wide storms.
Kaunaʻoa Bay, fronted by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Only 30 public parking passes per day at the resort gate (first-come, 7 AM). Fine sand, gentle slope, year-round calm water. Green sea turtles frequent the rocky points at both ends of the bay. A distinct beach from Hapuna despite being just 5 minutes north.
Sheltered bay fronting the Waikoloa resort area. Ancient Hawaiian fishponds and anchialine pools line the shore. Water stays calm for paddleboarding and kayaking. Snorkel the south lava shelf for reef fish. Free parking, full facilities, and beach gear rentals on site. One of the most accessible Kohala Coast beaches.
| Inter-island flight | OGG (Kahului) to KOA (Kona): ~30 min. Hawaiian Airlines serves this route. Book early for under $100 |
| OGG to Kaʻanapali | 45 min west via Hwy 30. Lahaina midday traffic adds 10–15 min |
| KOA to Hapuna | 30 min north on Hwy 19. $5 parking at the state park lot |
| Hapuna to Mauna Kea | 5 min north. 30 public passes — arrive before 8 AM |
| Mauna Kea to A-Bay | 15 min south on Hwy 19 to Waikoloa Beach Dr |
| Best swimming time | 7–10 AM on both islands before afternoon trade winds |
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. 🤙