7-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 7 days |
| Islands | Oʻahu, Big Island |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Waikiki stretches two miles along Oʻahu’s south shore. The calmest swimming is near the Royal Hawaiian, where a sandy bottom stays shallow for 30+ yards. Morning sessions before 9 AM offer glassy water before trade winds build chop. Lifeguards staff multiple towers. The Ala Wai Canal empties near the western end — avoid that area after rain when bacteria levels spike.
Kailua on the windward coast has 2.5 miles of fine white sand and turquoise water. The Mokulua Islands sit offshore, reachable by kayak. Water stays shallow for 50 yards with a gradual slope. Lifeguards, restrooms, and outdoor showers at the main park. The lot fills by 9:30 AM on weekends.
Oʻahu’s premier snorkeling spot fills a volcanic crater. Reservations required — book 2+ days ahead online. Entry closes at capacity, usually by mid-morning. Mandatory education video before entering. Closed Tuesdays. Inner reef has abundant fish in waist-deep water.
Half-mile crescent of white sand on the Kohala Coast with a gradual sandy slope. Lifeguards on duty. Bodyboarding popular on the shore break. Winter swells produce powerful waves — check posted conditions. The Kohala Coast is arid, so runoff issues are rare, but the shore break demands respect.
Also called Kaunaʻoa Bay, fronted by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Public access limited to 30 parking passes per day, handed out at the gate starting at 7 AM. Fine sand, gentle slope, calm water most of the year. Snorkeling is best along the rocky points at either end where green sea turtles feed.
A sheltered crescent fronting the Waikoloa Beach Marriott. Anchialine ponds behind the beach support rare shrimp species. The water stays calm most of the year for paddleboarding and kayaking. Snorkeling along the south lava shelf turns up reef fish and turtles. Free public parking, full facilities, and gear rentals on site.
| Inter-island flight | HNL (Honolulu) to KOA (Kona): ~45 min. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest both serve this route. Book early for fares under $100 |
| Parking at Waikiki | Metered street parking or hotel garages ($15–$35/day). Free on side streets before 8 AM |
| Waikiki to Kailua | 30 min via Pali Hwy. Free parking at Kailua Beach Park — fills by 10 AM weekends |
| Hapuna parking | $5 state park lot, fills by 10 AM weekends. Arrive early or use overflow along the access road |
| Hapuna to Mauna Kea | 5 min north on Hwy 19. Only 30 public passes — arrive before 8 AM |
| Mauna Kea to A-Bay | 15 min south to Waikoloa Beach Dr. Free resort parking lot |
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. 🤙