7-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 7 days |
| Islands | Oʻahu, Kauaʻi |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Two miles along Oʻahu’s south shore. Calmest swimming near the Royal Hawaiian where sand stays shallow for 30+ yards. Multiple lifeguard towers staffed sunrise to sunset. The Ala Wai Canal drains near the western end — check the Waikiki page for bacteria data, especially after rain.
Windward side, 30 min from Waikiki via Pali Hwy. 2.5 miles of white sand, turquoise water, gradual slope. Kayak to the Mokulua Islands offshore. The main lot fills by 9:30 AM weekends — overflow on nearby residential streets.
Volcanic-crater marine preserve with Oʻahu’s best snorkeling. Online reservation required. Closed Tuesdays. Inner reef has abundant fish in waist-deep water. Parking $3. The enclosed bay shape means slower water circulation — allow extra time after storms.
Kauaʻi’s sunny south shore. A natural tombolo creates two swimming areas — the left cove is calm and family-friendly. Monk seals frequent the sand (maintain 50-foot distance). Check the Poʻipū page for conditions. Waikomo Stream near the west end can elevate bacteria after rain.
Protected by one of Hawaiʻi’s longest fringing reefs. The inner lagoon stays knee to waist deep for 200 yards, ideal for wading, paddling, and beginner snorkeling. Ironwood shade trees line the shore. Only 30 parking spots — arrive before 9 AM. The shallow lagoon can hold bacteria longer after storms since the reef limits flushing.
Nearly two miles of beach backed by emerald cliffs. The pier area is the most sheltered section year round. Summer months bring flat conditions; winter swells can be powerful. The Hanalei River empties mid-bay — visible brown plume after rain means elevated bacteria near the discharge point.
| Inter-island flight | HNL (Honolulu) to LIH (Līhuʻe): ~30 min. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest both serve this route |
| Waikiki to Kailua | 30 min via Pali Hwy. Free lot fills by 10 AM weekends |
| LIH to Poʻipū | 25 min south via Kaumualiʻi Hwy. Free beach park lot — fills by 10 AM |
| Poʻipū to Anini | 50 min north via Līhuʻe. No shortcut across the island center |
| Anini to Hanalei | 15 min west. One-lane bridges past Princeville — yield to oncoming traffic |
| Best swimming time | 7–10 AM on both islands. Kauaʻi north shore deteriorates fastest in afternoon wind |
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. 🤙