7-day beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 7 days |
| Islands | Oʻahu, Maui |
| Flights | 1 inter-island flight(s) |
Oʻahu’s most iconic beach runs two miles along the south shore. The calmest swimming is near the Royal Hawaiian, where a shallow sandy bottom extends 30+ yards. Trade winds pick up by late morning, so aim for a 7–9 AM session. Lifeguards on duty at multiple towers. Avoid the water near the Ala Wai Canal mouth after rain — check the Waikiki page for current conditions.
A 2.5-mile stretch of powder-white sand on the windward side, 30 minutes from Waikiki via Pali Hwy. Turquoise water stays shallow for 50 yards. Kayak rentals at the park let you paddle to the Mokulua Islands offshore. Weekend lot fills by 9:30 AM.
Volcanic crater turned marine preserve. Reservations required (book online 2+ days ahead). Mandatory education video, closed Tuesdays. The inner reef has snorkeling in waist-deep water with hundreds of fish species. Parking is $3, and entry closes at capacity.
Three miles of gold sand fronted by resorts on west Maui. Black Rock (Puʻu Kekaʻa) at the north end is the signature snorkeling and cliff-jumping spot. Morning water is calmest and clearest. Check the Kaʻanapali page for current conditions — stormwater drains empty at several points along the strip.
Golden crescent on Maui’s dry south shore, flanked by the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons. Gentle slope, southwest-facing for sunrise-to-sunset sun. The 1.5-mile Wailea Beach Path connects five beaches along the coast. Snorkeling is best at the rocky south end where coral formations attract parrotfish.
One of Maui’s largest undeveloped beaches with golden sand backed by kiawe trees. The shore break here is powerful and dumps hard in shallow water — enter with caution. Popular for body surfing and skimboarding. No lifeguards. Parking lot off Makena Alanui charges $10 and holds about 100 cars.
| Inter-island flight | HNL (Honolulu) to OGG (Kahului): ~35 min. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest both serve this route multiple times daily |
| OGG to Kaʻanapali | 45 min west via Honoapiilani Hwy (30). Midday Lahaina traffic can add 15 min |
| Kaʻanapali to Wailea | 35 min south through Lahaina. Parking at Wailea Beach Path lot is free but limited |
| Wailea to Big Beach | 10 min south on Makena Alanui. $10 parking, fills by 11 AM weekends |
| Best swimming time | 7–10 AM on both islands before trade wind chop builds |
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. 🤙