Best Beaches on Hawaii
White, Black, Green and even Gray Sand!
There really isn’t a bad place to visit in Hawaii because after all, it’s Hawaii! Beautiful, colorful beaches, spectacular flowers, stunning sunrises and sunsets are plentiful on the islands. Choosing the best beach is all dependent on what you wish to do there. Taking a long walk on the sand, snorkeling and surfing are just a few things you can do on the beaches of Hawaii. Here are just a few of the most popular beaches on the Big Island.
Punalu’u Beach or more commonly known as Black Sand Beach is an incredible sight. The sand is pure black, made from when lava hits the ocean, hardens and shatters into tiny bits of volcanic sand. The sight is an especially rare one as there are few black sand beaches in the world. The heat retained from the black sand make Punalu’u Beach the perfect nesting spot for green turtles. The currents tend to be strong there so snorkeling or swimming for an inexperienced person might not be ideal, however there is a nearby cove called Ninole (about 5 minutes walking distance) that you can visit for fun aquatic activities.
Perhaps one of the most sparkling beaches on the Big Island is Papakolea which is a green sand beach. This is actually misnamed because it should be green crystal beach. The color of the sand comes from tiny bits of olivine crystal that were deposited there from olivine-rich lava which erupted from a nearby cone over 49,000 years ago! Other than its unusual color, this beach is in a remote location and is definitely a day trip. The bay is calm enough for snorkeling and the view is just spectacular. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day at Papakolea.
Voted one of the world’s best beaches many times over, Hapuna Beach is the perfect place to take the family. This white sand beach only gets about 10 inches of rain annually, so you are almost guaranteed a sunny beautiful day. There is a lifeguard on duty year round, and the beach is lined with trees if you need to get out of the sun with the kids for a little while. There is also a shaded pavilion which is perfect to unpack your lunch and relax in the shade. The only downside to this awesome spot is the crowds. Being one of the island’s most popular and well-known beaches, it draws locals and tourists in droves.
There really is no ‘bad’ beach on the Big Island, it is Hawaii after all. You can choose what suits your needs and desires while you enjoy the sun in one of the most stunning places on earth. Safe travels!
by LA DiNardi
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