Hapuna Beach

Consistently rated one of the world's best beaches, Hapuna is a stunning half-mile crescent of white sand on Big Island's sunny Kohala Coast. The impossibly clear water and gentle-but-fun waves make it perfect for both families and bodyboarders — you can literally see fish swimming right near shore.

Fair warning: this fine sand gets EVERYWHERE (your camera, phone, everything), thanks to consistent trade winds. But that's a small price for what many call the Big Island's most beautiful beach. The leeward Kohala location means sunshine nearly guaranteed, plus you get killer sunset views with Mauna Kea as your backdrop.