Between packed schedules and glowing screens, the years with little ones move fast. Hawaii family vacations are among the few times when everyone slows down together, and we want those days to count.
At Chase ‘N Rainbows, our Hawaii vacation rentals span Maui, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island. The beaches in Hawaii range from world-class surf breaks to reef-sheltered coves where a toddler can wade all afternoon, so we put this guide together to help you plan around the best family beaches in Hawaii.
Before You Let the Kids In the Water
Even the best family beaches in Hawaii change with the season, the weather, and the location, so it’s worth checking the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s ocean safety guidance before you go. After heavy rain, the Hawaii Department of Health advises staying out for 48 to 72 hours once the rain stops and the beach has had full sun, and skipping any water that looks brown or murky.
Our 5 Picks for the Best Family Beaches in Hawaii
These five rank among the best beaches in Hawaii for young family members and span all four islands:
Kapalua Beach, Maui
Kapalua was the first Maui beach named America’s Best Beach, back in 1991. A lava point wraps each end of the crescent, so the water stays calm when nearby shorelines turn choppy, and the gentle sandy entry suits young children. Watch for honu surfacing past the reef line. There is no lifeguard on duty, so check conditions before anyone goes in.
Kamaʻole Beach Park I, Maui
In the heart of Kīhei, the largest of the three Kamaʻole parks offers one of the best family beaches in Hawaii. It is ideal for swimming and features a lifeguard tower, picnic tables, grills, open lawns, restrooms, and showers. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views that extend across to Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, and West Maui.
Lydgate Beach Park, Kauaʻi
Huge boulders set in a semicircle form Morgan’s Ponds, one deep enough for confident swimmers and one shallow for keiki. That barrier blocks strong currents and seasonally high surf, making Lydgate one of Kauaʻi’s safest year-round swimming sites. It also boasts lifeguards, restrooms, a picnic area, and the wooden play structure at Kamalani Playground.
Kaimana Beach, Oʻahu
Sans Souci is French for “without a care,” a name this stretch has carried since 1884, and it still fits. Considered one of the best beaches in Oʻahu for families, it is shallow, sandy, free of strong currents, and staffed by a lifeguard, with restrooms and showers on site. Snorkeling is good close in.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park, Hawaiʻi Island
In the Keauhou area of North Kona, just south of Historic Kailua Village, this bay is known for the honu that frequent its shores. Calm water and lifeguards on duty make it one of the best family beaches in Hawaii for a first snorkel, and the Kahaluʻu Education Center works here to promote reef etiquette, so children learn to look without touching. The beach closes occasionally during coral spawning.