Best Beaches in Hawaii

Hawaii is notorious for its beaches, for good reason. This chain of islands in the Pacific Ocean is home to some of the world's best beaches. There is so much variety among the beaches in Hawaii that there is something for every type of traveler. From sandy resort beaches to secluded private beaches that can only reached by helicopter, Hawaii has a lot to offer. Let's explore some of the more famous beaches of Hawaii along with some secrets that make up the best beaches in the state.

History

The original inhabitants of Hawaii were natives who had adopted a system of royalty. The island chain was run by a queen who had a number of lesser governmental figures underneath her. Europeans landed on the islands in the mid-1700s and occupied it for some time. In 1959, the United States adopted Hawaii as a state in a bill that was voted on by Hawaiian governmental officials 17 to 1. The beaches of Hawaii attracted tourists for some time before this, but after being adopted as a state, Americans found it easier to go there, so tourism skyrocketed and word of the state's amazing beaches quickly spread worldwide.

Types

Hawaii has some of the most diverse beaches in any one geographical location in the world. For the most part, there are sandy beaches with crystal clear waters that are an attraction for tourists around the world. Lanikai Beach is one example of this, and is thought to be the best beach for swimming in Hawaii because of the clear water. Other beaches are rockier, but no less attractive. Black Rock Beach is formed next to a giant lava rock and is the best beach for water sports, such as surfing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Finally, there is Hanauma Bay, which represents the best of Hawaii beaches that have been formed by ancient volcano craters.

Features

There are a few staple features that should be mentioned that, put together, make the best beaches in Hawaii. The first is the sand, which is not the same on every beach. The best Hawaii beaches have one of two different kinds of sand. The first is white, soft sand that it is composed of fine bits of rock, shells, and coral. The other is darker, similarly fine, but mixed with lava rock. Palm trees line these beaches as well, some containing more than others where people can lounge in some kind of shade. Another feature of the best beaches is the wildlife that can be found. Hanauma Bay beach, for example, has an impressive array of marine life.

Considerations

It is important to consider that some of the best beaches in Hawaii are not easy to get to. Sure, there are some that are on the main islands that you can get to from the many hotels and resorts in Hawaii, but other more remote beaches are different. There are many boats that can be rented or chartered to take you to some of these beaches, but other even more remote ones are only accessible by a ride in a helicopter.

Significance

The beaches of Hawaii are significant for a number of reasons. For the state itself, these beaches attract tourists from all over the world. They boost the economy of the state and increase the tourism in the area. Many of the best beaches in Hawaii also have the best surf, making it a mecca for amateur and professional surfers all over. Some of the biggest events in surfing occur in Hawaii, and these increase tourism during the times they occur.