| On every island in Hawaii, beaches abound. Whether | | | | before you head out. The best times of the year to |
| it is swimming, snorkeling or surfing there are so | | | | try out these beaches is from mid-May to |
| many choices. | | | | September, but remember to watch out for those |
| On Big Island, at least 23 beaches are available to the | | | | heavy, high surfs and even riptides. |
| public, and all share the same pristine coastline. Winter | | | | On Maui, Makena State Park in the south part of the |
| months are usually better times to visit if you're | | | | island is nicknamed "Big Beach," perhaps because it's |
| interested in surfing and going for some really | | | | more than a half-mile long and 100 feet wide! |
| extensive, fun swimming. For example, Mahaiula | | | | Considering the size of the island, that would |
| Beach on the Kona Coast is spectacular. | | | | definitely classify this beach as pretty "big!" It's |
| You want to see white-white sand? Here's the place | | | | actually one of the most popular beaches on Maui, |
| to go. The beach is within Kekaha Kai State Park, | | | | and it is manned by lifeguards, but no body boarding |
| which also offers lovely views and "introduces" you | | | | is allowed, and be aware: there are some dangerous |
| to the exotic beauty of the island before you | | | | shorebreaks.. Plus, there are more than 20 other |
| actually get to the beach! You can also swim, snorkel, | | | | beaches, most of which are best visited from |
| and boogie-board the day away in the summer | | | | September to April. |
| months. As all of the beaches are unique, the summit | | | | Makaha Beach Park on Oahu is a board surfer's |
| of Puu Kuili, a 342-foot-high cinder cone, offers an | | | | paradise. International board-surfing competitions have |
| excellent view of Big Island's coastline. Beyond the | | | | even been held here, and waves can climb up to 25 |
| bay, you can scuba dive and explore the underwater | | | | feet in the winter months, the best time to visit |
| tunnels and caves -- even a sunken ship! | | | | Oahu's beaches, unless, of course, you're more |
| On the island of Kauai, Salt Pond County Beach Park, | | | | interested in swimming or snorkeling, in which case |
| in Puolo Point, is just one of about 33 beaches on this | | | | you'd want to make your trip reservations in the |
| island. It's next to the only functioning salt ponds in | | | | summer. Scuba divers will enjoy the Makaha Caves, a |
| the entire Hawaiian Islands -- where an ancient | | | | series of underwater "housing," complete with arches, |
| Hawaiian art of making rock salt by evaporating the | | | | caverns, and awe-inspiring natural formations. |
| seawater is still going on. You certainly won't find | | | | Beach access in Hawaii and information regarding |
| anything remotely like this anywhere else on earth. | | | | access are generally good, and the state actually |
| Swimming conditions are normally safe on this island, | | | | recognizes surfing areas as valuable recreational, |
| except during periods of high surf. Kauai offers good | | | | economic, and cultural resources. Hawaii has |
| snorkeling areas, and surfing and windsurfing are very | | | | approximately one public beach access site per mile |
| popular here as well. Lifeguards are available on some | | | | of shoreline. |
| of the beaches, but not all -- make sure you check | | | | |