Hawaiian Vacation Rentals for the Best Beaches in the World

We have taken a slightly different approach to our list of the best beaches in Hawaii. We include at least one beach from each of the six major islands, so most Hawaiian vacation rentals are conveniently located near at least one of these beaches. Our list is also presented in alphabetical order by island. Finally, we've also intentionally included several, less well-known, beaches that we consider real gems.

1. Anaehoomalu Bay, Waikoloa Beach, Big Island. Located adjacent to the Waikoloa Beach Marriott (formerly Outrigger Waikoloa Beach) on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, The beach area features beautifully landscaped walking paths past ancient Hawaiian fishponds to a golden sand beach fringed by swaying palm trees.

2. Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Kau District, Big Island. This black sand beach is also a sanctuary for green sea turtles. You will often see them laying in the sand. The beach offers some of the only safe snorkeling and swimming on the south coast. Use caution, however, the waves here are unpredictable, and there often is a bad riptide.

3. Lumahai Beach, North Shore, Kauai. This is the beach where much of the motion picture "South Pacific" was filmed. The path down to the beach is not easy to find and the walk down can be a bit slippery, but the views of the beach and waves crashing against the nearby rocks are exceptional.

4. Salt Pond Beach Park, Hanapepe, Kauai. This is a great beach for family gatherings conveniently near Hawaii accommodation with lots of pavilions for eating and plenty of flat space on the beach for games. The water is relatively calm and the sun bright and warm. During the summer months you can still see Hawaiians making salt in the only natural salt pond in Hawaii still used to make salt. Seawater is pumped into containers and allowed to evaporate in the sun.

5. Shipwreck Beach, Lanai. While most would choose Hulopoe Bay as their pick for best beach on Lanai, Shipwreck Beach is far more interesting. Not a swimming beach, Shipwreck is made up of boulders, lava rock, washed-up timber and sand. Shipwreck offers spectacular views of nearby Molokai and Maui, the abandoned hull of a World War II Liberty Ship ship, green sea turtles and whales, and the nearby the Poaiwa Petroglyphs.

6. Kaanapali Beach, West Maui. Located in West Maui just north of Lahaina, Kaanapali is one of Hawaii's most famous and popular beaches. It is bordered by numerous elegant resort hotels, condos, and Hawaii villa. This lifeguard-protected beach is almost three miles long. Kaanapali is the beach for activities. You can snorkel in the crystal clear water, windsurf, jet-ski, parasail, or kayak. Don't leave valuables on the beach while you swim.

7. Wailea Beach, South Maui. Chosen by Dr. Beach as America's best beach of 1999, Wailea is located in South Maui, at the Grand Wailea and Four Seasons Resorts. Wailea offers good swimming, snorkeling in calm waters, and bodysurfing on a shore break that is not as punishing as Wailea's other beaches. The sandy bottom remains shallow inshore, and drops off slowly to deeper water.

8. Papohaku Beach, Molokai. Located on the west coast of Molokai, Papohaku is one of the world's longest beaches. It is not unusual to be able to see no one on the beach for miles. If you want a private, secluded and beautiful beach, Papohaku is for you.

9. Waikiki Beaches, Southern Shore, Oahu. The seven beaches of Waikiki make up what may be the most famous stretch of sand in the world, With over 4 million visitors a year, it can be wall-to-wall bodies, but people-watching is half the fun. Waikiki is also the perfect place to learn to surf. There are also boogie boards, canoes, kayaks, snorkels and umbrellas for rent. Sans Souci Beach near Diamond Head offers great swimming.

10. Waimanalo Beach Park, Windward Oahu. Waimanalo is, in my opinion, the most beautiful beach on O'ahu. It is a major weekend gathering place for local families who hold picnics and barbecues in the shaded area near the beach. It is ideal for body surfing, boogie boarding and swimming. Waimanalo offers spectacular view of the coastal mountain ranges of Oahu and of Manana "Rabbit" Island.