Looking for big island hawaii beaches to add to your travel plans? Black sand, pale sandy coves and turquoise water give you plenty to dream about.
These photos bring together beach views with a few underwater scenes and a poolside sunset, so there’s more here than stretches of sand.
You can keep your plans simple or explore different coastal settings. Use these pictures as inspiration rather than a named beach guide. Confirm locations, access and ocean conditions before heading out, then give wildlife plenty of space.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Your All Inclusive Honeymoon Destinations Shortlist
Beach and ocean views worth saving
turtles on black sand
We’re starting off strong with this gorgeous black-sand shoreline. Sea turtles rest near the water while a whole row of palms fills the background.
I love the bright green against that dark beach.
If you spot turtles during your visit, enjoy the view from a distance. Leave their route to the ocean clear.
green sand and layered cliffs
How pretty is this olive-green shore? The tall cliffs have so many visible lines and little ledges, with white surf curling around their base.
This is a view worth admiring without assuming the water is safe to enter. Check local guidance before planning a visit.
peach skies over the bay
This beach view may just be one of my favorites here. I love the peach-colored sky above the pale sand.
The big tree and scattered lounge chairs give you just as much to look at in the foreground.
For a similar photo, include a little of the greenery rather than cropping straight to the ocean.
a turtle beneath sunset clouds
I am obsessed with the colors in this sunset. Orange light peeks beneath the blue-gray clouds while a turtle rests on the sand.
Keep the sunset on your photo wish list, but don’t approach wildlife to recreate this framing. Use your zoom from a respectful distance instead.
pale sand and turquoise water
If you love a simple beach view, this one is for you. Pale sand meets mint-colored water near the shore, with deeper blue farther out.
The dark rocks on the right are my favorite little detail.
palms around a curved bay
Who doesn’t love a palm-lined beach? This high view takes in the curve of the bay, rows of loungers and a patch of golden light in the clouds.
I especially love how the palms overlap the water. Keep them in the frame if you’re photographing a similar view.
a look below the surface
There’s more than sand to look at here! A swimmer wearing fins passes above an uneven reef, with pale channels running between the darker formations.
If snorkeling is on your list, choose a site suited to your ability and the day’s conditions. Look without touching or standing on the reef.
green cliffs and dark shoreline
If you are looking for a dramatic coastal view, then this one is for you. Green cliffs rise above a narrow dark beach, with rows of white waves rolling toward shore.
The offshore rocks are such a pretty detail too. This photo is inspiration for a lookout view, not proof of an accessible beach route.
a turtle in blue water
How beautiful is this underwater scene? A turtle swims above the rocky seabed while light ripples across the surface overhead.
Seeing one would be a lovely extra, not something to count on. Give turtles space in the water too, without following or blocking them.
a golden poolside sunset
This one is a poolside view rather than a beach, but that orange sky deserves a moment. I love the dark palm silhouettes and the long reflections across the water.
If you want a break from sandy scenery, save this as inspiration for an evening beside the pool.
a black cove from above
The white surf against this black shoreline is so striking. Dense greenery wraps around the small cove while blue-green water fills the other side of the picture.
There’s plenty going on in this overhead view without a single sunset color. I’d save it for the shoreline alone.
leaning palms and dark rocks
This is another gorgeous pale-sand beach, but the scattered dark rocks give it a different look. I love the leaning palms on the left and that bright patch of turquoise water.
Read also: 20+ Stunning Coastal Walkway Ideas That Steal Your Breath
For your own beach photos, try including the rocks in the foreground rather than only the horizon.
a little pool beneath palms
How pretty are those palm reflections? This small pool has a pale turquoise center, darker edges and an uneven rocky border.
It’s a different scene from an open beach. Don’t assume a pool like this is open for swimming; check posted rules and enjoy it from an established path.
turquoise water and a rocky shore
I love this stretch of turquoise water beside the dark, rounded stones. A small cluster of palms stands near the bend while wispy white clouds fill the sky.
If you prefer coastal scenery without rows of loungers in the picture, this is lovely inspiration.
colorful boats below the cliff
The colorful boats on the sand are my favorite part of this view. Behind them, leafy trees sit below a long rocky cliff, with a few buildings tucked among the greenery.
You can also see dark underwater patches just offshore. The boats alone don’t confirm rentals or launch access, so check those details separately.
a sandy curve and rolling waves
If you’re looking for that classic sand-and-blue-water scene, this one is for you. The beach curves toward a distant cluster of palms, with dark rocks across the foreground.
I especially love the tree shadows falling over the sand. There’s no need for a dramatic sky here.
a broad beach with blue water
This beach has a busier feel than several of the others. People and umbrellas dot the broad sandy shore, with curved paths and green-roofed shelters behind it.
The huge stretch of turquoise water is gorgeous. Save this view if you like seeing the beach and its surroundings together.
a turquoise gap between rocks
I am obsessed with the water color in this little opening. Pale turquoise runs between cracked dark rocks, with green patches on the stones closest to the water.
It’s a pretty detail to photograph from secure footing. A clear-looking inlet isn’t automatically a safe place to step in.
a sailboat off the palm-lined shore
This overhead view has so much blue! A white sailboat sits offshore above dark underwater patches, with a narrow sandy beach and a line of palms below.
I love the curved border beside the dark green water at the bottom. It gives this coastal scene a completely different layout from the open bays.
manta rays in blue light
Last but definitely not least, we have this underwater view of manta rays in vivid blue light. The spotted underside of the closest ray is incredible.
This is ocean-activity inspiration rather than another beach stop. If you’re considering a manta outing, look for an operator with clear wildlife guidelines and a strict no-touch approach.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Emily