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Photo credit by Alicia0928

From live volcanoes to deep sea fishing, there are almost as many reasons to go to Hawaii as there are people that travel there every year. By far the most popular reason travelers go to Hawaii each season is the beaches of this island paradise. While there are also stunning waterfalls and fascinating historical sites on the islands, they cannot be compared to the fabulous beaches available in the fiftieth state in the United States of America. When it comes to beaches, people rank them based on their own preferences, and here are the five best beaches in Hawaii ranked by me.

Punaluu Beach

Located on the Big Island, the first thing that jumps out at visitors to Punaluu Beach is the color of the sand. It isn't every day that people run across a natural black sand beach. One of the nicest beaches in the area for both swimming and snorkeling, Punaluu Beach is home to many experiences that are uniquely Hawaiian. Humans aren't the only ones who frequent the shores of Punaluu Beach. It is also a popular location for Green Sea Turtles to come upon the shore and bask in the sun. There is a rumor that those who remove the volcanic rock that makes up the beach as a souvenir will be cursed by Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess, so those visiting the area should be satisfied with leaving with only their memories of one of the most beautifully unique beaches in Hawaii.

Lanikai Beach

One visit to Lanikai Beach, and it is easy to see why many visitors to the beach, both vacationers as well as locals, consider it one of the best beaches for swimming in all of Hawaii. The beach is located on Oahu, and is very small by international attraction standards, measuring in at only half a mile in length. One thing that keeps many people away from Lanikai Beach is the fact that there is no parking lot or public restroom because it is located in a residential neighborhood. The beach is well worth the effort it takes to get there though, as proven by many people that flock to it on a regular basis, including professional fashion models on actual photo shooting trips.

Poipu Beach Park

Resting on the southern shore of Kaua'i, Poipu Beach Park has long made many best beach lists, not just those listing beaches in Hawaii, but those ranking beaches worldwide. There is a classic sandy beach area for visitors to play on, as well as a large grassy park area. The palm trees in the area provide great shade as well as atmosphere for anyone lucky enough to spend time on this little sandy stretch of heaven. With snorkeling, swimming and surfing all available at Poipu Beach Park, there is more than enough to do to keep nearly every vacationer interested. There are also plenty of opportunities for good old fashioned relaxing in the sun and watching people.

Hanauma Bay

Situated on Oahu, Hanauma Bay is a beach that should definitely not be missed, especially by anyone interested in doing some great snorkeling. The bay does have restrictions as far as how many visitors are allowed per day, so it takes a little foresight in the vacation planning of a traveler to ensure that they will be able to experience this clear blue treasure. The bay is almost perfectly circular and contains an amazing amount of marine life.

Wailea Beach

Another great beach located on Maui, Wailea Beach has been a favorite among tourists and locals alike for decades. This is a classic Hawaiian beach which serves as a place of relaxation as well as a site for offshore outdoor recreations like swimming, snorkeling and body surfing. A visit to Wailea Beach is said by many to be a must for anyone who travels to the island of Maui. This particular beach is much more visitor friendly than some of the other beaches in the area.

While many claim that it is hard to go wrong with a visit to any of the beaches in Hawaii, it must also be said that certain beaches cater to visitors much better than others. Some beaches slope to their maximum depth too quickly to be considered safe for children, others are a little more rocky, and still others are over-crowded. Few people are disappointed for any reason after a visit to one of these five beaches.