Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

Lonely Planet review

Hapuna is legendary as having Hawai'i's most accessible beaches. Its clear water and golden sand are the picture of a classic tropical beach and it is ranked among the world's best beaches by Condé Nast Traveler . When calm, Hapuna affords good swimming and diving, but winter surf can produce strong currents and a pounding shorebreak. Numerous tourists unfamiliar with the water conditions have drowned, so be careful.

A tiny cove with calmer water and a small sandy beach lies about five minutes' walk north of the park. Up from the beach, the park rents A-frame cabins with million-dollar views. The cabins are spread though an exposed area and are surrounded by rolling hills. They make for a comfortable stay, and have electricity, a picnic bench inside and two single-file sleeping ledges. Amenities include shared bathrooms with showers and a cooking pavilion with a stove and fridge. The nighttime land breeze can make the incessant highway noise unbelievably loud, and it whips forcefully through the screened-in cabins, so bring earplugs and a good blanket. An advanced permit is required, though the camp host will issue a same-day, one-night permit (if space is available) if you catch him during his office hours ( 14:00 to 16:00 daily). Tent camping is not permitted, though exceptions are sometimes made, and it's best not to leave valuables in your car.