HONOLULU (KHON2) — With white sand, blue water and crashing waves, it’s no secret that beaches in Hawaiʻi are popular among locals and tourists alike. But are they the best?
According to Tripadvisor, the answer is yes.
The travel company has determined that at least two beaches in Hawaiʻi are among the world’s best, with Poʻipu Beach Park on Kauaʻi and Kaʻanapali Beach on Maui both earning Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best titles.
Out of 25 beaches from around the world that made the list, Poʻipu Beach claimed the 14th spot with an average rating of 4.5/5 from more than 5,000 Tripadvisor reviews. Maui’s Kaʻanapali Beach came in at number 22, with an average 4.6/5 rating from more than 9,000 reviews.
Reviews from travelers highlight Poʻipu’s clear waters, snorkeling opportunities and potential for seeing Hawaiian monk seals or turtles. For Kaʻanapali, Tripadvisor travelers appreciate its soft sand and snorkeling conditions.
The Hawaiʻi beaches were included on a list of 25 beaches from around the world, including Greece, Australia, Brazil, Iceland and more. Only one other beach in the United States claimed a spot on the list, with Florida’s Siesta Beach taking fourth place overall.
“The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel,” Tripadvisor explains. “It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period.”
The travel company says less than 1% of its 8 million listings receive a travelers’ choice award.
To see the full list of the “best of the best beaches” around the world, visit Tripadvisor’s website.