Molokai Beaches
The island of Molokai has a coastline about 88 miles (142 km). Molokai beaches are never crowded and most are rather deserted since the island is home to just a little over 7,400 residents. Also, Molokai is still off the beaten path (it hasn’t been discovered by too many visitors yet).
Most beaches on Molokai are rocky and have an offshore reef. However, one of the longest white-sand beaches in the entire state of Hawaii is located on Molokai’s western shore – Papohaku Beach. Other sandy beaches can be found on the island’s eastern shore, such as Murphy’s Beach and Halawa Beach Park, as well as here and there in other parts of the island.
Beach sand in Hawaii comes in all kinds of shapes and colors. Read more about Hawaiian beach sand composition.
Awahua Beach
Awahua Beach is located on Molokai's Kalaupapa Peninsula. It is a picturesque beach, backed by lush vegetation and the world's tallest sea cliffs. The beach is composed of dark detrital sand. Read More
Dixie Maru Cove (Kapukahehu Beach)
Located on Molokai's west coast, Dixie Maru Cove is a protected and crescent-shaped white-sand beach at the head of a small bay. The cove is surrounded by lava outcroppings and is a nice place to enjoy the water. Read More
Halawa Beach
Comprised of two equally beautiful beaches, Kamaalaea Beach to the west and Kawili Beach to the east, Halawa Beach is located in gorgeous Halawa Bay on Molokai's east coast. Read More
Hale O Lono Beach
Hale O Lono, or "House of Lono," is a long and narrow white-sand beach on Molokai's south shore. It was once a heiau, or a place of worship, for Lono, who is the god of agriculture and fertility. Read More
Kakahaia Beach
Kakahaia Beach Park is a small roadside park located on Highway 450 on Molokai’s south coast and is also popularly known as the Kakahaia County Park and National Wildlife Refuge. It's a good place for bird watching. Read More
Kamiloloa Beach
Kamiloloa Beach is located on Molokai's south shore, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from Kaunakakai at the Hotel Molokai. There's a large barrier reef, so the ocean bottom is shallow, rocky and murky. Read More
Kaupoa Beach
Kaupoa Beach is made up of two beaches shaped like crescent moons and beautified by white sands, crystal clear waters and dark lava rocks. Numerous shipwrecks have occurred in this area in the past. Read More
Kepuhi Beach
Kepuhi Beach, located on Molokai’s west coast, is a long and wide sandy beach. Even though the beach looks inviting, swimming is only safe here on very calm days because of strong alongshore currents that can be treacherous. Read More
Kiowea Beach
Kiowea Beach Park is located on a famous coconut grove, known as Kapuaiwa, on Molokai's south shore. In the past, there had been several freshwater springs in the park, but because of erosion, they are now located in the ocean offshore. Read More
Mo'omomi Beach
Moomomi Beach and the surrounding area that extends inland feature one of the most impressive sand dunes in Hawaii. These massive sand dunes have been formed over centuries, extending inland for more than four miles in some areas. Read More
Murphy's Beach
Murphy's Beach is a narrow white-sand beach shaded by ironwood trees. The swimming conditions are fair and most suitable for children as the ocean bottom is shallow and rocky, with a few sandy patches inbetween. Read More
One Ali'i Beach Park
One Alii Beach Park is the site of over fifty ancient Hawaiian fishponds. However, all of these old ponds are in ruin today, covered by mud and hidden by mangrove trees. The beach has a fairly rocky and shallow ocean bottom. Read More
Papohaku Beach
Spanning a distance of over two miles (3.2 km) long and 100 yards wide (91 m), Papohaku Beach on the west shore of Molokai is one of the longest and widest white-sand beaches in the Hawaiian Islands. Read More
Pohaku Mauliuli Beach
Located on Molokai’s west shore, Pohaku Mauliuli Beach consists of two white-sand beach coves and a few large tide pools. The remote coves are good spots for sunbathing, but the swimming conditions are poor due to strong currents. Read More
Po'olau Beach
Po'olau Beach is a small sandy cove on Molokai's west shore, located south of the more popular Papohaku Beach. Parts of the beach as well as the nearshore ocean bottom are covered by lava rocks. Read More
Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is a small roadside pocket of sand and one of the best swimming beaches on the island. The nearshore ocean bottom is deeper here, so it’s easier to enter the water without having to walk on reef and rocks. Read More
Waialua Beach
Waialua Beach, located on Molokai's east shore, is a good beach for swimming, snorkeling, surfing and bodyboarding. It's also a nice spot for a family picnic. Read More
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