Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.

Share with your friends!

Hawaii is absolutely stunning. Every island has charm, beauty, and a million places worth capturing. There’s a reason it’s the backdrop for weddings, movies, and big milestones in one’s life. So the question becomes, where are the absolute best places for a Hawaii beach photoshoot?

If you hire a professional photographer in Hawaii, they should provide recommended locations for your photo shoot. They would know best based on the time of year and what you’re looking for in the photo shoot. Or, use this list for additional inspiration and suggestions.

It’s important to note that while all beaches in Hawaii are public, not all of them are open to commercial activity (ie professional photoshoots), such as Ka’anapali Beach on Maui. If you have your heart set on a beach that doesn’t allow commercial activity, you’re better off snapping the photos yourself.

If you are going to take your own photos in Hawaii, here are our favorite Hawaii beach photoshoot spots in Hawaii based on the scenery, smaller crowds, and good natural light during golden hour. 

I’m afraid these are not Instagram popular spots. These spots are best for family, weddings, engagements, or other special occasion photo shoots. If you want to explore the best beaches in Hawaii, click that link and make your own photoshoot!

If you already know what island you’re going to, use our handy table of contents to jump around.

For the rest of your vacation planning, look no further, we have all the details covered:
– If you don’t know what island to go to, we’ll help you decide here
– Decide where to stay with our reviews of over 50 hotels and vacation rentals
– Plan what activities are right for you, we’ve already reviewed those for you, too
– And if you really want to cut to the chase, grab a done-for-you itinerary complete with excursion days, where to eat, what to pack, and even where to park!

Hawaii Beach Photoshoot: Best in Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is one of our favorites in Hawaii even though it gets a lot of criticism for being crowded and eroding. The backdrop of Diamond Head is iconic and it has a wonderful sunset, especially during the winter. 

Here are some spots where you can get some wonderful views without a high risk of getting other people in your shot.

Magic Island Beach (part of Ala Moana Regional Park)

Technically this is just outside the Waikiki neighborhood but it is an easy walk or taxi ride here (click for directions). This spot is best at sunset as you will get good lighting with Diamond Head and the Waikiki Skyline in the background. Head out to the lagoon area for pictures. 

Pier Behind the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

There are public access paths on either side of the Outrigger Reef, located near Fort DeRussy Park (click for directions). The short, concrete pier makes for nice shots of Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach in the background. This is best at sunset. 

This is also a popular Hawaii beach photoshoot spot for the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Friday night fireworks.

Royal Hawaiian Resort Beach

Sunrise shots on Waikiki Beach are tough as the tall hotels put shade on the beach (click for directions). But, down at the Royal Hawaiian, the beach jetties out and gets some nice light in the early morning. You can beat the crowds and get some nice beach shots.

Kahanamoku Beach and Lagoon

Located at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (click for directions), the beach and lagoon create a lot of photo opportunities. From the iconic Rainbow Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, lone palm trees on the beach, palm trees reflecting into the lagoon, to Diamond Head in the background, this is a great place for your Hawaii beach photoshoot. 

This area is good at sunrise or sunset. This is a large beach at the end of Waikiki so you may be able to not get anyone in your shot.

Related articles:

• How to Plan the ULTIMATE Hawaii Romantic Vacation
• 13 Reviewed Hawaii Wedding Officiants
• Best Hawaiian Island for Your Honeymoon

Hawaii Beach Photoshoot: Best on Oahu

While most of our recommended Waikiki spots are great for sunset, check out these photo spots on Oahu for secluded sunrise or early morning pictures.

For more details on these beaches, see our article on the 10 Best Beaches on Oahu as Lanikai, Waimanalo, and Ko Olina Lagoons make the list.

Kahala Beach

This beautiful, gold sand beach stretches across a luxury area of Honolulu, on the southeast side of Diamond Head. The best photo spots can be found in front of the Kahala Hotel and Spa (click for directions).

The beach is ideal for sunrise or early morning pictures. The beach is quiet, raked by the hotel, and you can venture out on the small piers for great water and coconut tree shots. 

Lanikai Beach

Located in Windward Oahu, just past Kailua, is the second most famous beach on Oahu. Lanikai Beach (click for directions) is famous for the white sand, turquoise ocean, and the Mokulua Islands just offshore (kayak to the Mokes with this tour!). 

Lanikai Beach is a Hawaii beach photoshoot best of the best at sunrise for capturing the mokes. The beach can be a little dark in the morning but possible to get some good shots. 

Ocean Access 10 (a public path to the beach) puts you on the beach in front of the Mokes. So you and your partner can be standing between the islands while on the beach.

Ko Olina Lagoons

Choose from one of the four Ko Olina Lagoons for excellent family photos or whatever your occasion! Ko Olina Resorts is on the West Side of Oahu, making for excellent sunset pictures. Lagoon two and three are the least crowded. See our Ko Olina guide for more info!

Waimanalo Beach

Waimanalo Beach is a four-mile stretch of beach on Windward Oahu. The beach always feels secluded due to the size and location away from Waikiki (click for directions). The beach is best for a Hawaii beach photoshoot at sunrise.

Hawaii Best Photoshoot: Best Photo Spots on Maui

Maui has so many amazing beaches (our 17 favorite Maui beaches, plus parking directions) but not a lot are ideal for a Hawaii beach photoshoot so let me share with you our favorite photo spots on Maui.

Makena Cove (Secret Beach)

Makena Cove is the secluded-looking cove you will find in most Hawaii pictures. Once you see it, you will see the picture everywhere. Located in South Maui, just south of the Wailea Resorts (click for directions), find the small opening in the lava rock wall to enter the cove. 

Makena Cove is best for sunset pictures. The drawback is the cove can get busy with other photographers, wedding ceremonies, and engagement proposals. That won’t stop you from having an excellent photo shoot on Maui. 

We enjoyed a photo shoot at Makena Cove!

Ulua Beach

Located in Wailea, South Maui, Ulua Beach is great for family pictures. Choose to take pictures on the boardwalk under the palm trees or walk the beach. The alcoves and island backgrounds make for great pictures. This beach is best at sunset (click for directions)

Ulua Beach is also one of our favorite snorkeling beaches on Maui.

Lahaina Baby Beach

We are early risers so this is the beach we would always stumble upon photo shoots. Best in the morning, the beach provides amazing ocean views, views of Lanai offshore, and coconut trees for interesting shots. Here is our full review on Lahaina Baby Beach.

The best place for a photo shoot is the south side of the beach, click for parking directions and look for the beach access path.

Kapalua Bay

The best spot for pictures is along the rocky sides of Kapalua Bay. The small crescent-shaped beach is ideal for sunset pictures (click for directions). It is a gorgeous beach and my wife’s favorite beach on Maui so you can’t go wrong here. It even gets good sun in the mid-Morning with the palm trees falling onto the beach.

Hawaii Beach Photoshoot: Best on the Big Island (Hawaii)

The Kona Coast and resorts along the Kohala Coast are all in West Hawaii, making most of the beaches ideal for sunset photography sessions. Grab the family or your partner to get some great shots on the beach for sunset. In most cases, you can walk from the best Big Island resort for families right onto the beach. 

The Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, and Hilton Waikoloa Village all have excellent beaches for a photo session. But, we whittled the list down to a few West Hawaii beaches for the best photo locations. See our 6 Best BIg Island Luxury Resorts for places to stay!

Kikaua Point Park and Kukio Beach 

Located just north of Kona International Airport and next to the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai are Kukio Beach (click for directions) and Kikaua Point Park. This may be the best beach for a sunset photo shoot.

The coconut grove, lava rocks, and beach all make for excellent photo locations. This is also our favorite kid-friendly beach on the Big Island, get details on visiting in our best Big Island beaches article.

Anaeho’omalu Beach (A-Bay)

A popular place to stay on the Big Island and a fun place to take pictures is the large Anaeho’omalu Beach or A-Bay. The lagoon, the beach, and the palm trees make for amazing pictures at sunset. Click for directions.

Kona Outrigger Resort

Walk the grounds and take amazing shots along the rocky coastline (be safe on the cliff edge!) at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa. Located 15 minutes south of Kailua-Kona (click for directions) you can escape beach photographs for more uniquely Hawaiian pictures along the coast. Then stay at night for the best Manta Ray Night Snorkeling tour.

Hawaii Beach Photoshoot: Best Photo Spots on Kauai

Kauai is known as the Garden Isle for a good reason, the lush, tropical backdrop makes for amazing photographs. You can choose to get dressed up for lovely pictures on the beach or show a more rugged side but with a stunning background while on a guided hike or touring the Napali Coast.

Here is a selection of both options!

Kiahuna Beach in Poipu

Poipu in South Kauai is a popular place to stay on Kauai for calm ocean waters most of the year, the best Kauai resorts, and amazing sunset views. Kiahuna Beach (click for directions) is our favorite for a photo session as the crescent-shaped beach isn’t busy and provides amazing sunset lighting with palm tree backgrounds. 

Stay close to this beach and enjoy the best pool in Hawaii at Koloa Landing Resort.

Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail

This is a fun spot for pictures! Head to Shipwreck Beach (also a good spot for sunset pictures) and take a short hike up the cliff to a small rock platform over the ocean. You will get amazing coastal views of Kauai’s cliffs with excellent sunset lighting. 

Hanalei Bay and Pier

I can’t leave North Shore Kauai off the list. We love the area around Hanalei Bay (click for directions) for the lush jungle and cliffs with waterfalls streaming down. Head to Hanalei Bay to take pictures on Hanalei Pier or walk the beach with a lush, classic-Kauai background.

Napali Coast

The Napali Coast is a can’t-miss thing to do on Kauai. Head out on a Napali sunset boat tour, Napali snorkel and sailing tour, or go up in a doors on or off helicopter tour!

The famous cliffs of Hawaii make for a stunning backdrop during the day or on a sunset tour. While you may not be able to get dressed up for the photo shoot, the pictures will still make you look amazing.

We hope this list of Hawaii beach photoshoot locations helps with your special occasion. When you aren’t getting your photograph taken, we will keep you busy with our Wayfinder Itineraries. The download and go itineraries will finish your trip planning!