Lahaina Beaches Ranked Among Top in US and World

Coastal view of the Lahaina shoreline in West Maui, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Beaches in West Maui and Honolulu were ranked among the top in the US and World according to the annual awards issued by the international travel site, TripAdvisor.

Lahaina was ranked number 19 in the world, and 8th in the US according to the company’s 2012 Traveler’s Choice Beach Destinations list.  Honolulu, meantime, was ranked number 15 in the world, and 5th in the US.

While there are a variety of beaches in the Lahaina and Honolulu districts, the list did not specify a particular beach in the area. Company representatives say rather than naming a specific beach, the region as a whole was recognized.

“Travelers seeking a brief beach respite from the cold or planning their grand summer getaways will quickly warm up to the thought of trips to these award-winning beach destinations, as identified by TripAdvisor’s community of millions of travelers,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor in a company statement.

A total of 181 top beach locations were named around the world, covering 21 regions.

Award winners were determined based on the most highly rated beach destinations by travelers in TripAdvisor reviews.  The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.