Garie Beach

what are some major differences between the beaches of california versus the beaches in hawaii?

i want to know what major differences you could tell from california beaches as oppose to hawaii beaches. does the sand have a major difference in color? and what about the water that is different? plants? etc.

Public Comments

1. The ones in California are dirty and the water is darker.
2. Big difference! You can snorkel in Hawaii without a wetsuit as the water is warm not cold like most of the california.. The sand color in hawaii varies. There are black sand beaches (from lava rock), and from white to red depending on whether the sand is are bits of coral or the type of rock that has ground down. The size of the sand granules and how sharp the feel on the feet varies as well. The water is generally fairly clear and the types and colors of the fish and coral are much different than California. You won't find the huge kelp forests you see off the California coast off the beaches in Hawaii, but you will see other types of seaweed, some of it edible, that grows near the beach or washes up on the beach. Locals pick it up to eat or use as seasoning.
3. They are like night and day. The water in Hawaii is warm all year around. It is cleaner and full of fish and marine mammals. Also, the beaches are smaller compared to California and are usually in a half moon shape as opposed to California's long straight beach coastline. The sand is pretty much the same but a little lighter.