Family Friendly
Waikiki Beach - Located in Waikiki on Kalakaua Blvd. Parking is scarce refer to my parking blog for tips. Mostly tourists. There are restrooms at most the hotels. Food and beverage are easily available. Lifeguards on duty.
Ala Moana Beach - Located across from the Ala Moana Mall on Ala Moana Blvd. There is a parking lot here. A mix of mostly locals with a good number or tourists as well. Public restrooms with showers. There is a snack shack. Lifeguards on duty.
Kahala Beach - Located in front of the Kahala Beach Park and Kahala Mandarin Hotel. There is a small parking lot here. Rarely many people here, being a mix of both locals and tourists. Public restrooms with showers. Restaurants are available at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel as well as free parking with validation of $50. There may not be any lifeguards here.
Kailua Beach - Located in Kailua, on the East side of the island. There is a parking lot here. Locals and tourists will be found here. Public restrooms with showers. There is a market and deli at the entrance of the parking lot. Lifeguards are on duty but not as plentiful as say Waikiki.
Ko'olina Lagoons - Located in Ko'olina in front of the Marriot Ihilani and Disney's Aulani Resort. This is the West side of the island. Tiny amount of public parking here as well as hotel parking, refer to my parking blog for parking tips. Restrooms and showers are available. Both hotels have indoor and outdoor dining available. Mostly tourists. There may be lifeguards on duty.
Snorkeling
Hanauma Bay - Located near Hawaii Kai about 20-30 minute drive away from Waikiki. $1 parking available. Admission last I remember was $7.50 for adults or free for Kamaaina (locals). Restrooms and showers available. A snack shack near the main entrance. Lifeguards on duty. A reminder: The beach park is closed on Tuesdays.
Sharks Cove - Located in the North Shore of Oahu. Parking lot available. No rental snorkel gear available, you can buy a cheap set at Walmart, Target, or even a local gift shop or grocery store sometimes.Restrooms and showers available. No lifeguards on duty. Be careful during winter months, as swells can get big here during those times.
Kuhio Beach - Located just to the east of Waikiki Beach. This is the portion by the rock wall and to the east of it. Believe it or not, if you swim through the opening of the rock wall by the little pier, you can see some sea life around the rocks and coral. Lifeguards on duty. Be careful of waves crashing you into the rock wall itself.
Watersports
Waikiki Beach - Offers surf board, bodyboard, and paddle board rentals or lessons.
Fort Derussy Beach - Located just west of Waikiki Beach in front of the Outrigger Reef Hotel closer to the Hilton Hawaiian Village. There are rentals for paddle boats, stand up paddle boards, water bicycles, and kayaks.
Kailua Beach - Located on the east side of the island, about a 35 minute drive from Waikiki. There are kayak rentals as well as kite surfing lessons. If kite surfing, you should call one of the local companies to set an appointment prior to going.
Hawaii Kai - About a 25 minute drive eastbound from Waikiki. There are a few water sports stores in the Koko Marina Shopping Center or the Costco Shopping Center (sorry, cant remember the actual name of the plaza). At these locations you can set up jet skiing, parasail, banana boat rides, and Snuba (scuba with an air hose going up to air tanks above the water, meaning no scuba training needed).
Less Crowded Beaches:
Makai Pier - Located on the east side, in Waimanalo. The is a small dirt patch where you can park. Facing the ocean, to the right of the pier is best for swimming, to the left is better for snorkeling or diving. No lifeguards on duty.
Cromwell's - Just a few miles east of Waikiki, is the hidden beach know as Cromwell's. Not necessarily a swimming friendly beach (too many rocks), but a beautiful and secluded area. No bathrooms, no showers. Head east onto Diamond Head road, and turn right at Kulamanu St. Find street parking and head towards the ocean to find beach access.
Lanikai Beach - In Kailua, lies this once hidden gem. This once secretive location is now widely publicized. Street parking only and very limited (be careful as parking tickets are liberally given). No bathrooms or showers available. This is a swimming friendly beach.
Queen's Beach - Located just below the Makapuu Lighthouse from the same shared parking lot. From the parking lot you will see a beaten path down and to the right. Follow this path for about 20 minutes and it will take you to the secluded Queens Beach. Above the beach you will see the famous Pele's Chair rock formation, looks like a chair. Until recently there was a telephone pole protruding out from the rocks allowing kids to jump into the water. It seems some a--hole has cut it down. This is still a beautiful spot. No showers or bathrooms. Beware centipedes along the trail to the beach, they can and will sting you.
Kualoa Beach and Chinamens Hat - Located across from Kualoa Ranch is Kualoa Beach with the famous Chinamens Hat. Parking lot available. Bathrooms and showers available. No lifeguards on duty. During negative tide, you can actually walk to Chinamens Hat, the little island off shore. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to get back before the tides change and proceed at your own risk. Otherwise you can take kayak tours with Kualoa Ranch.
I've only listed a few beaches, of which there are still many other secluded beaches on the island. You are on an island after all.
Best Beaches for Singles and "People Watching"
Waikiki Beach - Located in Waikiki on Kalakaua Blvd. Parking is scarce refer to my parking blog for tips. Mostly tourists. There are restrooms at most the hotels. Food and beverage are easily available. Lifeguards on duty.
Ala Moana Beach - Located across from the Ala Moana Mall on Ala Moana Blvd. There is a parking lot here. A mix of mostly locals with a good number or tourists as well. Public restrooms with showers. There is a snack shack. Lifeguards on duty.
Sandy Beach - Located just 2.5 miles back south of Makapu'u Beach. Parking lot available. Bathrooms and showers available. Lifeguards on duty. Mostly locals. Caution: unless you are an olympic swimmer or were pretty much raised in the water like the locals, do NOT attempt to swim here. Very strong shore break and rip tides.
Sunset Beach - Oahu's North Shore. Parking lot available. Bathrooms and showers available. Lifeguards on duty. Known for huge waves during the winter months. Swimming not advised at these times.
Waimea Bay - Oahu's North Shore. Parking lot available. Bathrooms and showers available. Lifeguards on duty. Known for huge waves during the winter months. Swimming not advised at these times.
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