Hawaii Beach Guide - Find the best beach for you - Oahu

Here is a short guide to some of the beaches on Oahu.  There is almost always a beach to fit your needs and moods, you are on an island after all.

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.

Enjoy all the beaches. Don't forget your sunblock and pay attention to all warnings and postings. Aloha!

The Circle Island Tour - Oahu

My version of the Circle Island Tour.  This is just a fun and scenic tour from Waikiki, down the windward coast, to North Shore and back down on the freeway.  It is possible to see all the mentioned sites in the same day if need be, though I'd suggest splitting it into two days.  Typically this whole process will take 4-8 hours, depending on how long you stay at each destination of course.

I usually leave Waikiki/Honolulu around 8-9am and head down Kalanianaole Hwy.  First destination is Hanauma Bay.  This is a  nature preserve that is ideal for snorkeling, great for adults and kids alike.  Parking is $1, admission to the park last I checked was $6 or free for Kamaaina (locals).  If you don't have your own snorkel gear, they rent for about $10.  There are bathrooms and a snack shop available as well. This is an absolute must do on Oahu.  While at Hanauma Bay, I usually suggest swimming in first at the Keyhole Lagoon then swimming to the left or right over the coral, where you will see the most fish.  To the left, towards the Backdoor Lagoon, you can often find turtles swimming and sometimes a monk seal.

The Koko Marina Shopping Center is located right before going up the hill to Hanauma Bay.  Here you can grab a bite to eat (I recommend Zippys, Yummys Korean BBQ, Kona Brewery), or buy snacks, sunscreen, etc at one of the stores.

I then head further North to the Halona Blow Hole.  It is easy to miss, so do not speed.  There is a small parking lot.  There is a great lookout point with a natural blow hole, where water often spouts high out of the rocks.  During whale watching months, you can often see whales in the distance from here.

About a quarter mile further is the infamous, Sandy Beach.  This is considered a local beach, due to the fact that there is a very strong shore break and current.  I have learned to no longer touch the waters of Sandy Beach as I've nearly drowned twice.  You can see bodyboarders here as well as catch a bite from the Wahoo's Truck parked in the parking lot.  I repeat, going in the water is not suggested, there are plenty of swimmer friendly beaches on the island.  No one wants to get hurt or die on vacation.

Makapu'u Point/Lookout is 2.2 miles further north from Sandys.  Tbis is a great view of the windward side with Makapuu Beach below and Rabbit Island ahead of you. This is a great photo op for you travelers.

If food is on the agenda, you will pass by Kenekes, who offers great plate lunches.  It looks like a real hole in the wall, but this is widely famous and popular place.

Next stop is Kailua Beach Park which is just 11.4 miles or 22 minutes away.  There is a parking lot here, as well as showers and a bathroom.  A mile or two south of Kailua Beach Park is the world famous Lanikai Beach.  It is often windy on this side of the island as you will notice by the abundance of kite surfers and windsurfers.  There are many places here the rent kayaks by the hour as well.  These are the world famous beaches that are often photographed for magazines and calendars. Lanikai has won many votes for not only best beaches in the nation, but of the world as well.  If parking in the residential area to get to Lanikai, be sure to read your street signs to avoid a parking ticket and be courteous to those who live there.

From here I like to head North on the Kamehameha Hwy.  You will pass by a few sites that you can stop by if you'd like.  I personally choose to pass on these sites, not because they are not interesting, but because of time constraints.  There is only so much time to see so many things.  If interested though you can consider stopping by:
The Valley of the Temples

or
Polynesian Culture Center.  I personally find the PCC to be a bit expensive and a bit boring.  No offense to those who enjoy it.  If you do go, keep in mind this may be an all day or half day event in itself.

Just a little past the culture center, you must stop by one of Kahuku's famous shrimp trucks.  The town of Kahuku is located about 33 beautifully, scenic miles north of Kailua. The most famous of the shrimp trucks is  Giovanni's.  Make sure to try the garlic scampi!

After grabbing a bite to eat, driving about 8 miles further up the Kam Hwy, you will come upon North Shore's famous Sunset Beach.  The North Shore beaches are famous for their surf contests.  That being said, the waves at these beaches are among some of the biggest in the world.  During winter months I would advise not going in the water unless you are a pro surfer or the like.

Just about 1.2 miles further north, you will come upon Sharks Cove on the right side.  They have a small little parking lot here.  Don't let the name scare you, there may be a few baby sharks, but it is a great swimming hole.  This is my favorite for tide pooling with kids or snorkeling myself.  My absolute favorite spot to snorkel.  At worst, I find Sharks Cove to be a great picture spot.

Upon leaving Sharks Cove, clear and set your trip odometer.  In precisely 3.2 miles you will arrive at the hidden Laniakea Beach aka Turtle Beach.  It is very easy to pass.  There will be a small open patch of dirt on the left side of the road. You can no longer legally park here. They do issue tickets. Across the street, behind the tree line is Laniakea Beach.  Here you will often find large sea turtles (honu) on the beach and/or in the water.  Keep in mind these are an endangered species and are federally protected.  If you harass or disturb them, you may end up being fined or arrested.

Just 2.5 miles further up the road, you will arrive at Waimea Falls on the left and Waimea Bay on the right.  There is a charge to walk up the the Waimea Waterfalls, I believe about $10 per person.  There are bathrooms and a snack shop here. There are often peacocks running around the grounds as well. This is also the home of a very beautiful botanical garden.

Waimea Bay is another beautiful beach.  The famous rock that kids (and young spirited adults) jump off of is also located here.  FYI, jumping off the rock is prohibited, that being said, most people jump off anyways. Beware jumping at low tide!

About 5 miles further up the road you will find Haleiwa Town.  Here you can grab a bite to eat, do a little shopping, or just relax.  You must stop by the famous, Matsumoto's Shave Ice.  Be sure to get a shave ice with ice cream and red beans.  If hungry, Haleiwa Joes and Uncle Bo's are both well know eateries. There is section of food trucks in Haleiwa with another location of Giovanni's Shrimp Truck.

By the time I reach Haleiwa, it is usually about sunset.  This is usually the end of my Circle Island Tour. All parties including myself are usually tired and spent at this point. It's time to head back into town.  If you so choose to, you will pass by the Dole Plantation a few miles south of Haleiwa.  This is the old Dole pineapple plantation.  They have a big maze, a small train, and some ono (delicious) dole whip, a frozen dessert. Be sure to get the dole whip with the fresh pineapples.

Here are directions back into town, the drive should only take about an hour: Turn right onto Waialua Beach Rd.  Then take the first exit, Kaukonahua Rd.  Next turn left onto Kaukonahua Rd.  Continue onto the 803.  Then continue onto HI-99.Continue onto the H-2 S then onto the  H-1 E.  If headed back to Waikiki, exit Punahou and follow the signs to Waikiki.