Oahu Beaches
The island of Oahu has a coastline of about 112 miles (180 km). Oahu beaches are diverse and there is something for everyone – there are many great beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, scuba diving, kayaking and relaxing. Many beaches on Oahu are sandy and others are rocky and have an offshore coral reef.
Oahu is home to popular Waikiki Beach, which is well-visited year-round. Oahu North Shore beaches such as Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Banzai Pipeline are some of the most popular surfing beaches in the world, where waves can get as high as 40 feet (12 m) in the winter months. And Hanauma Bay on the southeastern shore is one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island.
Ala Moana Beach Park
Ala Moana Beach Park, located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, is a favorite beach among local Oahu residents. It is a great place for long-distance swimming, jogging and picnicking. Read More
Bayview Beach
Bayview Beach is right next to the Turtle Bay Hotel on Oahu's North Shore. It lies in a protected cove between two limestone points. The beach doesn't see many visitors and is a good place for a long beach walk. Read More
Bellows Beach Park
Azure blue waters, white sands and gently braking waves make Bellows one of the most scenic beaches on Oahu. Rows of trees line the beach, so there is plenty of shade as well. Read More
Diamond Head Beach Park
Diamond Head Beach Park is located on the foothills of Diamond Head, Waikiki's popular landmark. The park includes two acres of sea cliffs on the south slope of the crater between Beach Road and the Diamond Head Lighthouse. Read More
Ehukai Beach Park
Raging waters, towering surf and massive waves that shake the shores. Ehukai Beach Park is a daredevil’s dream, with waves reaching heights of over 30 feet (9 m) in the winter months. Read More
Haleiwa Beach Park
Haleiwa Beach Park is fronted by a narrow sand beach. Swimming isn’t that good here because of the shallow and rocky ocean bottom, but the park is nice for picnics. Read More
Halona Beach Cove
This small beach cove was made popular in the movie From here to Eternity filmed in 1953, where it was a love scene of a couple. Because of the movie, the beach was nicknamed Eternity Beach. Read More
Hanauma Bay Beach Park
Ever fancied swimming amidst some of the world’s rarest marine wildlife? Named America’s best beach in 2004, Hanauma Bay is Oahu's most popular snorkeling and diving beach. Read More
Hukilau Beach Park
A “hukilau” in Hawaiian is a traditional method of fishing, in which a group of people participate. Located in Laie, Hukilau Beach is a nice stretch of sand with good swimming conditions in the summer months. Read More
Kaena Point State Park
Kaena is the name of the northwestern tip of the island of Oahu. Kaena Point State Park is so remote that no road leads here. It is home to numerous seabirds, including albatrosses and rare native plants. Read More
Kahana Bay Beach Park
Surrounded on three sides by the majestic Koolau Mountains, Kahana Bay is one of the best-kept secrets of windward Oahu. The crescent shores of the bay are set against a beautiful backdrop of beach pines and the steep mountain range. Read More
Kahuku Beach
Quiet, sunny and spacious, Kahuku Beach is a remote and uncrowded beach on Oahu's northeastern shore. It has a long limestone shelf and a rocky ocean bottom, which makes swimming tricky, if not impossible, here. Read More
Kailua Beach Park
If you could squeeze Hawaii into a single mile, you’d probably get something like Kailua Beach Park. Kailua gives you the whole package: soft white sand, towering palms and crystal clear, turquoise waters. Read More
Kaimana Beach
Kaimana Beach is located at the Diamond Head side of Waikiki. Many locals like to go here because it is protected by a wide reef and because the nearshore ocean bottom is shallow and sandy. Read More
Kaiona Beach Park
At Kaiona Beach Park you get the feeling you’re swimming in a pool. It’s for a reason that this beach is named Kaiona, which means “attractive sea” in the Hawaiian language.Read More
Kalama Beach Park
Kalama Beach Park is a smaller beach located in Kailua Bay. It is less crowded than popular and nearby Kailua Beach, but with the same postcard-perfect white sands, turquoise waters and native palms. Read More
Kaneohe Bay Beach Park
It’s no stretch to say that Kaneohe Bay is the stuff of Hollywood. This “living postcard” has provided a scenic backdrop for dozens of popular movies and TV series, the most notable being Pearl Harbor, Gilligan’s Island and 50 First Dates. Read More
Kawaikui Beach Park
The best thing to do here is to have a picnic on the spacious grassy area with plenty of trees. The nearshore waters are too shallow and murky for a swim, but it's a good entry point for kayakers and windsurfers. Read More
Kawela Bay
Kawela Bay is one of the most secluded beaches on Oahu. The sandy beach is narrow and is bordered by a tropical forest with mainly ironwood trees and a few coconut palms.Read More
Kokololio Beach Park
Kokololio Beach is a nice stretch of sand, and during the summer months, swimming is possible here. In the winter time, it’s a nice spot to take some great pictures of the pounding shorebreak or to go surfing or bodyboarding. Read More
Ko Olina Lagoons
Four sandy beaches make up the picturesque Ko Olina Lagoons, one of the few man-made water bodies in the Hawaiian Islands. The four lagoons – Hanu, Naia, Kolola and Ulua – are shielded from the high surf by large rock barriers. Read More
Kualoa Regional Park
One of Kualoa Park’s main attractions is the view to Mokoli'i Island. From the shore, the island looks a bit like a coolie’s hat, which has earned it the nickname “Chinaman’s Hat.”Read More
Kuhio Beach Park
Kuhio Beach Park is part of Waikiki Beach. Three popular landmarks are located here: the Prince Kuhio Statue, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and the Stones of Kapaemahu.Read More
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park
Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park lies at the foothills of Diamond Head. The 11-acre beach park features a narrow beach and is backed by sea cliffs. Three scenic lookout points are located along the road. Read More
Laie Beach Park (Pounders Beach)
The beach fronting Laie Beach Park is known as Pounders Beach because of its often times pounding shorebreak. To the left of the surfers’ area is a calmer spot for swimming. Read More
Laie Point State Wayside Park
Laie Point State Wayside Park lies on a peninsula south of Laie. This place is steeped in Hawaiian legend. The legend of the Laniloa mo'o can be read on a sign on a boulder in the beach park. Read More
Laniakea Beach
Also known as Turtle Beach, the main attraction here is the green sea turtles who often times can be seen on the beach basking in the sun. They come out of the water and don’t seem to mind the people who are snapping pictures of them. Read More
Lanikai Beach
With a name meaning “heavenly sea,” Lanikai Beach has gained international fame as America’s number one beach for several years running. The dreamlike shores have been immortalized on many postcards and wall calendars. Read More
Makaha Beach Park
Makaha Beach Park is a popular bodyboarding and surfing beach. However, be aware of strong shorebreaks and rip currents during the winter. The best swimming is in the middle of the beach where there is no reef. Read More
Makapu'u Beach Park
This is one of Oahu's most popular bodyboarding spots, but only for experts. Riptides and powerful waves make for a very rough ride, perfect for adventure seekers. Read More
Makua Beach
Makua Beach is one of the most secluded and far away beaches on Oahu. This one-mile white sand beach is undeveloped and backed by the majestic Waianae Mountain Range. Read More
Malaekahana Bay
Malaekahana Bay has a long white-sand beach, which makes it perfect for beach walks, ball games and relaxation. Two campgrounds are located along the shore, as well as a few vacation rentals. Read More
Maunalua Bay Beach Park
Maunalua Bay is a favorite spot among boaters, kayakers, fishermen and picnickers. Swimming conditions are rather poor here because the ocean bottom is shallow and rocky, but the views are nice. Read More
Mokuleia Beach Park
This north shore beach features a long stretch of sand and a shallow reef that attracts many swimmers, surfers, wind and kite surfers year-round. It’s a popular beach among local residents. Read More
Nanakuli Beach Park
Nanakuli Beach Park has a long and wide sandy beach. It gets high surf and strong currents during the winter months, and this is when swimming is not recommended here. Read More
Paiko Beach
Paiko Beach is a narrow strip of sand that almost disappears at high tide. It is fronted by a shallow coral reef, so the swimming conditions are poor. Paiko is a better spot to kayak or fish. Read More
Pokai Bay Beach Park
Because of its breakwater offshore that blocks high surf, Pokai Bay is the most protected beach on the leeward coast of Oahu. It is calm year-round, while other beaches on the leeward coast get strong surf in the winter months. Read More
Pupukea Beach Park
This beach park is narrow and has a rocky shoreline. On each end of the park lie two small pocket beaches within the rocks – Shark’s Cove and Three Tables. Both offer fantastic snorkeling and diving. Read More
Queen's Surf Beach
A bodyboarders paradise! Walls, the name of the surf break here, is reserved exclusively for bodyboarders. There's a free outdoor movie screening each weekend, and Queen's is also a gathering place for Honolulu's gay community. Read More
Sand Island Beach Park
Sand Island may not be the picture-perfect tropical beach, but it's still worth a visit. It used to be an important location for coastal defense in World War II. The deserted lookout towers and bunkers are still here today. Read More
Sandy Beach Park
Sandy's is one of the best beaches in the world for experienced bodyborders. However, it is also one of the most dangerous beaches in Hawaii, and locals call it "the beach of broken necks and bones" for a reason. Read More
Shark’s Cove
This cove got a scary name, but don't worry. This lava-rock beach is a popular snorkeling and diving spot, featuring spectacular lava tubes, caves and rock formations, as well as many colorful tropical fish. Read More
Sunset Beach Park
Sunset Beach is one of Oahu's world-famous big wave surfing beaches, where waves often reach heights of over 30 feet (9 m) in the winter months. Surfing competitions take place here each year. Read More
Three Tables Beach
Three Tables Beach gets its name from the three sections of flat reef that appear on the water’s surface during low tide. Snorkeling is good here, and you’ll be able to see colorful fish and underwater lava tubes. Read More
Turtle Bay
This bay is named after the large number of green sea turtles that inhabit the area. It is good for diving, surfing and snorkeling. A reef protects the nearshore waters from strong currents. Read More
Waialae Beach Park
Waialae Beach is narrow and sandy with some coral rubble that has washed ashore. There’s a small man-made island at the east end of the beach, which was built in 1963 during the construction of the nearby Kahala Hotel & Resort. Read More
Wailupe Beach Park
This beach park is mainly visited by fishermen and picnickers because the beach is very narrow and the water looks brown and murky. The shallow nearshore ocean bottom and the coral reef make for poor swimming conditions. Read More
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is Hawaii’s busiest and most popular beach. It is where most Hawaii visitors spend their vacation. Many hotels, restaurants, shops and beach bars are located along its shore. Read More
Waimanalo Beach Park
Waimanalo Beach is the kind of place that makes you blink to make sure you’re not dreaming. At five miles (8 km) long, it is Oahu's longest white-sand beach. The turquoise water, white sands and tree-lined shore is picture-perfect. Read More
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Waimea Bay is one of the world’s best-known surfing beaches. During the winter the waves often times reach heights of 30 feet (9 m) and more, but in the summer, the bay is often times as calm as a lake. Read More
Yokohama Bay (Keawaula Beach)
Keawaula Beach, better known as Yokohama Bay, is the northernmost beach on Oahu’s west coast, located just before the road ends and the hiking trail to Kaena Point, the island’s northwestern tip, begins. It is truly off the beaten path. Read More
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