Ala Moana Beach Park at a Glance
Ala Moana Beach Park, located between
Waikiki and downtown
Honolulu, is a favorite beach among local Oahu, Hawaii, residents.
Often times less crowded than
Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana is a great place to swim, picnic,
stroll on the beach or to relax.
The beach is over half a mile long and the water is calm
because it’s protected by a shallow outer coral reef. There
are hardly ever any waves, which makes Ala Moana Beach a
favorite spot for long-distance swimmers, novice swimmers
and families with children.
Back in the 1920s, Ala Moana Beach didn’t exist. It was
a wetland that the city used as a garbage dump. A boat channel,
which was to connect the Ala Wai Boat Harbor with Kewalo
Basin was dredged through the coral reef.
Ala Moana Beach is also man-made. It was created by the
owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company, who was looking
for a place to deposit his dredged earth. In the 1950s,
the company dumped sand at the park, which created the beach.
The dredged channel is 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 m) deep and
today, it’s ideal for swimming. Boats no longer pass through
it.
The ocean’s bottom at Ala Moana Beach drops quickly, so
novice swimmers should use caution. If you don’t like coral
reef, the east end of the beach (toward Diamond Head) has
no reef or stones in the water. You can enter the water
here without any worries that you might hurt your feet.
The west end has some reef.
The 100-acre park features big grassy areas, banyan and
palm trees, restrooms, showers, concession stands, a music
pavilion, tennis courts and plenty of picnic tables. Ala
Moana Beach Park is a good place to go jogging, picnicking,
playing games, sunbathing, fishing, swimming, surfing and
relaxing. Some of the south shore’s best surf spots are
located just offshore, such as Big Rights, Big Lefts, Concessions,
Bomboras and Courts. Lifeguards are stationed on the beach
daily.
Ala Moana Beach Park in Bullet Points
- Long and wide sandy beach
- Ideal for long-distance swimming
- Great surf spots offshore at the edge of the reef
- Plenty of picnic areas
- Great for outdoor activities, such as walking, jogging,
playing tennis and other games
Ala Moana Beach Park Facilities
(top)
- Lifeguards
- Showers
- Restrooms
- Phones
- Picnic Tables
- Concession Stands
- Tennis Courts
- Music Pavilion
Ala Moana Beach Park Water Activities
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
Driving Directions to Ala Moana Beach Park
From Waikiki, drive onto the Ala Wai Boulevard and head
west. Turn left at Niu Street. Go 0.1 mile and bear left
at Kalakaua Avenue. Go 170 feet and turn right on Ala Moana
Boulevard. When you see the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor on your
left and you pass the bridge, you’re almost there. Turn
left onto Ala Moana Park Drive and park at the parking lot
there.
Address: 1201 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu, HI 96814
Ala Moana Beach Park Map (top)
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Ala Moana Beach Park Weather
(top)
Now
74°F
Windchill:
74°F
Light Rain
|
Location: Honolulu, HI, US
Wind: 10 mph E
Humidity: 85%
Visibility: 0.06 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in rising
Sunrise: 6:37 am
Sunset: 5:52 pm
|
Sat
Hi: 84°F
Low: 71°F
Partly Cloudy
|
Sun
Hi: 85°F
Low: 72°F
Mostly Cloudy
|
Ala Moana Beach Park Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Ala Moana Beach Park Reviews and Comments
(top)
Safety Tip
Whatever beach in Hawaii you visit, please have in mind that the ocean can
be very dangerous. Never turn your back against the waves and watch out for underwater
currents and always check the surf conditions. Pay attention to signs posted on
the beach. If you are not sure about the conditions, ask the lifeguards (if any
on the beach). Please
click here to
read more about ocean safety in Hawaii.
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