Ala Moana Beach Park, located between
Waikiki and downtown
Honolulu, is a favorite beach among local Oahu 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
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.
i love dis beach rite hurr! dis be da beach dat we went to since i was one small bebeh! haha! shooties bruh!
Ina
Posted 202 days ago
I love this beach. For a city beach, it is really nice. Especially if you come with kids or want to do some long-distance swimming without having to bother about currents, waves or sharks. What's also great is that on the Diamond Head side of the beach, there is no reef when you enter the water. Just soft sand on the bottom.
Iva
Posted 240 days ago
That's my favorite Beach!
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List of Oahu Beaches
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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