On a regular day, you’ll probably find a throng of neophyte surfers
and bodyboarders along Bellows Beach Park on southeastern Oahu. Sitting
on the island’s windward coast, Bellows is noted for its clear
waters and gentle breaking waves, which allows surfers to catch
surfs close to the shore. The soft white sand also makes it a
popular spot for casual beach-goers, and the calm weather draws in
swimmers from all over the island.
Rows of native trees provide plenty of shade in the afternoons, a
feature you won’t find on many Oahu beaches. In the evenings, the
area can double as a campsite for those who want to stay overnight.
You can rent tents and camp supplies from the shops, although it’s
cheaper to bring your own gear. If you’re in the military, you can
reserve a two- or four-person cabin at the nearby Bellows Air Force
Base.
The beach is well-equipped. You'll find basic amenities such as restrooms, showers and beach shops, and lifeguards are on duty throughout the season.
The beach also has
picnic areas on the shaded grounds.
Bellows is close to the main road, so there’s a fair bit of debris
and traffic noise. But what you should really watch out for are the
Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish, which usually invade the beaches
around 9-12 days after a full moon. But they can occur on other days
as well. There are signs marking the jellyfish-prone
areas, so be sure to stay in the safe zone. Lifeguards can deliver
minor first aid, but even so, a sting can leave you out of the water
for the rest of the day!
Bellows Beach Park in Bullet Points
Great beach for bodyboarding
Located near Waimanalo on Oahu's windward (eastern) coast
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.
To-Hawaii.com is a complete
Hawaii travel and
vacation guide, including sightseeing tips
and reviews of Hawaii beaches, attractions, hotels and resorts,
shopping, activities, restaurants, weddings, car rentals and more,
on all Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai and
Lanai.
