Kaneohe Bay Photos
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Kaneohe Bay, Oahu
It’s no stretch to say that Kaneohe Bay is the stuff of Hollywood. This so-called “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. Hawaiian chiefs reportedly chose this place to build their sacred fishponds, and its historical vibe can be felt up to this day.
Kaneohe Bay stretches from the Mokapu Peninsula, where the U.S. Marine Corps is based, all the way to Mokolii Island, also known as the Chinaman’s Hat. This vast stretch of water contains five small islands, including the famous Coconut Island. In the middle of the bay are a few sandbanks just a couple of feet deep, where people often hang out and hold beach parties.
The bay is also a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks. Thousands of them are born here every year and spend their first few months in the shallow water. Marine scientists flock to the bay as well to study these oddly-shaped creatures. Surprisingly, these sharks aren’t dangerous - snorkelers regularly swim among them during the breeding season. Eventually, the hammerhead sharks swim out to the deeper waters where they grow up to 13 feet in length.
Next to Chinaman’s Hat is Kualoa Beach Park, a small strip of coastline complete with all the basic amenities. After a day on the beach, you can take a rest here and sit under the shade of huge native trees. The park serves as a campsite for many visitors around windward Oahu, and in the daytime, you can see out into the bay and spot the smaller islands.
Kaneohe Bay Overview
- A large bay that stretches from Chinaman's Hat to the Mokapu Peninsula on Oahu's windward (east) coast
- Many shallow-water sandbanks and a large coral reef
- Beautiful bay that is photographed often
- Marine scientists do research here (hammerhead shark breeding ground)
Location: Waikalua Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744
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