Kawela Bay at a Glance
Kawela Bay is one of the most secluded beaches on Oahu.
It is located near
Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of the island.
This beach is so hidden that while there you will hardly
notice any people, which makes it a perfect getaway if you
want to escape from the busy and crowded beaches. Here you
can completely unwind, bathe in the warm water or go on
a peaceful stroll and enjoy the waves gently splashing on
your toes.
The sandy beach is narrow and it is bordered by a tropical
forest with mainly ironwood trees and a few coconut palms.
Watch out for falling coconuts! If you want to swim, snorkel
or scuba dive, Kawela Bay is perfect for that. In fact,
this beach is the most protected on Oahu’s North Shore because
of the reef that diffuses high waves during the winter months
when other North Shore beaches get pounded by high surf.
Kawela Bay’s nearshore waters are calm and free of currents
year-round.
The middle and western part of the bay is better for
swimming because it has fewer reefs. Here you’ll only find
a few patch reefs on the otherwise sandy ocean bottom. Don’t
go too close to the houses on the bay’s western end because
this is a gated community. A couple of surf sites are located
on the outer reefs outside of the bay.
In the past, houses stood along Kawela Bay’s entire length.
But in 1986, all residents from the bay’s east point to
the center were evicted to make way for a resort that was
never built. So up until today, the property surrounding
the bay remains undeveloped.
There are no facilities and no lifeguards here, but just
natural beauty that is worthy to be seen. To reach Kawela
Bay, walk along the shore from Turtle Bay Resort. It takes
about 25 minutes one-way.
Kawela Bay in Bullet Points
- Secluded sandy beach on the North Shore of Oahu
- The middle and western part of the bay is good for
swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving because there
are less stones and corals in the water
- Calm waters year-round
- Don’t go too close to the houses, it is a gated
community
- Watch out for falling coconuts on the beach and
in the forest surrounding the beach
Kawela Bay Facilities (top)
- No facilities
- No lifeguards
Kawela Bay Water Activities
- Swimming
- Scuba Diving
- Snorkeling
- Fishing
Driving Directions to Kawela Bay
Kawela Bay is located in Kawela on Oahu’s North Shore. It’s
about a 40-mile drive from Waikiki. From Waikiki, take the
H1 freeway west until you reach the Likelike Highway (63).
Exit H1 onto the Likelike Highway (toward the mountains)
and stay on it until you pass through the tunnel and emerge
on the windward side of the island. Exit Likelike and drive
onto Kahekili Highway (83) north. After you pass the Polynesian
Cultural Center and the town of Kahuku, it’s about five
more minutes. To the right you will see a big golf course
of the Turtle Bay Resort. Then you’re almost there. After
about another mile, park on the right and walk to the beach.
If you don’t have a car, you can take bus number 55 (Kaneohe
Circle Island), which leaves from Ala Moana Center in Honolulu.
Get off the bus at the Turtle Bay Resort and walk along
the beach towards the west until you reach Kawela Bay.
Address: Honokawela Drive, 96731, HI
Kawela Bay Map (top)
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Kawela Bay Weather (top)
Now
78°F
Windchill:
78°F
Partly Cloudy
|
Location: Kahuku, HI, US
Wind: 17 mph E
Humidity: 68%
Visibility: 0.1 mi
Pressure: 30.01 in steady
Sunrise: 6:45 am
Sunset: 5:48 pm
|
Fri
Hi: 79°F
Low: 75°F
Scattered Showers
|
Sat
Hi: 79°F
Low: 74°F
Scattered Showers
|
Kawela Bay Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Kawela Bay 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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