Kawela Bay Photos
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Kawela Bay, Oahu
Kawela Bay (see more photos) is one of the most secluded beaches on Oahu. Located near Turtle Bay Resort, it is a perfect spot to unwind. Bathe in the calm water or enjoy a peaceful stroll along the beach. The sandy beach is narrow and 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 rocks. Here you’ll only find a few patch reefs on the otherwise sandy ocean bottom. 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 20 minutes one-way.
Kawela Bay Overview
- 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 fewer stones and corals in the water
- Calm waters year-round
- Watch out for falling coconuts on the beach and in the forest surrounding the beach
Location: Honokawela Drive, 96731, HI Directions: 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.
