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 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.
Watch out for falling coconuts! Since Kawela Beach is so remote, no one seems to pick ripe coconuts from the palm trees here. I once went here with a friend of mine and we had wanted to make us comfortable under a palm tree when suddenly a huge coconut fell to the ground. Luckily it missed us. This is really a great beach, quiet and secluded, just watch out where you put your towel.
Lily
Posted 233 days ago
Kawela Beach is amazing. It is away from noice and cars, and it is just perfect. I live in town, so i dont go often there but i recommend it to everyone who wants to escape for a day from the city noice.
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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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