Waiale'e Beach Park

Waiale'e Beach Park is a quiet, undeveloped stretch of Oahu's North Shore coastline, popular with local fishermen, surfers, and picnickers. Its scenic views of the offshore islet Kuka'imanini and limestone reef shelf make it a unique stop for those seeking solitude. With no lifeguards or facilities, it's best for nature walks, tidepooling during low tide, and enjoying the rugged beauty of the coast.

Waiale'e Beach Park, Oahu

This 26-acre beach park on Oahu's North Shore is easy to miss or forget it's there because most people head for the more popular and nearby Sunset Beach.

Waiale'e Beach Park (view panorama) × is mainly visited by fishermen and picnickers. When the tide is low and the ocean calm, another fun thing to do here is tidepooling. The nearshore ocean bottom is covered by rocks with sandy patches, forming small pools during low tide. The east (right) end of the beach has a rocky shelf, so entering the ocean in this area is difficult.

The beach park has a small parking lot that's accessible from the highway, but there isn't much else here in terms of facilities. The views are nice though. Offshore lies a small limestone island called Kuka'imanini, meaning “manini fish procession” in the Hawaiian language, and the name of the beach park – Waiale'e – means “rippling water.”

The park is backed by ironwood trees, which provide some shade. A surf spot called Bong's is located offshore.

Key Features of Waiale'e Beach Park

Undeveloped and peaceful: Lesser-known beach park frequented by locals seeking quiet fishing or surf access
Tidepooling during low tide: Shallow rocky shorelines create small pools perfect for exploration
Scenic offshore islet: Kuka'imanini, a limestone island, lies just offshore and enhances the coastal view
Natural shade: Ironwood trees line the park, providing cool areas for picnics and rest
Rocky ocean access: Entry to the water can be difficult due to the rocky shelf and uneven shoreline