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You will find some of the best beaches on Oahu. Most people will end up at the famous Waikiki beach, but there are better beaches on the island. With over 100+ beaches, there is a beach for everyone. Do you want to have that private-beach feel? Then our list is for you! During our time in Hawaii, we visited a beach every weekend. We can say that no beach is the same on Oahu and each part of the island has its own vibe.

North Shore beaches are seasonal and home to some of the best surfing during the winter. Summertime brings calmness to the beaches and some amazing snorkeling! The Southern coast of Oahu has a local vibe with some awesome shorebreaks for bodyboarding. The Windward coast and Westside are our two favorite regions on Oahu and make up many of the 14 beaches on the list! The windward side has the most tranquil beaches on the island where the peaceful waters slowly go by as you sit under palm trees.

The westside has the hidden gems of Oahu, with expansive beaches that are rarely visited by tourists. The surfing and beach activities are just as good here, but offer much more solitude than the famous North Shore. Here are our 14 best beaches on Oahu!

Article Contents

1. North shore beaches
2. South shore beaches
3. East shore beaches
4. West shore beaches
5. A beach in Honolulu
6. Lagoons of Oahu
7. Things to know about visiting a beach in Hawaii
8. What to bring to a beach in Hawaii

Best beaches on the North Shore

Kawela Bay

This is our favorite beach on the North Shore! When you visit Kawela Bay, you really feel like you’re in Hawaii. You wouldn’t know this beach existed, unless someone told you about it.

It’s located on the North Shore, just west of the famous Turtle Bay resort. Parking is located next to the road (just look for other cars). There are a few entrances alongside the gate that will lead you to some walking trails. Follow the signs leading towards Kawela Bay!

On this path, look out for the massive banyan tree (seen in Lost and Pirates of the Caribbean). It’s the largest banyan on the island and is perfect for some good photos! As you continue towards the beach, you will see large palm trees with coconuts, so watch out for your head!

“There are so many nice beaches on Oahu, but this one is surreal”

There are so many nice beaches on Oahu, but this one is surreal. Looking out over the greenish blue ocean never gets old. We never see large groups of people here, so you can have a small piece of paradise to yourself. The bay is calm, which makes it perfect for standup paddle-boarding and relaxing in the water.

We also regularly spot Honu (sea turtle) sunbathing on the shore. The water is pretty murky, so snorkeling and swimming isn’t great, but the lack of crowds will make you feel like you’ve stumbled on your own Hawaiian paradise. 

Waimea Bay

The famous Waimea Bay is home to the ‘Eddie Aikau Invitation’. A world renowned beach known for it’s gigantic waves during Hawaii’s winter months! We’ve spent some time at Waimea Bay, simply admiring surfers doing their thing.

In the summer, Waimea Bay’s waters are calm and relaxing. You wouldn’t believe the difference between the seasons, unless you see it for yourself. The calm waters make it perfect for floating in the bay and relaxing the day away. For adventurers, you can try joining locals who jump off “the rock.” Beware though, it’s a lot higher than it looks!

This beach is amazing, but the parking can be tough and competitive. It’s best to get here early in the morning to grab a spot, otherwise, you might be waiting for a while…

Best beaches on South Oahu

Hanauma Bay

The volcanic crater known as Hanauma Bay is popular for a reason. Mostly known for snorkeling, since it has a large reef with calm waters. But the beauty of the beach, is often overlooked by visitors.

It’s expansive and scattered with picturesque, high and thin palm trees. Some of the pictures we captured here were breathtaking! There are lifeguards present and warning signs post dangerous swimming spots. It’s a perfect spot to relax the day away.

Hanauma Bay can be a very difficult beach to visit. The closure of Hanauma Bay during the covid-19 pandemic made state officials realize to cap the amount of visitors in the park. The bay and wildlife were suffering from all the thousands of daily visitors.

So what has changed? Tourists have to get tickets beforehand through the state website. Currently, tickets can be reserved 30 days in advance and they go fast! It can be hassle, but we think it’s worth it. And it’s definitely worth a sport in our best beaches on Oahu list!

Makapu’u Beach

Baby Makapuu is a local beach, south of Waimanalo and just past Sea Life Park. The beach is in a prime location with amazing views. You see the red Makapuu Lighthouse and Rabbit Island, a large rock island close to the beach. The ocean is pretty rough here, which makes it really fun for bodyboarding.

We relaxed on the beach and watched the local kids tear up the surf. You can try your hand at the sport, but pay attention to the warnings of the lifeguards. This is a great beach to visit after the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike to catch some more adventure.

This beach is also one of my favorite for photography! The rising sun touches the island of Oahu first, which makes for some amazing pictures! Alternatively, capturing the moments before the sun lowers behind the Ko’olau Mountain Range. The ocean and beach colors yellow, orange and pink. Don’t forget to turn your camera toward the bodyboarders and Rabbit island! Your options are endless! Truly, this area is a photographer’s paradise.

Best Beaches on East-side Oahu

Kaiona Beach

Hands down, this is our favorite beach on the East side of Oahu! The first time we visited this beach, we just stared at the views in amazement! The waters are turquoise blue and extremely clear. The beach has grassy areas, dotted with palm trees.

It’s located in Waimanalo on the southeastern side of the island. It’s a local beach that features turquoise waters, ancient fishponds and a Jurassic mountain backdrop. We love to lay under a palm tree for a few hours, while we look out over rabbit island. It’s also a great place for snorkeling, there is a reef here and the waters are pretty calm.

The name Ka’iona means “attractive sea” and it’s well-deserved. The fish pond (an area where stones were placed in the ocean) is a short walk or swim away. Here, the water is extra calm since waves are blocked out. It’s basically a swimming pool. This is a local beach where you will see many families relaxing on the weekends with music and cookouts. Weekends can get crowded, so make sure to get here early to grab a spot.

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is probably the most known beach on the East side of Oahu. This attention has made it a hotspot for tourism and parking can be a pain. We still think it’s worth visiting, so we recommend parking at Kailua beach park instead and walk over to Lanikai.

The beach and turquoise waters are so nice with the Mokulua Islands in the distance. It’s a photographer’s paradise and sunrises are a reason to get to Lanikai Beach early. There is a beautiful sunrise trail at Lanikai, which we recommend!

Our favorite activity at Lanikai is to kayak out to the Mokes. It’s about a 30 min paddle from Lanikai Beach and takes you out to the Mokulua Islands, where you can explore the island and enjoy the surf! We were greeted by two monk seals laying on the beach when we arrived on the island.

Another great activity is to hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail. It’s a short hike that gives you a fantastic view of the community, beach and islands. Finally, the beach itself is great for swimming and relaxing for the day. Snorkeling isn’t great at the beach due to the lack of reef and murky waters, but it is common to see sea turtles along the coastline.

Kailua Beach

The turquoise waters of Kailua beach is just something else. This is the first beach we saw when arriving in Hawaii and we were stunned. The calm waters combined with the sweet warm air during the Oahu summer months made us fall in love.

From the shore, you have a great view of Flat Island (Popoia) and the Mokulua islands. The beach is two and a half miles long, perfect for a morning stroll. This beach can get crowded, but you are able to find a spot somewhat to yourself. Unlike Lanikai, Kailua beach is accessible with three parking lots, full facilities and a boat ramp.

This is a great place to snorkel and standup paddle-board with sea turtles! Paddle out to flat island, a bird sanctuary that is just a few minutes offshore. If you want a longer adventure, you can travel to the Mokulua Islands from Kailua. This beach can become popular during peak season, so make sure to grab your spot early.

Sometimes, the winds can really pick up at Kailua. When this happens, it’s a perfect time to watch some of the elite kitesurfing on the water! It’s spectacular to watch them catch so much wind!

Kualoa Beach

Kualoa beach park is nestled into the Ko’olau Mountain Range and the Kualoa Ranch. The high mountain range and the blue waters go well together. The beach is small, but offers amazing views of Mokoli’i, also known as Chinaman’s Hat.

We spend a lot of time on this beach to eat lunch and enjoy the views. We recommend to bring a kayak and make the short paddle to Mokoli’i to be King or Queen of the island for a day. It’s also possible to walk over to Mokoli’i during low tide.

The rural community around Kualoa has so much to offer! Just a few minutes south is the Macadamia Nut Farm and one of our favorite restaurants, the Waiahole Poi Factory. Kualoa Beach Park has plenty of picnic tables to enjoy the local Hawaiian food you just bought.

For more adventure, you can walk down the shoreline to find ancient fishponds and Kualoa’s Secret Beach. If you come after 3:00 PM, you can see Secret Beach for free instead of paying the $35. Because in Hawaii, all beaches are public access.

Waimanalo Bay

This bay on the East side of the island is mostly visited by locals and perfect for beginner bodyboarders! The ironwood trees, known as the Sherwood Forest, brings lots of shade and a different feel to beach. Instead of palm trees, you have the beautiful forest. It’s 3 miles, or 4.8 km long (the longest beach on the island) and a prime place for a beach walk.

Although Lanikai and Kailua are more popular, Waimanalo Bay has the same turquoise waters and amazing sunrises. There are fewer tourist at Waimanalo Bay and more locals. Fitting in here means bringing a tent, grill and speaker system to enjoy the entire day at the beach.

Best Beaches on Westside Oahu

Makua Beach

We have a few beaches that we keep going back to. Makua Beach is one of them. It’s an expansive beach that has deep blue waters filled with dolphins, fish and whales (winter months only). It is so deep in the West side of Oahu, that you could say, you’ve reached the corner of the island.

The best part of Makua beach, is that few people take the time to drive to this part of the island. You could have it all to yourself. The waves and tide can be strong during the winter months, but it’s usually calm in the summer. There is a drop off in the ocean that is filled with marine life, which makes it a great diving location. It’s not uncommon to see and hear dolphins!

Baby Maka’a Beach (Papaoneone Beach)

This beach is a hidden gem on Oahu. Although it’s in a popular area, it doesn’t get many visitors during the week. It’s a large beach with limited parking. It sounds difficult, but those characteristics keeps the crowds away. Regardless, the secluded beach has amazing waves for surfing and bodysurfing along with opportunities to hike the giant black rock known as LahiLahi! How many beaches offer snorkeling, sun tanning and hiking at the same time?

A beach in Honolulu

Ala Moana beach park in Honolulu

Just a short drive from Waikiki is the Ala Moana beach park, the go-to beach if you are staying in the city. Here, you can experience calm waters for swimming, snorkeling and paddle boarding. There are actually designated lanes in the ocean for these activities.

The beach is protected by a shallow reef that keeps waves and large animals away from the people. If you are afraid of sharks (like Nikki is), then this is the perfect beach for you. What we like most about this beach is the vibe. You have a beautiful wide beach with full facilities, calm waters filled with locals and the comforts of the city. Ala Moana Beach Park is only a 30 minute walk from Waikiki, so make sure to check it out.

Lagoons of Oahu

Magic Island

A short walk away from Ala Moana beach is Magic Island- an amazing lagoon that offers a perfect view of Diamond Head. This is our favorite lagoon on the island (including Ko’olina), because it’s never too crowded and the waters are always calm! It’s a great place to snorkel or swim for kids as well. The park behind the lagoon is a great place for lunch and the lagoon has plenty of facilities. I really like to launch my drone from here, as you can get Diamond Head, Honolulu and the city all in one shot!

Ko’olina Lagoons

The more popular lagoons on Oahu, are definitely the Ko’olina lagoons. Privately operated, there are four lagoons with major resort hotels on the property. Don’t forget that all beaches in Hawaii are public access, so lagoon number 4 is open to the public. There is free parking, but extremely limited. We recommend to get there as soon as it opens.

Things to know about visiting a beach in Hawaii

Visiting a beach in Hawaii can be very different from visiting a beach on the mainland or somewhere else. There are some things to know about the beaches in Hawaii, that most tourists don’t know about. We think it’s better to be fully informed when you visit the best beaches on Oahu. That way, you can enjoy the tropical island beaches without any surprises.

Having access to the shoreline, is a right in Hawaii

Yes, you read that right. All beaches in Hawaii are public access, it’s a common right law shared by residents and tourists. So on your next visit in Hawaii, you can access all beaches. Take the Ko’olina lagoons for example. It seems private, because major hotels and resorts have been built in front of the lagoons. The resorts have their own beach chairs and umbrellas on the beach, however, you as a tourist can lay on the beach as well. That’s why you will also find public parking at the lagoons. Good to know, right?

What to do with your stuff on the beach?

Usually, Nikki and I go to the beach together and we also want to swim together. So what to do with all our personal belongings? We have gotten this question too many times, and there are different ways to go about this. We have always left our valuables (keys, wallet, phones) in our bag on the beach. We usually just throw a towel on top (not suspicious at all…) and never swim too far out. We can always see our belongings on the beach when we swim.

It has never happened to us (and we went to the beach often) that something was stolen. This does not mean that it can’t happen of course.

You could decide to leave your belongings in your car. However, car break-ins are extremely common on the islands. If you do decide to leave any belongings in your care, do not leave them in sight. If you can, take stickers or dashboard tickets out of your rental car. We have always heard that rental cars are a magnet for break-ins, as opposed to ‘resident cars’. Just a tip for you!

What to bring to a beach in Hawaii

Here is what we recommend to bring to the beach:

• Beach towels. However, we usually use dry towels. They roll up really nice and compact, so there is more space in our beach bag. You will really be amazed with the difference, we definitely were!
• Snorkeling gear (to see all those awesome turtles and fish)
• Sun protective gear (like a beach hat or sunglasses)
• Sun screen. Think about reef safe sunscreen, when swimming at Hanauma Bay for example.
• Go Pro (to film the sea life!)

Let yourself be heard!

Have you ever been to one of these beaches? Or is there one beach that you think should make this list? Let us know, we would love to read about it!