12 Best Beaches on Oahu
You will not have to venture far in Oahu to find a spectacular beach. They are all beautiful, but each has its flavor and vibe.
Whether you’re looking for the most popular beaches, the most secluded, the most family-friendly, the bluest water, or the best beach to watch a sunset on, there will be an ideal beach (or two)!
>>> Also check out our 27 Top Things to Do on Oahu!
The Most Popular Beaches on Oahu
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Beach is easily the most recognizable and famous beach in Oahu, attracting thousands of visitors daily. The beach is located in the heart of Honolulu and is easily accessible from most of the surrounding hotels.
The beach is known for its soft white sand, calm waters, and stunning views of Diamond Head. This 2-mile-long beach is perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and its mild surf makes it a good place for kids to swim.
Due to its proximity to so many hotels and popular attractions like Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach can get very busy during peak season and on the weekends, which may not be for everyone. Even if you choose not to stay long, it’s certainly a beach worth laying eyes on if you are in the area.
>>> Directions to Waikiki Beach
Lanikai beach
Lanikai Beach is located in the town of Kailua on the windward (east) side of the island. The east side of the island has its own vibe being more laid back and also greener since it gets more rain. The rain isn’t too big of a problem from May through October when the island receives less rain, but from November to April (the rainy season), you will see more cloudy days. Just something to keep in mind!
>>> Directions to Lanikai Beach
The Most Family-Friendly Oahu Beaches
kailua beach park
This beach quickly became one of my favorite beaches on the island when I was a resident of Hawaii in the early and mid-2000s. It is the perfect spot for families looking for a beach that offers plenty of amenities.
There are several reasons why we rate this as being one of the most family-friendly beaches. With its calm waters, lifeguard stands, picnic areas, kayak rentals, restrooms, a nearby restaurant, and the Kalapawai grocery store within walking distance, you will find plenty to love about the beach and the town of Kailua.
Also, being located on the east side of the island away from the bustle of downtown Honolulu, the beach tends to be less touristy too.
>>> Directions to Kailua Beach Park
Ala Moana Beach Park
If you are in downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park has a lot to offer: free parking, calm waters, a half mile of beach to stretch out on, trees for escape from the sun, picnic area concessions, and a 2.6-mile perimeter to jog on.
The peninsula that extends out into the water features the man-made Magic Island Lagoon which is protected by sea walls making it perfect for children to swim in.
Ala Moana Beach Park is also right across the street from the Ala Moana Shopping Mall providing a nice place to hang out or grab a bite to eat when the sun goes down!
>>> Directions to Ala Moana Beach Park
The Least Crowded Beaches on Oahu
There are several beaches on Oahu that you can go to if you want to avoid the crowds. When it comes to more secluded beaches, here are some of our favorites:
kawela bay
Kawela Bay is located on the North Shore near the Turtle Bay Resort. Besides being less crowded, another reason to keep Kawela Bay on your shortlist is that the curved bay and its protective reef keep the high winter surf at bay whenever other North Shore beaches are pounded.
Also, the dense tree coverage just behind the beach provides a nice backdrop and shade although you may want to avoid setting up a picnic under a coconut tree in case one drops! Overall, it’s a great beach for relaxing, sunbathing, and swimming year-round.
polo beach
Polo Beach doesn’t make too many lists which could make it a perfect choice if trying to avoid the crowd. The beach is on the North Shore on the way out to Ka’ena Point. Most travelers going to the North Shore tend to follow Hwy 99 east towards Haleiwa and Waimea Bay. Polo Beach takes you west in the opposite direction.
The beach is very long with lots of room to spread out. I never saw more than a handful of people gathered in any area. A great wide-open beach for some solitude!
On a personal note, this beach has always been special to me. In the mid-2000s, I used to skydive at the nearby airport and drop zone. I always wanted to jump early when the winds were calm, so I would go out to Polo Beach late in the day and camp for the night so I could get up at sunrise and be on the first plane. So if you are looking for a beach to camp on then look no further!
makapu’u beach park
Makapu’u Beach Park is on the windward side of the island and has one of the more beautiful backdrops, with the cliffs of the Ko’olau Volcano behind the beach. In the summertime, the waves are gentle, but in the winter, the waves get more aggressive, which attracts surfers and bodyboarders.
Another reason to go to Makapu’u Beach is the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. This 1.5-mile hike is easy and takes you past the picturesque Makapu’u Lighthouse. The lighthouse is off-limits, but the views you get of it, and the deep blue ocean behind are what you are really there to see!
>>> Directions to Makapu’u Beach Park
malaekahana beach
Malaekahana Beach is also on the North Shore and is a peaceful beach that is perfect for those looking for a quiet escape. It is popular with the locals but not many tourists know about it.
The beach has food trucks on site, and the Malaekahana Beach Campground provides camping sites, free parking, showers, restrooms, bike rentals, and kayak rentals.
Malaekahana Beach is more or less on the opposite side of the island from Honolulu and Waikiki. This makes it a perfect getaway from the crowds but plan on at least 1.5 hours of drive time to get there.
>>> Directions to Malaekahana Beach
The Best Beaches on Oahu for Snorkeling
If a beach with snorkeling is what you are after then check out Hanauma Bay and Makaha Beach Park.
We have a more in-depth post on our favorite snorkeling spots on Oahu here if you want more information. Check it out!
hanauma bay
With its proximity to Waikiki, calm waters, and abundance of marine life, Hanauma Bay will make any shortlist of top Oahu snorkeling locations
Due to preservation concerns for the offshore reef, the beach is closed to visitors on Monday and Tuesday to allow it time to rest, so keep this in mind.
makaha beach park
Makaha Beach Park is located on the western coast of Oahu, just off the highway. It’s a great place to spot sea turtles. One important thing to note is that the currents can be strong here, so it may be better reserved for stronger swimmers. Also, the reef tends to be deeper in areas (15 feet) so it may not be the ideal spot for children.
>>> Directions to Makaha Beach Park
The Beaches on Oahu with the Most Blue Water
No matter which beach you go to on Oahu the water will be gorgeous and blue! But there is something to be said of the windward (east) side of the island on a sunny day!
Lanikai beach & kailua beach
Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach are two of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu and are known for their stunning turquoise waters. These two beaches are very close to one another, just outside of Kailua located on the east side of the island.
Whatever you choose, either will be great for swimming, sunbathing body surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Lanikai Beach is a smaller beach that is perfect for those looking for a more secluded experience. In comparison, Kailua Beach is a larger beach that offers plenty of amenities for visitors.
One thing to consider is that Kailua Beach Park has parking but Lanikai Beach has no public parking, requiring you to find parking along the main street or cross streets. If planning on Lanikai, try to get there before 10 am if you want a short walk to the beach.
>>> Directions to Lanikai Beach & Kailua Beach
Bellows Field Beach Park
Bellows Field Beach Park is another one that slips under a lot of people’s radars. It is well known to the military personnel on the island since it is part of Bellows Air Force Station. Because it is military grounds, it is only open to the public on the weekends, but don’t let that deter you from going as this was also one of my favorite beaches when I resided on Oahu!
The white sand beach is just as beautiful and calm as Lanikai Beach and also tends to be much less crowded.
Finally, there is dense tree cover just behind the beach with picnic tables, so pack some food and an ice chest and be prepared to spend a whole day here!
>>> Directions to Bellows Field Beach Park
The Best Beaches on Oahu on a Road Trip
If going for a little road trip then Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay Beach Park are great destinations. Both beaches are close to each other, each offering its own unique experience.
Also, since most will be coming from the Honolulu area, be sure to check out the Dole Pineapple Plantation, the shops in Haleiwa, and the Waimea Botanical Garden. Mixing these activities with these two beaches will make for a fantastic day!
>>> Reserve your rental and save at Discovercars.com
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is one of the most iconic beaches on Oahu. The long beach stretches far with some of the best white sand on the island. The waves pick up from November through March, but by summertime, the surf is calm and relaxing.
There isn’t much shade here, so if you need to get out of the afternoon sun for a while we recommend hitting up the shops in Haleiwa, maybe getting a bite to eat, and then heading back out to Sunset Beach later in the day to, well….watch a sunset!
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Waimea Bay Beach Park is a world-renowned surfing location. The waves are very calm in the summertime, but in the wintertime, surfers from around the world converge here to catch powerful waves that can reach 40 feet!
Also, the beach is fairly large, so crowds usually are not a problem. What can be a challenge is finding parking (which probably deters the crowds too). There is a small parking lot at the park but you will need to arrive by late morning or you run the risk of it being full.
There is also parking at a Catholic Mission just east past Waimea Bay that you can park for a small donation (Sunday services may affect this).
The Best Beaches on Oahu for a Sunset
sunset beach
The name says it all! Grab a bottle of wine or a couple of beers and head to Sunset Beach at the end of the day. You won’t be disappointed!
Waikiki beach
Waikiki Beach is also a great spot to catch a sunset, especially if you’re staying around Honolulu and want a convenient location close to home.
Our Personal Favorites
Lanikai beach
The bluest water to be found, gentle waves, not too crowded, breezy air, and beautiful white sand in the amazing town of Kailua.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
An iconic beach on the North Shore with room to spread out. Calm waters in the summertime but if surfing or boogie boarding appeals to you, then definitely check it out in the winter months. Waimea Bay is also not far from Sunset Beach or the cool little town of Haleiwa.
makapu’u beach park
Makapu’u Beach is one of the more beautiful areas of Oahu with the Ko’olau Volcano behind the beach. The Makapu’u Lighthouse is also worth checking out if you need a break from the beach for a little while!
malaekahana beach
A great beach that not too many tourists know about. A local favorite with calm waters and camping opportunities!
sunset beach
A long and wide-open beach on the North Shore just a few miles from the town of Haleiwa, which we highly recommend visiting! As the name suggests, it’s a great place for a sunset!
Wrap Up
Hopefully, this guide for our 12 best beaches on Oahu has given you some ideas to plan some amazing beach days in Oahu! Whether you’re looking for a popular tourist spot close to downtown or a secluded cove, you will find something, as the beaches on Oahu have so much to offer!
If you have any questions about any beaches on Oahu, please let us know! Also, if you have been to Oahu, please let us know your favorite beaches!
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