Guide: Waikiki Beaches and South Shore Oahu

Overview

Waikiki Beach is probably the most popular and crowded of all Honolulu beaches. It is within walking distance to many of the Waikiki hotels. Here you’re surrounded by surf rental shops, restaurants, and other tourist attractions. The water is clear and the surf maybe a little too rough for younger children.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Medium Coarse
• Bathrooms: Public Restrooms
• Getting in the Water: Easy, no coral
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Paid Lots and Metered Street Parking

Overview

Queen’s Beach is located directly across from the Honolulu Zoo. It is a relatively small beach and often has volleyball courts and other organized activities taking up much of the beachfront space. When visiting Queen’s Beach, I recommend moving further south down the beach, away from the pier and the volleyball courts.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: Public Restrooms in Park
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Street Parking and Paid Parking Lots

Overview

Ala Moana Beach Park is a popular beach for families and swimmers. The beach was originally a boat channel that was dredged in the 1920s.  As a result, there is a deep channel between the beach and coral reef that makes the beach extremely calm and ideal for floating and swimming. It is further away from the other Waikiki beaches but could still be reached if you don’t mind a long walk.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Medium Coarse
• Bathrooms: Public Restrooms in Park
• Getting in the Water: Magic Island side is sandy, the rest has coral
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Free street parking

Overview

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: No
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Street, Paid Parking Lots

Overview

Kaimana Beach is another very popular beach for those in the Waikiki area. The surf is generally very calm and the clear waters make it great for families. Kaimana Beach sits right across the street from the large Kapiolani Regional Park, where you can find ample parking and open spaces for activities.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: No
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Metered Street Parking

Overview

Fort Deryussy Beach is a lesser known beach. It’s tucked behind several large hotels and too far for most to walk from Waikiki. However, if you can find your way down to Fort Deryussy Beach you won’t be disappointed. It is much less crowded than other Waikiki beaches and has plenty of open space for laying out. There are some restaurants and amenities nearby, but not as many as the Waikiki beaches.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: Yes
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy
• Showers: Public Restrooms in Park
• Parking: Paid

Overview

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: No
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy
• Showers: No
• Parking: Free Parking Lot

Overview

Sandy Beach is a popular beach on the far south side of the island. It’s fun to sit and watch the surfers and boogie boarders enjoying the rough surf at this beach. Sandy Beach is also popular for collecting seashells.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: Public Restrooms in Park
• Getting in the Water: Moderate, rough surf
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Free parking lot

Overview

The Halona Beach Cove is a famous beach used in the filming of many movies and television shows including LOST and films in the Jurassic Park series. The cove has one small beach area with a single entrance. The surf is fairly rough and recommended for strong swimmers only. This beach is more for fun photos. There is limited space and isn’t a recommended location for a long beach day. In order to access the cove, you would park at the Halona Blow Hole parking lot and walk down to the cove from the short trail off the highway. 

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: No
• Getting in the Water: Moderate, sandy with rough surf
• Showers: No
• Parking: Free parking at Halona Blow Hole lot (can be cited for leaving lot)

Overview

This is a great beach if you’re bringing your dog. There are usually many other dogs off leash and not much room for exploring. The snorkeling is pretty good, but the current can get strong, usually towards the shore, making it difficult to swim out. If it’s windy, I recommend a different beach. The sand gets blown down the beach and can ruin your day. During high tide, the beach is nearly gone, so I highly recommend you check the tide charts and go during low tide.  

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Fine
• Bathrooms: No
• Getting in the Water: Easy, mostly sandy
• Showers: No
• Parking: Free street parking in the neighborhood

Overview

Magic Island is a public park at the far south end of the Ala Moana Regional Park. At the tip of magic island is a lagoon created by a man-made sea wall. While it may not seem like it, in my opinion this is one of the best snorkeling spots for beginners. The water is extremely calm but there is an enormous amount of sea life that swims in from the inlets in the sea wall.

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Medium Coarse
• Bathrooms: Public restrooms in park
• Getting in the Water: Very Easy, mostly sandy
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Free parking in lot

Overview

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Medium Coarse
• Bathrooms: Public restrooms in park
• Getting in the Water: Mostly blocked access with some sandy put ins
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Free parking lots

Overview

Tucked away in a neighborhood just below Diamond Head is a little known beach: Mākālei Beach Park. This beach park has decent snorkeling and is a nice secluded spot used mostly by locals. There is no parking and the only way to access it is either by parking in the nearby neighborhood or at Kapiolani Regional Park. There is a fun “sea walk” that connects you to the Lē’ahi Beach Park down the road!

Beach Amenities

• Sand Type: Medium Coarse
• Bathrooms: None
• Getting in the Water: Mostly blocked access with some sandy put ins
• Showers: Yes
• Parking: Free in neighborhood or paid parking at Kapiolani Regional Park