The most famous beach in the world, Waikiki Beach, is found here in Honolulu. A two mile stretch of white sand, it has had a recent face lift with nice waterfall features and grassy berms. Of all the Honolulu beaches, it is the prime spot to see and be seen in and a popular place for swimming and surfing lessons.
Nonetheless, there are many lovely and lesser well known beaches around Honolulu. Just west of Waikiki is the Ala Moana Beach Park, a very popular spot with 76 acres of activities. This is a man made sandy beach and most prefer to swim, wade and sunbathe. If you swim, do watch out for strong currents even at low tide. There are food concessions, lifeguard towers and facilities for tennis and softball.
Protected beaches
Just east is Magic Island, a small protected lagoon beach which offers great views stretching from the all the way to Diamond Head. Protected by an offshore reef, it is safe for swimming and is kept under lifeguard supervision.
Kauai Beach is off Kahala Avenue. A narrow white sand beach, it’s safe for snorkeling and swimming, with a nearby reef for protection. Surfers love to surf the breaks in the reef.
Among the most popular of the Honolulu beaches is Waialae Beach County Park. Used for weddings, it’s close to the five-star Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the five-star Waialea Country Club. Used more for picnicking than for swimming, it does have windsurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts abound here, as it’s one of the most popular spots.
The Kuilei Beach is also known as Diamond Head Beach, and is great for surfing, snorkeling and fishing. Because of its shallow coral reef, it’s not as popular for swimmers.
On Kuhio Beach Park, you can find a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing. The beach lies within an artificial lagoon and is therefore favored by families with small children.
Going beyond Waikiki
The above are the Honolulu beaches closest to Waikiki. However, there are many more fringing the island. Top favorites are:
o Kailua Bay is divided into three sections, Kalama Beach Park, Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai Beach. Flat with soft white sand, swimming is good all year round. Onshore trade winds create perfect windsurfing and kitesurfing conditions especially off Kailua. Snorkel, dive, boat or canoe here or kayak to the twin islands of Mokulua, known to the locals as “the mokes”, if you have energy to spare.
o Haleiwa Alii Beach Park is one of the most popular surfing beaches. During the summer months, the best swimming is found in the protected south bay but breakers can catch people during low tide. Winter waves are only for surfers
Makua Beach is undeveloped and is a perfect stretch of land on the island’s northwest coast. It may be among the best of Honolulu’s beaches, to some. Body boarders love the high surf in winter and spring, and the powerful shore breaks. Snorkelers revel in the marine life that’s so colorful on the north end, if you’re lucky, you can see a glimpse of the spinner dolphins.
These are just a few of Honolulu’s myriad of beaches. There are more than 100 available on the island, each with its own special allure. With so many beaches to choose from, you have to come and visit Honolulu quite often before you can see all of them.
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