Oahu's Best Beaches

Description:

Bellows Field Beach Park lies in southeastern Oahu on the shoreline of Bellows Air Force Base. This site is open during the weekends to civilians with a guarded beach. A natural area adjoins the long beach which is very popular. Conditions at this site are good for beginning board and body surfing. Swimmers should be aware of the occurrence of Portuguese man-of-war. Facilities at Bellows Beach include: campground, picnic tables, showers and restrooms.

Description:

This beach lies on Oahu's east shore in Kailua Bay. It is a world-class windsurfing destination and an all around good spot for water sports. The beach itself has fine sand, is wide and winds a few miles around the bay. It gently slopes into the ocean providing a sheltered place for swimming. This site provides good conditions for body surfing, board surfing, kayaking and beach combing.

The biggest attraction to Kailua Bay is windsurfing. Several shops in Kailua provide windsurfing lessons and equipment rental. Facilities at Kailua Beach include: showers, telephones, picnic tables and restrooms. Lifeguards are normally on duty.

Our Local Expert Says:

Much of this gorgeous beach has eroded over the years, so if you are looking for an area to spread out your towel and relax, use the beach access near Kuailima Drive.

Description:

'Lanikai' means "heavenly sea," and the name is fitting for this small neighborhood in Kailua. Lanikai Beach, which consistently ranks among the world's top beaches, is known for its clear, turquoise water and expanse of soft white sand. This is one of the island's best beaches for tranquil waters and swimming. The two small islands sitting offshore are the Mokuluas, and are protected bird sanctuaries. North Mokulua is open to the public during the day and accessible by kayak, making for a perfect day trip.

Description:

This is a bit of a local secret. It offers excellent snorkeling, mostly nearby the reef formation known as Three Tables. Scuba divers also visit the cave and the waters past the reef. The beach is located on the North Shore, nearby famous Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. It's in a residential part of the island, and gets only occasional visits from tourists. Snorkelers would do well to make the journey here, however, as the underwater sights are vivid and plentiful. Note: As with all Hawaii beaches, conditions are changeable. Exercise caution, especially during winter months.

Description:

Ehukai Beach Park lies on the northern shore of Oahu and is most famous for surfing. Huge rolling waves form quickly and break over a shallow reef, which makes these waves enticing and dangerous. These rolling waves are known as the Banzai Pipeline and are used for professional surfing competitions each year. The beach is wide and sandy, good for watching surfers and sunbathing. During the summer months the waters calm and Ehukai is a great place for swimming. The beach is located approximately 60 minutes from Waikiki with the following services and facilities: lifeguards, picnic area, phones, restrooms and showers.