Some of the best Hawaii beaches can be found on Oahu. While Waikiki beaches and North Shore beaches get and deserve much attention, there are many other Oahu beaches that are worth writing home about.
Lanikai and the Kailua beaches have consistently been rated some of the best Oahu beaches. Below you will find short descriptions on some of the best Oahu beaches.

Waikiki Beaches

There is a long stretch of Waikiki beaches that draw crowds of tourists. The beaches are well connected, making it is easy to walk to all of them. Waikiki beaches are great for sunning, swimming or snorkeling. Or perhaps you have always wanted to try surfing. Hawaii is the perfect place and Waikiki surfing lessons are top notch for beginners. For people watching, Waikiki beaches are the best!

Ala Moana Beach Park
Connecting to the Waikiki Beaches, Ala Moana Beach Park is one of the great family beaches in Oahu. This is a very popular place for beach picnics. There is also a reef that protects the swimming area, making swimming more suitable for people of all ages. And kids just love the cove at Magic Island. During the night hours however, Ala Moana Beach Park does get sketchy and crime is a concern.


Oahu's Windward Beaches

Hanauma Bay
A crescent shaped beach, Hanauma Bay is one of the top 10 Hawaii attractions. Due to its popularity, Hanauma Bay gets crowded early. And to allow for a break for the beach and the reef, Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays. Picnic areas and restroom facilities are available and the snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is superb. To read more about Hanauma Bay click our Hanauma Bay Information page.


Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is a very short drive from Hanauma Bay and insight from the Halona Blowhole. It is worth the stop, if not to swim, but to watch the daring body surfers at Sandy Beach. The soft white sand, Sandy Beach can be very dangerous. There is a reason an ambulance is stationed here. So enjoy the thick, soft sand and indulge in watching some of the best Hawaii bodysurfing.

Kailua Beach
Kailua Beach also has soft white sands but swimming here is much safer. Kailua Beach is a great spot for beach walking, sunning and swimming. Kailua also offers  some of the best kayaking in Oahu, where Kailua kayak tours take you on eco adventures to offshore islands. Usually you will get to see bird sanctuaries, possibly sea turtles and dolphins because Kailua Beach is also their playground.

Lanikai
Also nestled in the town of Kailua, Lanikai Beach is one of the best Oahu beaches. Ideal for children because the offshore reef provides some protection and usually keeps the surf calm, Lanikai is one of the better Oahu family beaches. Over the years however, more folks have also heard of this picturesque beach and have caused more beach traffic.


North Shore Beaches

Ehukai Beach (Bonzai Pipeline)

This North Shore surf phenomenon gets its name from the huge waves that when breaking, cause them to roll and form into a shape resembling a pipeline. The third series of the Vans Triple Crown is held at Bonzai Pipeline and creates a show for the many tourists and locals that come to witness the pros ride the barrell of these mammoth pipeline waves. Varying on the surf conditions, the event is held at different dates each year, but it usually takes place just before Christmas. One thing is for sure, witnessing the Pros take on these waves is breathtaking.

Sunset Beach
One of the popular North Shore beaches, Sunset Beach is a long strectch of beach that allows for great swimming and snorkeling during the summer. However, during the Winter, the North Shore beaches such as Sunset Beach have very large waves and are not suitable for swimming or snorkeling. Hosting the second leg of the Vans Triple Crown, Sunset Beach makes for a natural sandy sports arena for tourists and locals. So sit back, relax, bask in the sun and watch some of the best Hawaii surfing during the Winter.

Waimea Bay
Also located on the North Shore and like sunset beach, the Winter months usually mean monster waves at Waimea Bay. Home to the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, Waimea Bay is great for watching the pros. During the summer months the surf is usually calm, making for great swimming. And the visibility is usually excellent. This is why Waimea Bay gets our vote for one of the best Oahu beaches. However, the water gets deep quickly so as always, exercise caution when kids are with you at the beach. Restrooms and showers are available, but parking is limited

Haliewa Beach
Home to the first Triple Crown Wave competition during the Winter Surf season, Haleiwa is a quaint town with boutique shops and unique eateries. Haliewa is a fun spot for the family. You can hit the beach in the morning, grab lunch at a local restaurant or maybe you would like to try the infamous Matsumoto's Shaved Ice treats. Haleiwa is also a launching pad for North Shore Shark Tours, where they take participants several miles out to sea and allow them to be dropped into a protected cage and then in the water to view sharks.