Best beach to visit?

[PattiPB]

We are looking for suggestions about what beaches we should visit next June when we are in Hawaii. We will NOT be island-hopping, but have 10 nights. The first three nights are in Waikiki, so we're hoping to do most of our sightseeing during those days. We will have a rental car. It's just me and my husband!

So....what beaches are "not to be missed"?

 

[nkereina]

IMO, Kailua has the most beautiful beach we saw during our 16 day/3 island trip to Hawaii! It's on the other side of the island from Aulani, so about a 45 minute drive. It's not too far from Kualoa Ranch if you plan to visit there, which I also recommend! But Kailua is a quaint little town with some cute shops and restaurants, and there was a beach park with some parking. We just stopped by but had I known, I would have planned a day there. If you listen to the Dis Unplugged podcast, John & Kevin also recommended visiting Kailua during their Aulani series last year.

We also loved the North Shore and the town of Haleiwa. We stumbled upon Laniakea Beach in that area which was small and busy because of all the sea turtles there. But along that whole stretch are other beautiful, less crowded beaches as well. And Haleiwa was a great place for shopping, dinner, and a shave ice stop!

I have photos of both Kailua and Haleiwa/Laniakea Beach in my trip report which is linked in my signature!

 

[alohamom]

I second Kailua. The water is so blue and warm, the sand is white and soft - it is seriously heaven. We go to Hawaii on a regular basis and Kailua in hands down my favorite beach on all the islands. Lanikai beach is just around the corner from here, it is similar but there is really only street parking and it can be really hard to find a spot where as at Kailua there are two dedicated parking lots plus a washroom/shower/change area. We also found Sunset beach to be fantastic on our last trip but it was summer and the waves were light but not a great swimming beach in the winter, too dangerous

 

[GooglyBear808]

Kailua beach is beautiful but really what beach in Hawai'i isn't?! We love bellows, sunset, and sandy beach! Makapu'u beach is nice too plus you could do the Makapu'u lighthouse hike and make a day out of it.

 

[Amw1064]

We went to Lanikai beach and easily found parking. I didn't know about the other one that is near. Will definitley have to try it. Lanikai was absolutely beautiful though. We have also stopped at Haleiwa/Laniakea Beach to see all the huge sea turtles and to search for sea glass.

 

[Amw1064]

We went to Lanikai beach and easily found parking. I didn't know about the other one that is near. Will definitley have to try it. Lanikai was absolutely beautiful though. We have also stopped at Haleiwa/Laniakea Beach to see all the huge sea turtles and to search for sea glass.

 

[ozliz]

I took the local bus to Hanauma Bay from Waikiki. While the coral was boring the fish I saw were amazing. If you want to snorkel I recommend going here in the morning as the water was clearest earlier. There is an entry fee of $7.50 (beaches are public but this is a government managed nature park) and you can hire snorkels, lockers etc on the beach. Take your own picnic though as the food options are limited and require you to go back up the hill from the beach to purchase.

 

[mrswillson]

After living in Hawaii for a year and a half, I DEFINTELY have to say Laie beach (or known as Pounders) is the most beautiful hands-down in my opinion, and one of the quieter beaches on island. It's located all the way up on the northeastern windward side of the island, and it's just a short drive from Haleiwa and North Shore. It gives a perfect view of the mountains, has an old pier that has since been turned into an over-water trampoline this past year, and because it's one of the lesser-frequented beaches, should be much quieter than any of the other main ones on island where other tourists will be bound to go.

As for other great beaches, Lanikai beach and Bellow's beach are also beautiful options. Lanikai is one of the best rated beaches in the world and offers a gorgeous view of the two famous mokes, and Bellow's is a long, gorgeous stretch of beach right by a military base. No matter which you pick you'll enjoy though, no doubt.

 

[Midoria]

My favorite beach is Waimalano aka Sherwoods. It's always got people there, both residents and tourists, but it's never been really crowded. There is the Waimanalo Beach Park, but a little further down the road there is another entrance with a small sign and gate that you can miss if you blink. It goes down a short road and leads to a sizable parking lot. That's where I always go.

 

[PattiPB]

Writing these down! Thank you all so much. Any other recommendations? We'll have the car the entire 11 days. Which beaches are closer during our Waikiki days?

 

[Midoria]

Writing these down! Thank you all so much. Any other recommendations? We'll have the car the entire 11 days. Which beaches are closer during our Waikiki days?

None of them are that close to Waikiki. IMO, the best beaches are on the windward side (the top right of the island) or on the west side. Oahu is not a large island, so things being "close" and "far" is relative. I would take time to really explore the island since you'll have wheels. And it's really fun to find cute fruit stands and local shops on you way.

 

[nkereina]

Writing these down! Thank you all so much. Any other recommendations? We'll have the car the entire 11 days. Which beaches are closer during our Waikiki days?

Hanauma Bay is about 20 minutes southeast of Waikiki. Kailua and some of the other recommendations would be more northeast I think, on the windward side and closer to the North Shore.

 

[PattiPB]

I would take time to really explore the island since you'll have wheels. And it's really fun to find cute fruit stands and local shops on you way.

That's the majority of our plan! Just getting in the car and driving around from beach to beach!

 

[PattiPB]

I would take time to really explore the island since you'll have wheels. And it's really fun to find cute fruit stands and local shops on you way.

Any other suggestions of "not to miss" locations anywhere on the island?

 

[Midoria]

Any other suggestions of "not to miss" locations anywhere on the island?

While you’re in Waikiki, I would visit Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum. Also, the Polynesian Cultural Center (up in Laie) is very fun and educational. Stay for the night show, “Ha: Breath of Life”. Learning about the history and heritage of these islands makes for a much richer experience.

 

[SamPeter]

ailua Beach Park ranks as the second most beautiful out of all the Oahu Beaches. Okay…it’s a little unfair to rank Kailua Beach as second best, because it is next door neighbor to the most beautiful spot on the island, Lanikai Beach

 

[blondietink]

We love the beach in Waiamanalo and also the beach on Yokohama Bay, which is west of Aulani. Just go to the end of the road .... the beach is all along it and we were seriously the only people there both when we went in September and April. Have heard it is popular with the college folks on the weekends, though.