Last Updated on September 16, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa

What are Hawaii’s best beaches?

Oahu boasts over 125 stunning shores, but which ones are worthwhile visiting? From hidden coves to world-famous waves, I’ve got the ultimate Oahu beach bucket list for you! Here’s 12 best beaches in Oahu, Hawaii and reasons you’re gonna love them!

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12 Best Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii

1. Kailua Beach Park for ocean sports

Kailua Beach Park is my favorite beach and you may see me and my dog jogging here . Undoubtedly, it is one of Hawaii’s best beaches for many reasons aside from beauty and relaxed vibe. With a lovely tree-filled beach park, it offers occasional respite from the heat. On the windy side of the island,  it has become the ideal spot for water sport activities (outrigger paddling, kayaking, windsurfing and parasailing), families and on-leash dog walking.

Kailua Beach Activities :

Kailua Beach Adventures at Kailua Beach Center (130 Kailua Rd), about 8 minutes from the beach. Rent a kayak and paddle out to Rabbit Island.Kayaks rent for a half or full day for about $50-$60 .

Island Snow –  Obama’s favorite Kailua shaved ice shop.

Kalapawai Store (306 S Kalaheo Ave).  It is right before the beach- it looks like a green country beach store- they serve healthy sandwiches and picnic snacks.

Buzz’s Steakhouse (413 Kawailoa Rd, Kailua)-  landmark beach restaurant serving anything from mahi burgers, cocktail drinks and hearty dining. Dog-friendly: Yes.

Parking: There are two parking lots and street parking. Go early during the weekends as street parking fills up with crowds going to Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach.

2. White sands of Lanikai Beach for Sunbathing

One of the most stunning beaches of Hawaii is Lanikai Beach. The beach is set in the affluent private neighborhood of Lanikai and is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. With powdery, fine white sands it’s a favorite for locals and tourists who want to get away from crowds. It’s a nice beach for laying out and swimming as the sands are soft and the waves are easy going.

There is no street parking. You’ll need to park around Kailua Beach and either walk or bike in.

Note: Not far from a popular hiking trail Lanikai Pillbox, you can hike the trail for a panoramic view of Lanikai Beach before taking a dip in the ocean.

3. Ala Moana Beach Park for family picnics and people watching

Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island Beach are the favorite beaches of local townies. Conveniently located right outside Waikiki and across Ala Moana Shopping Center, they are hard to miss. It is also where they hold the annual Lantern Lighting Memorial.

Ala Moana Beach is the longer beach of the two. Waves here are generally mild. Waters are a little cloudy and the sands can get rocky towards the western entrance. A favorite spot for wedding photographers at sunset, Ala Moana Beach is a half-mile beach of calm waters protected by an outer reef. The parallel park is wide and ideal for picnics, BBQ weekend gatherings and beach events on the island. There is an L&L Drive Inn beach concession where you can get local plate lunches, burger and fries. Dog-friendly: No.

Read my 20 Hawaii Beach Tips: DO’s and DON’Ts

4. Magic Island Beach: The wedding photo beach park

Magic Island is a man-made beach and is perfect for young children with its protective stone wall  to keep menacing waves out.  To get there, you’ll have to walk through the large park, which is a favorite for picnic lovers and wedding photographers.

Parking: You can park alongside the beach road of Ala Moana Beach Park. Magic Island has it’s own parking lot, but basically, park where you can find an open stall. Dog-friendly: No.

5. Waikiki Beach for People Watching

Waikiki Beach is the icon known to Hawaii, attracting over 4 million visitors a year. You can find it by the scent of cheap coconut tanning oil.  Spanning Queens Beach to Duke Kahanamoku Beach and the Illikai Hotel, the beach is convenient and popular with tourists staying in Waikiki. Sands can be a little on the coarse side compared to other beaches here and the ocean bed might have tiny coral pebbles, but there have been many honu (turtle) sightings here.

Tip: The Hawaiian green sea turtle is an endangered species. Maintain more than six feet distance from it. Avoid touching, riding or harassing it or you can end up in jail.

Tip: Wet boots and floaties are optional. Check out my Wakiki Beach Tips

Read Top 6 Waikiki Beaches Locals Love

6. Royal Hawaiian Beach: Tourist style beach

Royal Hawaiian Beach: Be where all the action is! This is the central part of Waikiki Beach passing over some of the major hotel players in Waikiki spanning the Moana Surfrider to Royal Hawaiian Hotel. You can board sunset catamarans (aka “the booze cruise”), catch occasional outrigger canoe regattas, to hear live music streaming from Duke’s Restaurant. At night, it’s a lovely beach to walk as it’s lightly lit so you feel safe. Further by the Duke Kahanamoku statue, there are surfing classes and surfboard rentals.

7. Waimea Bay:

Are you a surfer looking to tackle monster waves? Waimea Bay Beach is a historical home for big winter wave riding.  However, any other season, the bay is popular with locals and tourist for swimming and snorkeling. “Da Big Rock” as locals call it, is a 30 foot rock you can swim to, climb and jump off. Parking is limited as the parking lot is small. You may need to park alongside of the road.

Dog-friendly: Yes.

Watch Hawaii videos

8. Banzai Pipeline for big wave surfing

Although Sunset Beach is pro surfing’s home of the Triple Crown Surfing Contest , I find the Banzai Pipeline (located at Ehukai Beach Park), the most chill to relax and watch the surfers catch waves at. The Banzai Pipeline is known as the one of the most dangerous beaches to surf. With a powerful break onto the reef, it’s definitely for the experienced surfer. But the Pipeline is also the heart of the North Shore community and unlike most beaches in Hawaii,  it’s also one of the sandiest beaches on Oahu, with rolling sands both, deep and wide, walking the beach feels like stepping into a soft and sinking pillow. This beach is one of our widest with regards to parking curb to shoreline (many of our beaches are much narrower) so it will take a little walk to get to the water.   Dog-friendly: No, but you’ll find dog owners still take their dogs there..

Parking: limited. You’ll have to find parking on the road.

Where to Stay: Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku

Check out 20 Best beaches on Oahu

9. Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve for snorkeling

Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve is a famous Hawaii landmark snorkeling spot.  It is a protected marine life preservation bay, housing a reef and marine life galore. There is a nine minute video  that visitors are required to watch, educating you on how to respect the bay, marine and protect the coral from ruin (you might see yours truly; I’m in their PSA!) .  While there are other spots for snorkeling, Hanauma Bay is the only spot that has life guards for safety.

Compared to other snorkel spots around the island – Electric Beach, Waimea Bay and Shark’s Cove- Hanauma Bay is the king of snorkel spots hands down for its prolific marine life and safety. Shallow or deep, spotting marine life (and lots of it) is guaranteed.

Hours: Closed on Tuesdays. Parking: Come early. The parking lot is large but can get filled and you may need to park on the side of the road. Dog-friendly: No.

Note: Please use coral-safe sunscreen to protect the reef. Do not step on the reef; this is a precious ecosystem for the residents of the ocean. If you have time, you can do the scenic Hanauma Bay hike

Read Best Hawaii Attractions You Don’t Want to Miss!

9.  Waimanalo Beach: Picturesque local beach

If you’re a fan of bodyboarding or body surfing, Waimanalo Beach might be up your alley. Located on the windward (aka country) side of the island, the beach stretches four miles with waves which are great for bodyboarding. It’s a picturesque beach and has been a spot for many local commercials. Waimanalo Beach Park has been a picnic and camping spot for local families and parties. Parking: Not to worry, the beach park has ample parking. There is a nearby 7Eleven, a handful of small cafes and fast food drive inns. Dog-friendly: Yes.

10. Sandy Beach: High school beach

Sandy Beach is not a particularly lovely beach, waves are too choppy for a peaceful swim and its sand has a tinge of red dirt,  but it doesn’t stop  boogie boarders and surfers from making this a popular spot.  Alongside the scenic Kalanianiole Highway, pass Blowhole and Eternity Beach, the seaside cliffs and mountains give Sandy Beach its complementary demeanor.

Note: Large beach park great for kite flying, some picturesque rocky areas which make for great picture taking. Parking lot is small but lots of roadside parking. Dog-friendly: Yes.

Read reasons to do the Southeast Oahu drive

11. Halona Beach Cove: Here to Eternity Beach

Between Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach on the Eastern side of Oahu alongside a scenic Kalanianiole Highway, you’ll find Halona Beach Cove (aka Eternity Beach), a small cove, where the 1952 film From Here to Eternity was filmed.  It’s a small, lesser known beach which feels private, and the surrounding terrain of black volcanic rocks make it a stunning image

Halona Blowhole is nearby and worthwhile an exploration for its unique strata of rock formations. Note of caution: The blowhole is not to be played with. The powerful geyser spouts ocean water through its hole and likewise can be a powerful suction,  evidenced by tourist deaths.

12. Ko Olina Beach: Peaceful man-made beach

Ko Olina Beach  is a man-made lagoon created for the Ko Olina Resort. It’s a great beach for families and snorkling. Parking: Paid. Space can be limited; however, most beach goers are from the Ihilani Four Seasons Resorts and Disney Aulani Resort.

Wind down with drinks and sustainable Hawaiian food by the MonkeyPod Kitchen in Koolina Center Mall.

Dog-friendly: No.

Top Hawaii Reef-Friendly Sunscreen

Hawaii bans toxic sunscreen. Check out my reef-safe sunscreen guide

• Kokua Sun Care Hawaiian SPF 50 Natural Zinc Sunscreen – Good quality. Goes on thick but not greasy.
• Raw Love SPF 35 All-natural Mineral Sunscreen (Maui)

• Raw Elements Tinted Facial Moisturizer 

• Manda Organic SPF 50 Sun Paste (for Sports)

Getting Around Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is a medium-small island. You can circumnavigate it in a day. However, to squeeze all its highlights in, you’ll need at least three days or longer. Oahu also has incredibly scenic hikes of various levels (read my Hawaii hiking tips), from easy hikes like Spitting Caves and Lanikai Pillbox hike to day long hikes like Kaena Point. My favorite scenic drive is Southeast Oahu.

There are always all-inclusive vacation package deals online or you can organize day tours, hop a Waikiki trolley (they make stops at some main attractions) or take TheBus. But if you want to explore more and have flexibility, it’s best to rent a car from a place like Discount Hawaii Car Rental.

Where to stay on Oahu

Hilton Hawaiian Village. Luxury. Large resort with spacious luxury rooms and gorgeous high-rise views, a private lagoon and free Friday fireworks. The man-made lagoon is an easy and safe experience for children and is next to the beach.

Moana Surfrider, Landmark hotel with beach front view. A feeling of old Hawaii history, Duke Kahanamoku days. Afternoon tea on the terrace. My favorite hotel.

Disney Aulani Hotel. Family. Ko’Olina Resort Area on the East Oahu. It’s a bit of a drive from Honolulu, but the area has lovely and tranquil family-friendly beaches. The resort hotel has a plethora of activities from wet slides and tubing to snorkeling and more.

Ihilani Four Seasons Resorts Luxury resort, favorite Hawaii film location

Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel. Budget. Great location, walk to Waikiki Surf beach. Dorm rooms are as low as $35/night. You cannot beat that deal for a central spot in Waikiki. Read more about Waikiki’s 12 Top Beaches to Explore

Travel Resources for your Hawaii trip

Booking.com – Hotel bookings. No cancellation fees
Get your Guide – book tours in Hawaii
Discount Hawaii Car Rental.- book inexpensive car rental in Hawaii
Check out my Reef Safe Sunscreen guide to see which sunscreen is banned in Hawaii.
Check out travel gear I pack for my trips
Top Scams to Avoid when Traveling
Street Smart Travel Safety tips for Solo Travelers

List of Dog Friendly beaches in Hawaii.

What would you recommend as the Best Beaches in Oahu?

Best Travel Insurance for Hawaii

American travelers often pay a premium on travel insurance.  World Nomads offers economic solutions for travelers who seek security and peace of mind.  It covers 150 countries.