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Waikiki & Honolulu Beaches
Tropical sun mixed with cooling trade winds and prisine waters make Oahu's shores a literal heaven on Earth. But contrary to many assumptions, the island is not one big beach. There are miles and miles of coastline without a grain of sand, so you need to know where you are going to fully enjoy the Hawaiian experience.
Many of the island's southern and western coasts are protected by inner reefs. The reefs provide still coastline water but not much as far as sand is concerned. However, where there are beaches on the south and east shores, they are mind-blowing. In West Oahu and on the North Shore you can find the wide expanses of sand you would expect for enjoying the sunset. Sandy bottoms and outside reefs make the water an adventure in the winter months. Most visitors assume the seasons don't change a thing in the Islands, and they would be right--except for the waves, which are big on the south shore in summer and placid in winter. It's exactly the opposite on the north side when winter storms bring in huge waves, but the ocean goes to glass come May and June.
We start on the famed Waikiki Beach and then work our way counter-clockwise around the island ot the epic waves of the North Shore. In the final section, we head west, where the populations dwindle and the beauty expands.
WAIKIKI AND HONOLULU BEACHES
The 2.5-mile strand called Waikiki Beach extends from Hilton Hawaiian Village on one end to Kapiolani Park and Diamond Head on the other. Although it's one contiguous piece of beach, it's as varied as the people that inhabit the Islands. Whether you're an old-timer looking to enjoy the action from the shade or a sports nut wanting to do it all, you can find every beach activity here without ever jumping in the rental car.
TIP: If you're staying outside the area, our best advice to park at either end of the beach and walk in. Plentiful parking exists on the west end at the Ala Wai Marina, where there are myriad free spots on the beach as well as metered stalls around the harbor. For parking on the east end, Kapiolani Park and the Honolulu Zoo both have metered parking for $1 an hour--more affordable than the $10 per hour the resorts want.
We highlight the differences in this famous beach from west to east, letting you know not only where you may want to sunbathe but why.
Duke Kahanamoku Beach. Named for Hawaii's famous Olympic swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, this is a hard-packed beach with the only shade trees on the sand in Waikiki. It's great for families with young children because of the shade and because it has Waikiki's calmest waters, thanks to a rock wall that creates a semiprotected cove. The ocean clarity here is not as brilliant as elsewhere on Waikiki because of the stillness of the surf, but it's a small price to pay for peace of mind about youngsters. In front of Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa. Toilets, showers, food concessions.
Fort DeRussy Beach Park. Even before you take the two newly refurbished beach parks into account, this is one of the finest beaches on the south side of Oahu. Wide, soft, ultrawhite beaches with gently lapping waves make it a family favorite for running/jumping/frolicking fun (this also happens to be where the NFL holds its rookie sand football game every year). Add to that the heavily shaded grass grilling area, sand volleyball courts, and aquatic rentals, and this becomes a must for the active visitor. In front of Fort DeRussy and Hale Koa Hotel. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, food concession, picnic tables, grills, playground.
Gray's Beach. A little lodging house called Gray's-by-the-Sea stood here in the 1920s; now it's a gathering place for eclectic beach types from sailing pioneers like George Parsons to the "bird men" of Waikiki: stop and watch the show as up to six parrots are placed on the heads, shoulders, and arms of squealing tourists waiting impatiently for their photos to be taken. The tides often put sand space at a premium, but if you want a look back into old Waikiki, have a mai tai at the Shorebird and check out a time gone by. In front of Halekulani. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, food concession.
Kahaloa and Ulukou Beaches. The beach widens out again here, creating the "it" spot for the bikini crowd. Beautiful bodies abound. This is where you find most of the sailing-catamaran charters for a spectacular sail out to Diamond Head or surfboard and outrigger-canoe rentals for a ride on the rolling waves of the Canoe surf break. Great music and outdoor dancing beckon the sand-bound visitor to Duke's Canoe Club where shirt and shoes not only aren't required, they're discouraged. In front of Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Sheraton Moana Surfrider. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, food concessions.
Kuhio Beach Park. This beach has experienced a renaissance after a recent face-lift. Now bordered by a landscaped boardwalk, it's great for romantic walks any time of day. Check out the Kuhio Beach hula mound Tuesday to Sunday at 6:30 for free hula and Hawaiian-music performances and a torch-lighting ceremony at sunset. Surf lessons for beginners are available from the beach center every half hour. Past Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel to Kapahulu Ave. pier. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, food concession.
Queen's Surf. So named because it was once the site of Queen Liliuokalani's beach house, this beach draws a mix of families and gay couples—and it seems as if someone is always playing a steel drum. Many weekends, movie screens are set up on the sand, and major motion pictures are shown after the sun sets (www.sunsetonthebeach.net). In the daytime, banyan trees provide shade and volleyball nets attract pros and amateurs alike (this is where Misty May and Kerri Walsh play while in town). The water fronting Queen's Surf is an aquatic preserve, providing the best snorkeling in Waikiki. Across from entrance to Honolulu Zoo. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, picnic tables, grills.
Sans Souci. Nicknamed Dig-Me Beach because of its outlandish display of skimpy bathing suits, this small rectangle of sand is a good sunning spot for all ages. Children enjoy its shallow, safe waters that are protected by the walls of the historic Natatorium, an Olympic-size saltwater swimming arena. Serious swimmers and triathletes also swim in the channel here, beyond the reef. Sans Souci is favored by locals wanting to avoid the crowds while still enjoying the convenience of Waikiki. Across from Kapiolani Park, between New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel and Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, picnic tables.
Diamond Head Beach. You have to like hiking to like Diamond Head Beach. This beautiful, remote spot is at the base of Diamond Head crater. The beach is just a small strip of sand with lots of coral in the water. This said, the views looking out from the point are breathtaking, and it's amazing to watch the windsurfers skimming along, driven by the gusts off the point. From the parking area, look for an opening in the wall where an unpaved trail leads down to the beach. Even for the unadventurous, a stop at the lookout point is well worth the time. At base of Diamond Head. Park at the crest of Diamond Head Rd. and walk down. Showers, parking lot.
The city of Honolulu only has one beach, the monstrous Ala Moana. It hosts everything from Dragon Boat competitions to the Aloha State Games.
Ala Moana Beach Park. Ala Moana has a protective reef, which makes it ostensibly a 1/2-mile wide saltwater swimming pool. After Waikiki, this is the most popular beach among visitors. To the Waikiki side is a peninsula called Magic Island, with shady trees and paved sidewalks ideal for jogging. Ala Moana also has playing fields, tennis courts, and a couple of small ponds for sailing toy boats. This beach is for everyone, but only in the daytime. It's a high-crime area after dark. Honolulu, near Ala Moana Shopping Center and Ala Moana Blvd. From Waikiki take Bux 8 to shopping center and cross Ala Moana Blvd. Lifeguard, toilets, showers, food concession, picnic tables, grills, parking lot.