O‘AHU IS HOME
TO MORE THAN 125 BEACHES
O‘AHU – With more than 125
beaches on 112 miles of O‘ahu shoreline from which to choose, from the powerful
winter waves of the North Shore to the gentle shore break of Waikīkī,
there is a beach on O‘ahu that fits every taste from a sunbathing visitor to
the more athletic kite surfer. With
water temperatures ranging from 75/F to 80/F year round, it’s easy to understand
why locals and visitors alike are regularly drawn to the clear azure waters of
O‘ahu.
The South Shore
coastline is known for its many family beaches.
Outings such as snorkeling, tide pooling and swimming are great
recreational activities for local families picnicking along the beach.
Ala
Moana Beach is one of the most popular among locals. Weekends, holidays and summer months find the
76-acre park bustling with tennis players, joggers, rollerbladers, large groups
of picnickers, kite flyers, fishermen, sunbathers, swimmers, and surfers.
Waikīkī Beach stretches one‑half mile wide by
two miles long along the shoreline of Waikīkī. Often referenced as one beach, it is actually
a collection of contiguous beaches, each with its own characteristics, and
generally popular for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and beginner level
surfing. One of the most popular areas
is Kūhiō
Beach, which includes
a low retaining wall constructed to keep sand from eroding.
As seen
in Elvis Presley’s movie, “Blue Hawai‘i,” Hanauma Bay
Nature Preserve’s white, sandy beach stretches 2,000 feet and is lined with
coconut trees. The crescent-shaped bay
protects swimmers and snorkelers so that even beginners can enjoy the vibrant
sea life. In 2004, it was voted the
number one beach in the U.S.
by USA
Today’s Dr. Beach.
Sandy
Beach is one of the premier bodysurfing spots on O‘ahu. It is 1,200-feet-long, with a bottom that
drops abruptly eight- to 10-feet immediately offshore. This quick change in depth creates very steep
and hard-breaking waves. On days with
extremely big waves, most common during summer months, the sand erodes to form
a steep shore, causing a strong and forceful backwash.
The East Shore
(windward side) has lush tropical beach settings, which are favorite locations
for wind, kite and sailing enthusiasts.
Northeast tradewinds keep the coast cool 90 percent of the year.
Makapu‘u Beach is the most famous bodysurfing and bodyboarding area in Hawaii. Makapu‘u is also one of the only beaches on
O‘ahu where both bodyboarders and bodysurfers can surf together. This 1,000-foot-long, white sand beach is
also known as the location for “In Harms Way,” a John Wayne movie. Summer months bring swimmers and divers to
Makapu‘u Beach, while September through April are perfect for bodysurfing. Waves often reach heights of 12 feet and
break several hundred yards offshore.
With a three-and-a-half-mile
strip of white sand, Waimānalo
Beach is the longest
beach on O‘ahu. Popular with residents
and tourists alike, the spacious plot is perfect all sorts of beach activities.
Lanikai Beach is a mile-long beach that is
perfect for swimming, sailing and kite and windsurfing. Offshore, Mokulua, two tiny islands
designated as seabird sanctuaries, are popular destinations for kayakers.
Voted
the number one beach in the U.S.
by USA Today’s
Dr. Beach in 1998, Kailua
Beach is the perfect
place for family fun. With a 30-acre
public park, there are countless ways to spend your day at the beach. Locals and visitors regularly picnic, sail,
play volleyball, dive, swim, snorkel, and surf at this versatile park and
beach. With constant winds, Kailua Beach
is the best kite and windsurfing area on O‘ahu.
The North Shore
is best known for its world-class surfing and huge winter swells. During the winter months, waves reach heights
of 25-30 feet. The summer months are in
contrast with calm, flat conditions perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
‘Ehukai Beach
Park provides access to three popular
surfing areas: ‘Ehukai Beach
Park, Pipeline and
Banzai. ‘Ehukai Beach
Park is known for its
high winter surf, drawing dedicated body boarders and surfers. Pipeline is 100 yards to the left of ‘Ehukai Beach
Park. The steepness of winter waves causes the
crest of the wave to fall forward, forming a near-perfect tube. Shooting the tube, or surfing inside a tube,
is a prized challenge for experienced surfers.
World championship surf competitions are held here because of the strong
surf. Banzai Beach
is located west of Pipeline. During the
winter, surfers and surf fans blanket the beaches in hopes of watching a surfer
catch the perfect wave. Strong winter
waves make surfing competitions legendary at Pipeline and Banzai Beach.
Ideal
for diving, snorkeling and surfing, Pupukea
Beach has two
major areas that are easily accessible:
Shark’s Cove and Three Tables. Shark’s
Cove is located at the north end, with its cave popular for day and night
diving. Three Tables, named for
the three flat sections of reef visible at low tide, is located at the south
end of the beach. The best snorkeling is
found near the tables, where fish and sea life are abundant. To experience the sea’s bounty and treasures,
diving is best outside of the tables.
Sunset Beach is known around the world for
its huge surf. With waves reaching 15-20
feet from September to April, swimming is only safe during the summer
months. Regardless of the time of year, Sunset Beach
attracts local surfers, sunbathers and visitors.
Waimea Bay is the
world-famous home of the biggest waves for surfing. During the winter months, the waves provide
body boarders with endless challenges.
Besides the break beyond the point, the inner shore break reaches
heights of 10-12 feet. The difference in
Waimea’s winter and summer surf is as drastic as night and day. During the summer months, leisurely swimmers
enjoy the placid, crystal blue waters of the bay, while winter months attract
world-class body boarders and surfers.
The West Shore
(leeward side) has many spectacular beaches.
This coast is known for offshore fishing spots. Winter months see the large waves, which
reach heights of more than 15 feet.
When
big west or north swells are running, waves at Mākaha Beach
provide some of the most spectacular and dangerous surfing found nowhere else
in the world. Winter months find a lot
of shoreline erosion due to the heavy surf.
But with summer, the sand returns, creating a beautiful, wide beach and
ocean conditions great for swimming and snorkeling.
Nānākuli Beach is divided into two sections,
Piliokahe and Kalaniana‘ole, with a small Hawaiian homestead separating the two
sections. The Piliokahe section is
situated on a sea cliff above a small cove.
During the summer, a small pocket beach in the cove provides a good
swimming area. The deeper water is
popular for divers and snorkelers. The
Kalaniana‘ole section is the most popular section. The beach is 500 feet long and 125 feet
wide. The water is calm during the
summer, making this a popular diving spot for novices.
Also
known as Keawaula Beach and Puau
Beach, Yokohama Bay
is a great place for picnicking, hiking and shore fishing. The surf is calm during the summer, and is a
popular spot for snorkeling, diving, swimming and shell collecting. But when the surf is up, the beach is the
place to be to view the excitement of the surf.
Every
beach surrounding O‘ahu boasts jewel-toned waters, varying from crystal blue to
deep azure, and offers a variety of water activities and sports to challenge
all skill levels and satisfy beach goers.
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