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Top 10 Beaches on Oahu
Ready to jump into the Pacific and relax on one of Oahu’s fabulous beaches? We’ve got you covered with a list of the best spots to catch some sun and waves! From excellent snorkeling in Hanauma Bay to the pristine waters of Waikiki Beach to the secluded beaches of Oahu, our list reveals the best Oahu beaches for everyone! So grab your sunscreen and towel and get ready for some fun in the sun!
Let’s take a look at Oahu’s best beaches. With so many options and variety, we took it upon ourselves to help you choose the best beach for you. We rated these beaches according to several vital factors: sand quality, waves, year-round consistency, crowds and popularity, accessibility, and the beaches’ surroundings.
Lanikai Beach
East Windward Oahu Region
#1 Rated Beach on Oahu
Highlights: Enjoy this treasure of a beach. Lanikai Beach is covered with fine white sand. Most rank this beach as one of the best in the world. Start your morning with a peaceful swim or enviable views of two offshore islands, known locally as “the Mokes.”
Must-do: Head here for great sailing and windsurfing. Also, the clear waters make it great for snorkeling. Trek to the nearby Lanikai Pillbox Trail for a stellar overview of the beach, the offshore islands, and the town of Kailua.
Kailua Beach Park
East Windward Oahu Region
#2 Rated Beach on Oahu
Highlights: Enjoy this North Shore beach with its long stretch of gorgeous, white sand beach with calm waters. Many consider it one of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches. While there, make sure to savor the views of several offshore islands.
Must-do: We recommend this beach for its lovely, fine sandy beach for strolling and general lounging due to lacking high surfs. Additionally, it boasts excellent swimming and kayaking opportunities. Further, please take advantage of its world-class windsurfing. Rent equipment and arrange lessons from several shops in Kailua.
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki & Honolulu Region
#3 Rated Beach on Oahu
Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Hotels and tourist facilities front the two-mile stretch of white sand coast.
Highlights: We revere this stunning beach as one of the most family-friendly beaches on Oahu. The mild waves here make this beach ideal for swimming, body surfing, and boogie boarding, especially for beginners and children. Waimanalo offers several miles of white sand to walk. It can get crowded on the weekends but is worth visiting if you can fit it into your schedule.
Must-do: Besides the numerous water activities, join the locals in enjoying this spot for its fishing, barbecuing, and family picnics. It’s worth a visit just to say you walked on Waikiki.
Waimanalo Beach
East Windward Oahu Region
#4 Rated Beach on Oahu
Highlights: We revere this stunning beach as one of the most family-friendly beaches on Oahu. The mild waves here make this beach ideal for swimming, body surfing, and boogie boarding, especially for beginners and children. Waimanalo offers several miles of white sand to walk. It can get crowded on the weekends but is worth visiting if you can fit it into your schedule.
Must-do: Besides the numerous water activities, join the locals in enjoying this spot for its fishing, barbecuing, and family picnics.
It can get crowded on the weekends but is worth a visit if you can squeeze it in.
Sunset Beach
North Shore Oahu Region
#5 Rated Beach on Oahu
Sunset Beach is the ideal North Shore paradise with sprawling white sand and turquoise waters.
Highlights: A surfing haven, Sunset Beach provides some of the best waves in the world. This paradise of two miles of white sand stretches from Sunset point to Ehukai beach.
Must-do: Enjoy swimming and snorkeling in its calm summer waters. During the winter, hit the waves for stellar surfing. You can also peer into a few tide pools to observe some of the wonders of nature. Or relax on the powdery soft sand.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
North Shore Oahu Region
#6 Rated Beach on Oahu
The lovely North Shore surfing spot known as Waimea Bay Beach Park is the place to be.
Highlights: This beach serves as one of the world’s most famous big-wave surf sites. During the winter, locals, big-time surfers, and daredevils head here for a chance at these tall waves. Don’t worry too much about crowds since this beach is relatively large.
Must-do: Looking for high-tides for surfing? During the winter, the bay brings in waves top 40 feet in height. During the summer, visitors can experience a peaceful and enjoyable day of swimming or stroll along the shorelines.
Kahana Bay Beach Park
East Windward Oahu Region
#7 Rated Beach on Oahu
Kahana is sure to be an ideal spot if you are looking for trees for shade, picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch, and there is seldom no more than a handful of people on weekdays.
Highlights: Nestles on the upper windward side, Kahana serves as an ideal spot for hanging out and relaxing. Tall cliffs and a large bay surround this beach. Fewer visitors stop at this beach. Yet, it offers plenty of trees for shade and picnic tables to enjoy a packed lunch.
Must-do: Regarded as a popular camping spot, consider a night in one of the many campsites here. During the day, spend your time kayaking, paddle boarding, trekking the trails opposite the beach, or fishing. Even the locals enjoy coming here for such activties.
Malaekahana Beach
North Shore Oahu Region
#8 Rated Beach on Oahu
Locals and those from afar enjoy this gem of a beach!
Highlights: Local visitors galvanize to this beach gem for camping and fishing opportunities. This state beach park stands between the towns of La’ie and Kahuku.
Must-do: Malaekahana’s northern region hosts a range of camping spots and plantation-style cabins. During the day, enjoy the excellent swimming conditions. Just make sure you wear reef shoes because of the rocky nearshore waters. Take a boat ride offshore, and catch a glimpse of Goat Island.
Ala Moana Beach Park
Waikiki & Honolulu Region
#9 Rated Beach on Oahu
With its crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, and picturesque settings, it’s no wonder that this beach has been called “the place to be.” The Ala Moana Beach also offers a wide range of activities for visitors – from swimming to sunbathing to fishing.
Highlights: The turquoise blue, shallow water lures locals and tourists to Ala Moana Beach Park, located in the large Ala Moana State Recreation Area between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. This vast beach sprawls a half-mile-long white sandy beach protected by a reef with usually calm, clear waters.
Must-do: Both locals and visitors enjoy the beach’s activities: Hawaiian paddling, yoga sessions, running, beach strolling, surfing, swimming, and playing volleyball. Moreso, visit Ala Wai Harbor or the Ala Moana Center – the largest shopping mall in Hawaii.
Makapu’u Beach Park
East Windward Oahu Region
#10 Rated Beach on Oahu
The Makapu’u Beach Park is a beautiful and popular destination for visitors in Oahu, Hawaii.
Highlights: Sheer black cliffs of the Koʻolau Volcano encircle the captivating Makapu’u Beach Park. The whole area surrounding Makapu’u Point is picturesque and powerful, and there is a lot to see in a small locality.
Must-do: Bodyboarders and surfers enjoy this beach’s rip currents and a decisive shore break. The waves are gentle in summer, but the winter surf raises more enormous boulders from the beach. Consider trekking the Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail, a relaxing, paved trail that delivers an incredible view down O‘ahu’s windward coast.
There are amenities here – picnic areas, BBQ grills, restrooms, and showers.
