Best Honolulu & Oahu Beaches: Waikiki, North Shore

While I was growing up, my family vacations often involved visiting relatives on Oahu. Some of my earliest memories of the beach include swimming at Sunset Beach in the summer and snorkeling with amazing numbers of tropical fish at Hanauma Bay. As an adult, my love of beaches has grown beyond just swimming and snorkeling—and even now, Oahu never disappoints, especially because all beaches are open to the public (by law) and all but one are free. Here are my favorites for you to visit while on your Hawaiian vacation to Honolulu, Oahu.

Big Kahuna: Waikiki

You can’t talk about Oahu beaches without mentioning Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, easily one of the world’s most famous beaches. Despite being overrun by tourists, Waikiki still holds its charms. Join the crowds and embrace the activities the beach has to offer—learn to surf, ride in an outrigger canoe, shop, have beachside drinks or soak in the sun.

Parking can get tough here, especially on weekends. There is four-hour metered parking along Kapiolani Park at the far east end of the beach. Or, park in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (RHS) garage, and validate parking when you purchase from any RHS merchant.

 

• Beach lovers will enjoy the wide array of activties available at Hanauma Bay.

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Marine-Life Viewing and Snorkeling

Hanauma Bay

For big concentrations of diverse marine life, one of the best snorkeling beaches is Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve. Although extremely popular, the site is also convenient, kid-friendly and scenic. Located 10 miles east of Waikiki off of Kalaniana’ole Highway, Hanauma Bay is open every day except Tuesdays. Go early—if the parking lot is full, you can’t enter the reserve until someone leaves.

Note: Before entering the beach, all visitors must view a short video about the reserve and proper snorkeling etiquette. If you plan to visit Hanauma Bay more than once during your stay, sign in at the information station, and you can bypass the movie requirement when you return.

Tel. 808-396-4229. Cost: $1 for parking; $5 per person admission. Open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the summer, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter. www.honolulu.gov/parks

 

• Explore the tidepools and lava formations of Pupukea Beach Park.

Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Tor Johnson

Pupukea Beach Park

Located between Waimea Bay Beach and Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore, Pupukea Beach Park is also a marine conservation area. The park is bookended by two great snorkeling spots—Sharks Cove and Three Tables—with plenty of tide pools and lava formations. You’re likely to see colorful fish and interesting coral formations as well as eels, turtles and other marine life. Watch your feet at Shark’s Cove, as the ground is covered with sharp coral and rocks.

Next: Surfing Beaches