15 Must-Visit Beaches in Oahu
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Oahu’s idyllic coastline is 227 miles long and nearly entirely comprised by beaches. You can try as hard as you can, but it’s difficult to find a beach on Oahu you won’t like. They are all beautiful and worthy of a visit, but they definitely differ in safety, vibes, and terrain.
The island is traditionally divided into four shores or sections: the North Shore, the Windward Coast, the Leeward Coast, and the Waikiki/Honolulu area in the south. Each coast has a slightly different feel, offers different attractions and activities, and draws different kinds of beach-goers (and surfers); some beaches are great for snorkeling, others for pro surfing, others for beginners’ surfing, others for cliff-jumping, others for partying, others for a nap.
To get to know the stunning beaches of Oahu and the variety of options available to you on your next Hawaiian vacation, read on! I will walk you through the 15 best, must-visit beaches in paradise so that you can mark them down on your bucket list. You will be able to cruise around the island confident that you are hitting up the very best that Oahu has to offer.
Fun fact: According to state law, there are no private beaches on the island of Oahu! All beaches are 100% public, so even when mansions and resorts neighbor the sea, you can be confident that the adjoining beaches are public and accessible to you.
15 Must-Visit Beaches in Oahu
North Shore Beaches
A visit to Oahu is not complete without a day trip to the north side of the island. The beaches on the North Shore are laid back and lined with quiet and picturesque surfing towns, both upscale and humble. The beach-going crowd varies and consists of both Instagram influencers, millennials crowding around the Sunrise Shack, and beautiful local families who are blonder, tanner, and more at home in the sea than you could ever dream of being. In winter months, there are frequent surfing competitions and the waves grow to aggressive heights that can make swimming difficult or dangerous (December through March).
The beaches will be mostly quiet (many times very local-feeling) and a tad less frequented by tourists than in the south or on the east side. It takes about an hour to drive from Honolulu to the North Shore, and the cross-island drive offers pretty views of the Hawaiian countryside.
Tip: Beware the consistent evening traffic on the two-laned Kamehameha Highway en route back to Honolulu, especially on weekends!
Here are a few of the best beaches on the North Shore to check out.
Pipeline (Ehukai Beach)
Photo credit: Ja-ne de Abreu
Pipeline is a popular surfing beach and hosts many professional surfing competitions. This stretch of beach feels more spacious and open than most beaches in Hawaii, with plenty of space to kick back (as opposed to Waikiki, where spots on the beach get tight in popular months). It is a great place to watch the sunset, get away from the city, and find quiet.
Sunset Beach
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
A renowned sunset-viewing spot year-round, (too obvious?) Sunset Beach is expansive and open. It is a peaceful and laid back beach option. Here, huge waves crash in the wintertime, making swimming dangerous. Famous surfers inhabit the area and locals trickle around the streets with their surfboards strapped to their bicycles or propped on their heads. It neighbors Pipeline, and making a visit to either one is advisable on your trip!
Waimea Bay
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
A very popular beach due to its proximity to Waimea Falls, its idyllic, tucked-away vibe, and cliff-jumping opportunities, Waimea Bay always turns out to be high on everyone’s favorite beach list on Oahu. You will find an equal division between tourists (because of the touristy Waimea Falls behind), partying college kids from University of Hawaii slip-and-sliding into the waves, and locals fishing, barbecuing, and bodyboarding. It’s a fun, social beach, and the cliff-jumping is a must-do (in the summer)! It’s a 25-foot leap and jumpers crowd the broad cliff, cheering and taking turns falling with grace (or not). As with all North Shore beaches, waves become aggressive and dangerous in the winter months, so do not underestimate the power of the ocean. “When in doubt, don’t go out” the lifeguards and signs say.
Shark’s Cove
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
Sandwiched between the spacious Pipeline and Waimea Beach, Shark’s Cove is a neat snorkeling spot and beach. It is directly across the street from a bunch of popular and delicious food trucks and a grocery store, so Shark’s Cove has a convenience factor. You can usually find parking, lunch is right next door, and the cove is awesome to explore. Shark’s Cove is created by a rough, rocky barricade; big waves break noisily against the craggy, picturesque wall and flow more gently into the protected cove. Watch out for the sharpness of the jutting rocks while you climb, jump, and snorkel in and around the craggy formations. There are plenty of sea creatures to snorkel with (No sharks, don’t worry)! The water will be rougher in the winter, but I think it is a cooler time to go, as water crashes and sprays; in the summer, the tide is far lower and there is less water to snorkel in.
Turtle Bay
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
Turtle Bay is both a private resort and public beach. (Re: the fun fact above, the entire beach is public, despite the semi-luxurious resort surroundings.) You can find rental gear and golfing, and driving here is definitely worth the experience of seeing the coastline of north-eastern Oahu. Turtle Bay sits at the island’s northern-most point, Kahuku Point, to which you can take a pleasant stroll.
Windward Coast (East Side Beaches)
Beaches on the east side of Oahu, called the Windward side, attract visitors for the chill vibes, lowkey surf shops, gorgeous turquoise waters, and lush backdrop featuring the Koʻolau mountain range. With no skyrises found here, a day trip to the east side is highly recommended to get out of the city, stretch your legs, and see another personality of Oahu. You can find party and peace alike, depending on which beach you choose out here, and the coastline is dotted with beach stretches and parks to opt between. The east side is a cross between Waikiki and the North Shore; it is more populated and accessible than the northern coast, because it is more developed and only thirty minutes outside of Honolulu. Kailua is the main town on the Windward Coast.
Lanikai Beach
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
Lanikai Beach is located in a residential area and is famed for some of the most gorgeous waters on Oahu. Super white, soft sands and crystal-clear water are yours at this stunning favorite beach. Plus, you are swimming in view of the small, but idyllic, Mokulua Islands, or "the Mokes" as locals call them; this backdrop adds greatly to the glamour and beauty of the beach. The Lanikai neighborhood also offers the famed Lanikai Pillbox hike.
Kailua Beach
Kailua Beach is the most popular, active beach of the east side, offering a little more space than the Waikiki area, but still keeping some of the party vibes. Beach-goers definitely throw down at Kailua, and the town offers great eating and shopping options when you have had your fill of the sun. You can rent kayaks or paddle boards, but it is not primarily a surfing beach. You will love Kailua Beach Park (if you can find a parking spot), and I recommend picking up some poke or shaved ice in town before heading out to the beach!
Sandy’s
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
Sandy’s Beach (more humorously known as “Breakneck Beach”) gives you a full Hawaiian experience with its beautiful stretch of sand, crashing waves, awesome tropical backdrop, and vibrant social vibes. You can often get boxed lunches and treats at food trucks, and on weekends, the beach explodes with loud and merry locals. Swimming can be hazardous here year-round, but particularly in the fall and winter. In the summer months, the current can be strong; in winter, outright “break-neck.” Lifeguards are constantly warning people not to go in and you’ll understand for yourself when you hear the roar and crash of the pounding swells onto the sand. Nobody wants to get caught unawares between the massive force of the water and the hard sand when the waves crash. Locals who are half-fish bodyboard these waves year-round, and during optimal months of the year, brave and strong swimmers will venture into the waters.
Hanauma Bay
Photo credit: Antonina Zaytseva
Hanauma Bay is a popular destination among visitors, known for its premier snorkeling experience. The bay is ideally situated in a hidden cove with towering cliff walls, sheltering gorgeous reefs and a marine life conservation area. It’s difficult to find a prettier beach spot on the island! It’s a very swimmer- and snorkeler-friendly spot, and a family favorite for those with children.
Note: Tickets must be reserved in advance and cost 25$ per adult. They limit visitors to 1,000 a day, in order to best preserve and protect marine life in the bay.
Makapu’u Beach
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
Known as a semi-secret beach, you have to take a short walk to the beach from the parking lot in order to find this treasure. It feels secluded and private, so seek this beach out if you are yearning for a break from the crowds. Makapu’u Beach is located at the foot of the Makapu’u Lighthouse, which most beachgoers also visit via the windy, paved climb up to the panoramic clifftop and lighthouse. The Lighthouse is what attracts most people to this spot, so don’t let the nearly-full parking lot get you thinking that the people are there for the beach. Few people know about Makapu’u Beach! You will find the trail to the beach adjacent to the paved trailhead to the Lighthouse; just veer right onto the dirt path.
South Shore/Honolulu and Waikiki Area Beaches
The south side of the island hosts 90% of tourism on the island of Oahu. Here lies the infrastructure for the 10 million annual tourists, with a plethora of hotels, restaurants, and shops to choose from. Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, and is practically built on the beach, so you can find hotel rooms literally on the sand, surrounded by the lively and bustling playroom that is Waikiki. Beaches here will be bumping; in the summer months and on holiday weekends, space on Waikiki beaches will be limited and don’t be surprised to find yourself face-to-foot with someone else struggling to find a spare patch of sand and sun. Your first time to Hawaii will most likely find you spending most of your time in Waikiki—and you will love it—but I encourage you to get out of the city and head to another section of the island, at least once during your Hawaiian stay.
Waikiki Beach
Photo credit: Eric Angerer
Waikiki Beach is world-famous for many reasons. It is prime surfing territory for all skill levels, remains one of the most social, fun, and crowded beaches in the world, and is supremely accessible to an abundance of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. It has to be said that water quality is higher on other beaches of the island, but the water in Waikiki is still gorgeous, turquoise, and laps beautiful white sand beaches. You can rent a surfboard, paddleboard, take a sunset cruise, bump into gentle sea tortoises, and get your party fill here on Waikiki Beach. If you’re looking for chill, peaceful beach time, the toss is up, because your beach neighbor is just as likely to be an adorable young family as to be a belligerently drunk spring breaker spilling tequila on you. Likelihood of making friends and getting hit with a volleyball is also high here.
Ala Moana
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
This is a cool, social beach, frequented evenly by locals and tourists. It is a great sunset spot; the peninsula affords heavenly views of the sunset’s reflection on Diamond Head crater, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, and the distant western shores of the island. Families congregate here, hosting huge, merry gatherings, great barbecue smells, surfers in the distance, and Hawaiian barbecue shacks to snack from. It is located directly across the way from Ala Moana mall, making the beach central and convenient to any of your needs. In the evenings, there are often hula dancers practicing and group yoga sessions. There is a ton of space and parking available to you.
Leeward Coast (West Side)
I encourage exploring the West side of Oahu if you are seeking peace and quiet away from the crowds. You are guaranteed to find more privacy, quiet, and space on the beaches of the western side of the island. Fewer people make it out to this side, as it is home to more locals, has no nightlife, hosts only a few, spaced-out resorts or hotels, and is more secluded, due to being inaccessible from the North Shore. If you were wondering if you can drive the entire rim of the island unencumbered, you will be disappointed; Ka’ena Point cuts off the highway from the western and northern shores, making the two beaches accessible only by foot. So when you drive west, west, west all the way up to Ka’ena Point, you will have to turn the car around in the opposite direction at the end of the day and go back the same (beautiful) route. The Leeward side will offer a few great hikes, drier terrain, hotter sun exposure, and great snorkeling.
Electric Beach
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
Electric Beach is one of the best snorkeling beaches on the island. Named after the visible nearby power plant, the warm waters produced by the plant have attracted an abundance of marine life. Here, you are capable of swimming really far out and finding peaceful ocean depths, untouched coral, pods of colorful and cool fish, and supreme water quality. I love the water here and it's one of the few places where you can feel comfortable swimming out far. If you are a strong swimmer, swim past the waves to where the water grows calmer, the reef disappears beneath you, and you can enjoy the impossibly-clear water. There is plenty of beach space and usually no problem finding parking. Gentle seals like to frequent these waters as well, so don’t be surprised if you see one napping in the sun or taking a swim, surveying you.
Makua Beach
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
Journeying westward along the Farrington Highway, an hour drive outside of Honolulu will find you at Makua Beach, an easily-overlooked, but not-easily-forgotten spot. The beach has a pristine location with crowding palm trees and a stunning lush mountain backdrop, and the secret power of this beach is the opportunity to see spinner dolphins, as they trek back and forth most mornings in front of this beach. It is a great snorkeling spot with some of the clearest water on Oahu; I have seen tons of fish, a sting ray, huge starfish, and spinner dolphins nearly every time I go.
Please note: Swimming with dolphins was made illegal in the fall of 2021, meaning you should maintain a distance of 50 yards from the stunning creatures. Hopefully, this doesn't even have to be said: but keep your distance from sea creatures, never attempt to touch them, and respect their space. The ocean is their home, not yours.
Yokohama Bay
Photo credit: Maura Bielinski
The northwestern-most beach of Oahu, Yokohama, is about as secluded as you can get on Oahu. This beach lies at the very tail-end of Farrington Highway, and if you want to journey farther north, you will have to do so by foot. The coastline wrapping around the island towards the North Shore is blocked by Ka’ena Point, accessible with a flat trail that I do recommend walking! Yokohama Bay beach is quiet and clean, memorable for its seclusion, military checkpoint behind you, and close-set mountainous background. You will find space and quiet here, and miraculously clear water.
With this guide of the 15 best beaches that Oahu has to offer, you now know your way around this famous island and can be confident that you are seeing and swimming some of the most popular and beautiful beaches the world over. Remember, never turn your back to the ocean, and respect Hawaiian ocean life. Mahalo!