Oahu Beaches are popular for so many things. If you are an avid fan of the beach, whether you enjoy the big waves or enjoy swimming with your loved ones or   want to enjoy nature’s amazing beauty, you will definitely enjoy exploring Oahu beaches.

In every part of Oahu, you will find a beach that will fit your preference. Be it in the North Shore, East Shore, South Shore or West Shore, there are many gorgeous beaches that you can explore and enjoy.
Aside from the famous Waikiki Beach, Oahu’s 112 miles of coastline offers numerous other beautiful beaches that would surely make your stay at Oahu a very memorable and enjoyable one.

 

Located on Oahu’s South Shore, Waikiki Beach is undeniably always crowded with tourists being one of the world’s most famous beaches. It offers a little of everything. It has fine, white powdery sand and its waves are ideal for novice surfers and body boarders. It also offers picture perfect sceneries at any given time but more especially during sunset.

If you prefer to snorkel and enjoy exploring the shallow water’s coral reef, you will see many tropical fishes as well as green sea turtles at the Hanauma Bay Beach Park. This is actually a nature preserve and so requires its guests to strictly follow its rules. There is also entrance fee being required before you can enter the site but it is all worth it.

If you prefer to have more quality time bonding with your kids, Ala Moana Beach Park/Magic Island is just a few minutes away from Waikiki beach. It has many shady trees with areas where kids could play. The Magic Island has a shallow lagoon where it is safe for kids to swim. This man-made peninsula is protected by large seawalls making it more family-friendly beach. This beach is a favorite choice among the locals and tourists as well especially those who celebrate family gatherings.

On the North shore you can find the gorgeous Waimea Bay Beach where the summer waves ideal for swimming, bodysurfing and snorkeling. You will also find a big rock, the Jump Rock, where kids often climb to dive from. If you think you are brave enough, you may want to try this cliff jumping. During the winter months however, the waves can become really monstrous as huge as more than 20 feet high. This is where the Quicksilver Big Wave Invitational is being held for seven times already.

If you are a surfer with advanced skills and looking for big powerful waves, Ehukai Beach, also known as Banzai Pipeline is the spot for you. It can be said that its waves that break over a sharp reef is among the most dangerous spots to surf. If you do not know what you are doing, you should not be surfing here. You will surely enjoy watching the best of the best surfer exhibit their abilities and surfing skills through waves as high as more than 15ft. before breaking over the sharp reef. This is where the Triple Crown of Surfing is held. On summer months though, the waves become calmer allowing for nice snorkeling off the beach.

Another beach worth your visit is the marine conservation district, the Pupukea Beach Park which is an 80-acre beach park consisting of two major swimming areas; the Shark’s Cove and Three Tables. Shark’s Cove, a protected area in the northern end, is an amazing place to snorkel especially at its back part where you experience as if you are among the different fishes that swim around each other. However, you may need to wear your water shoes as it is quite rocky. Three Tables, known for the three flat sections that you could see during low tide, is located in the southern end and is also an excellent spot for snorkeling and scuba diving.

On the west shore of Oahu, you may want to consider Ko Olina Beach Park especially if you are visiting with the whole family. You will find here four different man-made lagoons where it is ideal for any family bonding. Going to every lagoon will just take you a few minutes of walking. It has soft powdered sands and its rock levies protect the swimming areas as they prevent the wild waves to get in the lagoons making the areas safe for children to swim. The place offers a lot of space for all your family activities to enjoy to its fullest.

Another beach waiting to be explored in the leeward coast is the Poka’i Bay. The beach is protected and its water is very calm throughout the year making it very safe for swimming especially if you are visiting with kids. At the southern part of this beach is the breakwater where the water is calmest. There is also a wide reef that you will find at the bay’s center. This area is ideal for those who want to learn how to surf as the waves that break here are relatively small.

On the east coast of Oahu, you will find the Makapuu Beach which is just picture perfect. The views are just amazing and heavenly. But if you are planning to swim or surf, make sure you know what you are doing as this is not suitable for someone who is just starting to learn. This is actually a great place for boogie boarding. There are more locals than tourists in this area which makes it even better as it is not overcrowded.

Another beach worth visiting in the windward coast of Oahu is the Waimanalo Beach. Its sand is soft and the water is clear turquoise. The waves are great for those who want to boogie board. And the sceneries are just breathtaking. The beach is not crowded you can appreciate it better. Lots of space, peaceful you can surely relax while having a tan. There is also a rock climbing wall your kids would surely enjoy climbing.

These are just some of the many great beaches you can find in Oahu. Depending on your preference, be it for surfing, swimming or just while away admiring the breathtaking views and relax, there are beaches to suit your needs that would fit beyond your expectations making your visit enjoyable and memorable.