Honolulu’s Beaches: Explore the Beauty
June 28th, 2009 by Ted Felber, under Vacations. No Comments
Waikiki Beach is the most famous beach in the world, and it’s found here in Honolulu. It’s a two-mile stretch of white sand, and has recently had a face lift with grassy berms and beautiful waterfall features. Of all the beaches in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is practiced the most famous spot to see and be seen, and it’s also a popular place to surf or to take surfing lessons — or to swim, for that matter.
Nonetheless, there are many lovely and lesser well known beaches around Honolulu. Just west of Waikiki is the Ala Moana Beach Park, a very popular spot with 76 acres of activities. This is a man made sandy beach and most prefer to swim, wade and sunbathe. If you swim, do watch out for strong currents even at low tide. There are food concessions, lifeguard towers and facilities for tennis and softball.
Protected beaches
Just east is Magic Island, a small protected lagoon beach which offers great views stretching from the all the way to Diamond Head. Protected by an offshore reef, it is safe for swimming and is kept under lifeguard supervision.
Kauai Beach is off Kahala Avenue. A narrow white sand beach, it’s safe for snorkeling and swimming, with a nearby reef for protection. Surfers love to surf the breaks in the reef.
Of the various Honolulu beaches, Waialae Beach County Park is one of the most popular for weddings. It is close to the 5 star Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel and the Waialea Country Club and is a lovely, golden peninsula with soaring palm trees and beautiful landscaping. Used more for picnicking than for swimming, it offers access to favorite windsurfing areas.
The Kuilei Beach is also known as Diamond Head Beach, and is great for surfing, snorkeling and fishing. Because of its shallow coral reef, it’s not as popular for swimmers.
Kuhio Beach Park has a statue of Duke Kahanamoku, modern surfing’s “father.” It lies within an artificial lagoon and therefore is a favorite of families who have small children.
Beyond Waikiki
The beaches as described above are closest to Waikiki, but many more surround the island. Some of these are:
Kailua Bay: is divided into three sections, Lanikai Beach, Kalama Beach Park, and Kailua Beach Park. It is good for swimming all year round and is flat with soft, white sand. It also has great onshore trade winds, which are perfect for kite surfing and windsurfing. This is especially true off of Kailua. You can canoe, boat, dive or snorkel, or kayak to twin islands “the mokes,” as the locals call them, or to Mokulua, as they are better known. And that’s if you have energy to do so.
o Haleiwa Alii Beach Park is one of the most popular surfing beaches. During the summer months, the best swimming is found in the protected south bay but breakers can catch people during low tide. Winter waves are only for surfers
Underdeveloped Makua Beach is pristine and perfect on the island coast, northwest. It’s among the best of Honolulu’s beaches, to many. Those who like to body surf love the high surf in the spring and winter, and even love to use the powerful shore breaks. Those historical who snorkel love the marine life that is so colorful on the north end, and if you’re lucky, you can glimpse the spinner dolphins as they frolic.
These are just a few of Honolulu’s myriad of beaches. There are more than 100 available on the island, each with its own special allure. With so many beaches to choose from, you have to come and visit Honolulu quite often before you can see all of them.
