17 Beautiful Beaches in Honolulu For Your Hawaii Vacation

Planning a vacation to Hawaii’s capital city? Carve out time to explore the best beaches in Honolulu. Located on the island of Oahu, Honolulu is home to a stunning coastline and a big offshore reef that’s perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. Whether you want to swim in the warm waters or hit the waves in one of the world’s most famous surfing destinations, find your Hawaiian tropical oasis with this complete Honolulu beach guide!

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Waikiki Beach

The most popular beach in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach attracts visitors and travelers from all over the world, ready to take advantage of its surfing and water sports. Find your way to this world-famous hotspot to enjoy the 2-mile stretch of sand and calm and shallow blue water.

Waikiki

Waikiki is also the best place to stay in Honolulu if you want to be near all the action. Pick a room in one of the high-rise hotels or rent a beach cottage right on the water.

After spending the day splashing in the water, head to the boutique shops or waterfront restaurants to watch the sun go down over the horizon. 

Diamond Head Beach Park

Tired of the hustle and bustle of Oahu and Waikiki? Diamond Head Beach Park is just a short drive from the end of Waikiki and Kapiolani Park. And there’s plenty to do here besides just laying in the sand and getting a summer tan.

Diamon Head Beach

Strap on your hiking boots and head up the Diamond Head Trail. Climbing to the summit of the Diamond Head Crater, the trail offers stunning views of the volcano crater and South Oahu. You can also check out the Diamond Lighthouse for breathtaking views of the water.

After your hike, cool down on the soft sands. Swimming and surfing are the most popular activities at Diamond Head Beach Park, as the gentle and warm waves lap your toes.

Ala Moana Beach Park

Looking for a true city beach park and a sandy place to relax? Ala Moana Beach Park is a magnificent place to spend a day in Honolulu with the family. It’s one of the city’s top-rated beaches for kids, thanks to its shallow swimming water. 

Ala Moana Beach Park

The acres of shady trees and picnic tables make Ala Moana Beach Park an ideal spot to bring the kids. Let them run around on the playgrounds before taking them to one of the three concession stands to grab an ice cream. Magic Island Beach is the most popular part of the park, with its tall palm trees and warm water. 

Before heading back to your hotel for the evening, spend an hour or two in the Ala Moana Center for beach gear or souvenir shopping. There are also a few restaurants and dessert shops nearby.

Waialae Beach Park

Just three miles from Waikiki, you’ll find Waialae Beach Park. The simple and beautiful family-friendly park teems with amenities, including picnic tables, outdoor showers, and beautiful waters. It’s not an excellent swimming beach, though, because of the shallow reef offshore. 

Waialae Beach Park

Waialae Beach is more popular among windsurfers, picnickers, and surfers. Make sure you show up early: The parking lot is small and fills up quickly on the weekends.

You can also head to the east end of the beach to visit a man-made island. Home to Kahala Hotel and Resort, the island also has one of the area’s top surf sites, Razers.

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Oahu—and, indeed, in the world! And it’s no wonder why: With its pure white sand and turquoise blue water, it’s a gem. Lanikai has several public beach access points that invite you right into the calm waters. You’ll also get gorgeous views of the nearby mountains.

Lanikai Beach

Located in a residential area, Lanikai Beach is full of locals and tourists to keep you company as you surf the calm waves or relax in your beach chair. The beach is also pet- and kid-friendly.

Throw your water shoes into the back of the car before heading out, as some parts of the beach can be rocky and sharp. 

Sandy Beach Park

If you’re near the Halona Blowhole, make sure to carve out time in your schedule to see the soft golden sand at Sandy Beach Park. The small stretch of sand is completely isolated, making it a wonderful spot for surfing or spending a day in the sand with the kids. The strong waves at Sandy Beach are perfect for advanced surfers or those wanting to try their luck in the tough water. 

Sandy Beach

The fine sand on this popular Honolulu area beach gets everywhere. Make sure to take advantage of the outdoor showers before climbing in your car or on the bus back home.

Kahala Beach

Just 10 minutes from Waikiki lies Kahala Beach. The large grassy areas and tall coconut trees make this stretch the perfect spot for relaxing with the family or having a quiet picnic. Kahala is much less crowded than Waikiki, giving you the seclusion and privacy you need for a fun beach vacation. 

Kahala Beach

If you make it to Kahala Beach during your holiday in Honolulu, make sure to stay for the sunset. The colors, streaking across the sky over the turquoise water make it one of the number one sunset spots in Honolulu.

At Kahala, there are also beautiful flower pathways perfect for family photos. Stop into the nearby restaurant or hotel if you get hungry.

Makalei Beach

Located at the base of Diamond Head, Makalei Beach is small and narrow, perfect for taking a shallow dip in the water on a hot day. The man-made rocky reef barrier makes it hard to have a true swim, though. There isn’t much to do at Makalei, but you’ll love suntanning or laying out with a good book on this small stretch of beach.

Makalei Beach

Walk along the stone seawall for magnificent views of the luxury beach homes, or have a quiet lunch at the benches or picnic tables. There are a few surfing spots offshore, too, if you have your board and want to ride along the waves. RiceBowls and Graveyards are the most common spots for surfing. 

Halona Beach Cove

Also known as Eternity Beach, Halona Beach Cove will instantly be recognizable as it’s a popular filming spot for movies including From Here to Eternity and Pirates of the Caribbean. The beach is a bit hard to get to since it’s secluded and unmarked. The extra effort to get here is worth it, though. 

Halona Beach Cove

Halona Beach Cove itself is located above the beach. You can follow the hiking trail to get better views of the cove and explore its interior.

The beach can be pretty rocky, and there are no lifeguards on duty. Throw some sturdy shoes in your beach bag, and make sure to keep an eye on wandering kids.

Kailua Beach Park

Rated as the second most beautiful beach in Oahu, Kailua Beach Park is breathtaking. Located next to Lanikai Beach, the park sits on the east shoreline of Oahu, otherwise known as the Windward Coast. With its turquoise water and white powder sand, it’s, by far, the area’s best beach for photo opportunities and one of the coolest Oahu tourist attractions.

Kailua Beach

Pack all your beach necessities and relax in the sand. Or get some exercise by walking along the 2.5-mile stretch of soft sand.

Kailua Beach Park always has excellent swimming conditions with gentle waves and calmer, glass-like waters. You can also bring along your gear for recreational activities, including kayaking, surfing, or paddleboarding.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Formed within a volcano cone, Hanauma Bay Nature Wildlife Preserve is a marine life conservation area and an underwater park. Spend the day at the marine education center learning about how Honolulu protects its marine life and the type of fish that live in the bay.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Snorkeling is the top activity at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, with easy-to-swim spots for the kids. Despite the shallow, crystal-clear waters, touching the marine life and walking on the coral is not permitted. You can also take a few hours to swim, tan in the sun, or build sandcastles with the kids.

Kahanamoku Beach

Kahanamoku Beach is the final two miles of Waikiki Beach to the west. Although named after famous Hawaiian surfer Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the beach is not a popular spot for surfers. It offers excellent swimming opportunities, though, including in the ocean or in the 5-acre Kahanamoku Beach Lagoon

Kahanamoku Beach

The widest section of Waikiki, Kahanamoku has plenty of space for walking, jogging, or just lying in the sun. It’s also a popular sunset spot in the evenings.

Make sure to stop by the nearby Hilton Pier if doing an Atlantic Submarine tour is on your to-do list while in Honolulu.

Kuhio Beach Park

Known by locals as Kuhio Ponds, Kuhio Beach Park is divided by two huge concrete walls built over 40 years ago. The walls make Kuhio a fantastic beach for families, creating a safe enclosure of calmer waters for small children to swim in. You can also walk along the top of the wall for beautiful views of the water below.

Kuhio Beach

Along with calmer swimming, you can also snorkel or bodyboard here. Make sure to grab some snacks at the food concession station before heading down to the water.

RELATED: When to Visit Honolulu: Weather by Season & Month

If you feel like exploring another beach on the same day, Kuhio Beach Park interconnects with Waikiki Beach and Duke’s Beach. 

Pu’uloa Beach Park

For a calm beach on the outskirts of Honolulu, take a drive to Pu’uloa Beach Park in Ewa, with excellent views of Diamond Head in the distance.

Other than relaxing in the sand, there isn’t much to do at Pu’uloa. The waves can get pretty rough here, too. You’ll want to stay away from the rocky shoreline where the coral is located. Many visitors still swim, but it’s not the best place to bring small children for a swim around Honolulu.

Pu’uloa Beach Park has one of the largest stretches of clean white sand in Oahu. It’s an easy place to get some exercise in if you want to go jogging or bike riding.

After spending time at the beach, hit up the basketball courts or gazebo for an evening barbecue.

Ehukai Beach Park

Visiting Ehukai Beach Park should be at the top of your list if you’re in Honolulu during the spring or summer. The swimming conditions are perfect, with a large sandbar for some of the best surfing in Oahu. (The waves during the winter months are too dangerous and powerful for amateur surfers though.)

Ehukai Beach Park

The small parking area at Ehukai Beach Park has cold water showers and a few picnic tables. Make sure to check with the lifeguard before plunging into the water, as there might be some stinging seaweed around!

Overall, Ehukai Beach is a fantastic option; just try to avoid visiting in periods of windy weather if you’re planning to swim.

Kapiolani Park

To visit one of the oldest and largest parks in Hawaii, head to Kapiolani Park. The popular Honolulu park has a rich history, dating back to the early 1800s. Along with 200 acres of stunning green spaces, Kapiolani Park is also home to the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium, two of the top attractions to visit in Honolulu.

kapiolani park

If you’ve put on a little holiday weight since being in Hawaii, Kapiolani Park has plenty of trails for hiking, jogging, or casual strolling. The park also sits next to Kalakaua Avenue, where you’ll find some of the tastiest eateries in Oahu. Grab a takeout lunch at one of the restaurants and enjoy it at the park. 

Kaimana Beach

For an adventurous swimming experience on your Oahu travel itinerary, head to the energetic Kaimana Beach. The compact beach sits just south of Waikiki, with blue ocean waters setting the scene.

Kaimana Beach

Surfing is the top activity at Kaimana. You’ll also find it a decent swimming spot if you’re comfortable in water that’s a little rougher than other Honolulu beaches.

RELATED: Most Beautiful Beaches in Hawaii

No worries if you don’t feel like braving the water. The soft sand is a safe haven to eat beach snacks and work on your summer tan. Although it’s less popular than Waikiki Beach, make sure to get here early to avoid fighting the crowds for a parking spot.

Sunset Beach

Looking to escape the buzz of Honolulu? Head up to the Oahu’s North Shore to laze on Sunset Beach. Located along the Kamehameha Highway in Pupukea, the stretch of sand is yet another fantastic spot for surfers to hit the waves in Oahu.

In the winter months, Sunset Beach turns into a surfing mecca. The two-mile beach competes with the famed nearby Banzai Pipeline on Ehukai Beach for North Shore’s finest breaks.

Sunset Beach North Shore Hawaii

In the summer, it’s a different story. When the waves calm down, Sunset Beach becomes one of the top spots to go snorkeling in Oahu. It’s also a great destination to bring the family for a day of relaxation and laid-back beachcombing.

As the name implies, Sunset Beach offers the perfect stage for a wonderful sunset. Before you head back to Honolulu, stay for a spectacular show of bright yellows and oranges lighting the sky on fire.

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18 Must-Visit Beaches in Honolulu For Your Hawaii Vacation

Treksplorer

Ryan O'Rourke is a seasoned traveler and the founder & editor of Treksplorer, a fiercely independent guide to mid-range luxury travel for busy people. With over 20 years of extensive travel experience, Ryan has journeyed through over 50 countries, uncovering hidden gems and sharing firsthand, unsponsored insights on what to see & do and where to eat, drink & stay. Backed by his travel experience and in-depth research, Ryan’s travel advice and writing has been featured in publications like the Huffington Post and Matador Network. You can connect with Ryan on Twitter/X at @rtorourke.

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