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Whether you want to go snorkeling, kayaking, lounge on a sandy beach, or traverse hikes to find the perfect sunset beach, Honolulu has some of the best beaches in the world for the hungry explorer.
Hit the soft sand, dive into water sports, and explore the clear water of the best Honolulu beaches around.
Waikiki Beach
What can we say about Waikiki Beach that hasn’t already been said? If you’ve envisioned a picturesque, mountainous, bright blue ocean, then chances are you’re picturing something along the lines of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, HI.
One of the most popular beaches in Hawaii, Waikiki Beach is known for big wave surfing, lounging, and exploring. It certainly makes our list of Honolulu best beaches for being beautiful, but it is also one of the best beaches for exploring because there’s simply so much to do here. You can surf, sail, swim, snorkel, and more. Whatever kind of adventure you want to take a bite out of, chances are you’ll find it in Waikiki Beach.
If you’re going to Hawaii and this is your first time, you owe it to yourself to check out one of the most famous beaches in the Hawaii area. Of course, it probably will be pretty crowded, so make sure you get there early if you visit Hawaii in peak seasons.
Diamond Head Beach
If a quick hike before your swim is more your pace, you’ll be thrilled to find Diamond Head Beach. A little removed from the packed tourists crowds (but still within walking distance to Waikiki Beach), Diamond Head Beach is every explorer’s dream.
Diamond Head also has as cool of an origin story as you can get: The beach itself was formed by a volcanic eruption and, as a result, became a landmark.
Diamond Head has a small beach, a little smaller than some more famous Hawaiian beaches. But don’t let that deter you. Because the beach is a little more out of the way, it’s less crowded and allows you to do more activities. It’s an excellent spot to kitesurf, surf, swim, or chat with the locals.
Waimea Bay Beach Park
Stunning waves, huge swells, and a jump rock? Mark this one down for the best adventure of a lifetime. This beach is an excellent destination for brave explorers who want to size up their surfing skills up against 60-foot monster waves. That is, after all, why one of the biggest surf tournaments, “The Eddie,” is held at this very beach.
For those who want to experience adventure differently, Waimea Beach has a jump rock that thrill-seekers can leap off of into the ocean.
However, don’t let the gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal blue water fool you. Waimea Bay Beach Park can be vicious, especially for naive swimmers who underestimate the power of the ocean. Rip currents and tremendous waves often overwhelm swimmers and can easily kill swimmers who get in over their heads. Make sure you exercise caution when playing in these waves.
Yokohama Bay
If you’re looking for something a little more secluded, Yokohama Bay is less crowded but never compromises on its stunning beauty. The Bay has crystal blue water and features a backdrop from the dramatic Waianae Mountain range.
Because it’s so far off the beaten path, you should be able to explore this natural gem in privacy. It’s also free of buildings and development, so the beach offers a true sense of seclusion in nature.
However, the Bay is more geared towards beach activities like exploring the sand, mountains, and surrounding areas. The water itself can be a tad tricky. The ocean bottom is covered in rocks and has strong currents, especially during the winter months.
Luckily, Yokohama Bay provides lifeguards when the water is turbulent. Still, if you are a beginner surfer, you may want to practice your skills a little more before diving into these waters with large waves.
For those who want to do a little more exploring, the Bay is part of the Ka’ena Point State Park. From there, explorers can follow a trail leading to Oahu’s northwestern tip (otherwise known as Ka’ena Point) for some truly incredible views.
Kailua Beach
Hikers will be happy to stumble upon Kailua Beach. With its 3 miles of coastline stretch to walk and explore, adventurers will discover plenty of unique finds that will make this one of your favorite beaches in Hawaii.
If you’re feeling like breaking out of the beach, a popular trek to make is to grab a kayak and head out on the water for a two-mile trip to the Mokulua Islands in the distance, where you’ll find quiet beaches and protected seabird sanctuaries. In addition to birds, sea turtles frequent this spot, so you’ll be seeing plenty of wildlife.
Visitors who want to stay closer to Kailua can snorkel through the calm, warm waters to see wildlife up close and personal. And because natural elements protect the Bay, the waters are safe to swim in, even for beginner swimmers or children. Even still, there are plenty of lifeguards monitoring swimmers, so this is one of the safer beaches.
Kualoa Beach
Who says you can’t explore with family? Kualoa Beach is perfect for young children and big families due to its lush green lawn, plenty of parking, and stunning views. Pack a lunch, dine in picnic areas, and get ready for fun for the whole family as you cast your eyes on the spectacular mountain view and dazzling palm trees.
It’s a spacious, secluded beach with plenty of areas to play or sunbathe. Plus, if you’re into camping, you can pitch a tent and spend the night listening to lapping waves and wake up to one of the most stunning views.
For swimming, the south end of the park has a stone barrier to protect swimmers from dangerous currents and provides calm waters on this beautiful beach. Visitors can swim here, and there are two ancient Hawaiian fishponds (Moli’i and Apua Fishpond), which can allow the whole family to experience marine life.
All in all, this is a great beach for the family.
Halona Beach Cove
If you’ve ever wanted to take a dip in a dramatic cove while surrounded by incredible cliffs, head on over to the Halona Beach Cove. This cove boasts stunning, sweeping views for sunrise, sunset, or any time at all.
Speckled with cool caves, a blowhole, and lookout points, the Halona Beach Cove is every explorer’s dream.
What exactly is a blowhole? It’s when lava tubes within the rocks are filled with high water pressure to the point where it explodes, and water shoots straight into the air, in this case about 20 feet high! It’s quite the view and is certainly worth trekking down to get a look.
The cove also has a great hiking trail, where visitors can traverse down to the beach through a rocky, exciting trail.
While you can swim here, doing so is very dangerous, and swimmers must proceed with extreme caution. There are turbulent waters, undertows, and powerful water that can smash swimmers against rocks. On top of that, there are no lifeguards present. If you do plan to swim, be extremely careful.
China Wall
Attracting surfers and swimmers, China Wall is a ledge of volcanic rock that brave souls leap off into from the ocean. If you’re feeling a little less daring, simply climbing onto the ledge is incredible enough as you get a front-row ticket to watch the powerful waves crash onto the rocks.
Because the park sits in a residential neighborhood, there are no clunky highrises to obstruct views and very few crowds, making this spot one of the more hidden gems in Honolulu.
While the attraction can be fun to jump into the water, swimmers must use extreme caution. The rock itself is very slippery, so it’s easy for people to fall into the ocean unintentionally. It’s very difficult to get back up on the rock ledge once you’ve jumped (or fallen) in, so you should have a game plan on how to get back up before you jump in the water.
Additionally, the waters are very turbulent and aggressive, making this a very dangerous (while beautiful) place to check out Hawaii waves and sunset.
Still, China Wall is an incredibly popular cliff jumping spot. Additionally, many people enjoy bodyboarding, surfing, paddleboarding, and snorkeling this spot for jaw-dropping views and fewer crowds. China Wall can be incredible fun; just make sure you put your safety first.
Plan Your Visit To Honolulu To Explore The Best Beaches
Whether you want to enjoy the view from picnic tables, jump in the waters and boogie board your heart out, or be a little more adventurous and go windsurfing or kitesurfing, the beaches in Honolulu are some of the best beaches in the world to take a bite out of life and go exploring.
But, you’re going to need accommodations for your upcoming stay. We recommend booking in advance to ensure the best possible reservation!
Have fun, be safe, and enjoy the natural wonders of Hawaii!
Featured Image Credit: By emperorcosar
