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Honolulu is a city on the south shore of the island of Oahu. It is the spectacular capital of Hawaii and is seen by many as the gateway to the mainland U.S. and the rest of the world.
As well as offering a convenient place to travel to, Honolulu is an incredible vacation destination in its own right. The Waikiki neighborhood is overflowing with bars, restaurants, and stores, and the fascinating Diamond Head crater and World War II memorials are nearby.
One of the biggest draws of Honolulu is its proximity to incredible beaches. Oahu beaches are generally known to be some of the best in the world, and there are plenty of idyllic spots on the north shore, but many are in Honolulu itself (or a short drive away).
Here’s your travel guide to the most beautiful beaches in Honolulu.
Waikiki Beach
You may have heard of Waikiki Beach because it’s one of the most famous beaches in all of Hawaii, if not the entire world. With such a great reputation, we recommend everyone visit Waikiki Beach at least once to find out for themselves why so many people love it.
What to Expect
Waikiki Beach is over two miles long and has smaller white sand beaches. The largest stretch of sand is known as Kahanamoku Beach (more details on this beach to follow below), and there is a breathtaking five-acre man-made lagoon on the other side.
The soft white sand is a clear draw, and there are miles of beach to explore and enjoy. The tall palm trees add to the tropical paradise vibes and make the perfect shady spot to relax in. The sea is incredibly vibrant, and the blue waters are extremely inviting.
Visitors can enjoy swimming and stand-up paddle boarding in the lagoon and boogie boarding in the gentle surf of the main shoreline. Catamaran and outrigger canoe cruises can be organized, and the calm turquoise waters are a great place for surf lessons, as the gentle breaks aren’t too intimidating.
How To Get There
Waikiki Beach’s proximity to downtown Honolulu adds to its popularity, and many of its resorts and hotels are situated nearby. Kalakaua, one of the most energetic and fun-packed streets in Honolulu, is also right by the beach, and many of the city’s main attractions are a short drive away.
This positioning also means that the city views from the beach are stunning, especially in the early morning or during the afternoon “golden hour”. Diamond Head volcano is also viewable from Waikiki Beach, which makes for a spectacular backdrop to your day at the beach.
The only real downside of this beach paradise is that its fame means that it can get extremely busy. Avoid overcrowding by visiting on weekdays if possible.
Duke Kahanamoku Beach
Duke Kahanamoku Beach is the widest part of the Waikiki Beach resort and is a regular entry “Best Beaches of Hawaii” lists.
What to Expect
The beach is named for Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the Olympic swimmer who is considered by some to be the godfather of surfing. The small but long-lasting wave breaks at this beach are ideal for surfing and body surfing, and swimming, canoeing, and paddle boarding are also possible.
Its shore is lined with hotels, including the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort, and there are countless bars and restaurants within easy walking distance. The beach itself has amenities, including sun chairs and parasols, and paddle boats, kayaks, and canoes are available to hire. Public restroom facilities are also nearby, making it a great all-day beach option.
How To Get There
Head to Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park in the Waikiki Neighborhood. The beach is in front of the park, with the Hilton Lagoon on its right.
Ala Moana Beach Park
For a family-friendly beach with a little bit of everything on offer, Ala Moana Beach Park is a superb option. The beautiful beach is long and flat with pristine white sand, and there are lifeguards on duty at all times.
What to Expect
This spot is protected by a 1,000-foot-long reef which keeps the surf super-smooth, safe, and swimmable. In addition, the water on the western end of the beach is only waist-deep, which is ideal if you’re traveling with youngsters that like to splash around. Caution should be exercised, though, because there is a steep drop-off of over 20 feet nearby.
The area covers 100 acres and has all the amenities you could need for a fun day out, making it a great beach for groups and solo travelers alike. As well as the beach, there are many other things to do here. Try your hand at tennis or basketball, spend a morning biking, or set up under one of the large shady trees for a leisurely picnic or a BBQ feast.
There are restroom facilities on-site, plenty of food concession stands, and a lovely walking path for relaxing afternoon strolls. This popular beach sits between Waikiki and the downtown area and is a beautiful, uncrowded beach park frequented by both tourists and locals.
How To Get There
The Prince Waikiki resort hotel is located just across the lagoon from Ala Moana Beach and is a popular place to stay in the area. The Ala Moana Center and the Kaka’ako area are also nearby, with an abundance of shops and restaurants.
Magic Island
Magic Island is a favorite for walking, picnicking, catching live music performances, and generally enjoying Hawaii’s beautiful weather. Originally created as a resort complex, this 30-acre park between Honolulu and Waikiki has now become a place for everyone to use.
What to Expect
This beach is a popular surfing spot thanks to its big waves, but it is also great for children to enjoy because the waters in some parts are calm and are, therefore, perfect for paddling and splashing around.
Most people tend to spend 2-3 hours here, but there’s plenty to do to make it a full day out. Picnic tables are available under shady trees for al fresco lunches surrounded by spectacular scenery. Lifeguards are on duty at all times, and showers and restrooms are on-site.
How to Get There
This man-made peninsula is at the east end of Ala Moana Beach Park.
Sandy Beach
As its name may suggest, Sandy Beach is popular for its long stretches of unspoiled white sands located in the Hawaii Kai area of Oahu. What to Expect
This secluded beach is a favorite spot among native Honolulu residents and tourists, but it should be noted that it’s not well-suited for swimming or children. The currents here are extremely strong, and the large waves can be intimidating. This is the perfect spot for you if you are a confident surfer or want to do some body-boarding.
If you don’t fancy braving the water, there are plenty of other activities to try at Sandy Beach Park, including kite surfing. There are also many food trucks around the beach area and more than enough parking spaces.
How to Get There
This beach is 12 miles outside of Honolulu in the Koko Head District Park, and it takes around 20 minutes to drive there.
Kahala Beach
If you’re in search of a quieter beach to relax at, Kahala Beach is our top pick. With stunning views of Koko Head Crater and China Walls, this tranquil, secluded cove is the ultimate place to unwind. Tourists don’t typically visit this beach, and you’ll mostly find residents from the area enjoying it, or sometimes nobody at all!
What to Expect
Kahala’s soft sand is perfect for lying out on, and the calm water is well-suited for children and swimmers of all confidence levels. This beach is also known for scuba diving, and there is a whole world of diverse marine life living under the surface of these clear waters. Kahala is also a fantastic sunset beach, and the colorful light over the ocean is spectacular.
If you’re in the mood for an adventure, head a little further northeast to find the sandiest part of the beach. Be warned, though: the pathway is blocked during high tide, so it requires a bit of a swim to reach that section.
How to Get There
This beach is easy to reach from Honolulu: it’s just 6 miles away and around a ten-minute drive from downtown. Finding the beach can be a little tricky, though. There are blue beach signs along Kahala Avenue to help visitors find their way, but there’s no direct vehicle access, so the last part of the journey must be done on foot along pedestrian pathways.
Kaimana Beach
Kaimana Beach was originally known as “Sans Souci,” which means “without cares,” but is now known by most people as Kaimana Beach.
What to Expect
It is on our list of best beaches because it’s one of the quietest beaches in and around Honolulu. Despite being a public area open to all, Kaimana Beach is mostly resort guests that use the beach, so there’s almost always plenty of space available.
This is a great beach to lie out and do nothing, but snorkelers also love this spot due to the shallow reef teeming with marine life. Additionally, small breaks are ideally suited to beginner surfers, and it’s an epic spot to enjoy Honolulu’s famously spectacular sunsets with the dramatic city skyline as the backdrop. Kapiolani Park is also nearby and is a fantastic place for families to enjoy a day out.
How to Get There
This sandy spot is located near Queen Kapiolani at the far end of Waikiki Beach by Diamond Head.
Lanikai Beach
When you picture a Hawaiian beach, chances are that you’re picturing Lanikai Beach. The name translates to “heavenly ocean,” which is the perfect name for this beautiful spot that’s known as one of the best beaches in the world.
What to Expect
The beach spans around half a mile and is 13 miles from Honolulu (a 25-minute drive). However, it’s well worth the journey, which is why millions of people head there each year. Its soft sugary sands and quiet turquoise waters make this a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the warm climate.
As well as being a popular daytime sunbathing spot, Lanikai Beach also attracts people in the early morning and evening to enjoy spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the peaceful waters of the ocean. The wind conditions at this beach are ideal for water sports, including kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing, and snorkeling is also possible around the colorful reefs in the area.
Unfortunately, there aren’t any amenities like a public car park or shower facilities, and no lifeguards are on duty. However, Kailua Beach Park is nearby and has bathrooms, picnic areas, and showers that can be used.
Tip: Check out the two nearby islands on a kayak if the winds are calm enough to do so safely. If you’re traveling with children, you’ll appreciate the clean environment and gentle, shallow waters. Couples also appreciate the romantic atmosphere, and it’s a safe spot for solo travelers, too.
How to Get There
Lanikai Beach is a short and picturesque twenty-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. Finding this beach can be a bit tricky since there are no posted beach signs.
Look for the iconic Lanikai Monument near Kailua Beach, and there will be some large stone pillars that mark the entrance to Lanikai’s residential neighborhood and beach area.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
The final beach on our list is Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, 13 miles from Honolulu and just a 25-minute drive. Residing in Hanauma Bay, it was voted the best beach in the United States in 2016 and is a must-see for people visiting Honolulu.
What to Expect
The bay has been formed over thousands of years within a volcanic cone and now offers one of the most pristine marine ecosystems in the world. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has been a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park since the 1960s. In 2002, a marine education center was opened for visitors to learn about Hawaii’s unique natural ocean landscape.
A key reason to visit this beautiful beach is its reefs, which can be seen as soon as you reach the bay. Here you’ll find sea turtles, parrot fish, and triggerfish in the shallow waters, and if you’re lucky, you could even enjoy some Hawaiian monk seal sightings.
The preserve is closed Mondays and Tuesdays to ensure the natural landscape has time to repair itself from excessive tourism but is otherwise open from 6:45 am to 4:00 pm. Entry is $25 per person, and the parking lot fee is $3 per vehicle.
First-time visitors are required to watch a 9-minute video before entering the park to learn about the area’s marine life and the safety rules of the park. It’s recommended to book ahead as early as possible as entry is limited, and spots can fill up quickly.
How to Get There
Hanauma Bay is a twenty-minute shuttle from Downtown Honolulu. It is located at the entrance to Koko Head District Park.
Sunbathe and Stay in Honolulu
These are the most beautiful beaches in Honolulu. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, surf, sunbathe or learn about Hawaii’s marine ecosystems, there is a beach in or around Honolulu is perfect for you.
Find the perfect vacation rental for your beach tour of Honolulu.
Featured Image Credit: Izabela23
