Things to do in Oahu › Beaches
Best beaches on Oahu
Updated October 30, 2026 distances by road from Waikiki
Waikiki and Lanikai offer sheltered water; Waimea Bay can turn dangerous in winter, when North Shore swells build. South shores get summer swell and east shores get wind chop; your choice also depends on lifeguards and the box jellyfish window. These 8 beaches run outward from Kuhio Beach in Waikiki by road distance, from Ala Moana at 5 km to Sunset Beach at 68 km, with water conditions and lifeguards for each. Compare shade and parking before deciding where to spend your day, including which beaches have restrooms or rentals.
Which beach for you
Best for calm water, surf, or a day without a resort
Ala Moana's reef shelters your swim 5 km from Waikiki, with lifeguards at Towers 1B to 1G beside the beach and the shallow Magic Island lagoon. Ko Olina's 4 lagoons, 48 km west, also offer calm water. Ko Olina has no lifeguards, so you can't rely on a staffed tower there.
Waikiki's small rolling waves suit a first lesson. Sunset Beach sits 68 km up the coast with Towers 25 and 26 and draws experienced surfers when winter swell builds. You can arrange a lesson at Waikiki's beachside booths. Winter North Shore surf is for experts, so your place at Sunset may be on shore.
Waikiki puts your swim within walking reach of its hotels, while TheBus serves Ala Moana Beach Park 5 km away for $3.25 in cash. At both beaches you'll find lifeguard towers and public restrooms. Jellyfish days still matter, so you should read the warning signs before you choose either south shore beach.
8 beaches
Beaches on Oahu, by distance from Waikiki
Distances start at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki and follow the road. City lifeguard towers normally operate from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily; you still need to read any closure notices.
Waikiki Beach
in Waikiki
Kuhio Beach's walls shelter a swimming area beside Waikiki's hotels, with showers and surf lessons close enough for a day on foot. Jellyfish warnings can interrupt your swim here.
Ala Moana Beach Park
5 km from Waikiki
Ala Moana has reef protection and park facilities, with a shallow lagoon at Magic Island if you're bringing children. Depth changes can catch you off guard.
Makapuu Beach Park
23 km from Waikiki
Makapuu is a beach for experienced bodysurfers beneath the cliffs, with restrooms and showers when you're spending time on the sand. It isn't suitable for inexperienced swimmers.
Kailua Beach Park
26 km from Waikiki
Kailua pairs a sandy bay with park restrooms and showers, while nearby shops rent kayaks you can take to the beach yourself. Rental businesses can't operate inside the park.
Lanikai Beach
28 km from Waikiki
Lanikai's reef shelters a beach facing the Mokulua islets, reached through public paths between houses on Mokulua Drive. You won't find lifeguards or restrooms here.
Ko Olina Lagoons
48 km from Waikiki
Ko Olina's four sheltered lagoons have restrooms and showers, with public paths between the beaches even if you aren't staying at a resort. Parking runs from sunrise to sunset only.
Waimea Bay
63 km from Waikiki
Waimea Bay's water is generally calmer from May through October, though you still need the lifeguard's advice before swimming. Winter brings dangerous waves and currents.
Sunset Beach and Pipeline
68 km from Waikiki
Sunset Beach and nearby Ehukai draw winter surf watchers, with Pipeline's waves breaking over a sharp reef close to the surface. You shouldn't swim here during high surf.
Compare
Oahu beaches at a glance
The same five things for every beach, in the same order as above.
| Beach | Swimming | Lifeguards | Shade | Parking | On the shore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Waikiki Beach
Waikiki |
sheltered inside Kuhio's walls | yes, Kuhio: 2C, 2DP, 2D | little on the sand | Zoo lot $1.50/hour; 4-hour limit | restrooms and showers; surf lessons and rentals |
Ala Moana Beach Park
5 km from Waikiki |
reef shelter; sudden depth changes | yes, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G | trees at Magic Island | lots inside the park | restrooms and showers; picnic tables and food |
Makapuu Beach Park
23 km from Waikiki |
powerful shorebreak; strong swimmers only | yes, tower 5 | cliff shade later | beach park lot | restrooms and showers; picnic tables |
Kailua Beach Park
26 km from Waikiki |
sandy bay; wind brings chop | yes, towers 8 and 8B | trees in the park | lots by stream and ramp | restrooms and showers; rentals outside park |
Lanikai Beach
28 km from Waikiki |
reef shelter; no lifeguards | no, nearest towers 8 and 8B | little on the sand | street only; posted restrictions | nothing |
Ko Olina Lagoons
48 km from Waikiki |
calm lagoons; no lifeguards | no lifeguards at the lagoons | palms along the path | public lots; sunrise to sunset | restrooms and showers; authorized rentals |
Waimea Bay
63 km from Waikiki |
summer calmer; winter dangerous | yes, tower 29 | trees in the park | beach park lot | restrooms and showers; picnic areas |
Sunset Beach and Pipeline
68 km from Waikiki |
summer calmer; winter dangerous | yes, Sunset 25; Ehukai 26 | limited tree shade | Sunset and Ehukai park lots | restrooms and showers; picnic areas |
Distances by road from Kuhio Beach in Waikiki, measured along OpenStreetMap roads and rounded to the kilometer. Water, lifeguards, shade, parking and facilities from the sources for each beach; lifeguard towers from the City and County of Honolulu's Ocean Safety list.
Good to know
People also ask
- Are the beaches on Oahu public?
Yes, you have a right to walk along public shoreline access corridors. That doesn't let you cross private yards. Public paths lead between Lanikai's houses to the beach.
Ko Olina also permits public pedestrian access to its lagoons. You don't need to stay at a resort to walk in. Public access doesn't make hotel facilities public.
- Which beach on Oahu has the calmest water?
Ko Olina's enclosed lagoons and Ala Moana's Magic Island lagoon suit a day when you want calm water for children. Calm water isn't a safety guarantee.
Magic Island has Tower 1G; Ko Olina has no lifeguards. You still need to watch your children closely. Ask the lifeguard at Magic Island before getting in.
- When are the box jellyfish days on Oahu?
8 to 10 days after the full moon is the usual box jellyfish window on the south shore. Ocean Safety's warning guidance uses 9 to 10 days.
The window isn't a guarantee; jellyfish can appear any day. You should follow posted signs even outside those days. Don't enter where jellyfish are seen in the water or washed ashore.
- Can you swim at Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach in winter?
No, you shouldn't enter during high surf at either beach. Winter swell can bring dangerous shorebreak and strong currents. Your swimming experience doesn't make those conditions safe.
Summer often brings calmer water to the North Shore. You still need the lifeguard's advice before entering. Your calendar doesn't override a No Swimming sign.
- Where can you park for Lanikai Beach?
On streets where posted signs allow it, or at Kailua Beach Park before walking over. Lanikai doesn't have a public lot. Your space must leave driveways and bike lanes clear.
Kailua's parking lots close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. You can also take TheBus Route 671 from Kailua. Temporary holiday restrictions can leave you without street parking.