Kaimana Beach aka San Souci in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

Sandy Beach Park

Honolulu, Oahu

This beach is on the beautiful coastline along the south-easternmost point of Oahu. It is remote and removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu, yet just a short 25-minute drive away. On a clear day you can see the island of Molokai in the distance, and lots of open ocean The waters are often turbulent, but the beach is over 300-yards-long and lends itself well to the romantic walks or beach lounging.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: Surrounded by spectacular nature with remote feel, but is a short drive from Honolulu. Convenient park facilities front the beach, and plenty of parking at the beachfront.
ACTIVITIES: Swimming, walking, beach lounging, body surfing, and body boarding.
LIFEGUARD: YES, 2 lifeguard towers.
WARNINGS!: At times there are rip currents between the two lifeguard towers, and the shore break fronting the right lifeguard tower is hazardous even in small surf. It is best for visitors to first check in with the lifeguards.
AMENITIES: 2 parking areas, restrooms, picnic tables and showers.

The perfect contrast to the city beaches of Waikiki and Honolulu, Sandy's is surrounded by a wild and open landscape of towering cliffs, water-worn rocks and breakers. The surrounding hills are undeveloped, a rarity for Oahu, and lend the area a remote feel that belies its proximity to Honolulu and island's more populated areas.
Sandy Beach has less crowds on weekdays, and is a local favorite get-away spot on weekends. There are two entrances with lots of parking, and amenities once you've landed.

Be aware that the ocean at Sandy's can be rougher then any of the other southern beaches on Oahu. Winds and currents from the east, as well as south, create surf and shore break, on most days. The right side of the beach in front of the lifeguard tower has waves that break quickly and powerfully on the beach, especially when waves are in the southern or eastern direction. Great people-watching is an added bonus when it gets busy here, especially the teen daredevils who brave the pounding shore waves. Local teenagers will make them look fun and rideable, but it is not for the inexperienced.

The left side of the beach, in front of the second lifeguard tower, has rip currents that can pull a person under and out beyond the breaking waves in no time at all. Strong trade winds sweeping from left to right make these conditions prevalent. This and the surf break off-shore keep lifeguards at this tower at full alert. The lifeguards here are happy to educate visitors about hazards of the day, they prefer to keep visitors safe.

Adventure Tip:
The drive to Sandy Beach combined with other nearby attractions, such as Hanauma Bay, Makapu'u Point, or Waiamanalo Bay make for a good day trip.

Ocean safety weblink for Sandy Beach:
http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v/2.0/index.asp?i=oahu&shid=4&bch=sandy

Closest town: Honolulu/ Hawaii Kai
Directions:
West from Honolulu: Take H-1 to HI route 72 East/ Kalanianaole Highway 1.9 miles past Hanauma Bay Preserve, park entrance will be on your right.
East from Waiamanalo: Take HI route 72 West/ Kalanianaole Highway around past Makapu'u Beach and Point. As the road winds downhill towards the ocean, the park entrance will be on your left.

There is also a municipal bus stop right by the park entrance.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Honolulu, Oahu

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
This is a must-see wonder of nature on Oahu's south shore. In the years under protected status, the fish population has returned to very high numbers, and numerous marine life is thriving, creating unparalleled snorkeling opportunities. As a State Nature Preserve, the focus here is educating island visitors and residents alike on the ocean's ecosystems. The bay itself is a spectacular geological feature, as it is formed by a collapsed eroded volcanic cinder cone. The park is only about 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu and easy to find, but parking is somewhat limited to lessen the strain on park's resources.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: Healthy reefs and variety of underwater sea life, it is Oahu's best and safest snorkeling. Close to Honolulu, but feels like a world away. Beautifully scenic.
ACTIVITIES: Snorkeling, swimming, marine education, scuba diving, beach lounging.
LIFEGUARD: YES, 6am to 6pm. 3 lifeguard towers on the beach, and one on the cliffs above.
WARNINGS!: Closed Tuesdays! Summer hours: 6 am to 7 pm, winter: 6 am to 6 pm. Please regard posted advisories on the orange-flagged signs. Do not swim too close to the cliffs, especially at the farthest half of the bay, as currents and surf smash into the coves with brutal force; a number of visitors have disregarded those warnings resulting in tragedies. It is best to ask lifeguards for advice before setting off to snorkel. The side ledges are off-limits as well.

*narrated video of near beach snorkel recommendations: http://youtu.be/8DyPD6-_Vwg

AMENITIES: Parking, picnic benches, restrooms, showers, tram running from parking lot down to the beach and back, gift shop, and snack bar top side near the parking. Snorkel gear rentals!

Hanauma Bay received protective Preserve status in 1967. Prior to that it was a prime fishing ground dating back to the times of Hawaiian royalty known as "Ali'i". Modern day protections and protocols have helped this marine sanctuary to recover its fish stocks. With an on-going management plan Hanauma Bay hosts nearly a million visitors a year for what is surely their most amazing snorkeling or diving experience on Oahu.

Adventure Tip:
The parking lot here can fill up early, and the vehicle access is restricted based on how many empty spaces remain open. If you come later then 9 am, chances are you may see orange cones and signs saying the bay is closed due to full parking. If closed, visitors must drive down the road and may turn around at Sandy Beach Park (1.9 miles) to drive by later to see if parking has reopened. Coming out early is the best solution for finding Hanauma Bay less crowded and easily accessible. If starting late, it is good to have a back-up plan in case you cannot get in to Hanauma Bay.

From the Visitor Center the path leads to the beach down a steep 200 yard-walk. A $2 tram ride ticket provides access to an all-day shuttle to and from the beach, and is totally worth it! The amenities are very convenient at this beach. There are three restrooms, showers, information stall, and a centrally located snorkeling rental booth with fins and floatation vests, situated right on the beach behind the central lifeguard tower at the bottom of the footpath.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve also has a very nice, lush, green picnic area that is not immediately visible from the parking lot. Sitting atop the center of the bay, it provides a welcome shade, with picnic tables situated under tall old trees, and a bathroom. The municipal bus stop is in its immediate vicinity, a clever alternative to being affected by the parking limitations.

Parking and Fees:
Parking is $1 and an admissions fee of $7.50 per person over the age of 12 is charged before entering the Visitor Center. Children 12 and younger visit free of charge. All visitors must watch a 10-minute-long instructional video before entering for the day. The video is designed to help you better understand how to explore Hanauma Bay safely and respectfully. The video is very informative, especially if you are new to snorkeling.

Snorkeling:
The waters right off the beach are shallow, with flat reefs and rocks serving as a habitat for a myriad of fish. Be careful at low tide, as some coral heads might be only a foot or so beneath the ocean surface. The portion of the bay furthest to the left has sandy access point and schools of fish close to shore. Beware of the outer pair of buoys that mark a current exiting the area that can sweep snorkelers into the deeper portion of the bay. The first 75 yards of good snorkeling in the shallows closest to the shore are divided from the outer much deeper portion of the bay by a shallow reef shelf. Standing on the beach looking outward, look for the breaking waves. They are the boundary between the shallow and deeper waters.

For advanced swimmers and experienced divers, there is a safe channel out of the shallows about two-thirds of the way down the beach to the right. Look for two floating buoys marking the channel where current sweeps out during higher surf. The depths grow to 15 to 30 feet out there, with mountainous coral heads and eroded undersea volcanic rocks, and larger species like sea turtles are often seen.

*Never stand on coral reef as they are living organisms that can be harmed by such contact.

Hanauma Bay Preserve Link:
http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/index.htm

Ocean safety Hanauma bay link:
http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v/2.0/?bch=hanauma&shid=4&i=oahu

Hanauma Bay video over-view link:
http://youtu.be/8DyPD6-_Vwg

Closest town: Honolulu

Directions:
Honolulu: Take H-1 eastward out of Honolulu, continue as it turns into Kalanianaole Highway/ HI route 72-East. Past several Honolulu suburbs the road will come close to the ocean and then slightly inland through an area called Koko Head. As the road begins to climb out of Koko Head and there are no longer buildings along the roadway, keep a lookout for the Hanauma Bay Road, a parking entrance a few hundred yards ahead on the right.

Windward Kailua / Waiamanalo: Take Kalanianaole Highway/ HI route 72-West toward Honolulu. Hanauma Bay Preserve entrance is approximately 1.9 miles past Sandy Beach Park on the left. The road will climb through the mountainside approaching your destination. Look for Hanauma Bay Preserve signs.

Ala Moana Beach Park

Honolulu, Oahu

In the heart of downtown Honolulu there is a place where city-scape meets beach-scape. A wonder of modern civil engineering, Ala Moana Beach Park consists of 100 acres of green space separating the ocean beach from the city streets. Both the land and the sea were shaped by humans, dating back to the chartering of the park in the 1930's, through land-filling of former wetlands and sand dredging to create the beach during the 1950's. Thus a star attraction was born. Grassy city park across the drive from a long stretch of golden sandy beach has all the amenities. Conveniently located between Waikiki and Honolulu, this park has much to offer, and is the place to be for many local families on the weekends.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: Great escape from the hustle of town, beautiful long beach with calm waters, continuous roadside parking all along the beach. Walking distance from Ala Moana Center with shops and restaurants.
ACTIVITIES: Swimming, stand-up paddling, beach walking, jogging, surfing, lounging. Adjoining park has tennis courts and green grass fields as well.
LIFEGUARD: YES. 4 lifeguard towers.
WARNINGS!: The beach drops off quickly into the near shore waters, so enter and exit carefully.
AMENITIES: Parking, restrooms, picnic benches, tennis courts, walking path, children's playground at the Magic Island end.

The park lands stretch the length of the shoreline adjacent to Ala Moana Center, the largest outdoor shopping mall in Hawaii. If a walk to the Center for lunch or some "retail therapy", followed by an ocean swim fits your idea of a great vacation day, then this could be your downtown beach of choice.

Ala Moana Park adjoins another park by the name of "Magic Island" at its eastern end. Magic Island has its own additional parking, and is the location of occasional festivals set up on weekends. This "island" is actually a peninsula, and was created during the 1960's as an intended resort property that did not come to be realized. It was converted into a park and offers additional green space, walking paths, children's playground and swimming lagoon at the point.

Ala Moana Beach was manufactured by back-filling the coastline. It is very flat, with golden brown sand, and runs at length into a crescent-shaped bay front that is a favorite-family friendly weekend destination. To lose the crowds consider coming on a weekday instead and heading to the western end of the beach. Scenic Ala Moana Park Drive curves through the park, past large banyan trees, restrooms, tennis courts, and snack concessions. Parking is roadside, and the walk to the sand is short, only a few feet. On the east end of the park there are two reflection pools that connect to a canal linking to a single pond on the western end of the park. There is a path that loops along the canal then heads toward the ocean running the length of the park beach side.

The view from the narrow end of the beach looking east highlights beautiful Diamond Head and the luxurious oceanfront high-rises of Waikiki, with Magic island in the foreground. Being at Ala Moana beach doesn't feel like being in the city, as the park's luxurious green buffer creates ample distance from the town noises.

The ocean here is mild, with little or no wave action close to shore, creating kid-friendly water environment, as well as a good swim spot for long swims. Stand-up paddlers also favor this flat water for practice. Fronting the beach there is a former boat channel dredged back in the 1920's, now used primarily for swimming. It is 1000 yards long and 10 to 20 foot deep. Outer reefs break the waves far from shore with good beginner to intermediate surf breaks. Closer to the shore a swimmers' channel was cut through the reef.

Ocean safety link for Ala Moana:
http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v/2.0/?bch=alamoanabch&shid=4&i=oahu

Here is a video link for Ala Moana:
http://youtu.be/_sXDIulelxA

Closest town: Honolulu

Directions:

Off Ala Moana Boulevard.
Entry from the West is between Ward Avenue and Queen street off Ala Moana Boulevard. Head towards the ocean onto Ala Moana Park Boulevard
The Diamond Head (East) entrance is from Atkinson Drive, which turns into Ala Moana Park Boulevard on the ocean side of Ala Moana Boulevard.

Halona Blowhole

Honolulu, Oahu

This small cove is a hidden gem tucked along the southeastern coast of Oahu. The blowhole attracts a steady flow of tourists year-round, and right next to it is a beautiful stretch of sandy beach that is often missed. Regardless of whether or not the blowhole is active, it is worth stopping by for the stunning view alone. The blowhole is most likely to be active when the wind is strong and tides are high. The beach area is a perfect spot for sunning and whale watching, and, if the conditions are right, snorkeling and swimming.

AT A GLANCE:

HIGHLIGHTS: Breathtaking views of rocky cliffs jutting out from the shoreline, the blowhole, quiet beach, whale watching, and snorkeling (if conditions are good) to see the abundant sea turtles, fish, and reef lined with Sinularia Leather Coral

ACTIVITIES: Sunning, whale watching, swimming and snorkeling (depending on conditions)

LIFEGUARD: No

WARNINGS!: There is an extremely dangerous current under the blowhole. Since the beach is rather hidden and there is no lifeguard, use extreme caution if swimming or snorkeling. It is best to stay out of the water unless it is a very calm day. Caution should also be used around the blowhole: the "geyser"-like waves can be very unexpected and there have been deaths in the past when people got too close and were sucked in. To access the beach, you have to climb down a side of the cliff (the entrance is along the side of the road, to the right of the parking lot if facing the ocean). It is not particularly dangerous, but if you're hoping to enjoy the beach on your visit, be prepared for this.

AMENITIES: Free parking. The nearest restrooms & showers are located just down the road at Sandy's Beach.

There is a decent sized parking area just off the road. If the lot looks to be too crowded with tour busses, there is additional parking along the road on either side of the main parking area. The blowhole can be viewed from a fenced platform on the left side of the parking lot, and there is typically a large number of people gathered here. To access the beach, make your way to the right (if facing the ocean) side of the parking lot. Running right along the road, there is a dirt "path" leading down the side of the cliff.

The beach is a great spot to relax if you are looking to get away from some of Oahu's busier beaches. However, be aware that it is not always safe to go into the water. If the surf is calm, it can be an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling, but when the waves are a bit larger the current can be very strong and it is best to stay on the sand. If you decide to climb along the cliffs on either side of the beach area, be alert to what is going on around you as large waves can sometimes unexpectedly wash up over the sides.

Closest town: Hawaii Kai (Honolulu)

Directions:

From the Windward side: Take Kalanianaole Highway (72) through Waimanalo and past Makapuu, Sea Life Park, etc. The Halona Blowhole will be on your left, just past Sandy's Beach.
From Honolulu: Follow the H-1 (it will turn into Kalanianaole Highway) past Hawaii Kai. The road will start weaving around the cliffs, and the Halona Blowhole will be to the right, shortly past Hanauma Bay

Keehi Lagoon Beach Park

Honolulu, Oahu

Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is a beautiful, spacious haven located right in-between the chaos of the airport and the major highways leading in to Honolulu.

AT A GLANCE:
HIGHLIGHTS: The park features calm waters perfect for paddling of all sorts, tennis courts, a running path, an open field for ball games, and a playground. It's a great place to relax after a long day and watch the sunset.

ACTIVITIES: Tennis, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, ball games

LIFEGUARD: NO

WARNINGS!: The water is dirty, so swimming is not recommended here. Lock your vehicles and don't leave any valuables in sight.

AMENITIES: Restrooms, pavilions, showers, tennis court, playground, picnic tables

The park is always a bustle of activity, but rarely seems crowded and there is plenty of parking conveniently located around the entire park. There are wide open spaces for ball games, and also areas with lots of shade trees if you're looking to string up a hammock or relax in the shade. You'll often see canoe clubs practicing here and, depending on the day, may get to see a race.

Although the water is a bit dirty, there are nice stretches of sand that overlook Sand Island and the Honolulu skyline. Since the park is right next to the airport, you also get close-up views of planes arriving and taking off.

There are a couple of pavilions located throughout the park, and they are popular sites for weddings, family picnics, and other events.

Considering that this park is in the midst of such an urban setting, it is a very scenic and peaceful spot that is worth visiting if you are in the nearby area.

Closest town: Honolulu

Directions: 465 Lagoon Drive, Honolulu, HI 96819

From the windward (east) side: take the Pali Hwy toward Honolulu. Turn right onto S School Street, and then merge onto H1W via the ramp on the left toward Fort Shafter/Airport. Merge onto HI-92 W/N Nimitz Hwy (exit 18). Turn left onto Lagoon Drive; Lagoon Drive runs through the park.
From the leeward (west) side: follow Farrington Hwy down the coast. Take H1E toward Honolulu. Take exit 16 toward the Airport. Merge onto Aolele St via the ramp on the left toward Paiea Street. Turn right onto Lagoon Drive; Lagoon Drive runs through the park.