Ten of the Best Beaches on Oahu

The island of Oahu, Hawaii is filled with stunning beaches. Some are perfect for surfing, some for snorkeling, some for swimming, and some for suntanning. Whatever your preference, here are ten of the best beaches on Oahu.

What Should I Bring to the Best Beaches on Oahu?

Swimwear

Swimwear is definitely the most obvious thing you’ll need to visit the best beaches on Oahu. After all, you want to enjoy the amazing Hawaii waters, right? While there are, of course, tons of places to buy swimwear, I recommend Sundaze Bikinis. This Hawaii-based swimwear company makes all of their products out of recycled ocean plastic! In other words, you’ll be helping the ocean as you enjoy it.

Use the code BORDERS15 on the Sundaze Bikinis website to get 15% off your order!

Beach Towel

Most tourists forget a simple beach towel and are forced to buy one that is overpriced at one of the many souvenir shops. Instead bring one from home! Or buy one online before you leave for your trip, like this one, or one of my personal favorites, this one made by local artist, Nick Kuchar.

Beach Bag

A beach bag is another commonly forgotten item on the Hawaii packing list. Usually tourists end up carrying all of their beach gear in a Walmart bag that has already started to tear. Instead of praying that your plastic bag won’t break as you’re crossing the street, you can use a simple canvas bag or a beautiful hibiscus beach tote from Lauren Roth Art.

Water Shoes

If you’re planning on heading to some of the less explored beaches with sharp coral or rocks, water shoes are a good idea. They’re especially helpful for children whose legs are not quite long enough to navigate their way over or around some of the sharper objects.

Goggles

Goggles are extra helpful to keep the extra salty Pacific Ocean water out of your eyes, so you can keep exploring!

Snorkeling Gear

While you can rent snorkel gear during your trip, if that grosses you out, perhaps pack your own set! This can include a pair of goggles, a mouthpiece, and some flippers, if you’re really committed.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Hawaii recently became the first state to legally ban the use of sunscreen with coral-harming chemicals – which is basically all of the sunscreen brands that you are used to. While this law won’t officially come into effect for a few years, it won’t hurt to start helping the coral now! Here are a few brands that are reef-safe:

• Stream2Sea
• Raw Elements
• Kokua Sun Care Hawaii (This is a local Hawaii brand, so you’ll be helping the environment and the local community at the same time)

Sunglasses

This little item is something that I always forget to bring with me. This is just a reminder to bring a pair of sunglasses!

Water

You’ve got to stay hydrated, after all! Maybe put your water in a nice reusable bottle to help the environment out just a tad.

Snack

Perhaps something from either Part 1 or Part 2 of the Hawaii food bucket list. It’ll be nice to have a snack when you reach the top and are waiting for the sun to rise.

Waterproof Camera

You’ll want to have a way to document your water-filled adventures. The GoPro HERO9 is a great option! However, if that’s a little too much money, the AKASO EK7000 is a pretty good alternative.

Just a Couple of Warnings

While beaches are places of relaxation and adventure, it is important to be informed about the potential dangers of the ocean as well.

Sea Creatures

There are many, many creatures in the ocean. In Hawaii, you’re most likely to come across some fish, turtles, and maybe even some dolphins! If that is the case, please keep your distance from them! Give them space to move around. Also, if you think about it, the current could push you or the sea creature into each other if you are too close. And I don’t think the animals will be too happy that you invaded their personal space bubbles.

Sharp Coral and Rocks

As expected, certain beaches around Oahu have quite a bit of sharp coral and rocks. Usually, an easy way to avoid this is by swimming instead of walking. However, if you’re not quite comfortable doing that, water shoes can be a good move.

That said, try not to step on the coral as much. Coral is actually home to a large portion of the food of ocean-living fish and other sea creatures. When people step on coral, it actually kills this food supply. Please keep the health of the ocean and its wonderful creatures in mind!

Tide

The tide is probably the safety concern that people tend to forget about. When the tide rises, it can make it much harder to get to shore in some places. When the tide lowers, there will be much less water between the surface and the top of the sharp rocks and coral laying on the sandy floor.

This is much more applicable when you are at beaches that have no barrier between you and the open ocean. So with lagoons and bays, this is slightly less applicable, but still applicable nonetheless.

Ok, I’m Ready! Tell Me About the Best Beaches on Oahu!

Banzai Pipeline

Are you a surfer? This is the place to go. You can surf huge waves or watch pro surfing competitions at Banzai Pipeline. Take note though, the waves are HUGE and dangerous here. If you are not a confident surfer, Pipeline is definitely not the place to test your skills.

There is a parking lot right across the street from Banzai Pipeline. Usually, it is pretty empty, except, of course, if there is a surf competition taking place.

Looking for other North Shore beaches that are worth your time? Check out The Ultimate Guide to the North Shore, Oahu.

Three Tables

Looking for the best snorkeling beach on the North Shore? Three Tables is where it’s at. Most people will say it’s Shark’s Cove, but that’s pretty shallow.  And if you choose to venture out into the deeper waters, well, you’re basically at Three Tables anyways!

At three tables you can come across schools of colorful fish and sometimes Hawaii’s signature turtles. Just be sure not to go further out than the three “tables” (the three round flat pieces of reef that just breach the surface of the water). Past there, the current gets significantly stronger, and you might not realize how far and fast you are moving.

There is a small parking lot for Three Tables, but it can get filled up quite quickly. If that is full, head to the nearby Foodland, pick up some local snacks, and leave your car there.

Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is home to Oahu’s iconic cliff jumping rock. Not only that, but it’s the only beach on the North Shore with a lot of space to swim without huge waves that make it a bit more difficult.

While Waimea Bay does have a parking lot, it gets full very fast. In other words, if you are committed to going to Waimea Bay, get there early.

Kualoa Regional Park in Kaneohe is another unique Hawaii beach. From this beach, you have a stunning view of an island called Chinaman’s Hat. While the beach here is quite rocky, if you can make it out closer to Chinaman’s Hat (which is doable, but dangerous at times. Check out the tips in the previous link.), the rocks disappear just enough to have a nice little swimming area. And because very few people head to this beach and make an effort to swim out, odds are you’ll have the space all to yourself!

There is a large designated parking area for Kualoa Regional Park.

Makaha Beach

This beach is easily the best snorkeling beach on Oahu – at least in my opinion. While Makaha Beach is rather hidden and unknown to tourists, this is the beach at which I’ve seen the most turtles in one visit (I want to say it was around six turtles). It’s also a spot known to have dolphins pop up in the early morning. Make sure you have some goggles and flippers before you head out to spot dolphins! And definitely know your limits.

Parking for Makaha Beach is basically just off the road on the start of the sandy area of the beach.

*Warning: Makaha Beach is far into an area of Oahu called Waianae. They are not very fond of tourists in this area, so please keep that in mind. Petty theft is also quite common, so if you leave anything in your car that looks valuable (or could contain something valuable, like a bag) try to hide them either in the glove compartment or under the backseat (think like airplane-style). Overall though, it is safe to go to Makaha Beach.

Lanikai Beach

You know all of those pictures you see on Instagram of these stunning turquoise waters and bright white sand with two little bright green islands in the distance? That’s Lanikai Beach and its sister beach, Kailua Beach (which I’ll write about next). Those two are definitely some of the best beaches on Oahu

A long, long time ago, Lanikai Beach was one of the hidden beaches on Oahu. Then it became the token “hidden beach on Oahu,” so it ended up getting to the point that it was no longer hidden. However, that’s not to say it’s not stunning anymore, because it is. The large leafy bushes and a row of houses block any view of the beach from the road, creating a real illusion of seclusion. The turquoise waters and bright white sand are still there, and the sun shines just as brightly.

One of the only downsides of Lanikai Beach is the parking. Only street parking is available, so make sure you don’t block any residential driveways!

Does this sound like a beach on Oahu that you would want to visit? Think about pairing it with the Lanikai Pillbox hike!

Kailua Beach

Just like Lanikai Beach, Kailua Beach is another shoreline with stunning white sand and turquoise water. However, one difference between the two is the fact that you can kayak to the two little islands in the distance (called the “mokes” or Mokulua Islands) more easily from Kailua Beach than Lanikai Beach.

The second major difference between the two beach is that Kailua Beach has loads of parking, so no street parking necessary!

Laniakea Beach

Laniakea Beach has made it onto this list of the best beaches on Oahu for a special reason: turtles. (Or, to locals, honu – check out this post on local vocab.)This North Shore beach consistently has turtles chilling on the shoreline. As a matter of fact, this little beach is probably your best bet to see a turtle on Oahu, although there are quite a few other options as well (including if you want to swim with them).

Parking for this beach is directly across the street. While the parking is not official, everyone parks there anyways.

Ko Olina Lagoons

While many people would get upset with me putting the Ko Olina Lagoons on this list of the best beaches on Oahu, but it made it anyways. Why? Because Ko Olina is another one of those unique beaches in Hawaii. This set of four lagoons is fantastic for sunset views and beginner snorkeling.

There are one or two parking sections for each of the lagoons. Lagoon 4 has the largest number of parking spaces by far, so when it doubt, drive to the end.

Want some more information on the Ko Olina Lagoons? I have entire guide on the area.

Yokohama Bay

Probably the farthest beach from Waikiki, Yokohama Bay is a local hotspot for awesome waves and warm sunshine. It’s the perfect beach to lay out a towel and read a good book next to the deep blue ocean.

Parking for Yokohama Bay is just along the side of the small road.

While this list of the best beaches on Oahu is already rather long, I will be sure to update it when I find another beach worthy of this list! Even though I’ve lived on this island my entire life, I still have a list of beaches that I want to visit! If I find them unique or as fantastic as the other beaches listed above, then I will be sure to add them!

Which beaches do you think are the best beaches on Oahu? Tell me about it in the comments! (I promise I’ll respond!)

Planning a Hawaii trip? Is Hawaii on your bucket list? Do you just love the beach? Pin this post for later!

LOOKING FOR MORE oahu TRAVEL ADVICE? HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE oahu TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS!

Sharing is caring!