The 5 Best Beaches on Oahu for the Perfect Getaway
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Oahu is a Hawaiian island that has a great mixture of different activities. When you think of going to a Hawaiian island, one of the first things you probably think about are the beaches. Each of the best beaches on Oahu has a little bit of something different to offer and a different vibe. This list will help you decide which beach on Oahu is the best for you to visit on your next trip.
The best beaches on Oahu listed below offer a variety of things from stunning views to snorkeling and surfing. There is truly something everyone can enjoy here.
Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is located near the town of Kailua. It will take just under an hour to get here from the Waikiki area of Honolulu – a popular place for tourists to stay. Lanikai Beach has calm waters and stunning views of the Mokulua islands. This is the perfect beach for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the sunrise or sunset.
There are also plenty of places nearby for renting kayaks or going on a kayaking tour. There’s even nearby hiking! Check out the Lanikai Pillbox trail in the morning and then head to Lanikai Beach for an afternoon swim or some of the best snorkeling in Oahu!
Waikiki Beach
Odds are you’ve heard of Waikiki Beach and already have it on your list but I had to include it on the list of the best beaches on Oahu. Most people stay near Waikiki when visiting Oahu which makes it easily accessible if you’re not renting a car. There are also plenty of activities to do on the beach with places to rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards and plenty of places to swim.
There are also plenty of restaurants and stores nearby so it’s easy to grab a towel or some reef-safe sunscreen if you forgot it. Or grab a shave ice from Island Vintage Shave Ice or one of the many other places along the beach.
Parts of the beach can be a bit rocky in the water so bring your water shoes! Also, this beach does get pretty crowded due to its proximity to so many hotels, restaurants, and activities so this is not the place if you’re trying to avoid crowds. Another close option with less crowds may be Ala Moana Beach but it is a little bit further from the main hotel area.
Waimea Bay
This beach is for the thrill-seekers! It is very popular for surfing and cliff jumping, as well as snorkeling. The waves can get crazy in the winter, making it perfect for surfing. In the summer, the waters calm down and swimming, snorkeling, and cliff diving are the go-to activities here.
If you’re interested in just watching the surfers, winter would be a great time to visit to sit back and watch but you probably don’t want to go swimming in the winter unless you are a very strong and experienced swimmer.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is another North Shore treasure. Sunset Beach is true to its name and is a great spot to watch the sunset. It is very close to the town of Haleiwa, famous for its food trucks, cute shopping areas, and the home of Matsumoto Shave Ice.
Sunset Beach is also a great place to watch the surfers and is famous for its surfing competitions. This beach is a must-see when visiting the North Shore.
Kailua Beach
Kailua Beach is very close to Lanikai Beach and has a lot of similarities. Kailua Beach is the bigger launching point for guided tours and kayaking and has a more family-friendly vibe compared to the laid-back vibe of Lanikai Beach. It still has the soft sand and gentle waves that make Lanikai a great beach but with more activities and rentals.
The water here is beautiful and the beach is perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, or just hanging out on the beach.
From surfing on the North Shore beaches of Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay to kayaking at Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach, to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki Beach, the best beaches on Oahu have something for everyone. I think it’s best to try a few of them out and see which one is your favorite but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them! Just be prepared for the different types of activities at each.
Have you been to any of these beaches on Oahu? Which one was your favorite and what did you like most about it? Let me know in the comments!
