Best Oahu beaches

Posted by admin

January 25, 2011

oahu Oahu encompasses Hawaii’s biggest city, Honolulu and its famously touristy Waikiki beach. It is the most densely populated of all Hawaiian islands, but it also has the best surf beaches in the world, an historic harbour, a lovely driving circuit around the coast and plenty of inland greenery and good walks.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve [swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving]
Hanauma Bay, situated in the crater of a volcano, is one of the Hawaii’s most beautiful bays, with terrific, safe snorkelling and scuba diving for both amateurs and experienced divers onto a flourishing coral reef.
The beach is large, sandy, palm-shaded, with calm waters due to the protective arms of the bay’s rocky outcrops and a couple of spectacular hiking trails on the ridge behind.
Hanauma is a marine life conservation area, so has strict rules such as no smoking, no pets, no booze, no fishing and only 2,000 visitor per day, so go there early in the busy season.
Facilities: restrooms, showers, picnic areas, concession stands, locker rental, snorkelling gear rentals.
Hanauma is at 7455 Kalaniana’ole Highway, Southeast O’ahu, about 10 miles [16 kms] east of Waikiki.

Lanikai Beach [swimming, windsurfing, kayaking]
Lanikai Beach, along Mokulua Drive about halfway up Oahu’s east side, is regarded as Hawaii’s best swimming beach by Oahu’s residents. This mile long strip of golden sand is clean, usually surf-free, and pretty with palm trees and offshore islands across the water, just like a postcard. The offshore Mokulua islands have small beaches where you can land and swim. Lanikai is at Kailua Road, Kailua – East O’ahu. Note that Oahu’s east shore is wetter than its west.

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