Oahu Beaches

From Waikiki's surf lineup to Lanikai's powder-soft sand — with the 2026 parking rules and reservation systems you actually need to know.

Updated October 2026 • Oahu, Hawaii

Scroll to explore ↓

Honolulu · South Shore

Waikiki Beach

Surfers at work with Diamond Head behind them — the Waikiki experience.
Umbrellas, sunbathers, and the skyline along the shore.
The classic aerial view of Waikiki and Honolulu.

Hours: Public shoreline — open 24 hours, no gates
Admission: Free — rentals & lessons extra
Lifeguards: ~9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Best times: Early morning & late afternoon

About this beach

Oahu's most famous stretch of sand is a public shoreline that never closes — no gates, no tickets, no admission fee. Lifeguard services run roughly 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, and the water is swimmable year-round on the calm south shore.

Early mornings and late afternoons are the least crowded; sunset is the popular hour. If you can pick your season, late spring (April–June) and fall (September–early December) balance good weather with lighter crowds than peak summer and winter holidays.

A few rules that catch visitors off guard: no public alcohol, no smoking on the beach, and no pets on the main stretches — and use reef-safe sunscreen.

Save Location · Map

Southeast Coast · Nature Preserve

Hanauma Bay

Waist-deep in the bay before the crowds — this is the Hanauma experience.
The preserve's protected waters from above.
The famous curved bay from the air.

Hours: Wed–Sun, 6:45 AM – 4:00 PM (closed Mon & Tue)
Admission: $25 non-resident (13+); kids 12 & under free
Reservations: Required — released exactly 48 hrs ahead at 7:00 AM HST
Parking: $3/vehicle, cash only — not in reservation

About this beach

Hanauma Bay is the one beach on this page you cannot just show up to. Non-resident reservations release exactly 48 hours in advance at 7:00 AM HST and sell out in minutes — 720 slots a day, up to 10 people per booking.

The preserve is open Wednesday through Sunday only — closed Monday and Tuesday — from 6:45 AM to 4:00 PM, and last entry is 1:30 PM sharp. Late arrivals get turned away, no exceptions.

Before you touch the sand you'll watch a mandatory ~9–10 minute conservation video, the tram ride down is included in admission, and parking is $3 cash per vehicle — not included in your reservation.

Save Location · Map

Windward Coast · Kailua

Lanikai Beach

Paddling the glassy turquoise water Lanikai is famous for.
Sunrise on the sand — Lanikai's best hour.
The twin Mokulua islands offshore.

Hours: Public beach, no gates — daylight use recommended
Admission: Free
Facilities: None — no lifeguards, restrooms, or showers
Parking: Loop ban since Jul 1, 2026 — park at Kailua Beach Park, 10–20 min walk

About this beach

Lanikai is regularly ranked among the best beaches on the planet — powder-soft sand, calm turquoise water, the two Mokulua islands offshore. It is also a residential neighborhood with zero facilities: no lifeguards, no restrooms, no showers. Bring everything.

Read this before you drive here: as of July 1, 2026, parking is banned all day, every day on Mokulua Drive and A'alapapa Drive — the entire Lanikai loop. Only 3-minute loading zones remain, cross streets ban parking 10 AM–4 PM, and tickets and tows are actively enforced.

The move: park at Kailua Beach Park (526 Kawailoa Rd — free, no time limit) and walk 10–20 minutes in, or ride TheBus Route 671 (about every 40 minutes, $3.00 HOLO / $3.25 exact cash). Bikes and rideshare work too. Best time is an early weekday morning — sunrise views, calmer water, fewer people.

Save Location · Map

North Shore

Turtle Beach · Laniakea

A honu basking on the sand — the reason everyone stops here.
Turtles cruise the shallows right off the beach.
The North Shore shoreline at Laniakea.

Hours: Public beach — daylight hours
Admission: Free
Turtles: Year-round, peak 11 AM – 4 PM
Rules: Stay 10–15 ft back — fines up to $10,000–$25,000

About this beach

Hawaiian green sea turtles — honu — haul out to bask on the sand at Laniakea year-round, peaking midday. The best window is roughly 11 AM to 4 PM (some guides say noon–3 PM).

The turtles are federally protected: stay at least 10–15 feet back (volunteers rope a perimeter), never touch, feed, or harass them — violations carry fines up to $10,000–$25,000.

Parking is limited roadside shoulder parking along Kamehameha Hwy — no large lot, it fills up, and don't block the highway lane. One thing to know honestly: sources disagree on lifeguard coverage here, so swim like there's no guard.

Save Location · Map

North Shore · Pupukea

Shark's Cove

Underwater over the reef with a school of fish — the Shark's Cove experience.
The rocky cove and tide pools at the waterline.
The North Shore coastline near the cove.

Hours: Public beach/tide pools — daylight hours
Admission: Free, no reservations
Season: Summer only (May–Sep) — winter dangerous
Parking: Small lot fills early — arrive early

About this beach

Shark's Cove is part of the Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District — tide pools and a rocky cove packed with fish in summer. It's free, with no reservations — but it is a summer-only swim, roughly May through September, when the North Shore is calm.

In winter the same cove turns dangerous: big swells, powerful currents, real injuries. Always check the surf report before getting in — hawaiibeachsafety.com carries daily conditions.

Go in the morning for the clearest water before the crowds arrive, and arrive early — the small lot fills fast. The entry is rocky: wear water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen.

Save Location · Map

Matching OahuCoins

Take the beach home. Premium 5mm-thick challenge coins with UV 3D artwork on both sides — shop all coins at oahucoins.com.

Waikīkī–Diamond Head Coin

$49.99

View coin

Duke Statue Coin

$49.99

View coin

Join the OahuX2 Community

Share tips, trip photos, and local secrets with fellow Oahu lovers in Michael's free Facebook group.

Join our Facebook Group

Free to join · New posts daily