About O'ahu island

The gentle sea with the purest water and the magnificent sandy beaches of O'ahu island attract more and more tourists yearly. The crystal turquoise color of the seawater sets the level of your vacation somewhere between stunning and perfect. So if you are looking for the perfect sea, this is your place!

O'ahu island Best beaches

view the highest rated beaches in area

Kids friendly

Kahanamoku Beach

Honolulu 3.1 km
Very good
8.5
Partly hotel beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Small open area • Crowded in season
8.3 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Makapuu beach

Waimanalo Beach 5 km
Very good
8.5
Free entrance • Virgin beach • Picturesque • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Crowded in season
3 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Queens Beach

Honolulu 5 km
Very good
8.5
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
5.5 Amenities index
Kids friendly

Waikiki Beach

Honolulu 4.3 km
Very good
8.4
Partly hotel beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Small open area • Very crowded
8.3 Amenities index
Good for Relax

Sandy Beach

East Honolulu 4.6 km
Very good
8.3
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright fine sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
6 Amenities index
Good for Relax
Very good
8.3
Free entrance • Amenities beach • Easy access • Bright sand • Turquoise pure water • Crowded in season
3.8 Amenities index

Calm, measured rest and the sound of waves are perhaps the most common associations that arise with the word "beach". This is not surprising, as relaxation is exactly what many beach travelers are looking for. If you associate your vacation primarily with such activity, choose one of the 94 beaches in the island.

To make your choice easier, we have prepared a list of the best beaches for relaxation in O'ahu island.

Attraction and Infrastructure

As for the main features of the beaches of O'ahu island, they are as follows:

  • The island's beaches are mainly wide, moderate length and have a high level of cleanliness. The most common surface is sand of bright color.
  • Usually, entry into the water is moderately gentle, such beaches are 63.
  • The average distance from the road to beach in O'ahu island is less than 500 meters. 92 beaches are relatively easy to access, and 1 beach are only accessible from the water. The latter include both island beaches and beaches with no land routes due to the natural borders.

Wild beaches with no infrastructure dominate the coastline of O'ahu island however, even here you can find a beach with a standard set of accessories: sun beds, umbrellas, restaurants, showers and toilets.

Latest reviews on O'ahu island's beaches

Makapuu beach
10 Ryan Zane

Oahu has a hidden treasure in the form of a breathtaking beach that surpasses Waikiki in terms of its water and scenery. The only downside is that visitors need to rent a car in order to access this gem.

Ala Moana Beach
10 Ethan R

The beach is absolutely stunning, offering ample free parking and a wide stretch of sandy land. What's even better is that when you need a break from the sun, there are plenty of trees providing a refreshing shade. The water here is incredibly calm, making it perfect for young children or those who prefer a wave-free swimming experience. Additionally, there are plenty of bathrooms available and a nearby restaurant in case you didn't bring your own food. Overall, it's a fantastic spot to enjoy some quality time at the beach!

Nimitz Beach
9 Jeffrey Kahaunaele

can i use this photo for our school Hawaiian place names website?

Ohiki-lolo Beach
10 Matty Mac

This place was amazing with breathtaking views. It offers plenty of tide pools for swimming and cooling off. The water is crystal clear, but I suggest wearing water shoes if you plan on exploring further out and climbing on the rocks. It's a secluded spot where anything goes, perfect for a peaceful picnic or some quiet time away from the crowds. I hope this information is helpful and wish you a fantastic day.

Kahanamoku Beach
10 Ethan Rennick.

This serene and pristine beach, though artificially created, is a pleasant spot to spend some relaxing time. The picturesque location offers ample opportunities to capture stunning photographs, and the local taco truck is a great option to satiate your hunger pangs. Besides, there are numerous food joints in the vicinity that cater to your snacking needs and other essentials.

Queens Beach
8 Karel Novák.

Waikiki has a great beach with comfortable water temperature and breathtaking sunset views. It's a great spot for snorkeling, and I even spotted a turtle! There are restrooms and food options nearby, but it can get quite crowded and you need to be cautious with your belongings due to the presence of homeless individuals. However, this is a common issue in any major city, so don't let that discourage you from enjoying this lovely beach. Although there may be better water options on the island, this beach is still a good choice if you're in the city and looking for a relaxing beach experience.

Please note that lifeguards supervise 29 beaches in the island, but you should rely on more than just them, remember the elementary rules, as lifeguards are not on duty around the clock, even on equipped beaches!

Finding hotels in relative proximity to the beaches is usually fine. Many beaches have enough nearby accommodation, which gives good opportunities to choose the right place to stay.

The hottest month of the island is August - air temperature during this time warms up to 27.7°C and water up to 27°C. The coldest month is February - air temperature drops to 23.8°C and water to 23.8°C.

Do you know how many beaches there are in O'ahu island? In total there are 94 beaches and the most popular is Hanauma Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the main features of best beaches in O'ahu island?

When it comes to finding the best beaches in O'ahu island, the following aspects should be taken into account.

There are 94 beaches in total, of which about 41 can be called high-rated.

The best beaches in the majority:

They are also usually:

The best beaches in O'ahu island:

View all beaches in O'ahu island and create your selection by features

How to view only nearest to me beaches in O'ahu island?

To find the beaches closest to your current geolocation, click the Nearby Beaches icon in the search box. You will see the nearest beaches sorted by distance from you.

Note, that if you only want to see the beaches closest to you in O'ahu island, you must be in that area to get the correct results.

See also: View all beaches in O'ahu island and create your selection by features.

What are all easy accessible beaches in O'ahu island?

Most of the beaches located in O'ahu island are easily accessible, but there are also hard to reach beaches among them. Use the filter to sort the beaches by access details (parking, distance etc.).

Popular categories of beaches in O'ahu island by access:

See also the categories:

Top 5 popular beaches with easy access in O'ahu island:

View all beaches in O'ahu island and select by features

How to view all sandy beaches or beaches with other natural features in O'ahu island?

Use the "Main features" section of the filter in search results to see all the beaches with the feature you're interested in.

The most popular selections of beaches with natural features are listed below. Don't forget that you can create your own selection with any combination of features

Beach coverage and water

Natural scenery

Other popular categories

View all beaches in O'ahu island and select by features

How to find uncrowded beaches in O'ahu island?

The presence of crowds of tourists on the beach these days is becoming a mass character, and sometimes you want silence and solitude. Use the filter in search results to view the beaches in O'ahu island by occupancy.

Popular categories:

View all beaches in O'ahu island and select by features

Which beaches in O'ahu island are kid-friendly, good for relax, pet-friendly, naturist-friendly, camping-friendly?

How to view all beaches by amenities details in O'ahu island?

How to view all beaches by activity of interest in O'ahu island?

Use the "Activity" section of the filter in search results to view the selections of beaches by one or multiple activities. Below are a few popular selections that you can change as you like using our filter.

View all beaches in O'ahu island and select by activity