15 Best Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii You Need to Visit
Chasing waves or just planning to zone out under a palm tree? Oahu isn’t shy about its beach game.
Some beaches crank up the energy with food trucks and volleyball nets, others just let the sound of the surf do the talking.
Each stretch has its own vibe, and in this guide, we’ll go over the best beaches in Oahu!
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1. Waikiki Beach
You really can’t come to Oahu and skip this legendary sweep of sand that draws millions every year.
Waikiki Beach throws out front-row Diamond Head views and sits right on Oahu’s south shore.
The water’s clear, the temperature’s perfect, and the waves are gentle—basically, swimming here is a breeze.
It gets busy, but that’s half the fun. You’re right by Honolulu’s top hotels, so rolling out of bed and onto the sand is almost too easy.
Best For: Beginner surfers, people-watching, and those classic Diamond Head photo ops.
2. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
This protected marine conservation area sits inside a volcanic crater on Oahu’s southeast coast. You’ll be snorkeling with a wild cast of over 450 tropical fish species!
The bay’s curved shape and coral reefs mean calm, beginner-friendly conditions. Lifeguards and clean facilities keep things safe and easy.
Heads up: reservations and a $25 entry fee apply for non-residents. But the half-hour drive from Honolulu is totally worth it for some of Hawaii’s best snorkeling.
Best For: First-timers wanting a safe, vibrant place to snorkel in a volcanic bay.
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3. Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is constantly on “world’s best” lists for a reason: powdery white sand, water so blue it barely looks real, and a chill half-mile stretch tucked away in Kailua.
The offshore reef keeps things calm, so swimming and snorkeling are easy, even if you’re not exactly a pro. Those two little Mokulua islands offshore? Total postcard material.
No big parking lots, no touristy shops—just a peaceful, residential vibe and way fewer crowds than you’d expect for a place this pretty.
Best For: Calm swims, hiking, sunrise chasers, and anyone dodging the Waikiki crowds.
4. Kailua Beach Park
This white sand beauty is just a quick 30-minute drive from Honolulu, over on the windward side.
Soft sand and turquoise water get this place ranked among the country’s best beaches.
The public park covers 35 acres and has pretty much everything: restrooms, picnic tables, volleyball courts, you name it.
Try windsurfing, boogie boarding, or just float around—the water’s usually calm. It’s way less crowded than Waikiki, but still super easy to get to.
Best For: Families, relaxed water sports, and low-key beach days with facilities.
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5. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach on the North Shore does exactly what the name promises—delivers epic sunsets over a 2 mile stretch of sand.
It’s got two moods: winter brings huge surf and pro competitions; summer chills out with calm water for swimming and snorkeling.
If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a surf contest or just kick back under the palms and watch the sky light up at dusk.
Best For: Chasing the sunset, surfing in the winter, and peaceful summer swims.
6. Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo Beach is a bit of a show-off: 5+ miles of soft sand, turquoise water, and dramatic mountains as a backdrop.
Even on weekends, it stays way less crowded than the famous spots. On a weekday, you might just have it all to yourself.
There are restrooms, showers, and picnic tables, so you can spend the whole day lazing around or swimming. Sunrise here? Unreal.
Best For: Quiet beach days with epic mountain views, and stretching out far from the crowds.
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7. Makapu’u Beach
Makapu’u Beach Park is a peaceful, tucked-away spot just a short distance from Sea Life Park, nestled below Makapu’u Point on the southeast coast.
Come for bodyboarding and winter whale watching. There are tide pools at the north end if you feel like poking around for marine critters.
Don’t skip the nearby Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail for killer coastal views—especially during whale season.
Best For: Bodyboarding, whale spotting, tide pool exploring, and just taking it easy away from the crowds.
8. Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach doesn’t mess around: the waves here are serious, drawing bodysurfers and bodyboarders who want a challenge. Locals love it, and visitors line up to test their skills on the famous shore break.
It’s on the island’s southeastern tip, with rugged coastline views. But the strong currents and pounding waves mean it’s really best for confident swimmers.
Even if you’re just watching from the sand, you’ll get a show. There’s always someone pulling off wild moves—or, let’s be honest, wiping out spectacularly.
Best For: Experienced bodyboarders, thrill-seekers, and anyone who likes their beach days with a side of adrenaline.
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9. Electric Beach (Kahe Point)
Electric Beach got its name from the nearby power plant that pumps warm water into the ocean. That heat attracts all kinds of sea life—reef fish, turtles, rays, sometimes even spinner dolphins.
The snorkeling is top-notch, but you’ll want to be a strong swimmer because the currents can get rough. Bonus: it’s usually less crowded than the more famous beaches.
The sand is soft, there’s space to sprawl out, and it’s about a 30-minute drive from the airport on the west side.
Best For: Confident snorkelers and divers chasing marine life, minus the crowds.
10. Ehukai Beach (Banzai Pipeline)
This North Shore legend is home to the Banzai Pipeline, where pro surfers throw themselves at some of the world’s most intimidating waves. Watching them ride those monster tubes—especially in winter—is unreal.
Waves can hit 20 feet or more in peak season, so it’s strictly for the pros. If you’re not surfing, just being a spectator is half the fun. The skill (and the guts) on display is wild.
Best For: Surf contest fans and thrill-seekers who prefer watching from the sand.
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11. Ala Moana Beach Park
Ala Moana Beach Park is a local go-to, wedged between Waikiki and downtown. The 100-acre park gives you calm, shallow water—ideal for swimming or just floating around.
There are shaded picnic spots, restrooms, showers, and food stands nearby if you get hungry.
Magic Island adds a protected lagoon area that’s family-friendly. The golden sand stretches about half a mile, and the vibe is always lively.
Best For: Families, calm swimming, and hanging out where the locals do.
12. Kaka’ako Beach Park
Kaka’ako Waterfront Park isn’t your typical Oahu beach. This 35-acre oceanfront park sits right in Honolulu, with grassy hills and sweeping views of the ocean.
Point Panic is close by for advanced surfers and bodyboarders. The whole place feels a lot more relaxed than the Waikiki scene.
It’s a solid spot for watching the sunset or spreading out a picnic blanket with the city skyline as your backdrop. Not a bad way to end the day!
Best For: Urban beach hangout spot with sunset views, and escaping the tourist crush without leaving town.
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13. Waimea Bay
Waimea Bay is North Shore Oahu’s showstopper—its vibe flips depending on the season.
Summer? The water calms down, turning crystal clear and inviting. Perfect for swimming, floating, or just sticking your face in with a snorkel.
But come winter, the place transforms. Think monster waves and pro surfers flocking here from all over, chasing that next big ride.
If you’re feeling bold, there’s rock jumping, bodyboarding, and even a bit of fishing. The wide white sand stretch is made for lazy sunbathing breaks between adventures.
Best For: Summer swims, epic winter surf-watching, and soaking up dramatic, moody North Shore views year-round.
14. Nanakuli Beach Park
This 40-acre beach park on Oahu’s leeward coast is where you go when you want to ditch the crowds and get a real taste of local life.
The long, wide sandy strip sits tucked between limestone points, and it’s got a relaxed energy that’s hard to fake.
Summer brings mellow waves, so swimming is easy. But when the surf picks up, locals come out—sometimes it’s just as fun to watch them as it is to get in the water yourself.
There are restrooms, showers, and a decent amount of parking if you don’t come too late. Fishing and snorkeling are both solid options here.
Best For: Swimming, surfing, fishing, and soaking up local Hawaiian beach culture minus the touristy chaos.
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15. White Plains Beach
White Plains Beach quietly sits on Oahu’s leeward side, while Waikiki soaks up all the attention.
It’s a low-key, ex-naval air station with just enough old-school charm and mellow energy to make you forget the rest of the island exists.
The consistent 2-4 foot waves make it perfect for beginner surfers. If you’ve been itching to stand up on a board for the first time, the gentle breaks here won’t scare you off.
Lifeguards are on duty, so you can relax a bit knowing someone’s watching out.
Best For: Surf lessons, laid-back family picnics, and those days when you just want a quiet patch of sand all to yourself.
