Oahu is the most populated Hawaiian island out of the over 100 islands that is recognized by the state of Hawaii. With Honolulu being the capital city, it’s no surprise that Oahu is bursting with so many restaurants, shopping and activities to do. But the main attraction? The beaches! For many who visit Oahu and stay near Honolulu, the closest beaches tend to lean more on the east side of the island.
As you plan your trip to Oahu, you may be wondering what east side beaches are the best beaches to spend the day at. Well I’m here to tell you that there is no perfect beach. When you go to a beach, there will naturally be things about it that you like and do not like. Whether it’s too rocky, too busy or windy, there will always be something that we want to improve. But that is kind of the beauty of a place like Oahu. It’s so much fun to spend a day hopping around to different beaches and just exploring. The possibilities are endless! Here I will break down and talk about just some of Oahu’s east side beaches I visited and then I will give you some information on how to find beaches on your own.
Table of contents
Waikiki/Kuhio Beach
This is a very touristy beach to visit. But if you’re staying in downtown Honolulu in the Waikiki area then this beach is likely very close to you! I was technically on Kuhio Beach which is just a ways down from Waikiki. Some people might consider them the same thing. A beach is a beach but I’m just trying to give you all the knowledge I know.
Upon visiting this beach, I was taken aback by two massive Hawaiian monk seals that were resting on the shore. There were cones and rope around the seals to keep people away and while I was there, everyone obeyed. It was a treat to be able to see them relaxing on the beach without a care in the world. Then as I was about to get into the water, I noticed not one or two, but three sea turtles! I couldn’t believe it. I was honestly a little nervous being in the water with them nearby because I didn’t want to run into them. But I was able to maintain a safe distance. It’s important to note that sea turtles are state and federally protected so you want to always keep your distance and respect their home.
Overall, this was a fantastic beach to be at for my first beach ever in Oahu and I was very grateful for the wildlife encounters. This beach is great if you don’t mind crowds, want to feel like you’re surrounded by an urban setting and don’t mind seeing some wildlife.
Lanikai Beach
The reason I took a trip to Oahu in the first place was my close friend’s mom was getting married. And the beach that they chose to get married on was Lanikai Beach. It was a beautiful ceremony and you couldn’t ask for a better backdrop than that of the ocean. Lanikai Beach is a very popular beach on the east side that can easily meet your swimming, snorkeling and tanning needs. However, this beach has very limited parking. The beach entrance is in a neighborhood so like many beaches, you want to get there early in the morning or later in the evening.
Hanauma Bay
This beach I didn’t actually visit but I wanted to mention it for those who are considering a visit. Hanauma Bay State Park looked so wonderful and I really wanted to visit. I think it’s important that you read more about the park and why it’s important to preserve. All beaches are, for sure, but this area has had to resort to some stricter measures to reduce the number of visitors due to over tourism of the area.
Essentially, a new online reservation program has been put in place to limit the number of tourists visiting the area. But the bay is now closed on Mondays and Tuesday according to their website. And unlike all of the other beaches I’ll be mentioning, for Hanauma you have to pay to get into. It costs $25 per person (except for locals, military and children 12 and under) as well as a $3 parking fee. However, your online reservation does not guarantee parking. Overall, it seems like a great experience and if it’s on your bucket of things to experience while in Oahu, then go for it. But if you’re being more budget conscious, then just know that other beaches are completely free to get into that will offer the same things as Hanauma.
Fort Derussy Beach
This beach is located right in downtown Honolulu. I was able to walk to this beach from my Airbnb and if you’re staying anywhere nearby, it makes for a perfect walkable beach. Reviews of the beach say there is some parking nearby though if you are staying outside of Honolulu and really want to check it out. This is another great beach if you’re looking to be more centered in the city life that Honolulu has to offer. It’s super easy to spend a day here and then simply walk to any restaurant for dinner afterwards. It is also busy from the people staying in the hotels nearby but if you’re walking there, then at least you can arrive at any time without worries of parking!
Grays Beach
Gray’s Beach is another beach in downtown Honolulu that’s practically right next to Fort Derussy Beach. You will expect a very similar vibe- it is busy with the guests from nearby hotels and is right in the hustle and bustle of the city. But it is a great beach for swimming and for enjoying the sunset.
Cromwell’s Beach
This beach I stumbled upon while trying to find beaches that were close to our stay but a ways away from the city. Cromwell’s Beach is located in a neighborhood with street parking available throughout as long as you don’t mind a short walk. This beach felt like a great escape from a lot of tourists. Although be aware that when you first approach the beach, it is very small. While I didn’t venture over, it appeared that there was more to the beach available by walking against a very slippery and steep wall against a few houses. The small beach that you walk to is also very rocky. But there is a small sandy spot that you can walk to. There were some waves when I was there but nothing that made me feel I was in danger.
My Personal Favorite
Kailua Beach Park
Of all of Oahu’s east side beaches, Kailua Beach Park was by far my favorite beach. This beach is very very sandy so you do not have to worry about stepping or cutting your foot on any rocks like I did. Many times. It does get busy in the afternoon so you want to keep that in mind if you plan to visit. I got lucky with finding a parking spot but other places like Waimea Bay Beach, you can circle for hours and not get a spot. While the parking lot was busy, Kailua Beach didn’t feel too crowded. There was plenty of space for my partner and I to put our things down. Not to mention that the water was incredibly blue, warm and did I mention that it’s super sandy?
Oahu is pretty windy, or at least it was when I visited so there were some waves at Kailua. But they were not very big and it was honestly a lot of fun to jump into them and have them carry me to shore. I could do all of this while still being able to stand. I think this beach is great for kids, even small ones because it’s fairly easy for them to have fun in the water without having to go super far and not have to worry about stepping on any rocks.
The bottom line is that any beach you pick is a great beach! Having access to the vast Pacific Ocean is such a treat. Each beach that you visit will have things that you like and things that you do not like. And you don’t have to settle for just visiting one beach. I went to 2-3 in a day and it was really fun because I got to see more of the island while also exploring a different beach.
How to Find East Side Beaches?
I am not joking when I say this: Google Maps. Yes, finding beaches is seriously not hard. When you pull up Google Maps, take some time to move around and see what is close to you. It’s really part of the adventure in Oahu and Hawaii in general to just see where the wind takes you. Find a beach and go visit. Stay for a bit. If it’s too crowded or it just wasn’t what you were looking for, then you go on to find another beach! Remember, Hawaii does not have any private beaches. Every beach that you stumble across is public. That being said, beaches are a natural space which deserve nothing but respect. These beaches are not your personal playground. Pack out and throw away all of your trash and leave each beach better than you found it.
Whether you are planning to map out every east side beach you visit so that you have a structured itinerary or you just search as you go with the flow, there are more than enough beaches on Oahu that have something for everyone. I wish you safe and happy travels. Mahalo and make sure to check out my other articles about Oahu to help with your future planning!
Additional Information:
Steps to Take for Eco Friendly Travel to Hawaii
