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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
Oahu Beaches
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
North Shore
North Shore
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This coastline blessed with
pristine white sand beaches is known for it's world-class surfing.
Caution is advised especially during the winter months when waves may reach
heights of up to 25 feet!
North Shore Beaches:
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
North Shore > Sunset Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > North Shore > Waimea
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > North Shore > Ali'i
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu
Beach > East Shore
East Shore
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This coastline known as the
windward coast has lush tropical beach setting which are favorite locations
for windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts. With trade winds northeast
winds, blowing at 90% of the year, watch out for Portuguese-man-of-war
(stinging blue jellyfish); they can pose a problem for beach-goers.
East Shore Beaches:
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
East Shore > Makapu'u Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > East Shore > Bellows Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > East Shore > Kailua Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > East Shore > Kualoa Beach
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu
Beach > South Shore
South Shore
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This coastline is known for
its may family beaches. Activities like snorkeling, tide pooling, swimming
and any general ocean recreation are popular on the South Shore.
Caution should be taken during the seasonal high surf in the summer.
South Shore Beaches:
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
South Shore > Ala Moana Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > South Shore > Waikiki Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > South Shore > Hanauma Bay Beach
Park
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > South Shore > Sandy Beach
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu
Beach > West Shore
West Shore
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This coastline is more arid
than the windward coast and has many excellent beaches. This coast is
known for offshore fishing spots. Caution is also advised during the
winter months when waves reach the height of 15 feet plus.
West Shore Beaches:
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
West Shore > Makaha Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > West Shore > Pokai Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > West Shore > Nanakuli Beach
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach > West Shore > Maili Beach
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Detail on Oahu Beaches |
Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
South Shore > Ala Moana Beach
Ala
Moana Beach Park:
1201 Ala Moana Blvd.
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
Great family park. Many people walk/run here.
ACTIVITIES: boogie boarding, fishing, scuba diving, swimming, surfing
FACILITIES: picnic areas, showers, food concessions, tennis courts, softball
field, restrooms
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: box jellyfish invade once a month. Look for warning
signs and red flags.
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
South Shore > Waikiki Beach
Waikiki
Beach:
This beach fronts the following hotels: the Sheraton Waikiki, The Royal
Hawaiian, The Outrigger Waikiki, Sheraton Moana Surfrider and Kuhio Beach.
ACTIVITIES: boat rides, kayaking, sailing, outrigger canoe surfing,
snorkeling, boogie boarding, fishing, swimming, surfing, wind surfing
FACILITIES: picnic areas, showers, food concessions, surfboard rentals,
surfing lessons, restrooms
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: high surf during the summer
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
South Shore > Hanauma Bay Beach Park
Hanauma
Bay Nature Preserve: (HawaiiVacationSite.com must see!)
7455 Kalaniana'ole Highway
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
This is a marine life conservation area. Restrictions are posted such as no
smoking in the beach area. A fee is required for entry. Make an effort to
stay off the corral reefs. Walking on it will kill it and can cut your feet.
CLOSED: Tuesdays
ENTRANCE FEE:
ACTIVITIES: snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming
FACILITIES: picnic areas, showers, food concession, snorkel rentals,
educational counter, free walking tours, restrooms
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: currents on the ocean side of the reef
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
South Shore > Sandy Beach
Sandy
Beach Park:
8800 Kalaniana'ole Highway
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
This is one of the most dangerous beaches based on the
number of rescues, but very popular with bodysurfers and boogie
boarders. Kite flying is also popular here. Please respect this
beach. Many locals and tourist get seriously
injured in this powerful shore break!
ACTIVITIES: beachcombing, bodysurfing, boogie boarding, fishing, swimming,
surfing, skimboarding
FACILITIES: showers, restrooms
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: high surf all year with pounding shorebreaks. For
experienced swimmers only.
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
East Shore > Kailua Beach
Kailua
Beach Park:
450 Kawailoa Road
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
Premier windsurfing spot. A quarter mile from the south end of the park is
Popoi'a Island (Flat Island). This is a state seabird sanctuary for
wedge-tailed shearwaters. The birds nest in the middle of the island.
Therefore, only the perimeter of the island is accessible.
ACTIVITIES: boating, kayaking, outrigger canoe paddling, boogie boarding,
fishing, swimming, surfing, wind surfing, beachcombing, bodysurfing
FACILITIES: picnic areas, showers, restrooms, boat ramp, snack shop,
volleyball court
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: Portuguese man-of-war (stinging jellyfish). Look for
warning signs. If lifeguards are not on duty, look for bubble-like bodies
near the shore. Strong winds can create sand storms.
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
North Shore > Sunset Beach
Sunset
Beach:
59-100 Kamehameha Highway
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
During the winter months, this is one of the premier surfing areas with
waves greater than 10 feet. This is the site of many surfing contests. This
beach is also known for its spectacular sunsets, thus the name.
ACTIVITIES: boogie boarding, surfing, swimming
FACILITIES: portable toilets
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: During the winter season (typically October-May), expect
high surf, powerful shorebreaks, and rip currents. The waves are considered
some of the most challenging and most dangerous.
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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Hawaii Beach > Oahu Beach >
North Shore > Waimea Bay Beach Park
Waimea
Bay Beach Park:
61-031 Kamehameha Highway
Yahoo!Maplink
Transportation
by TheBus - City of Honolulu Bus System
During the winter months, this area has waves up to 25 feet. This is a must
see.
During the summer months, the water is calm.
ACTIVITIES: boogie boarding, bodysurfing, fishing, snorkeling, surfing,
swimming
FACILITIES: showers, restrooms, picnic tables
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: During the winter season (typically October-May), expect
high surf, powerful shorebreaks, and rip currents. The waves are considered
some of the most challenging and most dangerous, at times washing out the
roads.
LIFEGUARDS: on duty
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For more information try this link:
Lifeguards Guide to Oahu's Popular Guarded Beaches
ENJOY OUR BEACHES BUT BE SAFE!!!
Hawaii Beach > Oahu
Beach >
Beach Safety
| OCEAN
SAFETY TIPS: |
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Swim in Lifeguarded
Areas.
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Never Swim
Alone.
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Don't Dive
Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves.
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Ask
a Lifeguard About Beach and
Surf Conditions Before Swimming.
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If You Are
Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help.
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Rely on Your
Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation apparatus.
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Hazard
Conditions - Look Out - Be Smart
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Sharp
Coral:
Most of Hawaii's beaches have sharp coral reefs close to the
shoreline. Utilize caution when swimming in shallow reef area.
Foot protection is advised.
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Dangerous
Shorebreak:
The condition when large waves break directly on shore. Shorebreaks
are unpredictable and dangerous. Shorebreaks have caused many serious
neck and spinal injuries to both experienced and nonexperienced bodysurfers
and swimmers.
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High
Surf:
Large powerful waves generated by storms at sea sometimes thousands of miles
from the Hawaiian islands. Seasonal high surf occurs on all shores of
Oahu. Typically, shorelines facing noth, east and west receive high
surf during the winter months. Shores facing the southeast and
southwest receive high surf during summer months. If uncertain of your
abilities, don't go into the water. Heed the posted high surf
warnings.
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Strong
Current:
Swift moving channels of water create an environment difficult to swim
against. Strong currents frequently accompany high surf and rapid tide
changes and can be recongized as a turbulent channel of water between areas
where waves are breaking,
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Waves
on Ledge:
Large waves originating from deep water breaking directly on rock
ledges. This can occur even when the water appears to be calm.
Be cautious when walking along rocky coastline where waves are
breaking. Don't go into the wet rocky zone. The ocean is
unpredictable and as been known to wash people in. Don't put yourself
in a position where you could be swept away.
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Rip
Currents:
Fast flowing currents of water moving from shallow to deep areas. Swimmers
caught in the currents can be taken out to sea. If you get caught in a rip
current, go with the flow until it loses power or swim parallel to the shore
to slip out of it.
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Undertows:
Common along steeply sloped beaches. As the water flows back out, it picks
up speed down the slope. The incoming wave flows over the water flowing out.
A swimmer can get caught in the water moving out, being pulled under the
incoming wave. If caught in an undertow, do not panic. Go with the current
until you are beyond the wave.
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Rogue
Waves:
Waves hit at varying heights and varying strengths. An abnormally high wave,
often washing over shoreline ledges, is a rogue wave. Waves are always
unpredictable. To avoid being surprised by a rogue wave, NEVER turn your
back on the ocean.
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Coral:
Brushing up against coral can cut you and damage the coral. Be aware of your
surroundings when in the water.
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Sea
Life:
Sea Urchins: Known as wana in Hawaiian, sea urchins hide in crevices
in rocks, reefs, and coral. It has long spines that can puncture the skin
and break off. The spines sometimes possess toxins, which can cause an
infection. If punctured, remove spines with tweezers or soak area in hot
water. More serious cases may require serious removal.
Sharks: Currently, the shark attack rate in Hawaii is 2-3 per year.
With the abundance of fish in the waters around Hawaii, the sharks are well
fed. Most sharks are just curious and want to check things out. Sharks are
attracted by thrashing, so if you do come in contact with a shark, don't
panic and move away slowly and quietly. Sharks are also attracted to shiny
things, anything red or yellow, and blood. Avoid swimming at sunrise or
sunset. If a shark attacks, it is suggested that you hit the shark on the
nose or poke it in the eyes to confuse it long enough to escape.
Jellyfish: Check the shore and take a look into the water for
jellyfish before entering the water. Jellyfish often are around about 8-10
days after the full moon. The sting ranges from mild to severe, and can
cause allergic reactions in some people.
Portuguese Man-of-War: Bubble-like creatures with tentacles. Again,
check the shore and look in the water prior to entering. The sting is very
painful and often you are stung more than once by the tentacles that can
reach up to 50 feet long. If you get stung, remove the tentacles and apply
vinegar or meat tenderizer (they have papain). If neither is available, use
urine. If any reactions occur, such as difficulty breathing, seek medical
attention immediately.
Scorpionfish: Can inject poison through its spines. This fish tends
to sit on the bottom of the ocean or on ledges. If stung, possible effects
are sharp burning pain, numbness, nausea, headaches. Immediately stick the
affected area in the hottest bearable water and seek medical treatment.
Lionfish: Can inject poison through its spines. This fish has
vertical orange and white stripes. Its spines have a feathery coating. It
tends to drift along the reef. If stung, possible effects are sharp burning
pain, numbness, nausea, headaches. Immediately stick the affected area in
the hottest bearable water and seek medical treatment.
Cone Shells: Conical shape with brown or black patterns. Do not touch
the shell unless absolutely sure its empty. When alive, the creature in the
shell can sting anywhere on its shell. Some stings can be fatal. If stung,
soak the affected area in hot water and seek medical attention.
Eels: Moray eels are often seen around reefs and coral. They don't
attack unless they feel cornered or threatened. Eels have sharp teeth and
strong jaws and may bite if provoked.
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This information is from:
United States Lifesaving Association - Hawaii Region, on organization
devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach
and water safety. and
Lifeguards
Guide to Oahu's Popular Guarded Beaches...Learn more
Water Safety Signs and descriptions (This is very informative)
from Water
Safety Signs Lifeguards Guide to Oahu's Popular Guarded Beaches
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