The waves are kind of violent and scary when they take up the whole shoreline, but I appreciate how this is not crowded by tourists if you go on a weekday. I don't like being surrounded by tons of people out here when I want to enjoy nature while I'm resting on a run. Was running for my life since I thought those waves were going to wash me away. Do keep that in mind when you go here LOL. The sand was kinda rocky with coral so if you go barefoot just be careful. I appreciate how this beach feels sorta-kinda private. Definitely out of the way. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Such an amazing little sneaky spot that my friend took me too, to enjoy a Poké bowl and a quick tip in the ocean. This place, definitely feels like a local hangouts, but during our visit, it was relatively busy. Depending on the time of day, the water could be all the way up to the seawall or out enough for ample beach lounging and tide pool exploring. There's a great little spot near the cove for swimming, but it is a little treacherous getting there. Watch your step on the slippery algae covered rocks. Beyond that, have fun, respect the ocean, and whatever you bring with you make sure it comes back with you. Mahalo! read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Cromwell's is one of my favorite beaches that I wish I frequented more often! It's a little neighborhood spot that is nearby but separated from the bustle of Waikiki. It's a bit rocky and there isn't a ton of sand but lots of tidepools and the most beautiful views. Keep your eye out for little fish, sea anemones, and turtles. Pro tip: you do have to walk on the seawall to get to the sand patch where you can swim. It is a bit of a trek that you need to be careful on, but I do think just about anyone can do it. Parking is street parking that you can find in the neighborhood, but don't park on that main straight that the beach is on -- I saw someone that parked there get a ticket but there are also signs that you will be towed. I see lots of local fisherman here too, it looks like they walk along the rocks and there's a point that they all go fishing. read more

Extremely peaceful and very much secluded. Cromwell's Beach is off the beaten path and a great escape from the typically overcrowded beaches that you'd find in Waikiki. I wouldn't say that it's the most beautiful beach that I've seen on this island, but it's relaxing and the sunsets are really beautiful here. This beach is tucked behind a residential neighborhood and seems like it's mostly frequented my locals. The entrance to the beach is located off of a random street between several houses. Parking is tough since it's right behind a residential street, but I was able to park off of Kahala Ave (which is the main road) and walk less than a half mile to the entrance. It's a bit rocky near the entrance, so you'll at least need some thicker flip flops or slides to walk across the rocky section. One you make it onto the beach, your mind will be at ease. The views are lovely and the waves are gentle. Not the softest sand in the world but it's doable. The water is warm and shallow. If you're into tide pooling, this beach has some lovely tide pool action goin' on. I think I saw maybe 2 or 3 other groups here while I stayed to catch the sunset. It's a smaller beach but still enough space to feel secluded from everyone else. I just love the fact that this low key beauty is close to town and still pretty private and accessible. I would definitely come back to have a relaxing picnic here and/or just to simply escape the crowds. read more

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Poor choice for older/less able bodied people. Small local beach, lots of coral, small amount of sand & often crowded with local teens. You must walk/climb over rocks to get to sandy area which is narrow and waves will cover in high tide. I took Uber to get there, then after my visit i walked uphill several blocks to catch bus back. If youre looking for that ideal Hawaii beach, i would leave this one to the locals. I think there are more accessible choices with better appeal. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Cromwells Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Off the beaten tourist track for certain, Cromwell's Beach appears to attract a young-adult crowd, probably owing to accessibility issues. Accessed through a residential street that dead-ends into the entrance point, one first has to find parking then navigate the concrete, metal, and rocks that provide challenges to entry. These challenges don't appear deliberate; rather, natural erosion has taken place and nobody has stepped in to resolve the issue. But once you navigate that entry? Cromwell's is pretty, special, and pretty special. To your left are rocks and cement ripe for exploration but the part that interested me more was to the right, where the sandy, somewhat narrow strip of beach hugs a beautiful expanse of ocean. Owing to rocks, there appeared to be only one easily navigable portion of the ocean but that portion appeared enchanting. As one who prefers to just hang out in water as opposed to swimming in it, I was envious of those I saw doing just that. Being on an adventure I'd not brought a towel to Cromwell's so begged off the act of going in the water. For tanning, lolling in water, playing beach games with friends, or throwing a ball for your dog, Cromwell's Beach is pretty perfect. If you can get to it, I doubt you'll disagree. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Access via Kulamanu Place. - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Secluded and quiet, definitely off the beaten path with much less crowds! It will be difficult to walk across barefoot with so many rocks, so wear sandals or water shoes. But once you pass through the rocks, the small beach is really nicely secluded, almost a private beach feel, but it's not. Street parking along residential streets. read more

Love this place for a quick dip! Need to watch the tide report because there is no beach at high tide.

My favorite beach. I don't know how to swim but I'm able to go out quite far with my head above water. Parking is rather hard because it's street parking but it's so worth it. read more

Cromwell's has definitely been added to one of my favorite beaches on Oahu. Instead of hanging right, we took a left at the end of the road to walk along the rocky sidewalk-ish area. Most of it isn't paved well. Another local recommended walking in through the beach instead of trying to stay on the rock wall. Both weren't the better option without reef walking shoes... Nonethless, the end is totally worth it. I was finally able to get a glimpse of this famous spot. Definitely worth the trip with some friends to surf but not so much enjoy with young ones unless you walk on the right side. Walking along the path I got to see a glimpse of the famous Doris Duke's property that is now a museum but quite pricey to visit if I can recall. read more

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One of the best beaches on island! I like how wide the stretch of beach is, and it's very dog friendly! There's some slightly slippery moss on the rocks most of the time, so watch your step! Good place for some casual fishing as well! read more

Cromwell beach is a tucked away oasis from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki beach, but is close by. The only problem in recent years is the issue of homelessness that had creeped up on this stretch of paradise, making it a challenge. My experience here has varied thru the years living here on Oahu. Every year, I would pass by it twice during the Honolulu marathon since running it every year since 2007 (minus 2020 covid year). When I am not running, I would come here and sit on the beach to rest up while walking to Waikiki. My last time doing so was in August 2021. I took the scenic route since it was on a Satuday and I wanted to not wear a face mask while walking - even though I am fully vaccinated from COVID-19 for now. Every time I come here, I usually spend about 2 hours or so in the early morning or late afternoon, to see the waves crashing along the beach and to remind myself "Lucky we live Hawaii" and that saying is so true. I would make my way down to the beach area via stairs from Diamond Head Road. There would be 2 entrances that I know of that has accessibility. Once I am down at the beach, I would see people hitting the waves and enjoying themselves, while I just enjoy nature's beauty for what it is. For the most part though, nature's beauty is amazing and often times, we fail to see this in our daily lives at times. The overall experience here at Cromwell Beach each time I visit is nice and serene. The only problems that I encountered, were not problems per say, but the growing concern of the homeless issue in the surrounding areas of Cromwell beach. It's sad and disappointing that it has come down to this, where people need to be aware of their situations while coming to the beach for sun and waves at this particular oasis of the island. For myself though, I try to keep to myself and not have them ruin my experience here, even though it's a concern in a lot of areas on the island. I usually don't bring much in terms of beach wear, but I would pick a spot away from the homeless encampment(s) and just try to enjoy myself while I am there. I'm glad that the beach areas are somewhat close to home. Nature and it's spaces is often a personal thing and a quiet proposal for me, so anytime I'm there, it's usually a happy time to de-stress from life's ongoing process. The ambiance is often quiet here, since there's no events that happen on this beach. Although the Honolulu marathon comes thru the area in early December each year, best bet is to enjoy yourself here any other time of the year. If you need that alone time to rejuvenate yourself and your soul, consider coming to Cromwell Beach. The location is basically at the Diamond Head Lighthouse area along Diamond Head Road just past Triangle Park, but a few blocks from the start of Kapiolani Park. Whenever I see Diamond Head lighthouse on the Honolulu marathon race day, I always think the end is near! I would walk to Cromwell beach the next morning and take a well deserved dip in the ocean for a little bit. Like all open spaces and beaches, there is no admission fee charged. As far as parking goes, there is street parking along Diamond Head Road, but usually gets taken up by beach goers, so best bet would be to catch it early to obtain a prime parking spot. Other alternatives would be paid parking at Kapiolani Park, or street parking near Triangle park. Both of them require a bit of walking to get to the beach access. It's one of Oahu's best kept secrets, although the increasing homeless problem is a bummer. 5.0 stars for the overall experience - usually. Support local! A+ read more

A local recommended this beach to my us, as we were having a hard time finding a beach with less people on it. Yes, there are definitely less people on the beach here than on the Waikiki strip, but not zero. The beach is fairly small and has a lot of areas of rock. Bring some water shoes if you have them. Otherwise the water is pretty clear. We were here after the big storm on Dec. 5 and 6th which washed a lot of trash to the shores and resulted in a lot of murky water - A sad reminder of how much trash is in our oceans :( read more

Cromwell's Beach - Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Crom - not - so - well. Erosion has taken its toll. Exposed sewage pipes, super rocky where it's supposed to be sandy. I hit my foot on one of the rocks and my heel was hurting for months. During the summer, the waves are super choppy. Can't even swim without seeing debris everywhere. The tide got so high or the water level has risen so much, waves were even touching the homes at one point. Not very peaceful or that great anymore. read more

Best beach to see how the locals live! You have to park on the residential street and walk down but it's worth it. I really liked the laid back tiny but BEAUTIFUL beach. There are lots of black, lava rocks so be careful but it's worth an afternoon hang. read more

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One of my favorite spots to catch a sunrise or sunset since I was little. It's slightly more secluded here than other Kahala-Diamond Head beaches, and more locals than tourists. I like that it's quiet. I like coming here to hangout with family and friends, have a meal, or read. I rarely swim here, as it's a little rocky depending on the tide. No bathrooms or trashcans, limited parking during peak hours. Plan accordingly! read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Locals that get to visit this place each and every day are lucky... Parking is difficult so pay attention to signs. The beach's sand is a little rocky and the shore has a lot of coral reef, so beware. If you visit here, you'll enjoy the space all to yourself if you get here early. Not many people visit here, so it is a desolate area, very ideal to take pictures of a model or just the scenery. Just a few steps away from the homes, you'll be able to gain access via walkway. If you're a daring person, you can swim to the small island in between the shore and lay out. The view of the rock wall and houses with a few palm trees makes for an amazing view during sunrise. As most locals aren't home during the day, traffic is light and this place literally is empty. When I visited with my wife, it was just us and a lady walking her dog. I was so surprised that such a beautiful beach wasn't packed as in Waikiki. I'll visit again when in the area. It's well worth the 10 minute drive from the resorts of Waikiki. read more

Cromwells is the perfect beach to go if you wanna get a quick dip in the water and tan. It's super convenient because it's kind of close to town but not super crowded like Waikiki. During the weekdays it's fairly empty, but on the weekends the beach can get a little packed. Sometimes it can be tricky finding parking because there is only street parking. It is also located in a safe neighborhood. When you arrive at the beach entrance you can either walk on the left side which has a rock wall and some areas to sit or you can go on the right side and find an open area there. The water is always crystal clear, unless it was raining, and the water is usually really calm unless there is a swell. Only down side is that there can be a lot of rocks depending on where you are on the beach. However I always find sea glass here! Which is perfect for all you secret treasure hunters like me! read more

Cromwell's Beach - Cute and colorful Driveway to beach access - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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If you are looking for a fairly private beach where you can still play in the water, this is the spot. Before noon it stays pretty low key out at Cromwell's. It is hands down my favorite south side beach...plus it's the unofficial nude beach. But don't worry! The nudists aren't creeps...and please, as if they care about enticing you into salacious activities. They want to enjoy the sunshine like the rest of us and don't believe in tan lines. Need more convincing? Good, here's a story: I was enjoying a nice little dip in the water to cool off on an oh so hot afternoon. As I looked out to the horizon in awe of how goddamn beautiful this island is, I noticed something coming out of the water next to me. That something turned out to be a gorgeous girl. "A mermaid!" I thought as I stared in wonder. She looked over at me and said hello with a gentle smile. After I returned the greeting, this "mermaid" stood up out of the water, in only a g-string, holding a spear. A Spear! I lived a boys wet dream. It's also fantastic at night! read more

Cromwell's Beach - how could you not love this?! - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Cromwells is one of my favorite beaches. It is conveniently located in the Kahala/Diamond Head area and even though it is a bit of a trek from the street parking to the good beach spots, I feel like it is worth it to get away from the crowds in Waikiki. The sandy beach itself is a little narrower than other beaches, which makes somewhat awkward encounters with couples who are making out or groups of very scantily clad girls 2 feet away from where people are walking... I have also seen some people who would rather not wear swimsuits, so if you don't want your kids seeing bare butts, breasts or other body parts, you might not want to take your chances here. On the bright side, there is always a variety of very cute dogs. It also seems to be a popular place to surf, dive and fish in addition to the typical sunbathing, snorkeling and frolicking in the water. The water is a little rocky, but there are areas of sandy parts, and if you are a good swimmer, once you get past the rocky part of the beach, the reef makes an awesome place to snorkel. The current can get strong though, so be careful. I've come to understand that once you come down Kulamanu Place, the beach to the right is called Cromwells, the area to the left is Dorris Dukes. The Dorris Dukes side of the beach is popular jumping into the water from Dorris Duke's former boat dock, which apparently now has been fenced off....obviously I haven't trekked left from Kulamanu in probably 10 years... Come here for the great views, relatively uncrowded beach and snorkeling opportunities. Don't be surprised to find yourself parking 1/2 a mile away.... read more

Love this cute little hidden gem. It's tucked away at he end of a small street. It's almost like a private little beach, except it's not so private anymore. It's a hit or miss, some days there no one there and some days it really busy. Water is nice. Very shallow so it's good for keiki's. Lots of reef and rocks. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Selfie stick Action!!! - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is my favorite beach. It's nice to come and hang out here at any time! In the morning there are always lots of friendly dogs! The beach is long, so you can spread out. There are two good swimming spots and the view of the rock wall/ houses is amazing. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

What a perfect beach to just kick it and relax or go fishing! We came here at about close to sunset around 6:00pm. Sun was still out but setting, few clouds in the distance. Very peaceful place to fish. Everyone here were spread out in their own fishing spots, so no overcrowding. Everyone keeps to themselves. It is very serene and beautiful beach, will definitely come back to night fish! We didn't catch anything though always next time!! read more

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Wanna go to the beach but don't want to deal with a ton of tourists? Or driving in Waikiki? Or having to go to the windward side? Well this is the beach for you! Cromwell's is tucked away in Kahala, but it's access isn't as "public" as Kahala Beach's. There's no official parking lot - it's all street parking in the surrounding neighborhood, which can be tricky sometimes - which makes it a sort-of-kind-of-hidden-gem. There also isn't too much actual "beach," or places to lay out. Especially during high tide, when the beach basically disappears completely. But all these factors, while negative on their own, are what makes Cromwell's a great place to come hang out for the day. Never too crowded and pretty secluded, this is my sister and mine go-to beach. It also helps that it's the closest beach besides Waikiki, but still. It's absolutely beautiful with the picture-perfect palm trees, views of the Doris Duke house, and untouched sand. Swimming is pretty good, but can get rocky in some areas - just pay attention! This is definitely a pack a lunch, hang out, and chill kinda beach, which most of the time is just what you need! Check it out if you can find it :) read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

It's set in a neighborhood. So you have to know where to enter. The waves are a bit choppy, but there are tons of beautiful fish. Take some fins or at least water shoes. It's definitely worth the trip read more

Well known for fine little tiny brown sands consisted of possibly calcite crystals Didn't get in the water yet but I heard it's crispy clear and great for body surfing So yah I'm a fan :D read more

Cromwell's Beach - Nice n' beautiful :) - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is one of my favorite beaches here on Oahu as it's well secluded and away from the mass of tourist. This is very good for a get a way if you want to read a book or even just lay out without any loud noises or traffic surrounding you. Diamond head is directly behind and the view is amazing. No trash on the beach very clean and tidy. Coral is a bit more in this area but there's spots that are like little pools that don't have Coral that's pretty fun to swim in. Must visit. read more

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Beautiful place for sunset. Didn't go in the water so I can't rate the beach/water. But for watching sunset, it's nice. Not crowded, maybe 20-30 people total last Friday evening. read more

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I didn't drive there because the beach is located next to a neighborhood and it can be a bit hard trying to find street parking. The bus ride was quick and I took like a less than 10 minute bus ride from Waikiki beach. The walk from the bus stop is only 5 minutes down a road. Very easy to find (with help from google maps). When I got to there I didn't walk the whole beach, but the area where I swam was very gorgeous and ideal for taking scenery photos. The water waves were a bit rough, I saw a kid and grandpa get swept away by a few waves (don't worry they survived). I ;however, liked the large waves and the water was very clear so it appeared to be cleaner than most beaches. The bad part about the area I was in, was that there was a lot of rocks and both my friend and I left there with a few scratches. Also the water reached all the way to the sand so there wasn't really sitting places or an area to lay our towels. We ended up putting it on the wall which was uncomfortable when another family showed up and we all ended up on the wall. Although there were some downs, I think it's a very beautiful beach and you just have to time when you go to avoid harsh waves and high tide. Very calm and relaxing so I will be going back. read more

Cromwell's Beach - Beaches Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This beach was amazing it is private and intimate good for all ages and the waves and the rocks are awesome. if you want to get away from tourist then go to this beach! read more

Best small and not packed beach on the east side. My dog and I come here often. You can also walk on the rocks on the left side to explore the Doris dukes man made pool but it's now gated up. You can still go around the side to the stairs and go in the water. When the waves are calm it's really nice but be careful if you are inexperienced. read more

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I've been here a hundred times and never knew it was called Cromwell's! I LOVE IT! Makes it sound like a snooty beach for dudes in plaid golf shorts being served by waiters with silver trays!! Which it isn't. Stay away. There are drunk dinosaurs and Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dwellers (C.H.U.D.'s) all over the beach and they're super sneaky. Just stick to Waikiki and your relative safety. This beach is all mine! MINE I SAY! *insert super villain laugh that trails off into the distance here* read more

What I love about Cromwells is how it's so quiet and peaceful it is on a non crowded weekday. The tide is never too rough, so you can bring floaties and relax! However there are plenty of rocks and reef in most areas so swimming area is scarce. It is a beautiful beach! read more

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There are no facilities, no parking, hardly any sand to lay on, and it's super rocky so it's not good for swimming. Plus there are always a lot of people. Definitely not my favorite beach on the island. read more

One of my favorite beaches near Waikiki. It's narrow and rocky, but the light surf and lack of crowds makes this a great spot to chill with some music or a book. Parking is a short walk away but best to travel light if possible! A-plus for convenience and charm! read more

Yelp 365 Challenge 2015 #30/365 Cromwell's is a fairly well known, yet hidden beach, tucked away in that area that is a mix of Diamond Head and Kahala. It's right off the main road where Triangle Park is. This was my first trip here, and to be honest, the Yelp pictures were not satisfying. However, I decided to see it for myself in real life, and it was actually really nice. More rocks than sand for my taste, but it'll do. We didn't actually go to the area that they recently fenced off to prevent people from jumping, but it was on the left side from where we walked in (I actually have no idea how to get to that area). We walked down the beach a little more to find our spot, and it's a pretty long beach. The shore area is a little short, similar to Kahala beach, but softer sand IMO. One thing I kept seeing where the many shards of broken glass in the sand. I had to keep an eye out so I wouldn't slice my feet on any of those. When we went in the water, like I said, there's more rocks than sand, so I was a little bummed about that. I like to not have to think about stubbing my toes on rocks when I'm swimming at a beach. The waves weren't big at all, but there was still some shore break; nothing dangerous. This beach is a pet-friendly beach, and I swear Rachel and I saw close to 10 dogs while we were there. That's cool though, as long as everyone picks up their droppings!! There were a some people diving for fish, and fishing at a point way down the beach, so pretty much the only thing you can't do here is surf or catch waves. A very chill spot for a day at the beach, and I wouldn't mind coming back here again. read more

Treacherous rocky shoreline, difficult to find parking, limited areas for swimming and no facilities. Much better beaches with less work to get to exist close by. read more

Gorgeous! Hardly any tourists (except for us ‍). No facilities so that may be the only downfall but it's easy to walk back to Waikiki or Uber! read more

The beach itself is mostly a sliver of sand that runs behind some large private residences. It's relatively secluded and therefore remains a locals beach--you won't find the typical Waikiki crowd here. It's a good place for adults as well as children because the water stays shallow for a while, you'll find dogs a plenty. From what I've seen, Cromwell's is also a great place for spearfishing and snorkeling. On one of the sides, the motivated jumper can navigate a series of crumbled rock walls and stones to an area where you can jump off a rock wall into a fairly deep pool of water. Negatives: during a high tide, the sand can become entirely covered along much of the beach. Also, there isn't much over head cover, if that's a concern. read more

This place is located by private houses and you'll have to find the alley to go in. You can park on the side street and walk through the alley. The beach is dog friendly so you can bring your dogs. This place is relaxing since its not crowded and theres only few people who comes here. The only problem is theres too many rocks in the water so its up to you if you're okay with that. The only reason we came here is we were looking for the salty infinity pool but just found out its a private property. Anyway we walked through the rocks and the side and we found this kindof pool on the side. Make sure you wear your slippers though because it will hurt your feet. Also they put a gate on the side so nobody can dive which is dangerous. Check out pictures to see which im talking about. read more

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