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    Lanikai Beach

    4.7 (1.2k reviews)

    Lanikai Beach Photos

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    Reviews With Photos - Lanikai Beach

    Brian F.

    Lanikai Beach is located in the town of Kailua and is known for its soft sand, blue water, snorkeling, and sea turtles. It's on the northern side of Oahu so it's a bit of a drive from Waikiki. You can take the bus but it'll take a couple transfers and a total of 1.5 hours. You can park in the nearby residential neighborhood and walk through the narrow alley to the beach. This beach was peaceful, relaxing, and had beautiful ocean views. It's definitely one of the nicer beaches on the island and has fewer people than other places. It's a place I could see myself spending a couple hours relaxing and enjoying the sand, water, and views.

    Michael C.

    Yeah yeah I know... 2 ** ONLY?! Lanikai Beach (Kaʻōhao Beach) is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in all of da Hawaiian Islands and the entire world as well. Personally, I'm don't agree with that statement. Located on Oahu's windward side; Lanikai is famous for its pillow like soft white sand and clear turquoise waters, not to mention the splendid views of Mokulua islets. The beach IS lovely and so is the water, but not much else. The water is crystal clear, but there is not a whole lot of marine life to see. So, snorkeling or diving is not something I would recommend. Forget about surfing or other water sports...not happening. Access to Lanikai is through narrow public walkways from the beachfront residential area of Kailua. Parking... hahaha... GOOD LUCK! a pain in the backside, if there is any! There is NO dedicated parking available, you gotta scour through neighborhood for a spot, creating extra traffic understandably upsetting the locals. This is more of a spot for relaxing and getting a tan, not much else. A picnic would be possible, definitely not a BBQ or a big gathering. It's mostly packed with tourists, locals don't come here, unless as tour guides...lol. TRUST. Yup! I stand by my ratings... For me, Lanikai doesn't even crack my top 10 beaches... IMHO if you think otherwise, I reckon you should travel and explore the world a bit more, and visit some very "underrated" places...

    Mokulua Islands
    Angel W.

    Lanikai Beach is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views of the Mokulua Islands. The sand is soft and the water is crystal clear, perfect for swimming. It's a peaceful spot that would ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding. Do note that parking is very limited in the area, so you may need to walk a bit to reach the beach. The short trek is well worth it for such a beautiful, tranquil beach. Most beautiful beach we visited while on Oahu!

    The neighborhood
    Michelle M.

    We beach hopped quite a bit and Lanikai ended up being one of our favorite beaches. It's on the east side of Oahu and situated right alongside a neighborhood. Really you don't see the beach when you first pull up. We (luckily) found parking pretty quickly but did circle around a few times. There's no parking lot so you need to get lucky with street parking. We then walked over to the beach through a small pathway. The beach itself was absolutely beautiful, with the clearest waters I've seen and sand as soft as can be. It was fairly quiet on the beach, a relaxing atmosphere with people scattered throughout. We swam for a while, then sunbathed. Perfect beach for that. Beautiful views and calm bathwater waves, it was a beautiful day at Lanikai.

    cute
    Nicole L.

    Lanikai beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu HI. I wish we were there when the sun was out, but we arrived later during the day so the sun was hidden :( Parking can usually be bad -- we found street parking 7ish minutes away (walking distance). There's also no bathrooms here which kinda sucked. The water is so calm here -- current waves are not strong at all and I felt safe to go into the water bc I can't swim lol :-) I will be back soon :)

    Thomas B.

    Beautiful, peaceful, relaxing spot. The water is calm, the sand is soft, and the views are absolutely beautiful. Parking can be a bit of a challenge since it's in a residential area, but once you're there, it's totally worth it. Definitely one of the more quiet and scenic beaches we visited on Oahu.

    Kelsey R.

    If you can find parking this beach is marvelous. It has super fine sand that is so soft: the water is turquoise - the views are stringing. Great beach to spend the day at !

    Mic V.

    No parking lot, no bathrooms, and no food trucks nearby. Why do I give it 5 stars? It's the most beautiful beach on Oahu. The water is clear blue and warm. The sand is fine and soft. Make sure you go early to find street parking. It took us 20 min of driving around the residential area to find a spot. Bring your beach chair and food from Foodland to picnic here. We spent so many hours at this beach enjoying the sound of the beautiful waves.

    July 2025
    Lolo A.

    It's always busy here any time of the day, doesn't matter if it's weekends or weekdays. Parking is difficult to find in this area. Do yourself a favor and park at Kailua Beach and walk over (please note that there are multiple access points). You have to maneuver around the hordes of visitors, but you won't regret it! The sand is powdery soft and the views of "The Mokes" are stunning!

    Sallie R.

    Lanikai Beach is rated one of the best beaches which I concur. Navigating to this destination can be quite challenging as parking is hard to locate within the neighborhood. Worth the wait because this beach is postcard perfect with white soft sand and calm crystal blue water. Truly a tropical paradise. Took my kids for a quick visit to see what the hype is all about. It definitely didn't disappoint me. We had a small picnic on the beach and later kids took a dip in the ocean. We will definitely be going back!

    walking
    Shwe N.

    jhene aiko was right... lanikai was nice... turquoise seas and ocean breezes... xD we got lucky and found parking right across the pathway to the beach. so so blue and the sand was freaking soft it felt fake hahaha

    Rebecca T.

    Finally, finally, I got a chance to come here coz we got lucky with parking on a weekday! I gotta say, now that I've been here, I understand why it's such a beloved beach. The sand is powder soft. Might be the softest sand that I can remember. It's so fine that if there's slight wind, everything will be covered in silt. It's not a sandy beach, it's a silty beach. Also, everything in your house would have a light coat of grittiness for a few days after the beach lol. The water was calm and slightly warm with gentle waves on a weekday in October when waimanalo was getting waves that could beat you up. There were also enough trees for a shady spot. Most of all , because of the limited neighborhood parking, you don't get a lot of people at the beach, unlike the crowded neighbor Kailua beach next door. The only downside is really the parking and lack of facilities since it's a neighborhood beach, not a beach park. Other than that, it's amazing.

    Leanne D.

    Lanikai in my opinion is one of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu. You really do feel like you are in a tropical oasis. The water was perfectly warm and calm, the fine white sand is perfect in between your toes and the view of two little islands sitting out in the short distance in the pristine blue and turquoise colored waters was absolutely picture perfect. The one con is looking for parking. We circled around the neighborhood three times before we found an open spot. If you are lucky enough to find a spot this is definitely a hidden gem on the island. There isn't a parking lot for the beach. The only parking available is along the streets in a residential neighborhood. Once you do find a spot you feel like you hit the jackpot !

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    2 years ago

    Best beach ever. Nearly impossible parking. Soft fine white sand beach and warm water. I dream of this beach everyday

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    Lanikai Beach Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Lanikai Beach

    Can u camp by the beach?

    Not this one.

    Is this open to the public, or is this beach private?

    Public

    Is this beach good for snorkeling?

    I've been snorkeling here on multiple occasions. There are reefs with many types of fish. We even saw sea Turtles swimming and eating. The waves are usually very light. This beach is great for snorkeling!

    Where else can we park besides Kailua beach park? Thank you

    You can park on street in neighborhood but pay attention to signs. No blocking driveways.dont park where it says no parking. Until Dec 2021 you can only park after 4pm.

    Where can we park?

    You have to park on the residential neighborhood (Mokulua Dr)... be respectful to the homeowners, they will tow! And have to be there early, very limited parking. Conversely, park at Kailua beach parking and walk over. A little hike but easier to… Read more

    Can we bbq on this beach if we bring our own grill and disposal?

    No BBQ on Beach. Nearby Kailua Beach park has BBQ stations you can use

    Are there tide pools for kids to play in?

    No.

    Is alcohol permitted on the beach?

    Aloha , please know Alcohol is not allowed on the beaches of Hawai'i, although people do try to be creative by putting alcohol in cups or other glasses, it is illegal to drink alcohol on the beaches, they are considered family beaches.

    Are there BBQ pits at this Beach?

    No there are no BBQ pits. You can go to the Beach close to Lanikai which does have BBQ Pits. Kailua Beach.

    Can I rent a cabana or a few sun chairs on the beach?

    No. There are no vendors, no lifeguards.

    Are water shoes recommended here?

    No water shoes. The sand is super soft. Please don't stand on coral if you do wear water shoes. 🤙🏽

    Hi there I just wanted to know if there was a beach swing on this beach? Or is there any beach that has a swing at it?

    Nope

    Any public restroom on this beach?

    None! Closest public restroom is at Kailua Beach Park.

    Can you grill at this beach?

    Can, but the beach can shrink at high tide. If you are gonna BBQ, try close to the peninsula where the beach is really wide!

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    Review Highlights - Lanikai Beach

    The white sand and crystal clear water on the east side of Oahu makes for the perfect place to spend the day.

    Mentioned in 281 reviews

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    Kailua Beach Park

    Kailua Beach Park

    4.8
    (187 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    Lanikai Beach showed up with full attitude -- wind whipping, rain coming sideways, and that Kailua…read morecold that makes you question your life choices for a second. But honestly... it still turned into one of the most fun regatta days ever. The water was wild but exciting, the energy was high, and the crews were out there grinding like the weather didn't even matter. Between the races, the laughs, the chaos, and the "we really doing this in the rain" moments, it became one of those days you remember because it wasn't perfect...it was real. Even soaked, freezing, and fighting the wind, Lanikai still gave those postcard views and that classic Kailua blue. And somehow, the tougher the weather got, the more fun the day became. That's regatta life. If you want a beach that tests you but still gives you a good time, Lanikai on a regatta day is exactly that.

    Sand between my toes and the ocean with beautiful shades of blue to view. Such a refreshing time,…read morethat was a great start to my day. Not crowded at all and it was a clean beach with easy accessibility to restrooms. Lifeguard was on duty and ready to save lives or help when needed. I will say that there are not that many shaded areas, but me and my friends were lucky enough to find shade underneath one of few trees that were along the beach. We brought our own lawn chairs from our hotel. But plenty of people brought their own umbrellas, tents, and other beach fun items. Weather was great, but there were rip current warning signs everywhere, so it was good to know that they want visitors to the beach to be cautious. I would recommend this beach for a visit. Easy 10/10 experience.

    Photos
    Kailua Beach Park
    Catching fish off the beach
    Catching fish off the beach
    Kailua Beach Park

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    Kailua Beach Adventures

    Kailua Beach Adventures

    4.8
    (1.9k reviews)
    1.3 mi

    We book the guided Kayak excursion to The Mokes on every trip to Oahu. We enjoy the exercise,…read moreviews, and different experiences with the different guides on every trip. Even though we have done this excursion many times, there's always a twist. On our latest adventure, we got to see five monk seals, with two of them playing in the ocean like little puppies. We had a good group and had time to do extra things on this trip. Our guide, Tupre, made it a fun and interesting tour, throwing in historical and additional wildlife information. This experience solidified our decision to book Kailua Beach Adventures on our next trip to Oahu.

    This kayaking company offers guided half and full day tours to the Mokulua Islands and also offers…read morekayak rentals so you can no go on your own. It's located across the street from Kailua Beach Park. You have to cart your own kayak from the rental shop to the beach shore where you'll meet your guide. We were in a group of six and one guide. They have single and double kayaks. The guided tour provides life vests, dry bags, snorkels, water bottles, and lunch. The trip to the island took us approximately 1.5 hours maybe a bit more to Kayak the 2.3 miles due to strong head winds. It was faster on the return trip. We even had time to stop on flat island. This is one of my favorite activities to do while on Oahu. I love the scenic views heading to the "Mokes" and I love the views looking toward Oahu while out on the water. It's such a magical kayaking adventure. The island is a bird sanctuary and if you go at the right time you'll see nesting birds and if you are lucky, you'll see the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. We saw three (maybe four, not sure if one was the same one that swam to a different spot) on Moku Nui and one on Popoi'a Island sandbar. If you are adventurous and have the stamina and strength to kayak, I highly recommend this tour for you! Our guide Two-pre was the best!!! He told us that the tour we were on was his 400th!!

    Photos
    Kailua Beach Adventures
    Looking over Kailua from Popoi'a island
    Looking over Kailua from Popoi'a island
    View at the Mokes

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    View at the Mokes
    Bellows Field Beach Park

    Bellows Field Beach Park

    4.5
    (187 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Went to Bellows on 23 March for the first time in a long time. It's odd to see people give…read morenegative reviews about a beach based on jellyfish being in the water. It's the ocean. The jellyfish don't know that Bellows is a semi private beach that requires military ID access to get onto. They are just there like they are there at Kailua, Kalama, Lanikai, and Waimanalo beaches. Going on a Sunday, the beach was not very crowded. We got there around 1100 and there was still parking available in the main parking lot. Not sure why another reviewer complained about no public shower as there is one right at the point where the parking lot ends and the beach begins, right next to the public restroom building. We brought our two dogs and kept them leashed the entire time. I brought our own dog water bowl but recognized it was too small and our dogs kept knocking them over so I walked to the shoppette and was able to purchase a much larger silicone dog dish for their water. Afterwards, we stopped at the reservation building where we sat on the covered deck and had some chicken and french fries as well as some cold drinks. These are all amenities you won't find at Kailua, Lanikai, or Kalama Beach Parks. Nothing but pros and no cons. The best part is, it is o ly about 20 minutes from where we live in Kaneohe. Will go again.

    This is one of our favorite beaches to go to. First off,…read morethe view is beautiful. The staff are very friendly. Restrooms are always clean and have toilet paper. There is a shoppette,gas station, laundromat, showers, coffee shop, mwr (to rent out boogie boards and other stuff). Just take a look on their website to see what they have to offer and the prices. There is a section that has no ground disturbance and yet people still put up tents and umbrellas, I suggest you just follow the rules and just go down a bit more where you are allowed to dig into the sand.

    Photos
    Moon over Bellows
    Moon over Bellows
    La plage
    La plage
    Bellows Field Beach Park

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    Lanikai Beach - beaches - Updated July 2026

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