Lanikai beach is by far one of the most beautiful hidden beaches on Oahu! It's a half-mile strip of…read morepowdery white sand and turquoise water on Oahu's windward coast in Kailua, Hawaii. The beach itself features iconic views of the twin Mokulua Islands. On a clear day you can actually see the sandy beaches on Mokulua Islands. The popular Lanikai Pillbox Hike sits right above the neighborhood for amazing panoramic coastal views. Please note: zero amenities exist directly at the beach (no public restrooms, showers, lifeguards, or trash cans). Fortunately, some of the locals have placed trash bins near the beach entry ways. Parking is easily accessible if you don't mind walking. Parking directly on Mokulua Drive and Aalapapa Drive is permanently banned. Visitors typically park at Kailua Beach Park (about 0.8 miles away) and walk or bike over. We found parking on a side road a few blocks away (didn't get towed) and we stayed for several hours.

Soft sand, warm water, turquoise water, and beautiful views…read more The only downsides are that there are no bathrooms and no dedicated parking. However, we were able to find street parking in the nearby neighborhood pretty easily. There is another beach close by with restrooms if you need to wash up and clean up afterward. I love how calm this beach is with no waves. Easy for weak or non swimmers.

This was one of my favorite spots in Hawaii. 3 different couples were taking wedding photos when i…read morewas there so it definitely has great scenery from the lookout as well down on the beach. It's more of a quick stop rather then a ling beach stay due to the rough currents. There is a small parking lot, but everyone is in and out

With the famous blowhole behind, this is the famous cove used in many movies and TV shows. This is…read morea gorgeous spot to enjoy the scenery and think about the celebrities who have visited! Hey, you can join their ranks! I opted to not join the crowd, so my face is not in the photo.

Took the kids here for a picnic while gazing away with views of the majestic ocean. We found a…read morebench which overlooks the waters. It was a nice bright sunny day. Really enjoyed the time together with my kids. So peaceful while we bond and laughed. But.....this park was full of homeless and cops every where. Mixed feelings were rolling in like if we should be worried or if it was safe at the park. There were tons of people, but everyone minded their own business so no one bothered us. I set the thought aside of something bad was going to happen so I can enjoy the day. We went to the beach took pictures and soak in the beauty. The water was so warmed and clear. Wanted to stay longer and dip in, but my son was looking forward to the arcade elsewhere. Good quick spot to stop by intaking breathtaking views of Honolulu.

Magic Island is an easy, no-stress spot in Honolulu. The loop is a quick, scenic walk with nonstop…read moreocean views, and it's perfect for a chill picnic, people-watching, or just hanging out. The vibe is super local--families, couples, runners, and groups all posted up with snacks and music. Sunset here is the main event. If you go late afternoon, the views are unreal and it's such a good way to end the day. It can get busy on weekends, but there's usually still space to spread out if you walk a little farther. Pro tip: bring a towel or mat, some drinks/snacks, and go a little before sunset to grab a good spot. Definitely a must if you want a simple, beautiful outdoor hang in town.

If you haven't made a visit yet to Kaneohe Bay Sandbar, do it asap because this is a once in a…read morelifetime experience. I had the hesitation to book it due to the fact my son is on the spectrum and wasn't sure how he was going to react during the experience. Took the chance and made a reservation through Hawaii Ocean Sports. They took us on a boat to access the beautiful Sandbar. It's nestled in the middle of the ocean 3 miles stretch of sand. Unfortunately, we ended up doing the afternoon tour where high tides took place water level up to our necks. During our ride there, we were served lunch consisting of a turkey sandwich, fruits, and a cookie. Very filling as we were on to our destination while we listened to live music entertaining us along the way. Snacks, towels, drinks, and a bar are available for additional cost. As we approached the Sandbar, we were required to do a brief safety class before heading into the beautiful water. My kids and I were surprised how magnificent the Sandbar was. Definitely a true paradise where our dreams came true. I didn't think I would ever experience this kind of beauty. My son and I were terrified at first as we entered the water, but our life jackets saved us as we were floating. Lots of activities offered which are part of the package including SUP, kayaking, volleyball, snorkeling, or relaxing at the dock while sipping on drinks. We mainly enjoyed ourselves floating in the ocean. The current did get a little rough as it started to pour rain right before heading back to the marina. One advice is to head out early onto the boat before everyone does because the changing and bathrooms can get wet with dirty grounds. Music was blasting with great hits as we ended the day. Made my son and I stand up desiring to dance. Truly this is an unforgettable magical experience. You bet I will make a reservation again when we return to Oahu next year!

Fun spot to visit and snorkel , try to time it at low tide if you can, walking around is easier and…read morea few spots will be exposed

I love this spot!…read more Pretty secluded, not crowded at all. It's pretty shallow and an OK spot for snorkeling. Went here for an underwater photography workshop and a couple of times for class. There's a ton of cool critters in this area, ya just gotta look closely. (; Also, it's beautiful, what more can you ask for?

A beautiful, secluded, and usually private beach. Great as a quiet beach, not much snorkeling as it…read morestays very shallow. The locals who were there as we arrived had just freshly caught multiple octopuses!

The waves are kind of violent and scary when they take up the whole shoreline, but I appreciate how…read morethis 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.

Such an amazing little sneaky spot that my friend took me too, to enjoy a Poké bowl and a quick tip…read morein 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!

This beach has been on our Oahu "to try" list, but we somehow always ended up in Lanikai and Kailua…read morewhen on the eastern side. Waimanolo is a bit further south from Lanikai and is every bit as gorgeous and even more secluded!! Same dreamy waters, blue skies, low hanging clouds, and soft sands.... Without the chaotic parking and with less crowds. It was pretty easy for us to find street parking here and it really felt like the entire beach was ours.

Waimanalo Beach is a stunning beach on the eastern shoreline of the island of Oahu…read more It is not too far from Waikiki and the drive here is absolutely beautiful. It is also far enough that there aren't many tourists, and there's plenty of parking and even a small playground for kids. However the bathrooms at this beach seem to be under renovation and are not the best, so just beware. I highly recommend coming prepared with chairs and snacks, since there's not much around this area. Also, the waves here can get very rough which is not ideal for small children so beware of that. However, we had an amazing time building sand castles and just playing with the sand. I recommend coming here just for a few hours and then moving to another beach.

Peaceful and secluded. Definitely not the prettiest beach in the world, but in a place where the…read morecrowds seem to take over pretty much everything, it's nice to find some solace in the sand. And the reason why it's so peaceful?! It's tucked behind a residential neighborhood. Parking is on the street only and there's not much of it. So, it'll be a short journey to get there, but this is what also deters the big crowds. The sand isn't the softest and the views aren't amazing, but the sunsets are pretty and the water feels good. There are no facilities here either (except for one large garbage can near one of the entrances). You gotta pack it in, pack it out, and use the restroom before you go unless you're a local who lives in the area. Had a little picnic here and it was really enjoyable. The few people that I come in contact with were really friendly. Most of them were walking their dogs on the beach, so I feel like this is the local dog beach in town. There's a nice breeze on this side, so it's a great beach to come to when that hawt Hawaii heat attacks. It's also really clean. If you're looking to escape the crowds and don't mind a longer trek, Hunakai Beach will do you right.

Hunakai beach was our third destination to go to a couple of weekends ago. My daughter wanted to go…read moreto the beach. First we went to Ala Moana beach park but there was some paddling competition so there was no parking. Then we drove to Waikiki and there was a craft fair at the park so there was no parking there either. So we just yelped a place closer to home and found Hunakai beach. You just park on the side of the road and walk down a beach access road. It was surprising because there were quite a few people there. People were all spaced out so that was good. The beach itself is very beautiful. There was just a lot of coral and rocks. Not really the best place to go swimming. That didn't stop my daughter though, she just took her floatie and pulled it in the water and kicked her legs so she floated down the ocean. She had a great time. Great for parking and sunbathing but if you want to swim, you should probably try to find a new place.