Life is Shore Great at These 7 Oahu Beaches
With about 112 miles of coastline, Oahu beaches are diverse with something for everyone. There are many great beaches for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, scuba diving, windsurfing, kayaking and relaxing.
These seven marvelous beaches have much to offer and there is sure to be one to suit your beach aspirations:
Waikiki Beach
One of the most famous beaches in the world, Waikiki beach is nestled on Oahu’s south shore. It has more than four million visitors each year and offers amazing views of Diamond Head. Waikiki beach is great for snorkeling, swimming, riding the waves, and enjoying soaking up the rays. It’s also home to some fine restaurants for an apres beach dinner or cocktails.
Kahala Beach
Kahala Beach is a well-hidden alcove where you can relax among tranquil, sandy shores without having to share the space with crowds. In fact, it's possible you won't find anyone else at all on this beach since it's mostly used by area residents. You might want to dive here since you’re likely to spot quite a number of fascinating aquatic specimens that aren't often interrupted by a lot of human traffic. Note: Don’t jump in directly from the seawall, since it isn’t deep enough to do so safely.
Sunset Beach
Situated on the historic north shore Sunset beach is a beautifully long expanse that has enamored both locals and tourists for decades. During the summer, the blindingly blue ocean waters are calm and crystal-clear, making it a terrific destination for swimmers, snorkelers and families. During the winter the beach is a world-famous surfing spot, home to internationally renowned surfing contests. This is when the waves can reach more than 30 feet.
Hanauma Bay
Among the most popular things to do in Oahu is visiting Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. It’s one of the best areas to experience top-notch snorkeling. Located 30 minutes east of Waikiki, this stunning cove was once a volcanic crater but is now home to clear blue waters and lively reefs teeming with vibrant sea creatures.
With the complementary blues of the sky and the water in Oahu, it’s not surprising many elite travelers choose the destination for a vacation based around the outdoors. It’s also not surprising that so many choose the magnificent beachfront Villa Ariadne for their Oahu stay. This secluded beach paradise offers sleek, modern, open space living and with eight beautifully-appointed bedrooms, it can accommodate up to 16 guests. In addition to a pristine beach, you will have an outdoor pool, amazing outdoor and indoor dining areas, a cinema room, gym, outdoor hot tub and much more! As with all LVH luxury residences, your stay includes full services and 24/7 support.
Lanikai Beach
Consistently rated the best beach in Oahu, this strip of shoreline is just gorgeous and a perfect place to stop and have a swim, especially if your children are with you. It is much quieter than Waikiki or Hanauma Bay and is a great spot for kayaking or stand up paddle boarding. There is an offshore reef that keeps the water calm making it ideal for safe swimming.
Kahanamoku Beach
Kahanamoku beach is a curved section of shoreline at the western end of Waikiki. The sand is golden and the water crystal clear. It’s protected by the breakwater and pier, and if you’re in the mood to snorkel there’s a stunning section of coral running between them. The beach has been named the #2 beach in America according to the annual list of "Dr. Beach." Dr. Stephen Leatherman, an internationally known coastal scientist, has selected the annual Top 10 Beaches since 1991. Fifty criteria are used to evaluate beaches, including water and sand quality as well as safety and environmental management.
Banzai Pipeline
On Oahu's North Shore, Banzai Pipeline is a popular surf site where waves can reach heights of more than 40 feet from November to February. Many big wave surfing contests take place here, and people from all over the world – professional surfers as well as spectators and photographers – come here to see the waves. The Pipeline was named in 1961 by California surfing movie producer, Bruce Brown. He visited Oahu's North Shore scouting possible movie locations with two California surfers, Mike Diffenderfer and Phil Edwards. They stopped at this yet unnamed surf site and Brown filmed the surfers catching several waves. They all agreed the surf site needed a name. On the same day, a construction project on the highway next to the beach was taking place. An underground pipeline needed to be fixed. Diffenderfer suggested they name this surf spot "the Pipeline," now known as the Banzai Pipeline.
When you are looking for a sun-drenched, elite holiday destination where you can enjoy the outdoors and beaches unrivaled for their beauty, LVH can help you choose a location befitting of your desires, accommodations that are the zenith of luxury and itinerary planning that is next to none. Our goal is simple: Your absolute happiness. Please reach out to one of one client relations team members who will start the planning process for your ultimate outdoors-themed holiday – perhaps Oahu!