Beaches

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The closest Beach to Paradise on the Hill is a place we call “Castles” head to North Kalaheo Blvd., it’s the first beach access after the bridge.
It’s a nice, secluded beach, no bathrooms. Less than a mile away, if you want to walk.

Castles

In Kailua

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Kalama Beach Park is family friendly. The water is calmer due to the outside reef. There can be bigger waves futher out but by the time they get to shore it kid friendly. There are usally no strong currents.
There is a public bathroom and showers. It’s right off North Kalaheo Blvd. The parking lot is ridiculously small don’t expect to find parking there, use it as a drop off area. But there is parking on the side streets. Be careful crossing the busy street, there is a crosswalk.
This is 2 to 3 miles from the house. This is an old Hawaii Family Estate that was donated by the owners so everyone could enjoy the beautiful beach there. If you get lucky enough to park in the parking lot know it closes at 6pm and they will tow or lock up your car for the night.

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Kailua Beach Park has three parts to it, there are parking lots, public bathrooms, and showers at each of these parts of the park. If you want to snorkel or kayak, go to the third beach park, we call it “Boat Ramp”. Snorkeling is good to the right of the boat ramp. You should see turtles there. Remember you cannot chase or harass the wildlife, stay back, and enjoy.

The island out there is called Flat Island. It is a bird sanctuary, so please be respectful of the nesting birds. It’s best not to go on the island. It is fun to Kayak or paddle board out and around the island. The waves can get big out around the island, know your limits. The back side of Flat Island can get pretty rough.

You can rent paddle boards or kayaks in Kailua town. Parking at this side of the park can be tricky. There is a small lot or you can park off to the right of the boat ramp.

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Lanikai- Is a beach I grew up on, but it has changed. It is the home of those famous 2 Islands in the sea, known as Mokuluas or Twin Islands.
Be careful when you park, the homeowners have gotten laws passed to limit beach access. This is a wealthy area and some of the residence don’t understand that beach access for the public is a public right, it is what the Costal Act is all about.
You can only park on these roads on certain days. Go past the 3rd Kailua Beach Park and you have entered Lanikai. It is a loop, a one lane road, one road in and one road out. Look for the beach access on the way out, there are a few of them.

Hanauma Bay, is a beautiful fish sanctuary. If you are not a Hawaii resident you will need to get a Hanauma Bay reservation. Reservations are made two days in advance. They are closed part of the week. This may take some planning and be flexible.
This is a wonderful place to visit if you like to snorkel. It is a bay and has calm water with less waves but has a strong current that makes things dangerous.
Make a day of it, go early, bring your own picnic lunch and shade it is limited, there is a beach umbrella in the beach shed. Plan to utilize the tram for at least the way up, it is a tough uphill hike. If you have children or beach gear plan to take the tram both ways.
I describe it as swimming in a fish aquarium. The State of Hawaii is trying to limit the numbers of people there due to overuse for years. The reef has been heavily damaged.

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Outside Kailua

Beaches on the North Shore of the island can have high surf in the winter months. This is not good for swimming when the waves are big.
If the surf is high just enjoy it from the shoreline. It also can be so high that it goes over the main road in and out of the area and can cause you to have to turn around.
It is flat in the summer months and a nice place to swim and snorkel.

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Pupukea has two areas. Sharks Cove and next door is 3 tables (you will see the 3 flat tips of reef) great for snorkeling has a shared bathroom. No showers.
Great eating area across the street at the food trucks, it is next to the Foodland.

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Waikiki Beach is beautiful but crowded. There is a walled in area to swim for kids. If you go out by the wall it creates a suction with the strong currents and will suck you out. My son likes to surf when there are waves. My daughter likes to jump off the pier and swim in to shore.
There is something here for everyone. The best area to park is across the street from the zoo off of Kalakaua Boulevard.
Kaimana is nice too, next to the Waikiki Aquarium. You may spot Rocky the Hawaiian Monk seal there. I have seen her there for years. In Summer of 2022 she was there with her male pup, her 14th baby. She is also known to hang out on the island of Kauai.
There are showers and bathrooms. There is street parking by Kapiolani Park, or in front of the Waikiki Aquarium or metered parking at the Honolulu Zoo.

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