Oahu Beaches

Kuhio Beach Park (O-132) extends from the western Queens groyne to the beginning of the Waikiki hotels at the Sheraton Moana. The 600 m long beach is the most heavily modified on the island. Three groynes linked to two breakwaters occupy the first 400 m. The groynes and breakwater enclosed two ‘pools’ 200 m long and 50-80 m wide. These are followed by three basalt groynes along the western 200 m. Along the breakwater section wave break outside or spill over the breakwaters and flow into a quiescent pool between the shore and breakwater. Within each pool the shoreline curves widening towards each end and narrowing in the centre. Lifeguard towers are located in the centre of the eastern pool and towards the eastern end of the western pool. The beach has a moderate gradient and is either calm or has very low waves. The two ‘pools’ are the least hazardous section of Waikiki Beach, apart from the breakwaters themselves over which the waves break and signs warn of deep holes and strong currents. Children sometime play on these walls which are slippery and hazardous. The western pool also has a gap in the breakwater through which waters flows seaward. Beyond the breakwaters the fringing reef widens from 100 m in the east to 200-300 m in the west and is the site of the Queens and Canoes surf breaks, both relative easy collection of spilling left and rights popular with inexperience tourists. The open 200 m long western section of the beach is crossed by three basalt groynes. The beach boys and surf schools are based along this section of the beach, which they use to teach the tourist how to surf on the usually low spilling waves. This area is also used by locals and more experienced surfers who paddle further out. Tourist catamarans also pull upon the beach, resulting in one of the busier sections of Waikiki beach.
Waikiki Beach (O-133) commences at the end of the groynes and the beginning of the hotel section of shore, with the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Outrigger Waikiki and Royal Hawaiian backing the beach. It curves around to the southwest for 600 m terminating against a prominent groyne located at the western end of the Royal Hawaiian. The beach is moderately steep and receives waves averaging 0.5 m, which in places reach the seawalls at the rear of the often narrow beach. It is fronted by reef that widen from 200 m in the east to 500 m in the west, the shoreline protruding seaward in lee of the wider reef. First Break is located on the outer reefs and works during higher swell conditions. There is a well defined channel through the reef which is used by tourist catamarans which is based in the centre of the beach. A persistent rip flows from the beach seaward though the channel. The beach is primarily used by tourist for sunbathing and swimming. It is patrolled by two lifeguard towers, one at the eastern end of the beach, near the groynes, and one towards the centre.
Grays Beach (O-134) is a 400 m long section of south-facing beach located between two rock groynes, the western groyne making the boundary with Fort Derussy Beach. In between the beach is backed by the Sheraton Waikiki, Halekulani, Outrigger Reek and Outrigger Waikiki hotels. However the beach has been eroded and now consists of two steep narrow sandy sections located in the centre and against the western groyne, and two sections eroded back to the seawalls. A deep sandy channel extends south across the 500 m wide fringing reefs, this is used by a tourist catamaran to land at the eastern end of the western section of sand. Out on the reefs are the Pops, Paradise and during bigger swell the Threes surf breaks. The channel provides access to these outer breaks, but is also the site of a permanent rip.
Fort De Russey Beach (O-135) fronts the large Fort Derussy, a military recreational facility. The southwest-facing beach extends for 500 m between the eastern groyne and a walkway across the beach leading to a floating jetty. The beach is up to 50 m wide, with the sand coarsening and steepening to the east, possibly a result of different sources of nourishment sand. It has two lifeguard towers located to oversee the beach, with a walkway, concessions stand and the grassy park behibnd. The military Hale Koa Hotel is located at the western end of the beach. A channel has been dredged along the centre of the beach, and connects to the larger Grays Beach channel, with reef then extending for 500 m beyond. As a result of the reef waves are usually low at the shore, however water does flow east into the channel feeding into the seaward flows Grays channel and rip. The Fours surf break is located out on the outer reefs and requires a solid swell and a long paddle.
Kahanamoku Beach (O-136) is a curving beach located between the floating jetty and a shore parallel groyne, that extends 100 m east of the Ala Wai breakwater and links to a submerged breakwater that trends north to the jetty. In between the south-facing beach curves around for 500 m, receiving increasing protection from the breakwater to the west. The Hilton Hawaiian Village backs the eastern half of the beach, with the Hilton lagoon behind the centre and the parking area of the Ala Wai boat harbour backing the western end. Water craft are located along the centre of the beach for hire and use by tourists off the usually quiet beach, while canoes are also stored on the beach by local clubs. The often calm, low gradient beach widens considerably in the centre and links with the quiescent lagoon beach. The reefs lie 500 m off the eastern end, narrowing to the west as the beach curves seaward. A channel cuts through the western side of the reef and links with the jetty. While conditions are usually quiet at the beach, a permanent rip flows out though the channel seaward of the jetty. The Kasiers surf break is located out on the reefs.
Milo Tree beach (O-137) is a 50 m wedge of sand located 100 m east of Kahanamoku Beach between two right-angled breakwaters that are part of the Ala Wai boat harbour. The breakwaters have trapped the sand that is fringed by 300 m wide reefs. Local surfers park in the Ala Wai car park that backs the beach and use the tree-shaded beach to paddle out to Kasiers and In-Betweens surf break and further round to the heavier Ala Moana Bowls break.

OAHU 138-139 ALA MOANA

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

138 Magic Island 2 5 R+breakwater 300 m

139 Ala Moana Beach Parl 2 5 R+fringing reef 1200 m

Ala Moana Beach Park is a large park extending for 1300 m between the Ala Wai boat harbour and Kewalo Basin, the two major small boat harbours for Honolulu. The eastern end of the park is bordered by the 700 m long western boat harbour jetty and has been heavily modified to develop the Magic Island section of the park, while the main Ala Moana beach extends west in lee of fringing reef. This is a popular park, particularly with locals. It is located opposite the Ala Moan Centre and close to downtown Honolulu.
Magic Island (O-138) is a completely man-made ‘island’ and lagoon constructed in the 1960’s between Ala Moana beach and the boat harbour wall. The island consists of a 500 m wide beach park, with the artificial beach located at its southern extremity. The beach is sheltered by a curving breakwater, with five small gaps in the breakwater to permit water circulation. Most waves break outside the breakwater resulting in very low wave to calm conditions at the beach. The beach curves for 300 m in lee of the backwater, with a low seawall behind the large grassy parks covered with coconut trees. A lifeguard tower is located in the centre of the beach. While the beach is sheltered waves break against and over the breakwater.
Ala Moana Beach (O-139) commences on the western side of Magic Island and initially curves to the north before reaching the original shoreline and trending west for a total of 1200 m. It is backed by a continuous seawall, road and the large 60 ha beach park which offers a wide range of facilities. The beach is patrolled by four lifeguard towers spread along the beach. The beach itself is crenulate and tends to widen to the west. It has a low gradient and is fronted by a 100 m wide dredged channel, which connects to a narrow seaward flowing channel against Magic Island. Waves are usually very low to calm at the shore, which is relatively safe close in, apart from the deeper water. The eastern rip is however hazardous and care should be taken if swimming along this part of the beach. Elsewhere shallow fringing reefs extend 500 m offshore to a number of surf breaks including – Tennis Courts, Concessions, Big Rights, Straight Outs, Marineland, Shallows and Rennex. The Kewalos or Shark Hole breaks are located just to the west of the park.

OAHU 140-141 SAND ISLAND STATE PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

140 Sand Island lagoon 2 5 R+breakwater 100 m

141 Sand Island Beach 4 6 R+beachrock/fringing reef 800 m

Sand Island is a low 350 m island that shelters Honolulu Harbour. The island has been partly reclaimed, heavily modified and developed for industrial and port facilities, including seawalls surrounded all the northern and western shore, as well as part of the southern ocean shore. The entire southern shore is located within Sand Island State Park, a large developed park that offers two beaches areas (O 140 & 141). The park is accessed through the industrial area and primarily used buy locals.
The Sand Island lagoon beach (O-140) is located along the seawall fronted eastern side of the south shore. The beach has been developed in a 100 m long gap in the seawall, with three shore parallel detached rock breakwaters located 50 m off the seawall. The 100 m long sandy beach curves round between the boundary seawall and to the lee of the breakwaters. The breakwaters lower waves to less than 0.5 m at the shore resulting in a relatively low energy and often calm beach. However off the beach waves break heavily on the breakwaters and a current flows between the seawall and breakwaters. The beach has experienced some erosion since developed with some rock exposed on the shore. In addition the erosion in lee of the seawall has resulted in a 50 m long westerly extension of the sand in lee of the seawall forming a quiet tidal pool, immediately west of the beach. The beach is backed by the large shady park with the car park 100 m to the north.
Sand Island Beach (O-141) commences midway along the south shore at the western end of the seawall. It continues to trend to the west, then southwest fronted all the way by 300 m wide fringing reefs, which narrow to the west. The beach is coarse and steep, with beachrock and garbage rock outcropping increasing to the west both on the beach and in the inner surf. The ‘garbage rock’ has formed from lithified garbage, a relic from when this part of the island was a garbage dump. In addition a deep channel and accompanying rip runs out though the reef, exiting right from the beach in the embayed section just east of the main car park. This section of the beach is potentially hazardous owing to the steep beach, extensive beachrock, variable reef topography, surf and rip. There are a number of surf breaks out over the reefs.

OAHU 142 KEEHI LAGOON BEACH PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

142 Keehi Lagoon beach 2 3 R+channel 300 m
Keehi Lagoon Beach Park is a 40 ha beach park located between the Nimitz Highway and Keehi Lagoon. The lagoon is a large area located between Honolulu Airport and Sand Island and was used in the past as a seaplane runway. The beach park is located at the northwest end of the lagoon and 3 km in from the ocean and adjacent to the channelised mouth of Kapalama Stream.
Keehi Lagoon beach (O-142) is a curving 300 m long very low energy sandy beach that faces southeast into the lagoon and down one of the seaplane runways. It only receives wind waves generated within the lagoon, which maintain a low narrow beach. The beach is backed by a grassy fringe, with three sets of canoes usually stored on the beach, a toilet facility at the eastern end and a car park located behind a grassy ridge. The large park and playing field extends north of the beach. The beach is primarily used by the canoe clubs, fishers and occasional swimmers.

PEARL HARBOUR - BARBERS POINT

To the west of Pearl Harbour entrance is 15 km of south-facing shoreline that fronts a 2-5 km wide coastal plain that extends north from the coast to the H-1. From the east the first 2 km of coast is occupied by Iroquois Point Naval Reserve, then the 4 km long beach front community of Ewa, followed by 3 km long Oneula and White Plains beach parks, then the now abandoned Barbers Point Naval Air Station which occupied 5 km of the coast. The station is in the process of being taken over and managed by the state. Finally in the southwest corner of the island is the Barbers Point industrial area, which includes the westernmost 2 km of the South Shore and 3 km of the Windward Shore. The entire shoreline is relatively difficult to access and under-utilised compared to other parts of the island. This can be expect to change in the coming years, particularly as the Barbers Point base is redeveloped and more communities spread west along the H-1.

OAHU 143-144 IROQUOIS POINT NAVAL RESERVE

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

143 Iroquois Point 3 5 R+fringing reef 1500 m

144 Iroquois Beach 3 5 R+fringing reef 1300 m

Iroquois Point Naval Reservation occupies the land on the western side of Pearl harbour entrance and includes both harbour and ocean shoreline. Two beaches are located along the harbour entrance and adjacent ocean shore (O 143 & 144).
Iroquois Point beach (O-143) is part of a 1.5 km long recurved spit formed from waves and tide deposited sand moving into the western side of the harbour entrance. The 300-400 m wide spit is now developed for military housing and backed by Iroquois Lagoon. The beach extends for 1500 m along the southeast-facing face side of the spit. It initially faces southeast, then turns and trends north for the final 600 m into the 500 m wide harbour entrance. The southern end of the beach is eroding and replaced by a 300 m long seawall. This more exposed section is fronted by 300 m wide fringing reefs and receives refracted oceans waves averaging less than 0.5 m. A foreshore park and rows of housing back it. The low energy northern arm of the beach is backed by 100 m wide dense vegetation the houses. While waves are usually low along the beach, they do generate a northward longshore current, while off the beach is the deep harbour channel and strong tidal flows.
Iroquois Beach (O-144) commences at the seawalls on the southern sandy point and trends due west for 1300 m to the fence at the end of the Puuloas Rifle Range that marks the boundary of the Naval Reserve. The beach faces south across 300 m wide shallow fringing reef flats, with waves averaging less than 0.5 m at the shore, where they maintain a steep, narrow beach. It is backed by houses in the east, a park and the rifle range to the west.

OAHU 145 EWA BEACH

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

145 Ewa Beach 3 5 R+fringing reef 2400 m
Ewa Beach (O-145) commences at the Ewa Beach Park and is bordered to the east by the fence across the beach marking the boundary with the Iroquois Point Naval Reserve. The beach park fronts the first 200 m of beach, the beach continuing west for a total of 2.4 km, terminating against a continuous section of low raised reef. The beach faces south-southeast and runs relatively straight to the rocks. It is fronted 200 m wide shallow sand and reef flats which lower waves to about 0.5 m at the shore. The waves maintain a steep, narrow beach with considerable beachrock, reef and sand flats located along the base of the beach, with surf extending out across the reef flats, and variable current flowing across and off the reefs. The Haubush left is located off the beach, as are numerous breaks across the variable reef topography, while the Seawalls break is located off the rocky section. West of the park houses and many seawalls front the beach resulting in the beach narrowing in places to just a few metres. Public access tracks are located between the houses every few hundred metres and a drainage canal crosses the centre of the beach.

OAHU 146-149 ONEULA-WHITE PLAINS-NIMITZ

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

146 Oneula Beach Park 4 6 R+fringing reef 1000 m

147 White Plains Beach 4 6 R+fringing reef 700 m

148 Nimitz Beach 4 6 R+beachrock/fringing reef 2400 m

149 Swabby 5 6 R+beachrock/fringing reef 300 m

To the east of Ewa Beach is a 1 km long section of low raised reef and beachrock, all backed by waterfront houses. At the western boundary of the rocky shore and houses is the beginning of a 7 km long relatively straight section of shoreline containing four near continuous beaches (O 146-149).
Oneula Beach Park (O-146) is a slightly curving 1000 km long sandy beach dominated by beachrock outcrops to either end, with a more sandy central section, though beachrock continues to outcrop the length of the beach, together with several eroding pillar-boxes. The beach is relatively steep and narrow, with the scattered beachrock and a sand, rock and reef dominated surf zone extending up to 300 m offshore. The Empty Lots and Shark Country break out over the reef. The trade winds tend to drive a current westward along the beach, which begins to flow seaward off the western rocks. This rocky section continues west for 1 km to the beginning of White Plains Beach. The beach is backed by a large grassy park, car park and one toilet facility in the west.
White Plains Beach (O-147) is located on military land but open to the public. The beach commences at the end of the raised reef section of shore, with a fence crossing the beach just past the rock to mark the boundary of the military land. It then trends west for 700 m to a slight point where beachrock again dominates the shore. The steep white sandy beach is relatively free of rocks, with surf breaking across shallow sand, rock and reef flats that extend up to 400 m offshore. The easterly trades drive a westerly longshore current that runs against the shore feeding into a seaward flow off the western protrusion. The beach park has a large car park, a shady reserve with shelters, a kiosk and toilet amenities and a central lifeguard tower. There are numerous small surf breaks out off the beach.
Nimitz Beach (O-148) commences on the western side of the slight point and is initially dominated by fringing beachrock. The beach trends relatively straight to the west for 2400 m, the entire beach interrupted by beachrock on and just off the steep sandy beach, with the beachrock increasing in occurrence to the west. It terminates against a rough 50 m wide groyne at the end of the Coral Sea access road. The access road terminates at the beach park which contains two shelters but no other facilities. Towards the eastern end of the beach is an informal camping area in amongst the casuarina trees. The entire beach is relatively steep, with white sand, the beachrock, occasional eroding pillar boxes, then the shallow reef and sand flats extending up to 500 m offshore, with wave spilling again and again across the reef. The Coves and Officers surf break are located off this section.
Swabby beach (O-149) continues west of the rough groyne for another 300 m, as a steep sandy beach dominated by near continuous beachrock outcrops on and just off the beach, including some linear section angling seaward. This beach is unsuitable for swimming owing to the dominate of the rock. The Coral Sea Road terminates at the rear of the beach with no facilities.

OAHU 150-152 KALAELOA-BARBERS POINT

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

150 Kalaeloa 4 6 R+beachrock/reef 700 m

151 Barbers Point east 5 6 R+beachrock/reef 300 m

152 Barbers Point Beach Park 5 6 R+beachrock/reef 100 m
Barbers Point is a part of a low sandy coastal plain that forms the southwest corner of the island and the boundary of the South Shore and Leeward coasts. Beaches O 150-152 occupy parts of the final 2 km of the Shore.
Kalaeloa beach (O-150) is a straight 700 m long south-facing, steep sandy beach bordered by raised reef and beachrock-dominated shore to the east, and in the west is bounded by a southeast trending ridge of beachrock that continues seaward for several hundred metres as a submerged reef. The beach curves round slightly against the protruding ridge and is slightly sheltered in the western corner. Waves break well seaward over shallow reefs and the submerged ridge to average about 0.5 m at the shore decreasing in to the western corner. The entire beach is largely back by undeveloped industrial land with no direct public access.
Beach O-151 commences on the western side of the ridge and trends west then curves to the west-northwest for 300 m, all the way fronted by continuous low tide beachrock and reef. Waves break up to 500 m offshore and average 0.5 m at the shore. Open industrial land extends to the rear of the beach with no direct public access. A drainage canal forms the western boundary and separates it from the adjoining beach park.
Barbers Point Beach Park (O-152) is a small 100 m long grassy park located on the west tip of the low Barbers Point, with the Barbers Point lighthouse located at the tip 200 m west of the park. A covered drainage canal borders the eastern end of the beach and protrudes 30 m across the beach and into the inner surf. The beach consists of a steep narrow high tide strip of sand that is only active at high tide, then a continuous jagged section of raised reefs, then the shallow reef flats that extend up to 500 m seaward. The beach park has a small car park and toilets, however because of the shoreline reef the beach is unsuitable for swimming.

OAHU
LEEWARD COAST

The Leeward coast commences at the low Barbers Point and trends northwest for 35 km to the prominent Kaena Point and is backing 230 m high ridge. In between is 45 km of shoreline alternating between sandy beaches, beachrock, raised reefs and in the north the basalt of the Kaena Point region. The 26 beaches occupy 15 km (33%) of the shore the majority dominated by rock. The coasts westerly orientation permits north through west winters swell to reach the shore, as well as the southerly summer swells, resulting in year round low to moderate surf, while the Trades prevail offshore. Because of the generally deeper inshore reefs many of the surf breaks are close to shore, with some of the outer reefs capable of holding big winter swells.

OAHU 153 BARBERS POINT WEST

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

153 Barbers point west 5 6 R+beachrock/reef 600 m
Barbers Point lighthouse marks the southwest tip of the island and the beginning of a southwest-facing section of coast that trends relatively straight for 9 km to Nanakuli. This section of shore forms the western boundary of the Barbers Point coastal plan and barrier system. The former continuous sandy beach has been lithified into beachrock, forming a continuous beachrock reef, together with sections of raised reef.
Beach O-153 commences 100 m northwest of the lighthouse and trends to the northwest for 600 m, where it is replaced by continuous beachrock. The beach consists of a narrow high tide strip of sand fronted by the beachrock, then 100-200 m wide shallow fringing reefs. Waves break over the reefs and average about 0.5 m at the shore where they break against the beachrock. There is a 100 m wide gap in the reef midway along the beach out of which flows a permanent rip. The entire rock-dominated beach is backed by the Campbell Industrial Park and not suitable for public recreation.

OAHU 154-160 KO OLINA-PARADISE COVE

No. Beach Rating Type Length

Shore Outer

154 Ko Olina 4 2 5 R+beachrock reef 200 m

155 Ko Olina 3 2 5 R+beachrock reef 200 m

156 Ko Olina 2 2 5 R+beachrock reef 200 m

157 Ko Olina 1 2 5 R+beachrock reef 200 m

158 Kaula Bay 3 6 R+beachrock reef 80 m

159 Anianku Cove 2 5 R+beachrock reef 50 m

160 Paradise Cove 3 5 R+beachrock reef 100 m
The northwest section of the Barbers Point coastal plain has been heavily modified by both port and tourist development. The 100 ha Barbers Point Harbour has been excavated through the reef and dredged out of the plain and now lies sheltered behind the beachrock reef. The harbour includes the Ko Olina marine along its northern shore, which also marks the southern boundary of the Ko Olina resort development which occupies the next 2 km of shore and which has also heavily modified the shoreline. In order to provide beaches for the resort four coves (O 154-157) were excavated in lee of the continuous beachrock reef, with each cove connected to the sea by shallow sills cut through the beachrock, thereby permitting water circulation. The coves are modelled on three natural coves (O 158-160) located along the northern section of the shore. All the coves are backed by the resort, which is still in the process of being developed.
The four Ko Olina beaches coves are labelled from south to north lagoons 4, 3, 2 and 1, and given the names Fish, Turtle, Dolphin and Whale. Each is near identical in shaped consisting of 200 m long semi-circular beach formed from crushed coral, linking at either end to the original shore parallel beachrock reef. The reef has been excavated in the centre to form three shallow channels across the reef, with the excavated rock piled to either side of the channels to from detached groynes. The channels permit waves to break and water to flow into each lagoon, as well as return seaward as permanent rips. All the beaches are edged and backed by manicured grassy lawns and coconut trees, with amenity blocks provided. The beachrock reef is state land and open to the public. Each beach also has a small public car park, with public access to and use of the beach and shoreline is permitted. The beaches have usually quiescent conditions with very low waves to calm conditions at the shore. Water deepens off the beach and is deep against the reef, groynes and channels. As a wave height increase more water flows into each lagoon resulting in a complementary increase in return flow through he channels, that tends to pulse strongly every 1-2 minutes. This return flows in the from of strong rips can drag unwary swimming into the shallow rocky channels and even seaward of the openings. None of the beaches have lifeguards, so care should be taken to stay clear of the reefs and gaps, especially when waves are breaking through the channels.
The southernmost Ko Olina 4 (Fish) lagoon and beach (O-154) is backed by the Ko Olina marina and a larger marina car park. The beachrock reef extends 500 m south to the boat harbour entrance. Grassy raised parkland borders and backs the beach, with each lagoon separated by 200 m long sections of natural beachrock reef and backing reserve.