O’ahu Beaches

O’ahu Beaches

O’AHU
O’ahu has 178 miles of coast physically divided into the North Shore, South Shore, and Windward and Leeward coasts. The high-energy North Shore has the largest percentage of beaches (66%), while the reef-fronted Windward coast has the greatest number (55) and length of beaches (32 mi). The South Shore and Windward coasts, which are both of lower energy, have one-third of their shores dominated by sandy beaches, the remainder being rock and other types of shoreline. In total, O’ahu has 176 sandy beaches, which occupy 45% of the coast.
Table 1 O’ahu: Coast and Beaches

	Coast length miles (mi)	No. Beaches	Beach length miles (mi)	% Beaches
North Shore	17	51	11	66
Windward	65	55	32	50
South Shore	56	44	19	33
Leeward	28	26	19	33
Total	178	176	80	45

North Shore

The North Shore of O’ahu begins at Ka’ena Point and extends for 17 mi east to Kahuku Point. The shoreline is 100 ft in length and predominantly sandy. The North Shore’s 51 beaches occupy 11 mi or 66% of its shoreline. The remainder is dominated by basalt and raised reefs, with beachrock outcrops along much of the sandy shore. The western half extends for 9 mi from Ka’ena Point to Hale’iwa and faces due north. The eastern half faces northwest, finally curving south at Kahuku.
Ka’ena Point to Hale’iwa
The first 4 mi of shoreline west of Ka’ena Point are rocky, originating from the basalt base and backing of the Wai’anae Range. There are also sections of raised reef, beachrock, and some higher dunerock. Three small rocky coves are found along this 1 to 2 mi section, however there are no beaches. Three miles from Ka’ena Point the road converts to a rough vehicle track and continues for another 2 mi, with only foot access beyond. This section is generally used only by rock fishers or the occasional surfer.
A near-continuous crenulate sandy beach with fringing reef begins just west of Camp Erdman, extending east for 7 mi as Mokule’ia and Pu’uiki beaches to the rocky boundary of Kaiaka Bay. These crenulations are induced by the continuous fringing reef, with sandy forelands forming to the lee of the more extensive reef, and embayments forming to the lee of gaps in the reef, which are frequently drained by permanent rips. The reef is initially 300-600 ft in width, widening up to 1600 ft east of Kolea Point. The narrow reef sections allow higher waves to reach the shore, and generally maintain steep, reflective beaches that are frequently paralleled by longshore currents, with strong rip currents flowing out from the embayed section through gaps in the reef. The wider reef sections allow only smaller waves to reach the shore, resulting in smaller beaches and generally weaker currents. Beachrock is also common along much of the shore and in the intertidal zone.

O’AHU 1-7 CAMP ERDMAN-MOKULE’IA

No. Beach Rating Type Length

1 Camp Erdman West 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 2300 ft

2 Camp Erdman East 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 1000 ft

3 Tiger Point 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 1600 ft

4 Army Beach West 4 7 R+fringing reef/rip 1300 ft

5 Army Beach East 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1300 ft

6 Mokule’ia Beach Park 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 3300 ft

7 Mokule’ia East 4 5 R+fringing reef/rip 3000 ft

Camp Erdman is a YMCA holiday camp located 4 mi east of Ka’ena Point, bordered on both ends by sandy forelands. Beach 1, Camp Erdman West, begins 2300 ft west of the foreland against basalt rocks. The beach initially trends east for 1600 ft before curving into a prominent embayment, bordered on its eastern side by foreland. A continuous reef, 300 ft in width, fringes the shore until the embayment where a rip flows offshore through the gap in the reef. Waves break heavily across the reef and there is a longshore current towards the embayment, at which point feeder currents converge and flow offshore as a strong rip. The beach is steep and soft with patches of beachrock along its base. The swash and backwash increase with wave height, as well as increasing set-up with higher waves. Farrington Highway runs parallel to the embayment, providing an excellent view and immediate beach access. To the west of the embayment the beach is backed by degraded fordune, merging into basaltic soils. To the east is foreland frequented by casuarina trees.
Beach 2, Camp Erdman East, is a 1000 ft curve of steep, sandy beach located between two sandy forelands. Both forelands are fronted by fringing reefs, 300 ft in width. The gap between the reefs is 300 ft near the shore, and narrows to 150 ft offshore. Waves break heavily across the reefs and flow into the deeper central embayment, causing the water to pulse offshore as a strong rip. The camp buildings and main parking lot back the center of the beach, with Farrington Highway running 150-300 ft to the south.
Beach 3, Tiger Point, begins east of the Camp Erdman foreland and continues for 1.5 mi, ending at the abrupt inflection of Tiger Point. The beach is steep and soft, with patches of beachrock along its base and usually a strong swash and backwash. The fringing reef continues for 1000 ft, degrading to the east as the outer reef deepens and patches of shallow inner reef outcrop off the beach. This section is characterized by a heavy shorebreak, with an inshore current flowing towards the point. Immediately west of the point is a 300 ft long embayment lying between the western inner reef and shallow 300 ft wide fringing reef off the point. Both reefs drain water into the deep embayment, with flow then turning offshore as a strong rip. This is the most accessible section of the beach, with the highway bordering the rear of the beach and parking and camping common on the beach and foreland of the point.
Army Beach refers to the former army recreational facility occupying this section of the shore. Today it is an open, undeveloped beach, largely backed by a 150-300 ft wide section of degraded foredune that is crisscrossed by vehicle tracks and scattered trees. Farrington Highway and Dillingham airfield parallel the rear of Army Beach and Mokule’ia Beach. Army Beach is separated into two sections by sandy forelands. Beach 4, Army Beach West, curves for 1300 ft from Tiger Point to the central foreland and is a sandy beach of intermediate steepness. The beach is fronted by a 500 ft wide fringing reef, which is continuous with the exception of a hole off the central embayed section. This hole is separated from the shore by a 100 ft wide strip of reef. The reef causes considerable wave attenuation, resulting in swash and waves of lesser height at the shore. It should be noted that despite the waves being of a lesser magnitude, swimming is still dangerous due to the strong longshore flow, which has the potential to sweep swimmers offshore from the hole as a central rip. Beach 5, Army Beach East, begins at the sandy foreland and continues east for 0.7 mi as a sandy, crenulate beach fronted by a near continuous fringing reef, 500 ft in width. Three gaps in the reef have induced three small embayments. The first gap is a narrow break, approximately 150 ft wide, located 300 ft east of the foreland. This gap extends to the shore where it forms a small embayment with a rip current flowing offshore though the gap in the outer reef. The second lies 2000 ft further east where the reef narrows to less than 300 ft. The narrower reef continues east for another 600 ft until the third embayment, which has formed to the lee of a prominent deep 150 ft wide sandy channel that extends right to the shore. Waves breaking over the reefs to either side feed into the embayment and maintain a strong rip current exiting though the northwest-trending channel.
Beach 6, Mokule’ia Beach Park, occupies then next 0.5 mi of shoreline, curving gently from foreland to foreland as a long embayment located to the lee of a deeper section of reef. Shallower fringing reef extends 150-300 ft offshore of the western side of the beach, and up to 1000 ft offshore of the eastern side. These wider reefs induce heavy wave breaking well offshore. Only smaller waves reach the beach, which is steep and narrow and fringed with beachrock. The reef on the eastern side of the channel produces the right hand Mokule’ia surf break. Wave-generated currents flow shoreward and along both sides of the beach towards the central embayment, where they then feed a strong narrow rip that flows out through a northeast-trending channel at the center of the embayment. The beach park backs the eastern half of the embayment and eastern foreland, and is popular for windsurfing and kite-surfing. The park also provides parking, bathrooms, water, and showers.
Beach 7, Mokule’ia East, begins at the eastern park boundary and continues east for 3000 ft to the next embayment. The beach is initially fringed by a 1000 ft wide reef, which continues for 1600 ft to the east. The reef then narrows to 300 ft off the embayment before continuing east for another 600 ft to an elongate narrow reef extending 600 ft offshore, forming the eastern boundary. This near continuous reef causes considerable wave attenuation, resulting in generally small waves at the beach, which is steep and narrow and fringed with beachrock. Most of the rear of the beach is undeveloped and covered by dense stands of casuarina trees.

O’AHU 8-14 KOLEA POINT-PU’UIKI BEACH

No. Beach Rating Type Length

8 Kolea Point West 3 4 R+fringing reef 3300 ft

9 Makaleha Beach 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1600 ft

10 Crozier Drive West 4 5 R+fringing reef 300 ft

11 Crozier Drive 4 5 R+fringing reef 4300 ft

12 ‘Aweoweo Beach Pk 4 5 R+fringing reef 2600 ft

13 Pu’uiki Beach 4 5 R+fringing reef 4900 ft
A section of reef running perpendicular to the shore separates the western and eastern Mokule’ia beach systems, and also marks the beginning of a 4 mi long section of beaches backed largely by beachfront houses. These beaches have wide fringing reef systems that protect the shoreline, resulting in low energy sandy beaches that are usually free of strong currents and rips. Farrington Highway runs parallel to the coast, providing direct access to beaches 8 and 9. Crozier Drive provides access to beaches 10 through 14, where Farrington Highway has turned inland.
Beach 8, Kolea Point West, begins at the perpendicular reef and continues east for 0.5 mi as a spiralling embayment, ending at the prominent foreland of Kolea Point. The beach and embayment are protected by a reef that is up to 2300 ft in width off the center of the bay. The shielding of the outer reef allows only small waves and weak, wind-driven currents at the shore. Beachfront houses wedged in between the highway and shoreline occupy much of the bay shore. A seawall constructed along property boundaries has in some places caused complete loss of the otherwise steep and narrow sandy beach. Waves average less than 1 ft at the shore and surge up and down the low-energy reflective beach.
Beach 9, Makaleha Beach, is part of an undeveloped beach park. The beach begins at Kolea Point and curves to the east for 0.7 mi, extending to the tip of the next sandy foreland. The beach is backed from west to east by Mokule’ia Polo Field, followed by the undeveloped Makaleha beach, and finally a horse ranch. Casuarina trees fringe the entire beach. There is a public access path in the center, next to Makaleha Stream. A scattered fringing reef parallels the beach, and varies in width from 150 ft off the eastern foreland to 600 ft off the beach center. Reef also parallels the shore along much of the western side of the beach. These reefs produce a series of wave breaks both off and on the shore, as well as associated currents, with a rip beginning at the low-energy apex of the embayment and running westward between the inner and outer reef. This area is adjacent to where the public access path reaches the shore.
Beach 10, Crozier Drive West, is a 3000 ft long north-facing beach, located between two sandy forelands. Crozier Drive ends adjacent to the beach center, however the beach is backed by beachfront houses on the east and private land on the west, allowing no public access. The fringing reef continues to parallel the shore and is approximately 300 ft wide off the foreland, with a gap in the outer reef near the center of the beach that allows waves to break closer to shore across a 150 ft wide inner reef. These reefs reduce wave height at the shore to usually less than 1 ft, where they surge up the steep sandy beach. Currents are usually weak along the beach, with the exception of during periods of increased wave height, at which time a strong rip exits out the central gap in the reef.

Crozier Drive parallels the rear of Beach 11, Crozier Drive. There is a continuous spread of beachfront houses between the drive and beach, with one public access path located near the center of the beach. The beach extends for 0.8 mi between the western boundary foreland and a slight eastern foreland. The fringing reef continues down the length of the beach, narrowing to 300 ft through the first 1600 ft, then widening to 600 ft through the remainder of the beach. Waves tend to break heavily across the reef, with generally small waves at the shore. There is one gap in the reef that runs along the western side of the outer reef and produces a fast left hand surf break known as Silva Channel. The channel is 60-100 ft in width, and is framed on either side by reef. A rip current sweeps out the channel.

Beach 12, ‘Aweoweo Beach Park, is a narrow developed beach park, 300 ft in length. The beach begins at the slight foreland separating it from Beach 11, and trends to the east for 2600 ft to the next large sandy foreland. The beach park is located at the center of the beach, with beachfront houses on either side, and condominiums on the foreland. The fringing reef continues down the length of the beach, widening from 600 ft in the west to 1000 ft off the foreland. Waves break over the shallow reef, resulting in generally small waves and calm conditions at the shore with only wind-generated currents. The beach is narrow and steep with some beachrock and old triangular tank traps along its base. A seawall has been built on the foreland in response to beach erosion.
Beach 13, Pu’uiki Beach, begins at the foreland and curves in a broad arc for 1 mi to the lee of the low basaltic Pu’uiki Point, adjacent to the cemetery. The beach is backed by a continuous spread of beachfront houses, with the exception of the cemetery, and can be reached through public access paths. The fringing reef widens to 1600 ft at the center, resulting in generally small waves and calm conditions at the shore. The low wave height maintains a steep narrow beach. There is erosion at the foreland that is undermining the casuarina trees, and beach widening at the center forming a berm.

O’AHU 14-18 KAIAKA-ALI’I BEACH PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

14 Kaiaka Bay Beach 2 2 R+sand flats 500 ft

15 Kaiaka State Beach Pk2 5 R+fringing reef/rip 2300 ft

16 Ali’i Beach Park West3 5 R+fringing reef/rip 1600 ft

17 Ali’i Beach Park East 4 6 R+fringing reef/rip 1300 ft

18 Hale’iwa Boat Hbr 1 2 3 R+breakwater 130 ft

Kaiaka Bay and Hale’iwa Boat Harbor frame a 1 mi long section of protruding shoreline containing five beaches (14 through 18). Ki’iki’i and Paukauila streams flow into Kaiaka Bay, while the Anahulu River empties into the harbor. The natural valley formed by the converging streams marks a change in the orientation of the shoreline, from north facing to northwest facing, that is sustained for the remainder of the North Shore. The valley also marks the center of the North Shore and is the site of its two towns, Waialua and Hale’iwa.
Beach 14, Kaiaka Bay, is a natural bay, 1300 ft across at its widest, and is bordered by Pu’uli Point to the west and Kaiaka Point to the east. The eastern side of the 600 ft wide mouth has been trained, with a low rock wall forming the western end of the beach. The beach trends east-northeast for 3150 ft, after which there is a 7 ft high raised reef that extends for 2300 ft to the point. The low energy beach is located 2300 ft inside the bay and receives only small waves averaging 1 ft in height. The waves break first across a low gradient intertidal sandy flat before reaching the 30 ft wide moderately steep beach. The beach is backed by a 6 ft high dirt dune, followed by low scrubs that continue until the old road, 300 ft south. The water is often muddy, with debris from the streams littering the beach. While the beach is easily accessible and adjacent to the Hale’iwa Elementary School, it is unattractive and unsuitable for swimming due to the shallow dirty water and debris.
Beach 15, Kaiaka State Beach Park, is a 90 acre plot of flat grassy land located to either side of Kaiaka Point, and is fronted by a low raised reef. The point and western side of the reserve are composed entirely of reef and unsuitable for swimming, however, the large park is a popular camping and fishing spot. The beach begins on the eastern side of the point’s raised reef and trends to the east for 2300 ft as a steep sandy beach fronted by a 600 ft wide fringing reef. The eastern 1600 ft of beach are backed by beachfront houses, with public access paths located off Pika Street and at the eastern end of the houses, near the beach’s end. A deep channel cuts though the reef and reaches the shore at the center of the embayment. Waves are generally small at the shore, with water flowing off the reef and into the 600 ft wide channel. The channel is orientated due north and constrained by the reef that extends 1600 ft out into the center of the bay. A rip current flows out of the embayment and eventually across the Hale’iwa surf break. Hammerheads, a left hand surf break, is located over the outer reef at the western side of the channel.
Ali’i Beach Park begins at the center of the embayment between Kaiaka Point and the Baywatch surf house. The beach begins as a continuation of Kaiaka Beach, and trends in a northeast direction for 1600 ft. The beach faces northwest and is adjacent to a shallow fringing reef 600 ft in width. Waves break initially 150-300 ft offshore, with generally small waves at the beach. Ali’i Beach Park backs the beach and provides parking and bathroom facilities. Walls, a right hand surf break, is located along the reef, and is frequented by higher swells.
Beach 16, Hale’iwa’s Ali’i Beach Park West, begins at the reef point and trends northeast for 1300 ft to the western Hale’iwa Harbor breakwater. The beach is fringed by reef and rocks, with a 300 ft long section of beachrock outcropping along the eastern section of the beach, dividing it in two. The lifeguard tower is located behind the center of the beachrock, providing a good view of the entire beach. The steep, sandy beach is fronted by a continuous 150 ft wide channel that usually flows west along the western half of the beach. At the western end of the beach flow turns offshore and crosses the reef to link with the larger Kaiaka rip, before then continuing northeast across the takeoff area for the main Hale’iwa surf break. A second rip flows east from the beachrock before turning at the breakwater to flow into the harbor area. Fringing reef extends another 300-600 ft offshore of the channel and is the site of the Hale’iwa surf breaks, with a right breaking over the inner reef, and during large swells the giant Avalanche breaking over the outer reef. In addition to the lifeguard tower, the beach has a large parking lot, and bathroom and shower facilities, and is the site of the Baywatch surf house.
Beach 17, Ali’i Beach Park East, is a sheltered 130 ft long pocket of sand wedged in between the end of the main harbor breakwater and a second boulder groyne. The beach lies inside the harbor and receives only low refracted waves. The main parking lot extends to the rear of the beach.
Beach 18, Hale’iwa Harbor 1, has no description available at this time.

O’AHU 19-21 HALE’IWA BEACH PARK

No. Beach Rating Type Length

19 Hale’iwa Boat Hbr 2 2 3 R 300 ft

20 Hale’iwa Beach Park 3 3 R+fringing reef 1600 ft

21 Pua’ena 3 4 R+fringing reef 500 ft

Beach 19, Hale’iwa Harbor 2, is located between the eastern training wall of the harbor and a 300 ft long groyne that marks the boundary of the beach park. The beach marks the small mouth of Anahulu River, which flows under the 150 ft long bridge and enters the bay between rock training walls. The 300 ft beach is widest against the training wall and narrows to the east, ending against a boulder seawall that extends for another 150 ft to the groyne. The Hale’iwa road runs directly behind the beach, with a cluster of trees between the road and beach. The beach receives small waves that have passed between the harbor breakwaters and usually average less than 1 ft at the shore. The waves maintain a steep sandy beach, which often has outrigger canoes pulled up on its berm. This is a relatively calm beach, with deep water offshore. The beach is impacted by river sediments and debris during rainy periods

Beach 20, Hale’iwa Beach Park, extends from the groyne for 1600 ft to the beginning of the raised reef that extends out to Pua’ena Point. In addition to the groyne, there is an outcrop of beachrock in the center, and a seawall with a detached breakwater fronting the main facilities. The beach is up to 300 ft wide in the west against the groyne, and narrows to the east, particularly along the seawall, where rocks are often exposed at the shore. Due to its location within the bay, the beach receives generally small waves, averaging less than 1 ft at the shore. The beach is backed by the large Hale’iwa Beach Park, which provides parking and picnic and bathroom facilities.

Beach 21, Pua'ena Beach, is located at the eastern end of the beach park just north of the eastern parking lot. A 300 ft long section of raised reef separates it from Beach 20. The beach is 500 ft long and faces northwest across the outer reefs of the bay. The shore is a steep, curving sandy beach, with scattered rocks along the shore and a 3-5 ft high raised reef to either end. The beach is protected by fringing reefs extending up to 1600 ft offshore, with generally small waves at the shore. The beach is shaded by casuarina trees and is a popular swimming and sunbathing location. The Pua’ena surf break is located over the reefs off the beach and is a popular spot for less experienced surfers. During periods of increased magnitude, a large right breaks off Pua’ena Point and may connect with the inside reefs.

O’AHU 22-26 PAPA’ILOA-LANIAKEA

No. Beach Rating Type Length

22 Police Beach 7 8 R+fringing reef 3300 mi

23 Papa’iola West4 8 R+fringing reef 2600 ft

24 Papa’iola East 5 8 R+fringing reef 2600 ft

25 Laniakea 6 8 R+fringing reef 1000 ft

26 Turtle beach 6 8 R+fringing reef 300 ft

Pua’ena Point marks the beginning of a 2 mi long section of near continuous crenulate sandy beach that ends at the basalt rocks that mark the eastern end of Laniakea and Turtle beach. This stretch of shore has five beaches, numbers 22 through 26, which are all fronted by fringing reef that narrows from 1600 ft in the west to 1000 ft in the east. The westernmost Police Beach is backed by undeveloped land and difficult to access, while Papa’iola Road provides foot access to the center of the Papa’iola beaches. The Kamehameha Highway runs adjacent to Laniakea Beach and Turtle Beach providing direct access.
Beach 22,