5 Best Beaches in Oahu to Visit

Oahu is a beautiful Hawaiian island with so much to offer its visitors and is widely known for its impressive beaches. With great year-round weather, you’ll nearly always find people on the best Oahu beaches, enjoying everything that the sand and surf have to offer.

With so many beaches to choose from, which should you prioritize during your visit? Don’t worry, we have a list of the 5 best beaches on Oahu that we think you’re going to love:

1. Lanikai Beach

Consistently ranking as one of the best beaches in the world, Lanikai Beach offers bright blue waters and soft, powdery white sand. The calm waters are ideal for families who want to spend their time swimming. Although not ideal for snorkeling, Lanikai is perfect for kayaking. With access to the famous Mokulua islands just .75 miles off the shore, you can spend your days paddling back and forth for an exciting and unique adventure.

2. Hanauma Bay

For those searching for the perfect place to snorkel, Hanauma Bay is the place for you. Known for its pristine marine ecosystem, Hanauma Bay provides visitors of all skill levels who want to responsibly experience some of Hawaii’s most beloved sea creatures. Between the beautiful reef, unreal wildlife, and quiet waters, you’ll never run out of places to explore here. Just be sure to bring your reef-safe sunscreen!

3. Waikiki Beach

Waikiki Beach is a world-famous neighborhood in Hawaii that people travel from all walks of life to experience. This beach has a plethora of water activities available including surf lessons, snorkel rentals, boat rentals, and more. Besides the incredible beach, Waikiki Beach is located directly next to Kalakaua avenue where you’ll find many lively restaurants, shops, and other exciting vacation activities.

4. Waimea Bay Beach

For anyone who has come to Hawaii for surfing, Waimea Bay is one of the best beaches to visit. Waimea Bay is widely known for its 30-foot winter waves where brave surfers will venture out in the hopes of catching the biggest break. Though winter might be for thrill-seekers, the waves are calmer during the summer months and offer visitors a great location for swimming, diving, and even snorkeling.

5. Kawela Bay

Considered one of the more secluded beaches of Oahu, Kawela Bay is a breathtaking North Shore beach that is crescent-shaped and protected by a large reef, making for extremely calm waters. Not only that, but this beach has often been used in movies and television shows, like Pirates of the Caribbean and LOST. If your idea of the perfect Hawaii vacation is spending time on the sand away from the crowds, you won’t find a more beautiful spot.

Visit All 5 Beaches On an Affordable Oahu Vacation

You’ll be able to make the time to visit all of these incredible Oahu beaches and more when you book a deeply discounted Oahu vacation package on Carefree Destinations. We have amazing deals on beautiful resort stays in some of Oahu’s most sought-after vacation destinations that will let you vacation like loyalty without the high price point!