Best Beaches On Oahu – Here’s The 10 Beaches You Don’t Want To Miss

UPDATED MAR 2020. Trying to narrow down the list of the best beaches on Oahu to just 10 was pretty hard. There are so many beautiful beaches and I honestly don’t think there’s a bad beach on the island. Nevertheless, I’ve created this post of my picks of the top beaches on Oahu that you don’t want to miss if you are planning a visit. I hope it can help you find some new places to go and that you enjoy them as much as I do.

Best Beaches On Oahu – Here’s The 10 Beaches You Don’t Want To Miss

1. Lanikai Beach

Lanikai deserves a spot on any list of the best beaches on Oahu.

The palm trees, bright blue water, and fluffy golden sand make it feel like you’re visiting somewhere out of a magazine or Hawaiian postcard. The only downside is that it is very popular and can be crowded.

Go early to get a park and a good spot at the beach. It’s a spectacular spot for sunrise if you’re up for an early start.

The water here is calm which makes it perfect for families or anyone who wants to enjoy a chill day at the beach. You can also rent kayaks and cruise out to the famous islands, the Mokes.

Check out my full review of Lanikai Beach here. While you’re there it’s also worth doing the Lanikai Pillbox Trail.

Lanikai Beach

2. Makua Beach

On the west side of the island, you can find my personal favorite beach, Makua Beach.

The mountains that serve as the backdrop for this beach take my breath away every time I visit. It’s the most incredible view on the island in my opinion. That goes for all of the mountains that line the west coast for that matter.

The catch with Makua is that the water can be a little rough, especially in the winter when the surf conditions can be dangerous for swimming all along the west side.

In the summer though, the water is stunning. I’ve seen a lot of sea creatures here while snorkeling including dolphins, turtles, whales, octopus and lots of fish.

Even if the surf conditions are too rough for swimming, it’s a beautiful place to go and relax on the sand.

With views like this, Makua Beach is certainly one of the best beaches on Oahu.

3. Waimanalo Beach

This is another popular, picture-perfect beach here on Oahu. It’s also the spot where I got married!

Waimanalo is similar to Lanikai in that it just looks like a picture-perfect beach.

Wide open beaches and the bluest of water against the open skies make this a dreamy location to rest your beach towel.

I love walking into the water here and just floating as the waves go by because it is the perfect spot for it. The beach is long too, so even on a crowded day, you will be able to find a spot somewhere.

4. Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is a famous spot on the North Shore. It’s home of ‘The Eddie’ – the big wave surf competition, and also the popular rock that people jump off into the water.

The waves here are crazy in the winter and it’s usually off-limits for swimming during this season. However, in summer it’s the most beautiful, clear piece of paradise.

It’s a good place to snorkel, especially over near the rocks. I’ve seen turtles here and since the water is so clear, you can see every detail on them. It’s also a great place to just chill at the beach and swim in the water.

You should arrive early for this beach since it is popular and the parking is limited. The beach area is large though, so you’ll be able to find a spot on the beach.

Waimea Bay

5. Banzai Pipeline/Ehukai Beach

This beach is home to the Banzai Pipeline surfing contest which makes it pretty darn cool in and of itself.

It’s a nice long beach on the North Shore that has that dreamy Hawaii feel to it.

Like most beaches on the North Shore and west side, in winter the surf conditions are too rough to swim and you will see an incredible display of power with the huge waves. There are a lot of surf competitions here so if you like those, winter is the right time to visit.

If you want to go swimming though, visit this beach in summer and enjoy one of the best beaches on Oahu. Make sure you stay to watch the sunset because they are beautiful around this area.

6. Nanakuli Beach

Nanakuli Beach is another beach on the west side of the island and an underrated gem in my opinion.

In winter it’s not great, but in the summertime, it is so clear that it sparkles. It’s also a popular camping spot for families and has showers, bathrooms and also lifeguards stationed there.

It’s a great place to go after a hike on the west side like Kaena Point or the Upper Makua Cave.

The water clarity is incredible and it’s a great place to float and cool off.

Nanakuli Beach

7. Sandy’s Beach

Sandy’s Beach is my go-to beach when I just want to watch the sunrise or chill out and laze in the sun.

It has pretty rough surf conditions, so it’s great for boogie boarders, surfers, and wave photographers. If you’re unsure of the conditions, just check with the lifeguards.

I don’t surf so I like to chill out on the beach, stay in the calm areas, and explore the tide pools. I have even seen a big seal resting on the sand taking an early morning nap here once. It’s a great place to collect sea glass too, and I’ve found a lot of great pieces here.

Sandys Beach

8. Alan Davis Beach

Alan Davis Beach is one of the more secluded beaches near Makapuu. It’s a great spot to visit after you do the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail or Makapuu tide pools.

There is a short, flat hike to get to the beach which is a little different to most beaches on Oahu. It’s worth the hike though because the water here on a clear day is so bright and beautiful.

There’s also a plank you can jump off into the water. It’s not very high so if you’re nervous about heights, this is a good one to start with. You can see Pele’s Chair which is a rock formation that looks out at the ocean.

Alan Davis Beach

9. Yokohama Bay

Yokohama Bay is out on the west side and is another one of my favorite beaches on Oahu.

In the summer, the water is so beautiful to swim in and you’ll get those epic mountain views like at Makua Beach. It’s a great place to go snorkeling too.

In the winter, the waves are rough and mostly too dangerous for swimming but it is a great place to see the migrating whales swim by. All you have to do it look out to the horizon and watch for the spouts or breaches.

This is one of the best spots on the island to watch the sunset as well, so make sure you don’t miss that.

Yokohama Bay

10. Kaupo Bay

This is another underrated spot in my opinion, but well worth visiting.

There’s a shallow area protected by rocks that’s perfect for sitting in, or for kids, but you can also snorkel further out. I love to visit here for a bit of sun, sand, and chill days floating in the water.

I’ve seen a lot of turtles feeding here so keep an eye out around the rocks and you might see some little turtle heads pop up for air.

Other guides to help you plan your visit to Oahu

• Oahu Tourist Bucket List – The Ultimate List Of Things You Just Can’t Miss

• Swim With Turtles On Oahu – A Guide To All The Best Places

• Best Shave Ice Oahu Edition – The Best Spots In Each Area Of The Island

These are the best beaches on Oahu in my opinion and I love them all for different reasons.

If you have any other favorites, please share it in the comments below. I hope this post can help you visit these amazing spots on Oahu.

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