Oahu's Beaches - Hawaii
THE SOUTH SHORE -- This coastline is known for its many family beaches like Ala Moana Beach - also, the state's principal and renown tourism "mecca," Waikiki. Activities like snorkeling, tide pooling, swimming, and any general ocean recreation are all popular on the South Shore. This shore is a good place to learn and improve your aquatic skills.
Caution should be taken during seasonal high surf in the Summer. New comers should be very careful when they body surf off the South shore, especially at Sandy Beach. Ask the lifeguards about conditions! And, if in doubt, just stay out!
Box jellyfish regularly "swarm" to Hawaii's South shores about ten days after the full moon. Be well forewarned; observe posted signs and be attentive to media announcements.
These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the South Shore:
THE NORTH SHORE -- This coastline, blessed with pristine white sand beaches, is known for its world-class surfing, body boarding, and body surfing. (... And, the spectacular sunsets at Sunset Beach.)
Listen to surf reports on the radio and television, or check out other sources like newspapers - about approaching swells and surf forecasts. Check out the local conditions from lifeguards, surfers or fisherman before you enter into the water.
Caution is advised especially during the Winter months when waves may reach heights of up to twenty-five feet plus. The best surfers in the world ask the lifeguards about conditions, you should, too. And, if in doubt, just stay out!
From June through September there are incidents of stinging limu (seaweed) along beach front near Laie. Heed postings and warnings about it.
These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the North Shore:
- Sunset Beach Park,
- Ehukai (The Banzai Pipeline) Beach Park,
- KeWa`ena Beach,
- Waimea Bay Beach Park, and
- Ali`i Beach Park.
THE EAST SHORE -- This coastline known as the Windward coast has lush tropical beach settings which are favorite locations for windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts.
With tradewinds, Northeast winds blowing inshore 90 percent of the year, watch out for the Portuguese man-of-war (stinging blue jelly-like fish - Physalia); they can pose a problem for beach-goers. 
From June through September there are incidents of stinging limu (seaweed) along beach front on the Mokapu Peninsula in Kaneohe Bay and Kailua Bay, especially at Kailua Beach Park. Heed postings and warnings about it.
These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the East Shore:
- Makapu`u Beach Park,
- Bellows Beach Park,
- Kailua Beach Park, and
- Kualoa Regional Park.
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THE WEST SHORE -- This coast is more arid than the Windward coast and has many excellent beaches. This coast is known for its great offshore fishing spots.
Caution is advised during the Winter months when waves reach heights fifteen feet plus. Be sure to ask the lifeguards about prevailing conditions. And, if in doubt, just stay out!
From June through September there are incidents of stinging limu (seaweed) along beach front near Ewa. Heed postings and warnings about it. Box jellyfish regularly "swarm" to Hawaii's Leeward shores about ten days after the full moon. Be well forewarned; observe posted signs and be attentive to media announcements.
This shore is in the driest areas of O`ahu. Be sure you and any keiki (children) who might be with you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. 
Be sun safe and sensible: Be sure to wear a broad spectrum sun block, tanning lotion, or cream with a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 15+ - and re-apply it every two hours. Don't forget your sunglasses and to wear a hat with a wide brim, too!
These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the West Shore:
- Makaha Beach Park,
- Pokai Bay Beach Park,
- Nanakuli Beach Park, and
- Ma`ili Beach Park.
We strongly recommend
John R. K. Clark's book,
Hawaii's Best Beaches.
OCEAN INFORMATION -- For a detailed description of the Pacific Ocean's marine climate, water properties, currents, tides, waves, etc., please visit The Ocean Atlas of Hawai`i online. You'll learn many interesting facts, like our average surface water temperature in Winter is 75º F (24º C) and 81º F (27º C) in the Summer.
Call 596-SURF (that's 596-7873) to hear a recorded message on conditions at various O`ahu beaches. The recording is a free service of the Surf News Network (SNN) and is updated four times a day, 365 days a year, at 7 a.m., noon, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. In addition to wave heights, SNN provides information on winds, tides, and buoy readings.
TheBus: Oahu's beaches are very accessible by the public bus service: call 848-5555 [Voice/Text (TTY) 852-6080] for TheBus scheduling and routing information.
