Kawaikui Beach Park

Location and Features

Tucked between Kahala and Hawaii Kai on Oahu's eastern shoreline, Kawaikui Beach Park offers a little slice of local Hawaii that tourists often miss. The beach itself is rather narrow with light brown sand interspersed with pebbly patches. Just offshore, a shallow reef creates relatively calm waters, but you'll need to watch your step - the shoreline gets pretty rocky in many spots.

Behind the beach, a spacious grassy area provides an ideal picnic backdrop, shaded by swaying palms, sprawling banyan trees, and other lush greenery. From here, you can take in beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean with Koko Head standing majestically in the distance. On those crystal-clear Hawaiian days, you might even spot some of the outer islands dotting the horizon.

Beach Activities

We should mention upfront that this isn't your ideal swimming spot - the nearshore waters are shallow and rocky. That said, the beach represents an ideal launch point for surfers heading out to catch waves at the offshore breaks known as Manantan's, Tunas, and Turtles. The water typically reaches about thigh-deep for adults, which can work for children with proper supervision.

You'll discover locals coming here for peaceful picnics, fishing, and paddleboarding rather than swimming or sunbathing. When the wind picks up, windsurfers appear to take advantage of the conditions. One advantage is the relative lack of crowds. Unlike Waikiki or other famous Oahu beaches, Kawaikui tends to be quieter, allowing you to hear the waves rather than a hundred conversations.

Amenities

The park comes equipped with the essentials: picnic tables scattered throughout the grass, clean restrooms, outdoor showers for rinsing off sandy feet, and a covered pavilion that provides welcome shelter during surprise rain showers. There's a free parking lot, however it's worth arriving early on weekends as spaces tend to fill up quickly.

Dog owners, rejoice! Kawaikui is pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your leashed furry friends to enjoy the open space. Just remember to use the available trash cans for proper waste disposal.

Visitor Information

While swimming might not be the main attraction here, Kawaikui Beach Park excels as a spot for beachcombing, relaxing with a good book, or simply sitting back to enjoy the endless ocean views. You'll see locals using this as their lunch break escape or hosting family gatherings complete with BBQs.

Fair warning: sometimes the shallow waters and reef create a slightly fishy aroma near the shore - it's all part of the natural ecosystem. The park welcomes visitors daily from 5AM to 10PM, making it great for both early risers wanting to catch the sunrise and evening strollers taking in the spectacular Hawaiian sunsets.

If you're interested in experiencing a less touristy part of Oahu, Kawaikui provides a peaceful beach setting away from the more popular destinations.