Oʻahu Surf Beaches — Map Guide
Surf, bodysurf, and bodyboard beaches across Oʻahu, with facilities, access, and safety notes.
⚠️ Shorebreak and rip currents are common on Oʻahu. Many locations below are not suitable for beginners or children during swell.
Banzai Pipeline (ʻEhukai)
Pūpūkea, Koʻolauloa — Ehukai Beach Park
Surf: Advanced (winter)
Break: Reef
Avg wave: 8–20+ ft (winter)
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards (seasonal staffing varies)
- Break
- Heavy left/right reef peak
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Surf (experts only in winter); bodyboard on small summer days only
- Access
- Paths from Ehukai Beach Park
- Family / Baby
- No (winter). Summer: calmer pockets nearby (not in impact zone)
- Bottom
- Reef — not a safe “swim” bottom
- Rip Current
- Very strong in winter; hazardous shorebreak
- Snorkeling
- Go to Pūpūkea MLCD (Shark’s Cove) in summer, not Pipeline takeoff zone
- Restaurants
- Food trucks & shops along Kamehameha Hwy
- Bathrooms
- Yes (park)
- Parking
- Public lot + roadside; fills early (capacity varies)
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Golden sand, seasonal sandbar shifts
- Skill
- Advanced only (winter)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed, where permitted by City rules
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Public beach park; nearby residential
Iconic world-class wave; spectators only on big days.
ʻEhukai (general beach)
Pūpūkea, Koʻolauloa
Surf: Intermediate–Advanced
Break: Reef + shorebreak
Avg wave: 4–12 ft (winter)
- Facilities
- Restrooms/showers at park; lifeguards nearby
- Break
- Reef peaks & shifting sandbars
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- All, depending on size; avoid heavy days if not experienced
- Access
- Park paths
- Family / Baby
- No during swell; limited calmer pockets in summer
- Bottom
- Reef / sand mix (urchins/rocks)
- Rip Current
- Common with swell
- Snorkeling
- Better at Shark’s Cove in summer
- Restaurants
- Food trucks & shops along highway
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Lot + roadside; fills early
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Golden sand
- Skill
- Intermediate–Advanced (conditions)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Public park + residences
Hukilau Beach
Lāʻie Beach, Lāʻie, Koʻolauloa
Bodyboard / Swim (small)
Break: Sandbar / shorebreak
Avg wave: 2–6 ft (winter)
- Facilities
- Basic park facilities (check status)
- Break
- Shorebreak with outer reef
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodyboard/bodysurf on small–moderate days
- Access
- Beach park access
- Family / Baby
- Sometimes (small summer days)
- Bottom
- Mostly sand nearshore; reef offshore
- Rip Current
- Moderate with swell or stream outflow
- Snorkeling
- Limited; calmer options at Malaekahana
- Restaurants
- Lāʻie town nearby
- Bathrooms
- Yes (park)
- Parking
- Small lot + street
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Light-colored sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate (small); Advanced when larger
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Public park; homes nearby
Kahana Bay
Kahana, Koʻolauloa
Calm bay (often)
Kayak / Picnic
Beginner (calm)
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, picnic areas; no lifeguard
- Break
- Inside bay sand/reef (usually small)
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Not a primary surf spot inside bay
- Access
- Easy state park access
- Family / Baby
- Yes on calm days (shady park)
- Bottom
- Muddy/sandy; rocky pockets
- Rip Current
- Generally low inside the bay
- Snorkeling
- Fair/limited visibility
- Restaurants
- Hauʻula or Lāʻie (short drive)
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Public dirt lot
- Special Access
- Camping by permit (Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park)
- Type of Sand
- Tan sand
- Skill
- Beginner (calm)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only (follow park rules)
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not without permit
- Land Context
- State park / public lands
Kailua Beach
Kailua, Koʻolaupoko
Swim / Bodyboard (small)
Windsports
Beginner–Intermediate
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards
- Break
- Sandbar / shorebreak (trade-wind chop common)
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodyboard on small days; surf is wind-chop dependent
- Access
- Multiple park entries
- Family / Baby
- Yes (popular family beach)
- Bottom
- Soft white sand
- Rip Current
- Occasional along channels/points
- Snorkeling
- Limited nearshore; better on very calm days by reef edges
- Restaurants
- Many in Kailua town (5–10 min)
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Several public lots + street (varies)
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Fine white sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed in designated areas (City rules)
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Public beach park; residential backdrop
Keaulana (Pili O Kahi / Tracks area)
Pili O Kahe, Nānākuli–Kapolei, Waiʻanae
Surf (Tracks)
Snorkel next door at Kahe
Beginner–Intermediate
- Facilities
- Basic; restrooms/showers status varies; no lifeguard at Tracks
- Break
- Reef / sand mix
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Surf most common; bodyboard on small days
- Access
- Beach pull-outs/park paths
- Family / Baby
- Sometimes (small days)
- Bottom
- Sand/reef; some rocky entries
- Rip Current
- Moderate with swell
- Snorkeling
- Excellent at Kahe Point (“Electric Beach”) just south
- Restaurants
- Ko Olina resort area nearby
- Bathrooms
- Limited / varies
- Parking
- Free public lot + roadside; fills on weekends
- Special Access
- City name: “Pili O Kahi Beach Park”; aka “Tracks”
- Type of Sand
- Light tan sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed below high-tide line where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park; HECO plant nearby
Kokololio Beach
Lāʻie/Hauʻula, Koʻolauloa
Bodyboard / Bodysurf
Powerful shorebreak
Intermed–Advanced
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, picnic; no lifeguard
- Break
- Heavy shorebreak; outer reef
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Popular for bodyboarding (south end “Pounders”)
- Access
- Park paths
- Family / Baby
- No at Pounders; calmer pockets north
- Bottom
- Sand with reef pockets
- Rip Current
- Strong at Pounders
- Snorkeling
- Limited
- Restaurants
- Lāʻie/Hauʻula nearby
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Park lots + roadside
- Special Access
- County camping by permit
- Type of Sand
- Tan sand
- Skill
- Intermediate–Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park + residences
Mākaha Beach
Mākaha, Waiʻanae
Historic surf spot
Intermed–Advanced (surf)
Summer swimming
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards
- Break
- Reef/point + sand
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Surf (winter); swim/boogie in summer
- Access
- Multiple beach paths
- Family / Baby
- Summer only nearshore
- Bottom
- Sand with reef; quick drop-off
- Rip Current
- Common with swell
- Snorkeling
- Good (calm summer) on north reef
- Restaurants
- Mākaha/Waiʻanae
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Lot + roadside (public)
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Golden sand
- Skill
- Intermed–Advanced (surf)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park; residences nearby
Makapuʻu Beach
Waimānalo, Koʻolaupoko
Bodysurf / Bodyboard
Steep shorebreak
Intermed–Advanced
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards
- Break
- Powerful shorebreak
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Primarily bodyboarding/bodysurfing
- Access
- Paths from lot
- Family / Baby
- No (dangerous shorebreak)
- Bottom
- Sand; steep drop
- Rip Current
- Strong
- Snorkeling
- No (exposed)
- Restaurants
- Waimānalo / Hawaiʻi Kai
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Public lot
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Tan sand
- Skill
- Intermed–Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City park + state lands nearby
Mākua Beach
Mākua, Waiʻanae
Remote coastline
Intermediate
Limited facilities
- Facilities
- None; no lifeguard
- Break
- Shorebreak/reef (exposed)
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Occasional surf; use caution
- Access
- Unimproved paths from roadside
- Family / Baby
- No (remote/exposed)
- Bottom
- Sand/reef; deep nearshore
- Rip Current
- Common with swell
- Snorkeling
- Occasional on calm days
- Restaurants
- Waiʻanae (drive)
- Bathrooms
- No
- Parking
- Roadside pull-outs
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Undeveloped shoreline / state lands
Malaekahana Bay
Malaekahana & Lāʻie, Koʻolauloa
Swim (small)
Camping (permit)
Beginner–Intermediate
- Facilities
- Restrooms/showers at parks/campground; no lifeguard
- Break
- Sandbar/shorebreak; outer reef
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodyboard/small surf on mellow days
- Access
- Parks & campgrounds
- Family / Baby
- Yes on small days
- Bottom
- Sand nearshore; reef offshore
- Rip Current
- Moderate near channels
- Snorkeling
- Fair when calm
- Restaurants
- Kahuku/Lāʻie
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Lots + roadside
- Special Access
- Camping by permit; Goat Island offshore (cross only in very calm/low tide)
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Campfires by permit rules only
- Land Context
- State/City parks + campground
North Beach (MCBH)
Heʻeia & Kāneʻohe, Koʻolaupoko — Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi
Access restricted
Intermed–Advanced
Reef + shorebreak
- Facilities
- On-base only; designated lifeguards
- Break
- Reef + shorebreak
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- All (conditions), per base rules
- Access
- Base access required (DoD or sponsored)
- Family / Baby
- No when surf is up
- Bottom
- Reef/sand
- Rip Current
- Common with swell
- Snorkeling
- Limited/seasonal
- Restaurants
- On-base services
- Bathrooms
- On-base
- Parking
- Base lots
- Special Access
- Military installation—public access not available
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Intermed–Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Per base policy
- Fire Pits / Fires
- Per base policy
- Land Context
- Federal installation
Point Panic
Kakaʻako, Honolulu
BODYSURF ONLY (by rule)
Reef point
Intermed–Advanced
- Facilities
- Kakaʻako Waterfront Park bathrooms (status varies)
- Break
- Reef point
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodysurf only in surf zone (boards prohibited)
- Access
- Steps/entry from seawall
- Family / Baby
- No
- Bottom
- Reef; deep takeoff
- Rip Current
- Moderate–strong with swell
- Snorkeling
- No
- Restaurants
- Kakaʻako SALT & Ward area nearby
- Bathrooms
- Yes (park)
- Parking
- Public park lot
- Special Access
- City rules enforce bodysurf-only
- Type of Sand
- Engineered shoreline
- Skill
- Intermed–Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed in park areas; not in water
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- State/City parklands
Pounders (Kokololio south)
Lāʻie, Koʻolauloa
Bodysurf / Bodyboard
Heavy shorebreak
Advanced
- Facilities
- Use Kokololio facilities
- Break
- Powerful shorebreak
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Experienced riders only on bigger days
- Access
- Beach paths
- Family / Baby
- No
- Bottom
- Sand; steep drop
- Rip Current
- Very strong
- Snorkeling
- No
- Restaurants
- Lāʻie
- Bathrooms
- Kokololio park
- Parking
- Kokololio lots + street
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Tan sand
- Skill
- Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park
Sandy Beach Park
Maunalua, Honolulu
Bodysurf / Bodyboard
Very powerful shorebreak
Advanced
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards
- Break
- Steep shorebreak; multiple peaks
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Primarily bodyboarding/bodysurfing
- Access
- Park paths
- Family / Baby
- No
- Bottom
- Sand/rock pockets; steep drop
- Rip Current
- Very strong; frequent injuries
- Snorkeling
- No
- Restaurants
- Food trucks sometimes; Hawaiʻi Kai nearby
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Large public lots
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Golden sand
- Skill
- Advanced
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park
The Wall (Waikīkī Walls / Kapahulu Groin)
Waikīkī, Honolulu
Bodyboard (inside)
Beginner–Intermediate
Urban amenities
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards, rentals
- Break
- Man-made groin; shorebreak inside, reefs outside
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodyboard inside; outside reefs break on swells
- Access
- Promenade along seawall
- Family / Baby
- Yes at protected Kuhio basins
- Bottom
- Sand/rock
- Rip Current
- Low–moderate inside; stronger near ends
- Snorkeling
- Limited inside basins
- Restaurants
- Many within walking distance
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Paid lots/garages; limited street
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Imported/engineered beach sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Rules vary; many Waikīkī areas restrict dogs—check signs
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach in resort district
Tracks (Kahe Beach area)
Kahe Beach, Honouliuli, ʻEwa
Surf spot
Beginner–Intermediate
Snorkeling nearby
- Facilities
- Basic; no lifeguard at Tracks
- Break
- Reef/sand
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Surf most common; boogie on smaller days
- Access
- Beach pull-outs
- Family / Baby
- Sometimes (small days)
- Bottom
- Sand/reef
- Rip Current
- Moderate
- Snorkeling
- Excellent at Kahe Point (“Electric Beach”) next door
- Restaurants
- Ko Olina nearby
- Bathrooms
- Limited / varies
- Parking
- Free lot + roadside
- Special Access
- Also known as Pili O Kahi Beach Park
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park
Turtle Beach (Papaoneone)
Papaoneone Beach, Mākaha, Waiʻanae
Beach / Seasonal bodyboard
Intermediate
Minimal facilities
- Facilities
- No facilities; no lifeguards
- Break
- Shorebreak with outer reef
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Occasional (seasonal)
- Access
- Narrow public access paths
- Family / Baby
- No (exposed)
- Bottom
- Sand; some reef
- Rip Current
- Moderate–strong in winter
- Snorkeling
- Sometimes calm; turtle sightings possible
- Restaurants
- Waiʻanae/Mākaha
- Bathrooms
- No
- Parking
- Small roadside pull-outs
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- Condos/residences line parts of beach
Ulehawa Beach Park
Lualualei, Waiʻanae
Linear shoreline park
Fishing / Beach walks
Beginner (beach use)
- Facilities
- Restrooms at select segments; showers; no lifeguard
- Break
- Shorebreak/reef pockets
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Occasional; not primary surf area
- Access
- Multiple park paths
- Family / Baby
- No (exposed)
- Bottom
- Sand/reef
- Rip Current
- Moderate with swell
- Snorkeling
- Limited
- Restaurants
- Waiʻanae
- Bathrooms
- Some segments
- Parking
- Several public lots + roadside
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Tan sand
- Skill
- Beginner (beach use) / Intermediate (surf)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed below HTL where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park along shoreline
Waimānalo Bay (Hūnānaniho)
Waimānalo, Koʻolaupoko
Swim (small) / Bodyboard
Beginner–Intermediate
Long white-sand beach
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards (check section)
- Break
- Sandbar/shorebreak; trade-wind swell
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Bodyboard on small–moderate days
- Access
- Multiple park entries
- Family / Baby
- Yes on small days
- Bottom
- Soft white sand
- Rip Current
- Occasional along sandbars
- Snorkeling
- Limited nearshore
- Restaurants
- Local eateries in Waimānalo
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Large public lots
- Special Access
- Gates/hours enforced
- Type of Sand
- Fine white sand
- Skill
- Beginner–Intermediate
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only where permitted
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park + ironwood groves
Waimea Bay
Waimea, Waialua (North Shore)
Big-wave surf (winter)
Summer swim/snorkel
MLCD waters
- Facilities
- Restrooms, showers, lifeguards, picnic tables
- Break
- Reef + shorebreak
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- Surf (advanced) in winter; swim/boogie only in calm summer
- Access
- Stairs/path from lot
- Family / Baby
- Summer only nearshore
- Bottom
- Sand with rocks/reef at sides
- Rip Current
- Very strong in winter; shorebreak can be dangerous
- Snorkeling
- Good in calm summer near rocks (Marine Life Conservation District)
- Restaurants
- Haleʻiwa/Pūpūkea food trucks & shops
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Small lot + roadside; overflow at Waimea Valley (paid)
- Special Access
- None
- Type of Sand
- Golden sand
- Skill
- Advanced (surf); Beginner–Intermediate (summer swim)
- Dog Friendly
- Leashed only
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed
- Land Context
- City beach park; MLCD waters
Yokohama Bay (Keawaʻula)
Keawaʻula, Waiʻanae — Kaʻena Point State Park
Remote west side
Advanced (surf)
State park rules
- Facilities
- Comfort station/showers; lifeguard (state park section)
- Break
- Shorebreak/reef
- Surf / Body / Boogie
- For experts in surf; beginners should not enter when breaking
- Access
- Park paths from lot
- Family / Baby
- No
- Bottom
- Sand with reef; steep drop
- Rip Current
- Strong and frequent
- Snorkeling
- Limited; sometimes calm
- Restaurants
- None immediate; services in Waiʻanae
- Bathrooms
- Yes
- Parking
- Small lot + roadside
- Special Access
- 4x4 beyond pavement by permit (not on beach)
- Type of Sand
- Light sand
- Skill
- Advanced (surf)
- Dog Friendly
- No dogs on state park beaches (service animals excepted)
- Fire Pits / Fires
- No / Not allowed (state park)
- Land Context
- State park / wild coastline