When the stresses and mundanity of modern life have gotten the best of you and you just need to get away from it all, there’s nowhere quite like the beach. Beaches are the simplest places on the planet, offering nothing but sun, sea, and sand, but the simplest things in life often provide the greatest pleasures, and beaches give us all we need to have a great time. There are a lot of dream beach destinations all over the world, with Hawaii standing out as one of the best. The Aloha State, made up of multiple islands of different sizes, boasts a long list of world class, picture perfect beaches for all to enjoy. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.
1.Sunset Beach
As with many Honolulu beaches, Sunset Beach can offer a very different experience depending on the time of year you happen to be visiting. If you're at this beach in the winter months, you'll be able to sit back and admire the skills of some of the world's best surfers riding some crazy waves, but if you're at Sunset Beach in spring or summer, the waters are much gentler and ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The 2-mile beach offers a lot of space for beach games, picnics, and relaxing sunbathing sessions too, and it's also one of the safest beaches in the area, with lifeguards on duty all through the year.
2.Ke Iki Beach
The golden sands and shimmer waters of Ke Iki Beach are beyond breathtaking. If you try to imagine a perfect beach in your mind, it probably looks a lot like this one. With captivating views in every direction, Ke Iki Beach is highly popular for both surfing and swimming, depending on the waves, and it's also one of the most untouched beaches of Honolulu, without any amenities. This means you'll need to bring your own food and beach equipment, but there are some stores and eateries just a short drive away if you need them. Ke Iki Beach is one of the best places in all of Hawaii to watch the sunset.
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3.Waimea Bay
Up on the north shore, Waimea Bay is one of the most famous beaches in the world. Attracting the planet's most talented surfers, this beach can serve up some of the craziest waves in all of Hawaii, especially in the latter months of the year. When the waters are choppy and the waves are high, the water is best-suited for surfing, but it gets much calmer in the summer and can be super for people of all ages to paddle, waddle, swim, and splash around. It's a beautiful beach with golden sands and a lively atmosphere, and there are some good amenities here too like clean showers, restrooms, and picnic tables.
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4.Ehukai Beach Park
Definitely one of the most popular and well-known beaches in Honolulu, Ehukai Beach Park is perhaps most popular with surfers. It's home to the Banzai Pipeline, which is a name that any surfing enthusiasts will be familiar with, and sees some mega waves on windy days. The beach itself stretches out a long way in both directions, offering plenty of place to hang out with the crowds or find a more secluded spot to listen to the waves. Amenities include restrooms and showers, with bars and eateries only a short walk away too. Even if you're not a surfer, it's a lot of fun to sit on this beach and watch pros and amateurs alike riding the waves.
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5.Lanikai Beach
Running for around a mile in total, Lanikai Beach stands out for its waters and views. The sea here is the prettiest shade of blue you could ever hope to see and the relatively gentle waves provide perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling, with kayaking also a popular activity on this beach. There's a coral reef a short way off the shore if you're in the mood to dive down and check out the local marine life, and a couple of picturesque islands can be admired off in the distance, making this beach a great place to snap some photos.
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6.More Info
There are plenty of breathtaking beaches to be found all around the islands of Hawaii, but if you’re looking to enjoy the islands’ beaches while also getting an authentic taste of Hawaiian culture, cuisine, and nightlife, Honolulu is the place to be. The capital city of Hawaii, Honolulu is found on the island Oahu, on the southern coast. Honolulu is quite simply one of the prettiest cities on the planet, with a stunning skyline, mind-blowing beaches, and the warmest, bluest waters for swimming, snorkeling, surfing, and more.
Honolulu Beach Guide
In terms of beaches, Honolulu has a lot to offer. The city is home to some of the most famous beaches not just in Hawaii, but in the entire world. What’s more, Honolulu’s beaches are all conveniently located close to the city itself, with lots of super nightlife spots, varied stores, fine dining restaurants, and more only a short walk away from the soft sands of each beach. Read on to learn more about Honolulu’s most popular beaches.
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5 Best Beaches in Honolulu
- Sunset Beach, Photo: tobago77/stock.adobe.com
- Ke Iki Beach, Photo: Galyna Andrushko/stock.adobe.com
- Waimea Bay, Photo: Jeff/stock.adobe.com
- Ehukai Beach Park, Photo: Kelly Headrick/stock.adobe.com
- Lanikai Beach, Photo: Nataliya Hora/stock.adobe.com
- More Info, Photo: Michelle/stock.adobe.com
- Cover Photo: Courtesy of Kay’s Photography - Fotolia.com
More Ideas: Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa
The Aulani Hawaii Resort, in Kapolei, Hawaii, is a Disney owned and operated full-service resort. The resort offers nine restaurants, a full-service spa, salon, and fitness center, and luxury amenities for guests of all ages. They also provide more than 40 different sponsored activities.
Accommodations
The guest accommodations at the Aulani Hawaii Resort come in a variety of different categories - resort rooms, villa, and suites.
The resort rooms are categorized by the view that they offer. Guests can choose from Standard View, Island Gardens View, Poolside Gardens View, Partial Ocean View, and Ocean View. Each room has the choice of two queen beds or a king bed with a queen size sleeper sofa, and they sleep up to four guests at a time.
Villas are offered in the same categories - Standard Views, Island Gardens Views, Poolside Gardens Views, and Ocean Views. The villas come in:
- Deluxe Studio - Sleeps up to four guests with one queen size bed and one queen size sleeper sofa
- One Bedroom - Sleeps up to five guests with one king size bed and one queen size sleeper sofa with an additional pull-down single bed
- Two Bedroom - Sleeps up to nine guests with one king size bed and two queen size beds with an additional queen size sleeper sofa and twin-size sleeper chair
- Three Bedroom Grand Villas - Sleeps up to twelve guests with one king size bed and four queen size beds with an additional queen size sleeper sofa and twin-size sleeper chair
There are also four suites at the Aulani. The resort offers two Parlor Suites - one with partial ocean views and other with full ocean views. Both suites sleep up to five guests with one king size bed and one queen size sleeper sofa with an additional bunk size pull-down bed or bunk bed. Guests can also choose the:
- Lei Hulu Signature One Bedroom Suite - Sleeps up to five guests in one king size bed with an additional queen size bed and twin-size sleeper chair
- Ahu Ula Signature Two Bedroom Suite - This room is wheelchair accessible with a roll in shower and sleeps up to six guests with a king size bed, queen size bed, and queen size sleeper sofa
Amenities
The resort rooms come with many different luxury amenities. Guests are provided bathrobes for use while staying at Aulani, as well as a selection of bath products. Each bathroom also comes with a hairdryer and a shower/tub combination fit with a rain shower head.
The rooms also include a ceiling fan, an in-room safe, a flat panel television with Blu-Ray player, a coffee maker with tea service, a mini fridge, and an iron with ironing board. For resort guests visiting with babies and small children, every resort room can also include a diaper disposal system, bed rails, outlet covers, a high chair, and a bottle warmer. Resort rooms also have their private balconies or porches.
The villas have all of the amenities of the resort rooms with a few additional. Villas come with kitchenettes that include a stove, toaster, flatware, glassware, dinnerware, a microwave, a dishwasher, a full set of kitchen cabinets, pots and pans, a full-size fridge, and a washer and dryer.
The suites offer the most amenities, adding in addition to the amenities included in the resort rooms an additional whirlpool tub, butler pantry, and multiple other flat-screen televisions.
One other luxury amenity offered at Aulani is babysitting services. Babysitters will come right to each guest room, suite, or villa and watch children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old.
Dining
There are nine different restaurant dining options for resort guests.
For breakfast or dinner, guests can choose the Makahiki buffet. The Makahiki offers Character Dining and Character Breakfast on certain days.
‘Ama’Ama serves contemporary Hawaiian cuisine with table-service in an open-air environment, right on the Ko Olina Beach.
For all-day dining while at the pool, guests can visit the Ulu Cafe. The menu includes poke bowls, hot meals, flatbread sandwiches, and other food easy to eat while on the go.
Cocktails and small plate appetizers are served at the ‘Olelo Room. The Hawaiian language inspires the decor.
Adults only are allowed at Wailana Pool Bar. The bar serves up cocktails and other adult beverages alongside classic lunch favorites.
Off the Hook offers another poolside option, with sandwiches, salads, tropical beverages, and appetizers served in the fresh air.
For guests looking for a quick bite while on the go, there is Mama’s Snack Shop. The walk-up shack offers fish and chips, coconut breaded shrimp, chicken tenders, and other easy to eat favorites.
Papalua Shave Ice offers guests of all ages refreshing and fruity shaved ice desserts. Guests can choose their favorite of a wide variety of flavored syrup options.
Finally, the beachside kiosk Little ‘Opihi has light meal options like sandwiches, salads, and other quickly prepared snacks.
Room service also offers resort guests the opportunity to dine right in their rooms. Guests can choose from breakfast options like omelets, waffles, and pancakes, lunch options like soups and burgers, dinner options like steak and chicken, and dessert and beverage options as well. Each room phone has a button labeled “private dining” that guests can press to order.
Spa and Fitness
The resort has an in-house full-service fitness center, spa, and salon - Laniwai.
The spa has dozens of therapies that have been specially designed for resort guests. The spa staff has signature therapies, massage therapies, herbal body remedies, and facials. They also offer services specifically for men and have packages for couples and families as well. The spa also runs the only outdoor hydrotherapy garden in the city of Oahu. The garden is 5000 square feet and has vitality pools and other amenities that come complimentary with the purchase of a spa treatment. Also, the spa also operates the Pulu Bar, which allows guests to mix their body polishes with a selection of natural herbs, essential oils, and other botanical ingredients. Those polishes can be used during treatment or taken home.
The salon portion of the Laniwai spa focuses on the skin, nails, and hair. Guests can get a haircut, dye, or style, or enjoy a manicure and pedicure at the Painted Sky studio. The salon also offers packages catered just to male guests.
Guests trying to stay in shape during a visit to Aulani can visit the Mikimiki Fitness Center. The center is open 24/7 and offers full service, state of the art fitness equipment for both cardio and strength training. Yoga and other fitness classes are available, as well as personalized training sessions.
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Activities
As a Disney owned and operated resort, Aulani offers many different guest activities. Overall, the resort has over 40 activities for the entire family to enjoy. Guests are encouraged to reach out to the front desk to inquire about specifics or to schedule an activity.
Guests to the resort can golf at the nearby club - Ko Olina - which offers 18 holes on a championship course that is officially ranked by Golf Digest. Kids can golf free after 3 pm as well.
There are a variety of pools and beaches for guests to enjoy while staying at the resort, which also includes grottos and splash zones. Each pool and beach were designed for children, although there are some adult only spaces as well.
Children can participate in the Adventure Trail, which is a high-tech scavenger hunt that will lead them all through the resort to find specific items, solve riddles, and see what the resort has to offer.
There are also many complementary activities at Aulani. Included with every guest stay at the resort are fire pit storytelling at Mo’Olelo, guided walking tours of Maka’Ik’I, crafts, and movies at the Pau Hana Room, and ukulele lessons by trained staff professionals.
Shopping
The resort has various gifts, Disney merchandise, sundries, and apparel for sale at one of their three different shops.
Kalepa’s Store, located in the lobby of Aulani, offers guests the ability to purchase different vacation essentials. Guests can buy groceries, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and retro art both from Disney and from local artisans.
For high-end merchandise, Hale Manu has a selection of goods, jewelry, and other gifts in a boutique setting. The store is also located in the lobby.
For quick poolside take out snacks like chips and candy as well as island themed Disney apparel, the resort staffs The Lava Shack. Guests can also purchase sunscreen, beach towels, and pool toys.
92-1185 Ali’inui Drive, Kapolei, HI, 96707, Phone: 866-443-4763
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More Ideas: Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is an award-winning resort and hotel on Waikiki Beach that promises an idyllic seaside escape. Surrounded by sun, sea, and surf, the island-style resort offers luxurious accommodations, modern amenities and facilities, first-class dining, and an array of outdoor activities and recreation to enjoy. From surfing the world famous waves of Waikiki to sipping barefoot cocktails on the sand, Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort has something for everyone.
Guest Accommodations
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort offers beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites with modern amenities and spectacular city or ocean views. All rooms and suite feature comfortable queen or king-size pillow top beds with luxury linens and hypoallergenic pillows, and en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, soaking tubs, plush bathrobes, and luxurious products. Modern amenities include air conditioning, flat-screen televisions with cable channels, alarm clock/radios, coffee makers and complimentary coffee and teas, mini-fridges, irons and ironing boards, in-room safes, direct dial telephones, and daily housekeeping services.
Guest rooms and suites range in size from 360 to 685 square feet and range from City View and Ocean View Rooms to One Bedroom Ocean Front Suites with two bathrooms and spacious sitting rooms with balconies overlooking the ocean.
Dining
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort features five dining spots that offer a variety of delicious cuisine, ranging from barbecue grills and fresh seafood to casual fare and freshly brewed coffee. Renowned jazz, blues, and Hawaiian music artists perform twice nightly at the Blue Note Hawaii, which has a 300-seat showroom, a full service bar, and dinner menu and is open year-round. Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant serves fresh seafood and fish, juicy steaks, and more in a fun, lively atmosphere, along with headline live music acts on Sundays by Henry Kapono.
The Hula Grill Waikiki and Chuck’s Steak House serve contemporary island cuisine against a backdrop of magnificent views of Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach for lunch and dinner. Pai’s Deli offers a range of fresh sandwiches and snacks, fruit smoothies, shaved ice and other chilled beverages, and Seattle’s Best Coffee offers coffee, tea, and on-the-go snacks throughout the day.
Amenities
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort boasts an array of first-class amenities and services ranging from five restaurants, cafés and places to eat, a modern business center with printing, copying and faxing facilities, a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center and spa that offers a variety of massages, yoga classes, and other fitness activities. Other amenities include a coin-operated laundry, complimentary yoga classes on Saturday mornings, valet parking, a hospitality room, ice machines, Hawaiian cultural events, including a vow renewal ceremony, luggage storage, laundry/dry cleaning valet services, and a porter/bell service. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, whirlpool, sun deck with loungers, surfing lessons and beach services, and a 24-hour reception and concierge desk.
Weddings & Events
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is a beautiful location for weddings, ceremonies, receptions, and vow renewals. The resort offers a unique vow renewal ceremony in an outrigger canoe on the waves Waikiki Beach, which promises to be an exceptional and unforgettable day. The resort also provides a range of packages and services, including professional wedding and event planners, catering services, vendor lists and complimentary wireless Internet.
The resort also caters for meetings and business functions with over 5,000 square feet of function space that can accommodate outdoor receptions, executive retreats, corporate conferences, and other special events. The Na Koa Boardroom is suitable for up to 12 guests, the Leahi I and II are flexible function rooms that can accommodate up to 80 guests for a reception or banquet-style event, and the Kalakaua Room can host a dinner for 80 people or a seated meeting for up to 26 guests.
2335 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, Phone: 808-923-0711
More beachfront hotels on Oahu
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