Waikiki Beach

The part of Honolulu known as Waikiki has some of the best swimming beaches on Oahu, not to mention some of the best surfing in Hawaii. The sandy shore of Waikiki is actually seven beaches, each with its own charachter and amenities, and though you're in the heart of Honolulu, the beaches are beautiful, Diamond Head awesome, and the sun and water magical.

North Shore Beaches

Oahu's North Shore is famed as the home of the world's best surfing, and the Banzi Pipeline and Sunset Beach are known by everyone, even if they aren't surfers. The North Shore beaches are great to visit, but you have to be careful.The power of the North Shore surf easily overwhelms anything on a human scale, and these waves are not for Mainland haoles on a one week stay. Respect the power of the North Shore.

Windward Side Beaches

Take a quick drive through the Ko`olaus. The city drops away, and you're on the Windward Side, where you'll find Oahu's best beaches for swimming, easy surfing, and great windsurfing. The Windward Side runs 35 miles, north-south, on the east coast of Oahu, and the best beaches are on the more populated southern end near Honolulu. Not to be missed is Kailua and Hanauma.

Leeward

The beaches of Oahu's drier leeward west side are a bit off the beaten track for the average visitor. The Waianae mountains separate Leeward Oahu from the rest of Oahu, and Farrington Hwy. is the only road in and out.