A guide to Oahu's beaches

As I pulled up to my studio apartment in Waikiki anticipating a month of sun and sand, one thought was on my mind- let's go to the beach! After a month of riding around the (surprisingly small!) island, I have a few favorite beaches to rave about- and a few that are more forgettable. Get ready for a personalized guide to the Oahu beaches from a tourist who has absolutely no qualifications to guide you anywhere. Seriously. The amount of times I got lost in Honolulu alone qualifies me for an award ("World's most clueless solo traveler- how is she still alive?")

Waikiki Beach-

If you are like me, you chose to stay in the big city of Oahu- Honolulu. I lived along the canal in Waikiki (side note: the canal is known for it's flesh eating organisms and giving rowers staff infections- stay out). If you are in the city, Waikiki beach is probably the first beach you will see from your hotel or apartment. It's big, it's sandy, and it's CROWDED. At 5 am, runners begin to make their way to the beach. By 6 am, sunrise viewers litter the shore. By 10 am, you could gather all the people at the beach and form an army large enough to invade a small country. Let's not even talk about prime time. The water is warm, the waves are decent (people do surf there, even locals I met), and the sunsets and sunrises can be lovely. You will hear people from all over chattering and playing music. Other stretches of beach nearby (like Queen's beach- where most surfers are that I saw) have a very similar vibe.

Pros: Calm water area for kids, lots of opportunity to meet new people, proximity to the city

Cons: rocky bottom in some parts, crowded, some unsavory characters (this is the whole city though)

Lanikai Beach-

This beach on the east side was one of my favorites. It has fine sand that is almost white and will stick to you until the cows come home. It has a good stretch of beach, and is extremely close to Kailua beach (another really gorgeous one). If you are adventurous, you can kayak out to 3 small islands off the shore. A friend and I even swam to Popoia (flat island) from Kailua beach. I don't recommend the swim for anyone who isn't a strong swimmer or who has a good sense of self preservation- past the buoys people are doing watersports and you don't want to be run down by a parasailer. However, this beach is perfect for those wanting a quieter spot with clear blue waters.

Pros: fine sand, calm water, can easily rent kayaks and explore

Cons: you will never get the sand out of your life, no big waves for the thrill seekers

Sunset Beach-

My time at sunset beach was short, but this beach was one of my favorites I visited. It's up on the North Shore, and is a great place to.... you guessed it.... catch a sunset. I also saw a lot of wildlife around the beach, and a domesticated pet pig. I was there in summer, so the waves were small (North shore waves get big in winter). The water was serene and bright. I didn't swim here, so I don't know about the temperature.

Pros- less crowded than other beaches I visited, beautiful sunset, so many wild chickens to watch

Cons- far drive from Waikiki- traffic is worse coming back and it took me around an hour and half for the return

Waimea Beach-

Another North shore beach, Waimea beach is located close to the Waimea nature preserve. Take the morning to go explore the nature preserve and the waterfall and then head over to the beach. More adventurous travelers can jump from the cliffs. There are several spots to jump from, so you can jump from various heights. I went straight for the longest jump and did it a few times! Be warned, land feet first. The last time I landed on my bottom and had bruises that lasted a few days. The beach itself is nice and decently uncrowded. The left side of the cliffs was my favorite spot- there was less people and some rocks out in the water to explore.

Pros: cliffs for jumping, relatively uncrowded, calm in summer

Cons: colder than other beaches I visited, parking is a nightmare

Ala Moana Beach Park

This beach is also located by Honolulu, but is arguably a better destination than Waikiki beach. It was less crowded and a little bit safer feeling than Waikiki beach. The water is crystal and serene. It was a bit farther of a walk for me, but I made it many times to avoid Waikiki beach.

Pros: close to Honolulu, beautiful waters, plenty of stations to rent water gear and toys

Cons: still pretty crowded, farther from many hotels than Waikiki beach for those walking

Hanauma Bay

This beach requires reservations- you must make them two days in advance at 7am and have your fast typing fingers ready to secure a spot. IT IS WORTH IT! Bring your snorkel, you will want to spend the whole day with your face under the sea. The water is crystal clear, almost as clear as air. You can see EVERYTHING. And by everything I mean many types of fish, turtles, coral, and potentially even a monk seal. I came back to the bay despite the hassle of the reservation and the cost ($25 for out of state visitors). It's just that good.

Pros: snorkeling, water is divine, less people due to limited guest capacity, small beach so easy to make your way to restrooms, etc.

Cons: reservation and cost hassle

There are many more beaches on Oahu. In general, I was advised to stay away from West-side beaches (with the exclusion of Electric Beach and Zablan Beach where the mermaid caves are). These beaches tend to be more local beaches, and tourists may not be quite as welcome. North Shore beaches are a drive, but were generally much less crowded and more peaceful. In winter, they get crazy big waves for surfing. I'm heading back in December and am excited to get to watch the surf up there. The East side beaches also seem more calm and relaxed. South shore by Waikiki is the perfect place to meet other travelers and people watch.

Overall, every beach I visited had perks and drawbacks. The island is amazing, and the people there may even be more amazing than the views. Wherever you go, whatever you do, just enjoy your visit. Grab a fresh slice of watermelon or a drink, listen to some island music, and talk to a stranger- stay on island time for a little while and throw up a shaka. You will be embraced by the people, and your stay will be a lot more full of the aloha spirit.