Image via Flickr by Daniel Ladenhauf
Voted 2014 Traveler’s Pick by Gogobot, Honolulu is the one of the number one islands to visit in Hawaii. It features a beautiful tropical island setting mixed with just the right amount of city for those looking to explore the history and rich culture of Hawaii. Needless to say, Honolulu also has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Pacific, full of breezy palm trees, soft white sand, and cool clear blue water. Here is a list of some of Honolulu’s best, perfect for fishing, sunbathing, and surfing.
Ehukai Beach
Part of the Banzai Pipeline, this beach is the ideal spot for surfing the big waves of Honolulu. The sharp reef located just off the shoreline provides surfers with Hawaii’s most famous big water tubes. The waves here are constantly churning sometimes reaching heights of 25-30 feet. This truly breathtaking beach is located just off Ke Nui Road in Haleiwa.
Waimea Bay
Image via Flickr by Steven Worster
This iconic surfing beach was made famous by the first Big Wave surfers in the 1950s. Though winter is the best time to surf Waimea Bay, during the calmer summer and spring months, snorkelers and divers are in for a real treat due to the wide array of colorful fish and migrating wildlife. This beach has full amenities for swimmers and sunbathers, making it an easy all day hangout for visitors and locals alike.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
The natural beauty and exquisite landscape of this beach make it a great spot to catch a glimpse of tropical fish, colorful reefs, and naturally formed dormant volcanic craters. The view here is awe-inspiring and captures the true essence of wild Hawaii. Gear for snorkeling and scuba diving is available for rent here, so take full advantage of Hanauma‘s marine sanctuary.
Yokohama Bay
Enjoy amazing ocean views, sunbathe, and get your feet wet at Yokohama Bay. Relaxing on this beach is an all around good time since the calmer swells allow for a multitude of water sports. This is also an ideal spot for dolphin watching.
Waikiki Beach
Image via Flickr by Mi…chael
Probably Honolulu’s most famous beach, Waikiki offers visitors the complete experience. Boasting more than 4 million visitors each year, this beach is considered one of the most popular hangouts in Honolulu. Waikiki offers something for everyone, the reef offers a great place to surf and view marine life, canoeing and kayaking allow a more relaxed view of the Waikiki shore, and the Queen Surf beach area offers a quiet spot for those looking to rest and rejuvenate.
Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo Beach is known for its laid back atmosphere. The shady palms and silky sand make this beach a great place to set up shop for the day and have a picnic. The calm turquoise waters are ideal for body surfing and boogie boarding.
Honolulu’s beaches have been described as enchanting. The sheer beauty of the landscape and seascapes alone cause many one time visitors to relocate to this area. When visiting Honolulu, be sure to investigate these beaches, but remember once you experience Hawaii from Honolulu, you may not want to return to the main land.
