Kailua Beach park
Oahu's Secret Beach Haven | The Essential Guide
Kailua Beach Park
Kailua | Oahu | Hawaii
Location: |
Eastern side of Oahu ( about 35 min from Waikiki or downtown Honolulu) |
Ammenities: |
Public Restrooms, Outdoor Showers, Picnic tables, Lifeguards |
Parking: |
Free with lots of available spots |
Activities: |
Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Swimming, Snorkeling, Bicycling, Bodyboarding, Hiking |
Kailua Beach Park is one of the largest and nicest beach parks on Oahu’s Windward Side. Located towards the southern end of Kailua Bay, Kailua Beach Park offers plenty of shade, white sand beaches, and a perfect swimming area for keiki. The most popular activities include kayaking, stand up paddling, and kitesurfing, as well as sun tanning and relaxing. The largest annual event at Kailua Beach Park is the fireworks display on the fourth of July. The whole town plus visitors come out to watch a spectacular display of fireworks over the bay.
Location
Kailua is 12 miles from Waikiki and about a 30-minute drive over the Pali Highway. Kailua Beach stretches for approximately 2 miles and lies just north of Lanikai Beach, ranked number 1 and 2 attractions in Kailua on TripAdvisor. Currently, no commercial drop-offs are allowed at the beach park, so using the City Bus, renting a car, or booking a tour are currently the only ways to get here:
By Car:
From Waikiki: Head east on H1 freeway, take exit 21A for Pali Highway towards Kailua, follow the signs for Kailua, continue on Pali Highway for about 6 miles, then turn left onto Kailua Road, and continue straight for about 2 miles until you reach the beach park.
From Honolulu: Take H1 eastbound, take exit 21A for Pali Highway towards Kailua, follow the signs for Kailua, continue on Pali Highway for about 6 miles, then turn left onto Kailua Road, and continue straight for about 2 miles until you reach the beach park.
By Public Transit:
From Waikiki: Take TheBus route 22 or 57 to Kailua Transit Center, then transfer to route 70 or 77 and get off at Kailua Beach Park stop.
From Honolulu: Take TheBus route 57 to Kailua Transit Center, then transfer to route 70 or 77 and get off at Kailua Beach Park stop.
If you're staying in Kailua or Lanikai, the beach park is easily accessible by bike or foot. There are also a number of tour companies that offer transportation to Kailua Beach Park, as well as bike, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals for those who want to explore the bay on their own.
Activities
Kayaking & Stand up Paddleboarding
Kailua Bay is a world-renowned destination for paddling enthusiasts, offering some of the best conditions for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and other water sports in Hawaii. The bay's calm, clear waters are protected by an offshore reef, which creates a sheltered lagoon that is perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. The reef also creates gentle waves and a steady breeze, making Kailua Bay an ideal location for paddling and other water sports.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are particularly popular in Kailua Bay, with rental shops located near the beach park and in nearby towns. Visitors can rent equipment by the hour or day and explore the bay's numerous islands, coves, and beaches. Popular destinations include the Mokulua Islands, also known as the "Mokes," which are located just offshore and offer some of the best snorkeling and diving in Hawaii.
Not sure where you want to paddle? See our guide of paddling destinations.
For those who prefer to explore the bay's rich marine life from the comfort of a boat, guided kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours are also available. These tours are led by experienced guides who provide instruction on paddling techniques and offer insights into the history and culture of the area.
Whether you're a seasoned paddling enthusiast or a first-time visitor to Kailua Bay, the calm waters and breathtaking scenery make it an unforgettable destination for water sports and outdoor adventure.
Kailua Bay is not only a great spot for water activities, but it's also home to a variety of marine animals. Visitors can often spot sea turtles, dolphins, and even humpback whales during the winter months. It's important to remember to give these animals plenty of space and avoid disturbing them in their natural habitat.
Swimming
Most of Kailua Bay is incredibly shallow (less than 20ft deep!) so it makes it an ideal place to go open ocean swimming. Additionally, the location of Flat Island and Moku Nui island lend the beach as the best beach for long distance swims on Oahu.
biking
Kailua is also known for being bike-friendly. The town has a number of bike rental shops and bike paths, making it easy to explore the area on two wheels. The beach park itself has a long bike path that empties out at the beginning of the Lanikai loop.
SNORKELING
The waters off of most of Kailua Beach tend to mostly be sandy bottom without reef. This causes the water off the beach to be a beautiful turquoise color, but it also means that there are not nearly as many fish while snorkeling as one might find as where there is reef. That being said, Kailua Beach Park is a short walk (or swim!) to Lanikai beach which offers one of the most sought after snorkeling destinations in all of Hawaii. Even at the end of Kailua bay up against the rocks by the boat ramp offer great snorkeling for seeing He’e (Tako or Octopus), Puhi (eels), Honu (seaturtles), and a myriad of types of fishes.
Hiking
While the main part of Kailua by the beach is flat, Kailua is surrounded by mountains. So, not surprisingly, Kailua Beach Park is the perfect gateway to some of the best hikes on Oahu. A short walk from Kailua Beach Park brings one to the beginning of the iconic Lanikai Pillbox hike. This hike is a must for seeing the sun rise on the east side. Additionally, many hikes such as Maunawili and Olomana are just a short drive from the beach park.
History
Ancient History
Kailua Beach Park is located on the traditional lands of the Hawaiian people, and its history stretches back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence shows that the area was inhabited by native Hawaiians for at least 1,000 years before the arrival of European explorers in the late 18th century. Kailua Bay was a major center of population and trade in ancient Hawaii, with several heiau (temples) and fishing villages located along its shores. The bay's sheltered waters were ideal for fishing, and the surrounding fertile lands supported agriculture and taro cultivation. One of the most important historical sites in Kailua is the Ulupo Heiau, a massive stone platform that was built around 500 years ago and served as a center of religious and political power. The heiau is believed to have been built by the chiefs of the area and was dedicated to the gods of agriculture and fertility. In addition to the Ulupo Heiau, there are several other important historical sites in Kailua, including the Mokapu Peninsula, which was a major fishing village in ancient times, and the Pohaku O Kane, a sacred rock formation that was used in religious ceremonies.
Modern History
The park was originally Camp Kailua, but in 1940 Honolulu County converted it to “Beach Park” status. President Barack Obama visits Kailua every year for the Christmas Holidays with Michele and the kids. They rent a home on the northern end of Kailua Bay and tend to golf, dine and make appearances around Kailua town. The team at KBA has been fortunate enough to enjoy shaking hands with the president and posing for photo ops when he comes to get shaved ice next to the shop. Other celebrities such as Rihanna and the stars of Hawaii Five-0 and Lost have been frequenting Kailua and Lanikai for years.
While the beach park does offer shade and shelter from the sun, most choose to go out into Kailua Bay. The draw is really the ocean and the beach, and whether you’re stand up paddling, kayaking, or snorkeling, there’s sure to be something for everyone. If you're interested in exploring the marine life in Kailua Bay, we offer snorkel gear rentals and guided snorkel tours. And if you're feeling adventurous, try a night snorkel to see the bay come alive after dark!
Ammenities
Kailua Beach Park offers the public the following:
Free & Accessible Parking
Restrooms
Outdoor Showers
Picnic Tables
2 Lifeguard towers
Bike Paths
Boat Ramp
Lots of shade from trees
Beautiful White Sand
A tiny shorebreak makes it ideal for kids
Nearby snorkeling
Unparalleled views!