Oahu's South Shore Beaches

Summer's just around the corner and your Hawaiian vacation is creeping up on you. As you pack your swimsuit and sun tan lotion, you begin to wonder which beaches you should visit. Here's a quick introduction to some of the most popular and beautiful beaches on the south shore of Oahu.

Waikiki Beach
Most island visitors stay in a Waikiki hotel, and with this being said, it is likely that your first experience with Hawaiian waters will be the beach behind, around or across the street. The long stretch of sand bordering Kalakaua Avenue is considered Waikiki Beach, and here you will find places to sun bathe, body board, surf, snorkel and canoe paddle. You can rent boards, floaters and other beach gear from local vendors on the sand. This is likely the most popular area for first-time visitors. Because of this, it is often crowded throughout the day.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
This nature preserve is one of the most popular places to visit while on Oahu. It is famous for its swimming, snorkeling and picnic areas and is just a great experience for the entire family. There is a visitor's center that introduces people to the bay and educates them on how they should conduct themselves while at the preserve.

During the summer, Hanauma Bay is open daily except for Tuesdays from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. On the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, visiting hours are extended to 10:00 p.m. You'll want to make sure you arrive early because parking always fills up quickly.

Ala Moana Beach Park
Just a couple of minutes outside of Waikiki is Ala Moana Beach Park. Here you'll find a wide expanse of beachfront and plenty of tree cover for the family. The water is usually calm with little to no waves so this is a great place to bring the keiki (children). For those not interested in sunning or a quick dip in the water, the recreation area is ideal for picnics and barbeques, beach volleyball or touch football. The park is located across the street from Ala Moana Shopping Center and is a great place to take your lunch to enjoy the Hawaiian sunshine.

Sandy Beach
This beach is located east of Hawaii Kai on Kalanianaole Highway and is known for its wicked shore breaks. Sandys is a popular spot for local bodysurfers and can be very dangerous when the waves are big. There's almost always some kind of warning sign posted, such as "Strong Current," "Dangerous Shore Break" or "High Surf." During these conditions, it is best to leave the bodysurfing to those who are experienced with the conditions.

But, no one said being a spectator can't be just as much fun. The beach crowd consists mostly of young, hip surfer types, and it is a great place to see hot bods in motion. If you're looking for your Hawaiian hunk or beach bunny, Sandy Beach is definitely where you should begin your search.

So whether it's your first dip into the Pacific Ocean, a day out with your family or scoping out Hawaii's young and beautiful, Oahu's South Shore has everything to offer you on your trip to Hawaii.