Top Five Beaches on Oahu, Hawaii - from Busy to Quiet and in Between

Anyone who's a big fan of Hawaii Five-O or the newer Hawaii Five-0 is bound to be a fan of the Hawaiian surf. Even if you're not the surfing type, the beaches featured on Oahu in these hit shows make you want to visit anyway (unless, of course, you're Scott Caan's Detective Danny Willliams and you hate the beach, period.) But for every other normal well-adjusted human being, there's five Oahu beaches you might want to check out.

Lanikai Beach, Oahu: Renowned for blue-green waters and soft yellow sand, Lanikai Beach is one of the best snorkeling havens in Hawaii. It's also the best to prevent sunburn. According to Frommer's, the mountains near Lanikai Beach block the sunlight for a good portion of the afternoon, so you'll just be exposed to the sun's hottest rays in the morning, when it's not so strong.

But there's another plus. Lanikai is a little more secluded, which means less tourists and hotels marring the view. For a great stay, you might check out the Lanikai Resort, where you'll find hotel rooms or condos with kitchens, depending on how long you plan to stay.

Waikiki Beach, Oahu: When you tell people you're going to Oahu, they almost automatically think you're going to visit Waikiki Beach. Well, there is some merit to that thought, as Waikiki has plenty of gorgeous vistas and lots of hotels to choose from. However, it's also one of the busiest, but that means you'll have plenty of hotels to choose from and access to more happenings in the city.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu: This beach has less yellow sand and more volcanic ash around its perimeter, which gives it a lot of visual interest. While it's one of Hawaii's most popular bays, it also gets an awful lot of traffic during the year, especially from swimmers and scuba divers. Now it's part of a nature park that you can enjoy while going hiking as well as swimming and scuba diving.

Malaekahana Beach, Oahu: Malaekahanais perhaps one of the least untouched beaches on Hawaii. According to Frommer's it hails of the older Hawaii, pre-tourism and pre-jet planes. It's not highly trafficked either, so it's not a bad pick for a honeymoon location if you're looking for some privacy. But if you're looking for adventure, you might want to skip this one on account of being a little too sleepy for much to happen.

Pokai Bay: If you like mountain views mixed with many inlets and a variety of trees, Pokai Bay is the place for you. There are also many golf clubs and resorts on Pokai Bay for adults who want a little sporting during their vacations. Since Pokai Bay isn't one of the most popular bays in Hawaii, you might find a few discount hotels around if you're trying to stay economically. Several hotels near this beach also offer complimentary continental breakfast.

Sources:

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/oahu/0009020110.html

http://www.bestplaceshawaii.com/tips/10_best/beaches.html