Visitors to Oahu can easily fill their days with scenic hikes on the island’s 112 miles of shoreline. Key facets of the best coastal walks include remote spots, native birds occasionally flying overhead, colorful sunsets, sea cliffs, a place to picnic, a sea turtle or two and gorgeous sandy beach alongside the sea.
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Mokuleia Beach Park, west of Wailua, has a lot of character to match its wildly rugged and remote coastline. Near Kaena Point, the westernmost point on Oahu, you’ll enjoy this serene walk on white sand with calm waters in the summer. Avid LOST fans will find this beach fascinating as they notice nearby Dillingham Airfield, mountains and vegetation that served as the scene of the dramatic plane crash.
Diamond Head Beach Park, one of the greatest landmarks of Oahu and Hawaii, offers a legendary coastal walk on the east side of Waikiki. From the sea cliffs to the tide pools in this area and the Diamond Head Lighthouse in the distance, the walk on the golden sand makes this another terrific coastal walk. Quiet waves lap against the shore, so grab your flip flops and loved one for a little jaunt.
Stay near Diamond Head in one of our Kahala vacation rentals.
Kailua Beach Park is known for perfection, with its gentle sand, clear blue waters and grand palms that provide shade when you need it. Watch windsurfers and taste shave ice as you stroll with a view of the Mokapu Peninsula and Flat Island. Located on east Oahu, this beach park has full facilities including picnic areas, lifeguards, showers, etc.
Halona Beach Cove is a lovely scenic area sheltered by sea cliffs on southeast Oahu. The shoreline is rocky and provides a dramatic and challenging coastal walk to get to it but once there, you can stroll and if the water is calm, go for a swim afterward. The cove is next to the Halona Blowhole overlook and you can fish at nearby Bamboo Ridge.
Hanauma Bay is a protected marine life conservation area, another cove, that is acclaimed worldwide as one of the best beaches on southeastern Oahu. The curved coastline is beautifully scenic, with warm golden sand but and the colors of more than 450 tropical fish. The road you walk (or the bus service) to the beach offers a great coastal view—the perfect snapshot encompassing the complete picture below of sand, surf, wildlife and warm rays shining down on the sparkling sea and sealife.
Also, check out our Lanikai vacation rentals for your stay on Oahu.
As always, practice caution when taking a coastal walk on Oahu. Wear good shoes, keep in mind that some of the beaches have no lifeguards or facilities, keep the minimum distance from sea turtles and bring essentials along as you deem necessary.