Kailua Beach

State: Hawaii. Type: white-sand public beach and county park on the windward (east) shore of Oahu, in the town of Kailua, Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu). Beach stretches about 2.5 miles, between Lanikai to the south and Kalama Beach Park to the north. Known for fine white sand, calm turquoise water, and offshore views of the Mokulua islands ('the Mokes'), which are protected seabird sanctuaries. Ranked the number-one beach in the United States by 'Dr. Beach' in 2019. Free public access; lifeguards on duty.

Kailua Beach is a long, gently curving stretch of fine white sand on the windward coast of Oahu, widely regarded as one of the finest beaches in the United States, it was named the country's number-one beach by coastal expert 'Dr. Beach' in 2019. Running about 2.5 miles between the neighborhoods of Lanikai and Kalama, the beach is known for its calm, clear turquoise water, a shallow sandy bottom that makes for easy swimming, and steady trade winds that have made it a world-class spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Just offshore lie the Mokulua islands, a pair of islets that are protected seabird sanctuaries and a favorite paddling destination for kayakers and stand-up paddlers launching from the beach. The main county park at the southern end offers the full range of amenities, lifeguards, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and parking, set among shady ironwood trees and green lawns. Because mornings tend to be calm and less crowded before afternoon trade winds pick up, early visits are prized. Backed by the laid-back town of Kailua with its shops and restaurants, and free to enter, the beach is a favorite of both residents and visitors on Oahu's greener windward side.

Kailua Beach is on the windward (eastern) shore of Oahu in the town of Kailua, part of the City and County of Honolulu in the Koolaupoko district. It lies roughly 12 miles (about a 30-minute drive) northeast of Honolulu and Waikiki, reached over the Koolau mountains via the Pali Highway (Route 61). The beach runs about 2.5 miles, bounded by Lanikai to the south and Kalama Beach Park to the north, with the Mokulua islands offshore.

Kailua has a warm tropical climate, with mean temperatures ranging from around 80 degrees Fahrenheit in winter to about 86 degrees in summer and average annual rainfall of roughly 54 inches. The windward coast is greener and can see more passing showers than leeward Honolulu, but rain is usually brief. Steady trade winds are a defining feature, calmer in the morning and picking up in the afternoon, which is ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing but can make the water choppier for swimmers later in the day.

Mornings are widely recommended, when the water is calmest, the winds are lightest, crowds are smaller, and parking is easier, arriving before mid-morning is a common tip. Afternoons bring stronger trade winds that favor windsurfers and kitesurfers but can create choppier conditions for swimming. The beach is enjoyable year-round given the mild climate, with weekends being the busiest and parking filling quickly.

Kailua is a windward Oahu town of about 40,514 residents as of the 2020 census, long popular as a residential and beach community. Its beach has earned wide acclaim, being named the number-one beach in the United States by coastal scientist Stephen Leatherman ('Dr. Beach') in 2019, and the adjacent Lanikai Beach has also appeared on lists of the world's top beaches. The town gained national attention as the vacation base, sometimes called the 'winter White House,' for President Barack Obama during his presidency. The Mokulua islands offshore are designated protected seabird sanctuaries. The beach and its county park have become emblematic of Oahu's quieter windward side, a contrast to the resort density of Waikiki across the mountains.

Swimming is a main draw, thanks to the shallow, sandy entry and generally calm water, along with bodyboarding on the small shore break and sunbathing on the wide sand. The steady trade winds make Kailua one of Oahu's premier spots for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Kayaking and stand-up paddling are especially popular, with many paddlers making the trip out to the Mokulua islands offshore; rental gear is available in Kailua town. The county park also has beach volleyball courts, picnic tables, and BBQ areas, and the long beach is well suited to walking and jogging. Nearby Lanikai Beach and the Lanikai pillbox hike add more options for a windward-side day.

The main features are the beach itself and Kailua Beach Park at its southern end, with its lawns, ironwood trees, and full facilities. Offshore, the Mokulua islands (Moku Nui and Moku Iki) are the scenic centerpiece and a kayaking destination, though as seabird sanctuaries they have access restrictions. Just to the south, the adjoining Lanikai Beach, known for its powdery sand, and the popular Lanikai pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge) hike are common additions. The town of Kailua nearby offers shops and dining.

Kailua Beach is about 12 miles and roughly a 30-minute drive northeast of Waikiki and Honolulu, reached over the Koolau mountains via the Pali Highway (Route 61). Most visitors drive; a rental car or rideshare is the usual choice, as parking is available at the beach park but fills quickly on weekends. Public buses also serve Kailua from Honolulu, though they take longer. Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the island's gateway.

As a public county beach park, Kailua Beach is generally open daily during daytime hours; lifeguards are on duty during the day. City and County of Honolulu parks typically have posted hours and overnight closures, so check current posted hours and any rules on-site. There is no ticketed entry time.

Access to Kailua Beach and the beach park is free. Parking is free but limited and fills quickly, especially on weekends. Any equipment rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, windsurf gear) or guided activities are priced separately by private outfitters in Kailua town.

Most visitors spend a half-day to a full day at the beach. A couple of hours is enough for a swim and a walk, while adding kayaking to the Mokulua islands, water sports, or a side trip to Lanikai easily fills a full day.

Kailua is largely residential and, unlike Waikiki, has relatively few large hotels; lodging in the area skews toward vacation rentals, bed-and-breakfasts, and smaller properties in and around Kailua and Lanikai. Many visitors stay in Waikiki or elsewhere on Oahu and come to Kailua Beach for the day, about a 30-minute drive away. Check current local rules and availability, as short-term rental regulations on Oahu can affect options.

The town of Kailua, a short distance from the beach, has a lively casual dining scene, with cafes, local eateries, juice and smoothie spots, and restaurants; sources mention long-running local favorites known for items like macadamia-nut pancakes and steak. There are also groceries and shops for picking up beach supplies. Because the beach park itself has limited food options, many visitors grab food in Kailua town before or after the beach.

Lanikai Beach and the Lanikai pillbox (Kaiwa Ridge) hike are immediately to the south. The Mokulua islands offshore are a kayaking destination. Other windward-coast sights, such as the Nuuanu Pali Lookout on the drive over the mountains and additional windward beaches, are within easy reach, and the town of Kailua offers shopping and dining. The windward side pairs well with a broader Oahu day trip.

Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the island's main airport. From Honolulu and Waikiki, Kailua is reached in about 30 minutes by car via the Pali Highway; a rental car or rideshare is the most convenient option, and TheBus public transit also connects Honolulu to Kailua, albeit more slowly. Parking at the beach is free but limited.

Kailua Beach is generally family-friendly with a shallow, sandy entry, but ocean conditions can change, so swim near the lifeguards, heed any posted warning flags, and be mindful of currents and the stronger offshore winds that build in the afternoon. Paddlers heading to the Mokulua islands should watch the wind and their return route, as afternoon trade winds can make the paddle back harder; the islands are protected seabird sanctuaries with access restrictions to respect. Use sun protection and stay hydrated. For any emergency, dial 911.

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, a beach towel, and plenty of water, along with any snorkel, kayak, or paddle gear (rentals are available in town). Water shoes, a dry bag for valuables when paddling, and cash or a card for food in Kailua town are all handy. Arriving early also helps with the limited parking.

Go early to enjoy the calmest water, thinner crowds, and easier parking, since the free lots fill quickly on weekends and trade winds strengthen in the afternoon. Combine the beach with a short trip to Lanikai Beach or the Lanikai pillbox hike for a fuller windward-side day, and pick up food or supplies in Kailua town. Respect the Mokulua islands' status as protected seabird sanctuaries if you paddle out, and always swim near the lifeguards.

For any emergency, dial 911, the nationwide U.S. emergency number. Lifeguards are stationed at the beach park during the day (with additional lifeguard coverage at nearby Kalama Beach Park), and Honolulu Ocean Safety oversees lifeguard services on Oahu.

Go Hawaii - Oahu / Kailua Beach (Hawaii Tourism Authority) - https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.