Is Kailua beach the best beach park to hang out in Oahu?

Kailua Beach in Oahu, stretches out over 2 miles with this gorgeous crescent-shaped beach area. With delicious sandy bottom and beach area, beautiful ocean colors and calm water and areas to picnic for find a spot for shade, it’s an ideal spot for families. Coming to spend a beach day here at Kailua Beach is what it’s all about and enjoying the simple things out here in East Oahu.

If your an adventure seeker, Kailua beach is also a great spot for water sports like kayaking, surfing, and kiteboarding. You can even rent from local rental vendors right in the beach area to enjoy some outdoor fun on the water.

After a fun beach day, head out to Kailua town which is just a short walk from the beach. You’ll find cool hang out spots, shopping, grocery stores, delicious beer pubs and restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.

Kailua beach, Oahu: outdoor activities and fun, visit the many beaches around town and the downtown district

A Perfect day in Kailua

Kailua Beach area and the town is a destination visit on its own and when you plan a day trip here, you’ll really get a fantastic slice of lifestyle and the local vibes here outside of the Honolulu and Waikiki vacation.

Read on to plan a perfect family beach day on Oahu’s east side at Kailua beach.

Getting to Kailua Beach

Less than a half hour drive from Waikiki by rental car which is the easiest way to get to town and the beach area. You can also take the City Bus which takes a little bit longer depending on where you are staying at in Waikiki or general Honolulu

Popular beach access points for Kailua Beach

Within the two mile stretch of beach area, there are specific spots or areas that break up the long crescent shaped beach into different zones.

South end

Located on the southern end of Kailua Beach is the one of the more crowded part because the Kailua Beach park is located here with full amenities like parking, picnic benches, restrooms and showers. Ther’s also a boat ramp for launching small boats. This part of the beach area is also monitored by life guards watching the area.

North end at Castles Beach

This section of beach located on the north end side is not so crowded because of the lack of amenities. But there are gorgeous views of the entire beach area and there is a stream that empties directly into the ocean area.

Mid section of Kailua Beach

Towards Kalama Beach Park, you’ll find most of the beach goers hang out. With bathrooms, showers and a small parking lot, you’ll find this just the right amount of amenities. Also, there are shady spots to hang out from the direct sun. You’ll find that this is the most active spot for body and boogie boarding since the waves tend to kick up more in this part of the beach.

Lanikai Beach

Past a rocky outcropping on the south end. You’ll find the dazzling Lanikai beach which is one of the special neighborhood beaches to enjoy. The bad thing is that there’s no amenities here and parking is relatively difficult to find especially on the weekends.

What to do on Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach has options for every level of beach-goer. Although, the time of year, conditions, and personal interest will dictate the best options. On a calm day, you might grab a paddleboard and cruise around the bay searching for sea turtles. More adventurous souls might take advantage of the more common tradewinds with a kite boarding lesson. Others will simply enjoy the sky turn shades of pink and orange during a sunset stroll.

• Surfing. Big winter swells occasionally wrap around the island to meet Kailua Beach bringing surf to the north end of Kailua Beach (Castle’s).
• Bodyboarding. Dependable baby shorebreak means you can have fun bodyboarding any day at Kailua Beach.
• Paddleboarding. Winds and swells usually dominate the forecast making paddleboarding a chore except on rare, calm days. Your best bet is to visit Lanikai Beach which always seems a little calmer.
• Kayaking. Kayaking is a fun way to explore the bay searching for sea turtles and enjoying a unique Kailua view. Make a stop at Flat (Popia) Island just offshore or paddle to Moku nui if you’re experienced and the weather allows. If you’re lucky, you might share the beach there with an endangered monk seal.
• Swimming. There is a designated swimming area around Kailua Beach Park but most of Kailua Bay is shallow (less than 20ft deep) making it ideal for open ocean swimming.
• Wind sports. Tradewinds regularly grace Kailua’s coastline making it a popular area for wind sports. There is an official entry behind Kalapawai market.
• Snorkeling. Coral is found in deeper waters further offshore in Kailua Bay, but Lanikai is a fun, easy option if the weather is calm.
• Walk/run. I have a beach-loving dog so you’ll often find me walking him the length of the 2 mile beach.
• Sunrise. You see the sun rise over the water at Kailua Beach and many visitors and locals alike come out to enjoy the spectacle over a cup of coffee.
• Fireworks. If you happen to be visiting Oahu over the Fourth of July you can enjoy a fireworks show just off the beach.

When to visit Kailua Beach

Honestly, you can visit Kailua Beach anytime. The weather is lovely year-round in Oahu (rarely dipping below 70F degrees, although temperatures average 10 degrees cooler in the winter months. Personally, my favorite days are those with low wind when the waves break crisply and the tumble of sand shows beneath the clear blue water. Low tide makes the spectacle all the better adding reflections of sky to the shoreline.

Most people, however, just want to be able to park. If that’s a more realistic concern try to arrive before 10 am and avoid weekends (especially holiday weekends) when possible.

What to pack for a visit to Kailua Beach

I’ve always been a minimalist when packing for the beach – put sunscreen and swimsuit on at home and bring a towel – but it’s because I’m lazy. Here’s what it would be nice to have –

1. Reef-safe Sunscreen – Did you know that some sunscreen ingredients are highly damaging to coral reef ecosystems and exposure has been linked to coral bleaching and coral DNA damage? That’s why Hawaii banned the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone and octocrylene in 2021. P.S., most of these chemicals are bad for humans as well and have been banned in other countries. What to do? Keep yourself covered with UV protective clothing and use reef safe sunscreen.
2. A trusty Dry Bag – Keep your valuables and electronics snug, dry, and sand-free. The dry bag’s low key cousin – Ziploc bag – also does the same job. Either way, wrap valuables in a towel and tuck under a rock to keep gear out of the sun.
3. Water-resistant Smartphone Case – Capture your family’s water antics without worrying about the water gods claiming your phone.
4. Body board. Not just for kids. Grab a board at Costco or Target and hit the waves! Alternatively, if it’s calm I would bring a standup paddleboard and/or kayak.
5. Sand toys. The sand is great for building sand castles. I sometimes stumble across an enormous castle or sculpture on my early morning beach walks.
6. Snacks and water. With the exception of Kalapawai Market a short walk from Kailua Beach Park, there are no vendors close to the beach. Bring everything you need for a day of fun.
7. Benadryl. I sometimes have a rare allergic reaction to Portugese man-o-war stings. Benadryl helps if things get dicey.
8. Hammock. There are some great hammock trees in Kailua Beach Park if you want the perfect nap.

Dangers to consider when visiting Kailua Beach

Mellow, sandy-bottomed Kailua Beach is extremely family-friendly as far as beach safety goes. The only issues our family and friends have had in our 20+ years in Kailua are –

1. Portugese man-o-war. The bluish-purple blobs with long, trailing tentacles frequently show up along Kailua Beach after several days of heavy tradewinds. Mostly, they sting where they contact your skin. The pain lasts about 20 minutes before leaving an itchy welt behind. Although it’s not typically too painful, it can end your beach day quickly. The best remedy is to remove any bits from the skin (you can scrape gently with a credit card) and rinse with salt water (not fresh). Benadryl helps with itching and swelling.
2. Water quality. After heavy rains, the waters around Kailua Beach can take on a disturbing brown tinge. That’s a good time to check for water quality warnings to make sure it’s safe.
3. Sunburn. Don’t let sunburn ruin your trip. Even in winter – Even when it’s cloudy – Even when it’s late in the day.

Places to eat in Kailua Town

If you’re looking for cool, local places with delicious food or drinks, check out these places to eat in town below

• Kalapawai Market / Cafe. Swing by for a beach burger or sandwich if you’re near Kailua Beach Park or visit their Cafe in Kailua town for fancier fare.
• Over Easy. The best local breakfast in Kailua
• Chad Lou’s. Tasty local coffee.
• Goen. If you’re looking for something fancy this Asian-inspired restaurant has delicious small & shared plates.

Here’s a video tour of Kailua beach park area below

Further reading in Kailua – East Oahu

Check out these other topics or places to visit in the area for inspiration

Kailua, Oahu Beaches

Top things to do in Kailua

Hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail

Exploring the North Shore of Oahu

Things to do in Hawaii Kai

Kailua Beach to Lanikai

Makuu Lighthouse trail 

Koko Head trail

Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens 

Conclusion to visiting Kailua in Oahu

A visit to Kailua offers the perfect balance of relaxation and adventure, from strolling along its powdery beaches and kayaking to offshore islands to exploring its local shops and eateries. It’s a place where you can slow down and still have plenty to discover, whether you’re chasing ocean views or simply enjoying the small-town charm. If you’re planning a trip to Oahu, make sure Kailua is on your itinerary—come for a day or linger longer, and you’ll quickly see why it’s a favorite escape for both locals and visitors. Start planning your visit and experience this laid-back coastal town for yourself.

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