Visit Kailua Hawaii beaches in the windward side of Oahu
Kailua Hawaii beaches are really what you think of when visiting the eastern side of Oahu. Golden sandy beaches fringed with palm trees and gorgeous blue to aqua colored ocean, spending a beach day here in Kailua is really what the lifestyle and vibe is like here.
Where is Kailua Beach Park located in Oahu?
Kailua town and beach area is located just 12 miles from downtown Waikiki and an easy 30 minute drive through the Pali Highway and a little bit longer by public transportation.
Kailua Beach is crescent shaped and extends about 2 miles and borders Lanikai Beach further south. There are parking lots, amenities and nearby shopping / groceries for provisions for a picnic to take to the beach area.
How to get to Kailua
The two main ways to get to Kailua is by car or public transportation which is fairly easy and fast to get to from Waikiki area.
By Car:
Take the H1 freeway east and exit 21A for the Pali Highway and follow signs for Kailua about 6 miles and exit on Kailua Road. You drive down another 2 miles until you get to the beach park area.
By Public Transit:
You can take The Bus getting to the Kailua Transit Center. Bus 22 or 57 goes to the transit center and you transfer to take bus 70 or 77 which lets you off at the Kailua Beach stop.
General layout of Kailua Beach Park area
Kailua Beach covers the length of Kailua bay and breaks down into three main beach aeas. From the southeastern to North western pararts. Walking from the south eastern part of the beach to the north-western part you’ll hit Kailua Beach Park, Kalama Beach Park and at the end is Castles Beach.
Kailua Beach Park
The main beach at Kailua is Kailua beach park which is over 35 acres of green space with trees, dunes, white sandy beach and islands in a distance.
Located on the south eastern end of Kailua Beach, it does have some food venues, free parking lots, a general store and some eateries, A boat launch and water sports rental center (Kailua Beach Adventures) and yes a shave ice snow shop along with some small shopes. .
Kalama Beach Park
To the right of Kailua Beach park is Kalamas with residential homes and cottages. There’s only limited parking with a small lot and mostly street parking. There are no services or amenities available at Kalama Beach Park.
Typically it’s better to just park at the parking areas on Kailua Beach park and then walk over to Kalamas.
Castles Beach
One the far end of Kailua beach is Castles with a small surf break offshore. It does draw a lot of surfers especially diring swells. This is definitely the less crowded of the two beach park areas and pretty low key. If you are looking for more space and privacy along the two mile stretch of beach, then head out to Castles for beach and quiet with mostly locals hanging out here.
Lanikai Beach Park
Further down from Kailua Beach park is Lanikai beach park which is another 1/2 mile and one of the most popular neighborhood beaches. This is a separate beach that is also a very popular beach area to experience when you are on the east side of the island.
With limited parking on the streets and no amenities on the beach area, Lanikai beach is not an easy area to get to and hang out. But if you are prepared and bring your own stuff, then it is a fantastic beach to also enjoy the beach, water and sports activities here.
Check out this latest posts on visiting Lanikai beach here for more images and information to visiting.
Ammenities
Kailua Beach Park offers full amenities for the public to enjoy including:
- Free & Accessible Parking
- Restrooms
- Outdoor Showers
- Picnic Tables
- 2 Lifeguard towers
- Bike Paths
- Boat Ramp
- Lots of shade trees along the beach area
- Beautiful white sand
- A tiny shorebreak makes it ideal for kids
- snorkeling areas
- water craft rentals
- Nearby snorkeling
- Unparalleled views!
Activities to do at Kailua
You’ll find that there’s plenty of fun activities and water adventure fun to experience at Kailua Beach park area including:
Kayaking & Stand up Paddleboarding
This area is popular with kayaking, paddle boarding and wind surfing along with other water sports activities. With clear waters, a sheltered lagoon area and calm waters, it’s a great area to enjoy some water sports activities.
You’ll find local rental shops near the beach park and some outdoor rental outfitters renting directly around the beach park to visitors, primarily kayak and stand-up boards. The popular Mokulua islands offshore are a very popular destination with some of the best snorkeling spots to enjoy on the east side.
Swimming
What’s nice about Kailua Bay is that the bottom is soft and sandy and very shallow to an average of 20ft further out. It’s a great place for ocean swimming, floating on the water or trying some body surfing or water sports if you want to be more active.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is better offshore on the small islands just offshore, You’ll find nice snorkeling spots around Flat islands and Moku Nui island with a nice beach area to land in.
At the end of Kailua bay beach park where the rocks by the boat ramp offer great snorkeling for seeing various sea life including Honu seat turtles, He’e or Octopus, and Puhi (eels) along with a variety of tropical fishes that are found in the area.
Biking
Kailua town and area is a very bike-friendly area with a variety of bike paths, ocean front biking areas and bike rental shops to rent bikes. There is a long bike path that is part of the beach park and ends at the Lanikai loop which is a nice area to also bike around.
Hiking
Since the area around Kailua is surrounded by mountains, you can find a variety of hiking areas close by. One of the most popular trails is the Lanikai Pillbox hike which is fantastic any time of the day especially during sunrise. Other nice hikes include Maunawili and Olomana which are a short drive from Kailua.
Check out my post on hiking the Pillbox trail at Lanikai here for more images and information.
History
Ancient History
Part of traditional lands of the early Hawaiians which stretches to ancient times. The area shows archaeological evidence of early settlers for over 1,000 years before European settlers visited in the late 18th century. A major center of trade in ancient Hawaii, you’ll find several temples or heiau in the area along with fishing villages ruins along the shorelines. Popular with local fishermen with protected waters and fertile lands to grow a variety of Hawaiian foods like taro, the area fostered agriculture, cultural and historic sites that are still around the area.
The impressive Ulupo Heiau is a massive stone platform that was built around 500 years ago and served as a center of religious and Hawaiian political power. The heiau is believed to have been built by the chiefs of the area and was dedicated to the gods of agriculture and fertility. In addition to the Ulupo Heiau, there other important historical sites in Kailua and the Mokapu Peninsula. The area was a major fishing village in ancient times, and the Pohaku O Kane, a sacred rock formation that was used in religious ceremonies and noted in many sacred chants and hula.
Modern History
In 194- Honolulu County converted the original Camp Kailua into a beach park which is one of the most popular beach park areas in Oahu. With its expansive white sandy beach, shady areas and amenities you can enjoy on the beach, Kailua Beach is one of the busiest and enjoyable beach areas of Oahu. The downtown area of Kailua town offers so many wonderful local shops, eating venues and bars and other popular hangout spots after spending a day on the beach and looking for a nice meal, entertainment or just relaxing and enjoying the town.
Where to eat at Kailua
There’s plenty of choices to eat in Kailua town which is just a short walk from the beach area. Check out these popular places to visit below;
Here’s a rephrased version of the popular places to eat in Kailua:
1. Cinnamon’s Restaurant
Known for its standout breakfast, Cinnamon’s is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Their guava pancakes and red velvet pancakes are must-tries, and their loco moco and eggs benedict are also top picks.
2. Uahi Island Grill
A relaxed eatery offering a modern twist on Hawaiian dishes. Highlights include the kalua pork, poke bowls, and ahi katsu. With a focus on local ingredients, it’s a great spot for flavorful meals at lunch or dinner.
3. Nalu Health Bar & Café
For those seeking a lighter option, Nalu is ideal, offering fresh smoothies, acai bowls, and sandwiches. Their tuna melt and pitaya bowls are particularly popular for a quick, healthy bite.
4. Kalapawai Market & Café
A beloved local spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Kalapawai is known for its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Their sandwiches, salads, and pizzas are all worth a try, and it’s a convenient stop for snacks before heading to the beach.
5. Bob’s Pizzeria
For pizza lovers, Bob’s serves up hearty New York-style slices. Known for generous toppings, it’s an excellent choice for a casual meal with family or friends. The Hawaiian pizza is a favorite here.
6. Kono’s Northshore
While it started on the North Shore, Kono’s has become a Kailua staple with its famous kalua pork sandwiches and breakfast burritos. With large portions and a laid-back vibe, it’s a great stop for a casual, filling meal.
7. The Beet Box Café
A vegetarian-friendly café offering creative and wholesome dishes. The avocado toast, vegan bowls, and smoothies are well-loved even by non-vegetarians, thanks to the café’s fresh and vibrant flavors.
8. Over Easy
A cozy brunch spot offering a fresh take on classic breakfast dishes. The eggs benedict, pancakes, and grits are popular choices. It’s a small place, so be prepared for a wait, but the food is worth it.
These spots showcase the relaxed, local food culture in Kailua with plenty of fresh and flavorful options!
Check out these other places to explore and visit in the area
Hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail
Exploring the North Shore of Oahu
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Conclusion on visiting Kailua beach area
Thanks for checking out this post on visiting Kailua beach parks, I hope that it has been helpful and that you have a great time planning your visit here.
Thanks for visiting This Hawaii Life.com, come and check out our other posts for future planning or inspiration to visiting or living on the islands.
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