Have you secured your trip to Hawaii already? Get ready to enjoy some of the most amazing beaches in the world! With over 750 miles of coastline and countless beaches, which ones should you visit first? Once you've booked at Best Western’s The Plaza Hotel, you're pretty much at the center of the best beaches in Hawaii. Here are ten of the best beaches in Waikiki, Oahu.
Beach 1: Keehi Lagoon Beach
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 1.5 miles
If you're eager to hit the beach as soon as you check-in, then Keehi Lagoon Beach is the perfect spot for you. This beach is only a stone's throw away from Best Western The Plaza Hotel. This beach is man-made, so it's not meant for snorkeling or surfing. Still, it's perfect for canoeing, boating, and sunbathing. Keehi Lagoon Beach Park has many sports fields nearby for soccer and tennis.
Beach 2: Kamehameha Beach
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 6.6 miles
Kamehameha Beach is also known as Kamakahonu Beach. This beach may be smaller than most of the other beaches featured here, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. It’s located at the center of Kona Town and is fairly easy to find. As soon as you reach the Kailua Pier, King Kamehameha Beach is there for you to explore. You can go swimming, snorkeling, or even visit the reconstructed temple celebrating one of Hawaii's greatest leaders. Kamehameha Beach is a local favorite, and it’s waiting for you to discover why!
Beach 3: Sand Island Beach
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 4.8 miles
Sand Island Beach Park offers great views of Honolulu Harbor. Witness how massive container ships enter and leave the harbor while you enjoy a nice picnic with your family on the grassy and shady areas of the beach park. Although the swimming conditions here are not the best, you can go surfing or fishing with the locals. If you do want to go surfing, be sure to book your trip in the summer months to catch the best waves.
Beach 4: Hickam Beach
Rating: ★★★★★
Distance From Hotel: 7.3 miles
Hickam Beach is a great place to escape the busy crowds of Waikiki. You can relax and soak up the tropical sun or be active with the numerous water activities available. This place is perfect for playing a few rounds of beach volleyball with your buddies or other friendly vacationers. There is also a surf shack offering beach rental equipment, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn how to surf.
Beach 5: Diamond Head Beach Park
Rating: ★★★★★
Distance From Hotel: 11.5 miles
Diamond Head — known locally as Lēʻahi — is a volcanic tuff cone on Oahu. The beach park is located at the base of the cone and offers stunning views of Waikiki and Honolulu. Although the beach itself is not the best for swimming, that comes with good reason. Diamond Head Beach is rich in coral reef life, making it one of the best spots for snorkeling on the island. Be sure to visit in the morning when the water is calm.
Beach 6: Honeymoon Beach
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 7.4 miles
If you’re going to Hawaii for your honeymoon, it’s only right that you visit Honeymoon Beach when exploring the different beaches in Oahu. This secluded, private beach is perfect for couples who want to spend some quality time together. You can take a romantic stroll along the shore or relax under the sun. Just be sure to get a reservation at least two weeks ahead of your event.
Beach 7: Pu’uloa Beach Park
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 19.8 miles
Since this beach is nearly 20 miles away from your hotel, it might get you thinking that it’s too far. Don’t worry! Those are only the miles by driving. Technically, it’s much closer if you could only cross the sea to this beach park. Instead, you’ll have to work your way around the island traffic to enjoy the exciting things to do at Pu’uloa Beach Park, like surfing lessons and a snorkeling adventure. Think of it as an opportunity to go sightseeing before you relax at the beach.
Beach 8: Nimitz Beach
Rating: ★★★★★
Distance From Hotel: 21.8 miles
Here’s another beach that’s popular with the locals. Nimitz Beach is located on the west side of the island and is known for its gentle waves, making it perfect for swimming. It also has a long stretch of sand, which is perfect for playing beach volleyball or going for a leisurely walk. Be sure to pack enough food to make the most of the available BBQ grills and picnic tables!
Beach 9: White Plains Beach
Rating: ★★★★☆
Distance From Hotel: 21.8 miles
As a neighbor to Nimitz Beach, this beach has plenty of sand to offer for those who want to relax and soak up the sun. What's great about White Plains Beach is its swimming and surfing conditions. Beginners and veterans alike will find the waves here to their liking. White Plains rarely sees any visitors during the weekdays, so if you want to avoid the crowds, be sure to come here then.
Beach 10: Kahanamoku Beach
Rating: ★★★★★
Distance From Hotel: 7.2 miles
This last beach takes its name from Duke Paoa Kahanamoku (1890-1968), one of Hawaii’s most renowned surfers. This man was also a canoeing master and Olympic swimming champion. It’s only fitting that this beach has the right facilities to support those activities. If you want to try your hand at surfing, swimming, or canoeing, Kahanamoku Beach is the place to go.
Explore the Best Beaches in Hawaii Now
You have all the best Waikiki beaches within your grasp when you check it at Best Western’s The Plaza Hotel. With all of these options, it’ll be hard to choose just one! Why not add them all to your list of beaches to explore while you're on the island? Once you've secured your plans, all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your vacation. Reserve a room today!
