the Windward side
Lanikai Beach
Calm, bright blue water that genuinely looks like the postcard.
Why go
Probably the prettiest swimming beach on the island.
The catch
No toilets, no showers, no lifeguard, no shade. You park on residential streets and walk between houses - be quiet and park legally.
- How long
- 2-3 hours
- With children
- Yes
- Effort
- Easy
- Cost
- Free
- Parking
- Difficult
Before you go
- Lifeguard: None
Getting there
Driving times on real roads, from the same data the trip planner routes on — not straight-line distance.
| From Waikīkī | 38 min | 17.2 miles |
|---|---|---|
| From HNL airport | 55 min | 26.2 miles |
| From Kailua | 8 min | 2.4 miles |
| From Downtown Honolulu | 31 min | 13.9 miles |
Add traffic. These are free-flowing times, and the H1 through town at eight in the morning is not free-flowing.
Hours, fees and access rules have not been checked against a primary source for this entry yet. Confirm before you build a day around it.
See it on the map Build a trip around it
What else is close
Nearest by road, which is not the same as nearest on a map — and not the same as sharing a region either.
- Lanikai Pillbox Trail2 min awayA short, steep climb up Kaiwa Ridge to two wartime observation posts above Lanikai.
- Kailua Beach Park3 min awayA long white beach with actual facilities and room to spread out.
- Likeke Falls16 min awayA wide, low fall over mossy rock, reached by a short walk off the old Pali road.
- Pali Lookout16 min awayThe gap in the Koolau range where the wind comes through, looking down over the windward coast.
- Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden23 min awayA huge free garden with a road running straight at the green cliffs.
- Waimanalo Beach23 min awayA very long, quiet white sand beach backed by pine trees.