I have summarized the highly recommended beaches on the East Coast into a single list of places I especially want to introduce to you.
There are several of Hawaii’s premier beaches on the East Coast of Oahu, including Hanauma Bay, famous as a snorkeling spot, and Kailua and Lanikai, which have been ranked as the No. 1 beaches in the US.
You can also enjoy quiet and beautiful beaches, as well as beaches where you can surf, even though they may not be as famous!
We are introducing them in alphabetical order, so please look for them based on where you want to go or what you want to do.
→Complete Guide to Popular Spots on the East Coast of Oahu – Definitive Edition
Recommended Beaches on the East Coast
I have mainly compiled beaches in the Kailua, Kaneohe, and Hawaii Kai areas.
If there is a place that catches your interest, please use the link to the detailed article under each heading.
Kaiona Beach
Kaiona Beach is a beautiful, calm, and highly recommended hidden gem that is perfect for relaxing.
It is a spectacular heavenly beach that secretly exists on the East Coast, and Kaiona means “attractive sea” in the Hawaiian language!
Since there are almost no people on weekdays, you can enjoy the feeling of a private beach.
On weekends and holidays, it becomes a beach where locals spend their time relaxing and having barbecues.
By the way, the Obama estate, also known as the Obama Beach House, is located right nearby along the same coast.
Kailua Beach
Kailua Beach is the No. 1 beach in the US where you can enjoy spectacularly scenic views that represent Hawaii.
The powdery white sand beach and the beautiful emerald green sea are one of the most beautiful sights in Hawaii!
Since being selected as America’s Best Beach in 1998, it has become a popular spot visited by many tourists.
It has been a regular in Best Beach Awards ever since, and the number of visitors and its popularity continue to increase every year.
It does not have the crowded feeling like Waikiki, and there is an atmosphere where locals spend their time relaxing.
As it is one of the top tourist destinations in Hawaii, please be sure to take the time to visit.
Kaneohe Sandbar
The sandbar is a phantom sandy beach that reveals itself only during a very short period at low tide.
Kaneohe Sandbar is a popular scenic spot packed with coral reefs and shallow water areas, often called the Sea of Heaven or the Sea of Angels!
Although there are many misunderstandings, generally the one called the Sea of Heaven is Lanikai Beach in the Kailua area, and the one called the Sea of Angels is this sandbar in Kaneohe.
The contrast between the pure white beach and the cobalt blue sea is incredibly beautiful in both places, boasting a beauty that has earned them the title of No. 1 beach in the US.
The shallow coastline stretching for over a kilometer in the middle of the sea can be considered a uniquely Hawaiian landscape.
It is a highly popular tourist spot representing Hawaii, so please visit if you have the chance!
→See more about Kaneohe Sandbar
Kalama Beach
Kalama Beach is a hidden gem in Kailua Bay, which is the most beautiful sea in Hawaii.
It is a beach where former President Obama frequently played during his childhood, and it is also known as Obama Beach because he is famous for visiting with his family recently.
If you walk a little towards the east, you will find Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach, which are the No. 1 beaches in the US.
The powdery, smooth white sand and beautiful emerald green sea are just as stunning.
It is a highly recommended spot for those who want to swim at a beautiful, uncrowded, hidden gem beach!
Sandy Beach
Sandy Beach is a highly popular swimming spot that Hawaiian locals visit most often.
The wave size and wind are stable throughout the year, making it popular not only for swimming but also for bodyboarding and sport kites.
It is the first beach that comes to mind when talking about going to play in the ocean together.
By the way, many people think it is Sunday Beach, but it is actually Sandy Beach, and true to its name, a white sandy beach continues for about 500 meters, making it a place with very good scenery.
It is the perfect place to kick back and relax, and it is also a popular beach for meeting people, with many couples and young folks! Haha.
Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay is a popular snorkeling beach where you can swim with many colorful fish and sea turtles.
You can observe dozens of different types of large, medium, and small fish, and it has the popularity and beauty to be selected as a Best Beach in the US, with flawless accessibility from the Honolulu area!
You can easily get there from Waikiki by bus, tour, or taxi, and facilities such as lockers and plate lunch shops are well-equipped, so you can easily go there to play.
There are several points to note, such as weekly closed days, business hours, and the period when advance reservations can be made, so please make a solid plan for your visit instead of just going there without thinking!
It is a very Hawaiian place that you can enjoy just by looking at the scenery without even getting in the water.
Halona Beach Cove
Halona Beach Cove is a secret beach known as a filming location for numerous movies and dramas.
Since the seabed is sandy, even when the tide is strong, it feels like a lazy river pool and you can enjoy it safely!
On days when the waves are small, the water clarity is high, and it comes with the bonus of a fairly high chance to swim alongside sea turtles and fish.
You can fully enjoy the Hawaiian atmosphere by jumping from the rocks or relaxing on the beach.
Please note that it is a bit challenging to climb down to the beach, and there are no restrooms or showers available.
→See more about Halona Beach Cove
Bellows Beach
Bellows Beach is a Hawaiian secret spot limited to weekends and holidays.
The reason entry is prohibited on weekdays is that the Waimanalo area around here is within the grounds of the US military!
There are many little-known hidden gems on Oahu, but the special feeling of only being able to visit this one for a limited time is irresistible, isn’t it? Haha.
Because people only enter during limited times, the sandy beach is clean and the transparency of the sea is high, giving it a private beach-like atmosphere.
It is a highly recommended beach where the contrast between the white sand, green sea, and cobalt blue sky is truly spectacular!
Makapuu Beach
Makapuu Beach is a spectacularly scenic spot on the East Coast where the contrast between the cobalt blue sea and lava rocks is beautiful.
Because large waves roll in throughout the year, it has become a famous beach where many surfers and bodyboarders come.
The seabed is sandy, so it is not extremely dangerous, but you will experience massive waves that feel like they are crashing down from the second floor of a building, so if you are not a strong swimmer, please be very careful!
However, even if you do not swim, the scenery spreading out before your eyes at Makapuu Beach is very beautiful, making it one of the best beaches to spend a relaxing time.
Since it is an area with not many tourists, it is recommended for those who want to play at a Hawaiian beach with a local feel.
Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is the sea of heaven, famous for its catchphrase as the No. 1 beach in the US.
It is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii, and many people have probably visited it at least once.
The emerald green sea, pure white sandy beach, and calm waves are just like heaven.
Because it captivates those who visit, it is an overwhelmingly popular beach among Hawaiian locals as well!
Because it is a natural beach, the sand is extremely fine and is characterized by being as smooth as wheat flour.
You can relax in the beautiful ocean, take in the spectacular panoramic view from the top of the nearby Lanikai Pillbox, or get active and head towards the twin islands (Mokulua Islands)!
Please fully enjoy the overwhelmingly beautiful scenery.
Waimanalo Beach
Waimanalo Beach is the 2015 No. 1 beach in the US and is top-class in beauty even in Hawaii.
The beautiful sandy beach and sea continue for a total length of about 6 kilometers, and it is actually the longest beach on Oahu!
The emerald green sea against the powdery white sandy beach is very beautiful, and the fact that there are few people and you can relax is its greatest charm.
You can also enjoy a spectacular view of the Koolau Mountains, where a series of steep cliffs rise from the sea.
By the way, Waimanalo is also famous as the hometown of Akebono, a former Yokozuna in Japanese sumo wrestling.
It is also a hidden gem without too many people, so be sure to visit when you want to play at a beautiful beach.
→See more about Waimanalo Beach
How to Access the East Coast
The East Coast is a relatively close area, about 30 minutes to an hour from Waikiki.
For access methods, a tour is recommended for peace of mind, comfort, and efficiency; TheBus for cost performance; a taxi or Uber for prioritizing travel time; and a rental car or Turo for prioritizing flexibility.
Recommended Transportation to the East Coast
Complete Guide to TheBus – Public Transportation to Move Around Hawaii at the Lowest Cost
Complete Guide to Taxis & Uber – Ride-Hailing Services for Easy Movement Around Hawaii
Complete Guide to Rental Cars & Turo – Private Cars to Freely Explore Hawaii