Laniakea Beach is one of Hawaii’s most famous and classic spots for seeing sea turtles.
Also known as Turtle Beach, it’s bustling with tourists all year round!
Sea turtles are called “honu” in Hawaiian, and they are considered sacred guardians that bring good luck. They are deeply cherished by the people of Hawaii.
At Laniakea Beach, you have a high chance of seeing these beloved honu, except during the big wave season.
Seeing the sea turtles is one of the highlights of a North Shore tour, so be sure to go and say hello.
Best Season and Time to Visit Laniakea Beach
There are specific seasons and times of day that are best for seeing sea turtles.
At Laniakea Beach, you have over a 90% chance of seeing sea turtles napping on the sand during the summer season (around May to September)!
Conversely, during the winter season with its bigger waves (around October to March), the probability drops to about 30-50%.
This is because when the waves are big and the currents are strong, it becomes dangerous for the turtles as they could be dashed against the rocks, so they tend to stay away from the shore.
The air temperature isn’t a major factor, so even in the cooler winter months, you can still see them as long as the ocean is calm.
As for the time of day, your best chance is between 12 PM and 3 PM.
If you want to get a close look at the turtles resting on the sand, visiting in the afternoon is your best bet!
While you might sometimes see them on the beach as early as 9 AM or even after sunset, they generally return to the ocean at night.
The turtles’ daily routine is to munch on seaweed in the morning and then come ashore in the afternoon to bask in the sun. So, you could swim near them in the morning and watch them from the land in the afternoon! Haha.
During the summer, the ocean is calm and the water clarity is excellent, making it a great spot for snorkeling!
There are plenty of fish in the area too, so you can enjoy a classic Hawaiian beach experience.
Laniakea Beach During the Winter Season
If you visit Hawaii during the winter, does that mean you won’t see any sea turtles? Not at all.
However, the waves are stronger in winter, and turtles are less likely to come ashore. The golden rule is that if you don’t see any, move on to another beach.
Laniakea Beach is known for being a difficult spot for turtles to come ashore in the winter. When the waves are big or the current is strong, try checking out Alii Beach, which is right near Haleiwa Town.
At Alii Beach, turtles are actually more likely to come onto the sand in the winter than in the summer.
There are a few other “secret” turtle beaches, which we introduce in another article, so be sure to check that out if you’re interested.
Important Rules for Visiting Laniakea Beach
There are a few important things to keep in mind when visiting Laniakea Beach.
To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time, please review the following points beforehand!
Keep a Safe Distance from the Sea Turtles
Under Hawaii state law, you can be fined for touching or riding sea turtles.
There have been actual cases where people who posted photos on social media of themselves riding a turtle were fined around $2,000.
It is also recommended that you stay at least 10 feet (about 3 meters) away from them. Please be sure to follow this guideline!
At Laniakea Beach, there are often volunteers from a turtle conservation group who will mark a safe viewing distance with a red rope.
By the way, you can also ask the volunteers questions about the turtles.
Feel free to ask them things like how long they live, at what age they lay eggs, what their names are, and where they go to nest.
The Rocks at Laniakea Beach Are Slippery
Laniakea Beach is a rocky shoreline with a lot of exposed rock.
These rocks are covered in seaweed, which the turtles eat, but it’s slimy like moss and extremely slippery.
I’ve seen people slip and fall many times here.
Some have even had to be taken away by ambulance, so please don’t underestimate the danger!
Turtles often rest near these rocky areas, and many people get excited, rush over to get a closer look, and end up falling!
Laniakea Beach: General Information
| Name | Laniakea Beach |
| Address | 61-574 Pohaku Loa Way, Haleiwa, HI 96712 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | None |
| Time Needed | Approx. 15 minutes or more |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | Available (free) |
Directions and Map to Laniakea Beach
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