Lanikai Beach, the “Heavenly Sea” famous for its reputation as one of the best beaches in the U.S.
It’s one of Hawaii’s most famous beaches, and perhaps many of you have visited it at least once.
The emerald green water, pristine white sand, and gentle waves are truly heavenly!
This captivating beach is also overwhelmingly popular among Hawaii locals!
Being a natural beach, its sand is exceptionally fine and soft, just like flour.
You can relax by the beautiful sea, enjoy the breathtaking view from the top of the nearby Lanikai Pillbox hike, or get active and head out to the Mokulua Islands (the Twin Islands)!
Be sure to fully enjoy the overwhelmingly beautiful scenery!
Why Lanikai Beach is Called the “Heavenly Sea”
Lanikai Beach has been ranked multiple times as one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
Largely protected from waves and featuring shallow waters, the color of the sea is on a whole other level of beauty!
Inspired by its atmosphere, the beach was named Lanikai, which means “Heavenly Sea” in Hawaiian: “Lani” means heaven, and “Kai” means sea.
So it’s not just beautiful like heaven—its actual name is “Heavenly Sea”!
Recommended Activities at Lanikai Beach
Perhaps the best way to enjoy Lanikai Beach is simply to relax and take it easy.
Take a little swim in the beautiful ocean and then nap on the pristine sand.
It’s the perfect way to spend a day in Hawaii, don’t you think?
About 30 feet (10 meters) offshore, you’ll find coral reefs teeming with fish, and you might even encounter sea turtles, making it a great spot for snorkeling.
Other activities like kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) are also highly recommended!
Making the effort to paddle out to the Mokulua Islands, the twin islands visible offshore, offers a great sense of accomplishment!
By the way, the Mokulua Islands are a bird sanctuary, so be aware that the island on the right (as seen from Lanikai Beach) is off-limits.
You can climb to the top of the cliffs on the left island for a stunning view of the beautiful Lanikai sea!
Also, please be cautious in late August, as jellyfish can sometimes appear. Look out for any warning signs posted.
Parking, Showers, and Restrooms at Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is located behind a residential area, so it is not a public beach park.
Therefore, be aware that there are no facilities such as parking lots, showers, or restrooms.
If you need to use restrooms or showers, you’ll have to go back to the neighboring Kailua Beach Park.
If you’re driving, you can find street parking near Lanikai Beach, although there is no dedicated public parking lot like at Kailua Beach.
You’ll see many cars parked along the road near Lanikai Beach, and it’s generally fine to park in the same manner.
However, be very careful, as many cars get ticketed for parking violations in the Lanikai area.
There are two main reasons for this. First, if your car is protruding into the roadway.
Even having a mirror stick out slightly can get you a ticket, so make sure you park without obstructing the road at all.
The second reason is that while the roads near Lanikai are narrow, they are not one-way streets. Therefore, it is a violation to park your car facing against the direction of traffic.
The general rule for two-way streets is that you must park your vehicle in the same direction as the flow of traffic.
Also, be aware of no-parking zones, such as within 15 feet (about 5 meters) of a corner or in front of residential driveways. If you’re using a rental car, be sure to check for these restrictions carefully!
How to Get to Lanikai Beach
Since many people visit Lanikai Beach from Kailua Town on their own, here’s a detailed guide on how to get there.
There are four main ways to get there: on foot, by bus, by Uber, or by bicycle.
By foot, it takes about 45 minutes one way. By bicycle, it’s about 15 minutes with an e-bike or 20 minutes with a standard bike. The bus and Uber take approximately 10 minutes.
By Foot or Bicycle
From Kailua Road, turn left at the junction with Wanaao Road and head north. When you reach Kailua Beach, turn right. Continue along Alala Road and take the left fork at the Lanikai Monument. As you proceed, you’ll see small sandy paths on your left. Take the 3rd to 6th path to reach the beach!
There are about 10 small paths in total, but the ones other than the 3rd to 6th don’t lead to a sandy area.
While they all connect to the beach and offer a more private feel, we recommend the paths that open up to the main sandy shore!
By TheBus
From the bus stop in front of Kailua Shopping Center, take bus number 671. It’s about a 10-minute ride to the nearest bus stop (Aalapapa Dr + Kaelepulu Dr).
This is also the stop you’ll want to get off at if you’re heading to the Lanikai Pillbox hike.
After getting off, it’s about a 3-minute walk toward the ocean to reach Lanikai Beach!
By Uber
This is the easiest option. Simply enter “Lanikai Beach” as your destination in the app!
The app will automatically find the shortest route from your current location and calculate the fare.
Once your ride arrives, it’s about a 10-minute trip to Lanikai Beach!
Basic Information about Lanikai Beach
| Name | Lanikai Beach |
| Address | 896 Mokulua Dr Kailua, HI 96734 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | None |
| Time required | Approx. 15 min ~ |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | None (Use street parking) |
| Website | None |
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