Lanikai Beach, known by the tagline claiming it as America’s No.1, is nicknamed the “Heaven’s Ocean.”
It is one of the most famous beaches in Hawaii, and many people have probably visited it at least once.
The emerald-green sea, the pure white sand, and the calm waves truly feel like heaven.
This beach captivates visitors and is overwhelmingly popular even among Hawaii locals.
Because it is a naturally formed beach, the sand is very fine and feels almost like flour.
You can relax in the beautiful water, enjoy the breathtaking view from the top of the nearby Lanikai Pillboxes, or be active and paddle out toward the Mokulua Islands (the twin islands).
Be sure to fully enjoy the overwhelmingly beautiful scenery.
Why Lanikai Beach Is Called the Heaven’s Ocean
Lanikai Beach has repeatedly ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the United States.
With almost no effect from waves and a very shallow seabed, the color of the water is strikingly beautiful.
From this atmosphere, the Hawaiian word “lani” meaning heaven and “kai” meaning sea were used to name the beach Lanikai, literally “Heaven’s Ocean.”
It isn’t just called heavenly because it looks like heaven — its name actually means Heaven’s Ocean.
Recommended Ways to Enjoy Lanikai Beach
The best way to enjoy Lanikai Beach might simply be to relax and take it easy.
Swim in the clear water for a bit, then nap on the beautiful sand.
It’s the perfect Hawaiian way to spend your time!
If you go about 10 meters offshore you’ll find coral reefs with fish, and you may even encounter sea turtles, so snorkeling is possible.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also recommended activities.
Paddling out to the Mokulua Islands visible offshore can give you a real sense of achievement.
Note that the Mokulua Islands are a bird sanctuary, so the island on the right as you face the ocean from Lanikai Beach is off-limits. Please be careful.
You can climb up the left island to the cliffs and enjoy views of the beautiful Lanikai waters.
Also, watch for jellyfish in late August; heed any “jellyfish warning” signs when they are posted.
Parking, Showers, and Toilet Facilities at Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach sits behind a residential area and is not a public beach with full facilities.
Therefore, there are no parking lots, showers, or restrooms available, so please be aware of this.
If you need restrooms or showers, return to neighboring Kailua Beach to use their facilities.
If you are driving, you can use street parking near Lanikai Beach rather than the Kailua Beach public parking lot.
When you get near Lanikai Beach you will see many cars parked along the road, so parking similarly is generally acceptable.
However, many cars near Lanikai Beach receive parking tickets, and there are two main reasons for this.
First, tickets can be issued if a vehicle sticks out into the roadway. Even a mirror slightly over the road can result in a ticket, so be sure not to block the road.
Second, the streets near Lanikai are narrow but are not one-way; parking facing opposite the direction of traffic is actually a parking violation.
On two-way streets you must park facing the direction of traffic.
Also avoid parking within about 5 meters of road corners or in front of residential driveways. If you are driving a rental car, be sure to check these rules carefully.
How to Access Lanikai Beach
Lanikai Beach is often visited independently from Kailua town, so here are detailed access instructions.
The main ways to get there are on foot, by bus, by Uber, or by bicycle.
On foot it takes about 45 minutes one way; by electric bike about 15 minutes; by pedal bike about 20 minutes; by bus or Uber about 10 minutes.
On Foot or by Bicycle
From Kailua Road, turn left at the junction with Wanaao Road and head north → when you reach Kailua Beach turn right → continue on Alala Road and turn left at the fork where the Lanikai monument is → as you go along you will see sandy paths on the left; take the 3rd to 6th path → follow the sandy path out to the beach.
There are about ten small paths in total, but only the 3rd through 6th paths lead to sand; the others do not have a sandy area behind them.
All of them connect to the beach and offer a private feel, but the spots with actual sand are recommended.
By TheBus
From the bus stop in front of Kailua Shopping Center, take route 671 and in about 10 minutes you will arrive at the nearest stop (Aalapapa Dr + Kaelepulu Dr).
This is also the stop to use if you are heading to the Lanikai Pillboxes.
From the stop, walk toward the ocean for about 3 minutes to reach Lanikai Beach.
By Uber
The easiest option is to enter “Lanikai Beach” as your destination in the app.
The app will calculate the shortest route from your current location and estimate the fare.
Once the vehicle arrives, it’s about a 10-minute ride to Lanikai Beach.
Lanikai Beach Quick Facts
| Name | LaniKai Beach |
| Address | 896 Mokulua Dr Kailua, HI 96734 |
| Map | |
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Closed | None |
| Typical visit time | From about 15 minutes |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | None (use street parking) |
| Website | None |
Recommended Transportation Options to Lanikai Beach
TheBus Complete Guide – Hawaii’s Most Affordable Public Transportation Covering the Entire Island
Taxi & Uber Complete Guide – Easy and Convenient Ride-Hailing Options in Hawaii
Rental Cars & Turo Complete Guide – Private Vehicles for Exploring Hawaii with Total Freedom