Best Family Friendly Beaches in Honolulu, Hawaii

While British sailors in the 19th century may have mistaken calcite crystals on the beach here for real diamonds, we still give them some credit – Diamond Head Beach is a genuine treasure. With sea cliffs lining the golden sands and blue-green waters crashing at the shore, this Hawaiian beach is absolutely gorgeous. To reach the sands of this paradise, follow Kalakaua Avenue south from Waikiki for a 15-minute drive along the ocean, take a right at Diamond Head Road, and continue to the top of the hill to find parking for the beach, as well as three scenic lookouts. Free street parking is also available, but be aware of potential theft and parking tickets, both of which are quite common here.

Once you reach the beach, all your expectations will be surpassed and the drive to the sand will be more than worth it. The beach is a part of the Diamond Head Beach Park, which is home to a wide array of beautiful, swaying palm trees and amazing views. While the beach is not particularly well-suited for swimming due to strong currents, it’s a great location for surfing. At low tide, you’ll want to check out the tide pools that are teeming with exotic, vibrant marine life. Diamond Head Beach doesn’t offer any amenities – there are no lifeguards, bathrooms, restaurants, picnic tables, snack bars, rentals, or umbrellas – but this simply adds to the rustic, paradisiacal feel of the beach.

If you’re feeling adventurous after the beach and are in the mood for an incredible hike with breathtaking views of the island, get in your car for a five-minute drive to the Diamond Head State Monument and the famous Diamond Head Trail. Bring plenty of water and prepare yourself for the challenge – it’s a 242-meter climb to the top of Le’ahi, commonly called Diamond Head Volcano, with the last 160 meters consisting of steep stairs. The trail is well-marked and lasts about one and a half to two hours roundtrip. If you’re going late in the day to catch the sunset, plan accordingly because the entrance to the trail closes at 4:30 pm every day. Other than the breathtaking views, the highlight of the hike is the broad crater at the top, which is approximately 300,000 years old and is the result of a single volcanic eruption. History buffs will love exploring this crater, as its history dates back to 1904, when the U.S. government purchased Diamond Head to be used for the military’s defense of Oahu. Along the hike, you can explore the five batteries that were built to house the coastal artillery, the observations stations that were used to determine potential threats, and the long-range guns that were mounted on the outer slopes and rim of the crater. While no artillery was ever fired from here, you’ll still see remnants of the military’s presence, such as pistol ranges, concrete landings, tunnels, and camouflaging beams. Nature-lovers will also love this hike, as there is a plethora of flora and fauna lining the trail, including cardinals, doves, and sparrows. If you’re visiting Waikiki, Diamond Head Beach is a must-visit, and Diamond Head Trail is the icing on the cake!

Located on the island of Oahu, Kuhio Beach - also known as “The Ponds,” Kuhio Ponds, and Kūhiō Beach - is a small and popular beach with light brown sand and nearby palm trees.  This beach is a part of a larger beach area named Waikiki Beach.  Multiple rocky breakwaters are located near the beach, and a seawall divides the beach into two portions.  In addition, there is also another separate seawall near the beach’s southern end - this seawall is called the Kapahulu Groin (and it is also known as the Waikiki Wall).  A recreational park named Kuhio Beach Park is also located near the beach.  Kuhio Beach received its name from Jonah Kuhio  Kalanianaole, who was a prince of the Hawaiian Kingdom and who became a renowned statesman after Hawaii’s annexation into the United States - the area around the beach was once the site of Pualeilani, which was Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole’s home.  Multiple statues and public artworks are located near Kuhio Beach - these statues and artworks include the statue of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku that was created by Jan Gordon Fisher and the statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio created by Sean K. L. Browne.  In addition, there is another landmark near Kuhio Beach named the Stones of Life  (which is also called Kapaemahu) – this landmark has four large stones that signify four legendary Ancient Hawaiian healers. 

Located near Honolulu, Kaalawai Beach - also called Cromwell’s Beach, Ka’alawai Beach, and Cromwell’s - is a narrow beach with light brown sand, some rocky portions, a nearby seawall, a nearby coral reef, and many nearby palm trees and shrubs in the island of Oahu. The beach is situated near an upscale residential area. The name of the beach - Kaalawai - means “the watery rock” in Hawaiian - the beach received this name because underwater freshwater deposits occasionally bubble up to the ocean surface around the reefs near the beach. This beach received its alternative name - Cromwell’s Beach - because the area around it was earlier a yacht dock for American diplomat and United States Senatorial candidate James H.R. Crowell, who was the husband of renowned American socialite and philanthropist Doris Duke - Duke earlier owned an estate near the beach, which was called the “Shangri La.” Duke’s house is currently the site of a museum named The Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design.

Located in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach is a beautiful and extremely popular beach  with light brown sand and nearby palm trees. This beach is located in the popular touristy neighborhood of Waikiki. The beach’s name in Hawaiian means "spouting water" - the beach received this name because in the past multiple springs and rivers used to flow around this beach – as another fun fact Waikiki Beach was used by Hawaiian nobility for surfing. Waikiki Beach is one of the most famous beaches in the United State and was named the 4th Best Beach in the Top 50 Beaches in the United States list in 2022 by Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as "Mr. Beach.” It is important to note that Waikiki Beach is a part of a larger beach area that stetches for almost two miles that is also called Waikiki Beach – in addition to Waikiki Beach, this larger beach area is composed of seven other beaches including Duke Kahanamoku Beach (also called Kahanamoku Beach and Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Beach Park), Fort DeRussy Beach (also known asFort DeRussy Beach Park, Gray’s Beach (also known as Grays Beach, Halekulani Beach, Kawehewehe, and Grey’s Beach), Royal Hawaiian Beach (also known as Waikiki Beach Center and Royal Moana Beach), Kuhio Beach (also known as "The Ponds", Kuhio Ponds, and Kūhiō Beach), Queen’s Beach (also known as Queen Kapiolani Beach , Queen’s Surf Beach, and Kapiolani Beach Park), and Kaimana Beach (also known as also known as Kaimana Beach Park, Kaimana’s Beach, Waikiki at San Souci Beach, Sans Souci Beach, and San Souci Beach).

Waikiki Beach is constantly threatened by erosion – some of Waikiki Beach’s parts have been significantly reduced in size due to erosion. There are multiple rocky jetties and seawalls near Waikiki Beach – the beach’s southwestern portion particularly has many rocky seawalls near it. Although most of the portions of Waikiki Beach have lifeguards, there are some portions that do not have lifeguard deployment – these portions are located near 2055 Kalia Road, in front a hotel named the Halekulani Hotel, and adjacent to another hotel named Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.  In addition to lifeguards,

Located near a volcanic crater named Diamond Head, Halona Beach Cove - also known as Halona Beach, Cockroach Cove, Eternity Beach, Hālona Cove, and Hālona Beach - is a popular sand-and-rock beach.  This beach is situated below steep and rocky oceanfront bluffs and is also surrounded by steep cliffs on both sides.  The rocky portions of Halona Beach Cove are made from lava, and the beach also has light-brown colored sand.  This beach gets its alternative name (Eternity Beach) as it was featured in the 1953 movie From Here to Eternity - this beach was the setting for an iconic love scene between two of the film’s characters who were played by the famous Hollywood actors Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr.  Apart from From Here to Eternity, the beach and the area around it have also featured in many other movies including Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, and the Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore movie 50 First Dates, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.  The main name of the beach – Halona – means “lookout” in Hawaiian.  A natural blowhole named Halona Blowhole is also adjacent to this beach.  In addition, the beach also has a rocky ridge near its western end. This ridge is called Bamboo Ridge and it got its name as visitors could previously see a lot of bamboo fishing poles here, owing to its popularity as a fishing spot. 

Located along the south-eastern shoreline of the island of Oahu, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a preserve that has a scenic bay named Hanauma Bay - this bay has a long unnamed and popular crescent-shaped light-brown sand beach along its shores. This unnamed beach is also known as Hanauma Bay Beach and is situated within a 30,000 year-old volcanic crater called the Hanauma. Many palm trees are present around this scenic beach. Hanauma Bay was earlier a recreational beach park. However, the huge influx of tourists to this popular beach caused significant damage to the local marine landscape and fragile marine biodiversity, prompting local authorities to turn this park into a preserve and take and apply stricter rules for tourist regulation. The meaning of the Hawaiian name of this bay (Hanauma) is widely interpreted as "curved bay" in English. Hanauma Bay was earlier used by Ancient Hawaiian nobles for recreational purposes. In addition, Hanauma Bay was also used by Ancient Hawaiians as a stop-over and launch point for canoes due to its calm water. Ancient fishing tools have also been found around Hanauma Bay by archaeologists. The beach in Hanauma Bay is a favorite of Randall Kaplan, the world’s foremost beach expert who is known as Mr. Beach.  Hanauma Bay has also featured in many films and television shows including Tora! Tora! Tora!, Hawaii Five-O, and Blue Hawaii. 

Kahala Beach is the Hawaiian paradise that you’ve always dreamed of. You might expect that this tropical oasis is often crowded, as its bright blue waters and golden sands are particularly inviting and the beaches of Oahu are among the most sought-after destinations in the world. Yet, Kahala Beach defies all norms. This isolated, tranquil beach is an uncrowded, sandy beach that’s lined with swaying palm trees, and is only a 20-minute drive from the center of Waikiki.

Getting to Kahala Beach is easy - the multiple access paths to the beach are located along Kahala Avenue, near its intersections with Elepaio Street, Kala Place, Hunakai Street, and Koloa Street.  It is also important to note that Kahala Beach’s access path near the intersection between Kahala Avenue and Kala Place also has two lion statues near it.  There are free street parking spaces along some of the roads which intersect Kahala Avenue - one of these roads which have street parking spaces is the Kala Place.  It is important to note that the access paths for Kahala Beach near Elepaio Street and Kala Place lead to portions of the beach which are narrow with very little sand.

Once you’ve reached the beach, the lagoon-like water filled with vibrant coral and sea life makes for an ideal snorkeling hotspot. You’ll often see sailboats and kitesurfers along the waters as well. Sometimes there are even a few destination weddings right on the sand! If you venture west along the beach, you’ll pass the Waialae Country Club and its beautiful 18-hole ocean-view golf course, nestled among gated $10-$20 million homes. Situated beyond the club, you’ll find Wai’alea Beach Park, which has an expansive lawn and a stream that runs out to the ocean; you’ll also find a public bathroom and a shower. If you’re looking for accommodations here, Kahala Hotel and Resort is a great place to stay – it has a dolphin pool, spa and fitness center, complimentary water sports equipment, and great beach access. The hotel also offers and array of dining options – including Arancino at The Kahala, Hoku's Restaurant, the Seaside Grill, and the Kahala Hotel Beach Side Buffet. We also love the Plumeria Beach House, a casual, open-air restaurant near the lobby of the hotel. Whether you’re staying for a day, a week, or a month, you’re going to love your time at Kahala Beach.

Located on a very small island named Sand Island, Sand Island State Recreation Area – also called Sand Island Beach Park - is a state-managed recreational area that has two unnamed light brown sand beaches.  One of the beaches in Sand Island State Recreation is long and has some rocky portions, while the other beach is relatively smaller and crescent-shaped.  Sand Island State Recreation Area is situated near the Honolulu Harbor in the city of Honolulu. The smaller beach in Sand Island State Recreation Area has rocky breakwaters in the water near it.  Sand Island State Recreation Area was used as a coastal defense military installation during World War Two, and it still has remnants of concrete bunkers and lookout towers.  In addition, Sand Island was also used as a temporary internment spot for Japanese-American citizens during World War II.  The beaches on Sand Island are known to have significant deposits of sea glass. 

Located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood, Fort DeRussy Beach is a wide 1,800-foot-long beach with light brown sand. This beach is a part of a waterfront recreational park named Fort DeRussy Beach Park and is also considered a part of a larger and very popular beach named Waikiki Beach. Fort DeRussy Beach comprises a quarter of Waikiki Beach, and the sand in the south-eastern part of the beach is finer than the sand in its other parts.  

Fort DeRussy Beach Park has also been awarded the Fodor’s Choice award by the Fodor’s travel guide, and the park is usually open to the public between 5 am and 10 pm.