Hanakailio Beach

Located in the northern part of Oahu, Hanakailio Beach - also called Hanaka‘ilio Beach - is a remote beach with light brown sand, some rocky portions, and a nearby small forest.  This beach is situated on the shores of Hanakailio Bay.  The rocky portions of Hanakailio Beach are composed of limestone. 

Hanakailio Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so plan accordingly.  Dogs on leashes are allowed in Hanakailio Beach. 

Hanakailio Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, paddleboarding, tidepooling, beachcombing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, surf-skiing, jet-skiing, and water-skiing.  The water near Hanakailio Beach is popular with kayakers and canoers.  In addition, snorkelers and scuba divers also enter the water near this beach to explore its vibrant marine biodiversity - depending on the time of the year, you can view many kinds of animals in the water near Hanakailio Beach including sea turtles, many different types of fish, and migrating whales (usually during winters) - sea turtles in the United States are protected by a law named the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and harming them can result in a fine up to $50,000 and possible imprisonment.  However, if you are planning to swim or kayak/canoe in the water near Hanakailio Beach, we recommend being careful as the water near Hanakailio Beach occasionally has dangerous rip currents.  If you are planning to fish in the water near Hanakailio Beach, we recommend ensuring compliance with the local fishing regulations.  This beach is ideal for beachgoers looking for a quieter beach experience as it sees fewer visitors than other northern Oahu beaches. 

If you like hiking, there are multiple hiking trails near Hanakailio Beach that offer a unique way to explore the vibrant northern Oahu shoreline - one of these trails is the Kahuku Point Trail, which is five miles long and is ideal for beginner hikers due to its flat surface

Getting to Hanakailio Beach is slightly difficult - the long access trail for Hanakailio Beach is present along Marconi Road.  Marconi Road is easily accessible from Hawaii Route 83 (which is a part of a larger highway called  Kamehameha Highway). 

There are many attractions near Hanakailio Beach.  Kahuku Sugar Mill is a historical site that was operational as a prosperous sugar mill between the late 19th and 20th centuries.  While many of the sugar mill’s buildings and machines have been removed, this site still offers a unique insight into Oahu’s vibrant history and changing economy - this site also hosts many fun events including block parties and open air markets.  In addition, this site also has a statue of a mill worker named Hamana Kalili, who was reputedly the inventor of the “shaka” sign, which is now used as a popular gesture of goodwill and greeting - Hamana Kalili invented this sign as a method of non-verbal communication after meeting with an accident which severed three of his fingers.  CLIMB WORKS Keana Farms has a functional farm that you can explore via a thrilling zip-lining session. CLIMB WORKS Keana Farms’ guided tours also include rappelling and thrilling ATV rides and visitors can also cross sky bridges and sample fresh local fruits as a part of these tours - these tours also offer visitors a unique insight into Oahu’s vibrant landscape, biodiversity, and history.  If you are looking for another attraction near Hanakailio Beach, Lāʻie Point State Wayside is a state-managed area that offers many fun activities including wildlife watching, fishing, hiking, and picnicking. The state-managed area also offers amazing views of an offshore sea arch, the Mokuauia Islet Seabird Sanctuary, and northern Oahu and it was also featured in the 2008 movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Hanakailio Beach.  Beach House (also known as Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi) is 20 minutes away by car and - this upscale restaurant offers amazing Hawaiian-inspired dishes for lunch and dinner including burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, seafood, steaks, lamb dishes, and barbecued ribs.  Lei Lei’s Bar and Grill has an outdoor dining area and it serves amazing dishes for lunch, dinner, and breakfast including eggs, sandwiches, toasts, croissants, sandwiches, steaks, fries, barbecued ribs, salads, seafood, pastas, and poultry dishes.  Romy’s Kahuku Prawns and Shrimp Hut offers amazing seafood, and its menu mainly consists of delicious shrimp platters.  If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Hanakailio Beach, Ry’s Poke Shack offers fantastic poke bowls, poke salads, poke wraps, and poke nachos.

If you are looking for a hotel near Hanakailio Beach, there are many great nearby options. The 4-Star Turtle Bay Resort offers many amenities including a spa, two pools (including one with a waterslide), two golf courses, seven restaurants and bars, and two hot tubs.  The hotel also offers many other amenities for a resort fee including access to a fitness center, multiple tennis courts, and snorkeling gear loaner facility.  A more affordable hotel is Ke Iki Beach Bungalows which offers accommodation in beautiful oceanfront cottages. This hotel offers many amenities including grills, hammocks, picnic areas, showers, a meditation area, gardens, and a nearby biking path.  If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Hanakailio Beach, Malaekahana Beach Campground offers accommodation to tent and RV campers and it also offers accommodation in brightly colored cabins.  The campground offers many amenities including a camp store, watersporting equipment rental facilities, picnic tables, fire pits, and water spouts.