Camp Harold Erdman

Located in the community of Mokulēʻia, Camp Harold Erdman Beach - also called Camp Erdman Beach - is a large and long beach with light brown sand, some rocky portions, mountains, and many nearby trees and shrubs in northern Oahu. This beach is situated near the western end of Farrington Highway. There is also a camp near this beach named Camp Erdman (which is also called Camp Harold R. Erdman and Camp H. R. Erdman). This camp was named in honor of a polo player named Harold R. Erdman, who died around the age of 26 following a horse riding accident in 1931. The Young Men’s Christian Association( also called YMCA) had earlier leased 10 acres of land around Camp Harold Erdman Beach in 1926 from Harold’s uncle who was a local landowner named Walter Dillingham - to make a youth camp here. When Harold died, his mother - Marion Dillingham Erdman - requested that the new youth camp be named in his honor. Interestingly, some of the YMCA buildings near Camp Harold Erdman Beach were prominently featured in the television series Lost. The western part of Camp Harold Erdman Beach is rockier than its eastern part. 

Camp Harold Erdman Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so please plan accordingly. Dogs on leash are allowed in the portions of Camp Harold Erdman Beach that are below the high tide line.

Camp Harold Erdman beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, wildlife watching, fishing, picnicking, hiking, swimming, surfing, bodyboarding, bodysurfing, kayaking, canoeing, surf-skiing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, boating, wakeboarding, and scuba diving. The water near Camp Harold Erdman Beach offers manageable waves during summers, making it ideal for less-experienced swimmers. Depending on the time of the year, you can see many kinds of animals near Camo Harold Erdman Beach including sea turtles, migrating whales between December and May, and rare Hawaiian monk seals. It is important to note that sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are protected under a law named the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and harming them can result in a fine of up to $50,000 and possible imprisonment. If you are planning to swim near Camp Harold Erdman Beach, we recommend being careful because the water here has unpredictable and dangerous rip currents and hazardous waves, particularly during winters. Camp Harold Erdman Beach is popular among fishermen, and one of the many species of fish that you can catch near the beach is ulua (which is also called trevally in English) - if you are planning to fish near Camp Harold Erdman Beach, please ensure compliance with the local fishing regulations that can be found at the website of the Division of Aquatic Resources(which is a part of the State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources). Camp Harold Erdman Beach is ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience because it sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.  

The nearby YMCA-run Camp Erdman primarily functions as a fun and popular summer camp for kids. In addition, it also hosts retreats, conferences, and leadership training sessions for adults throughout the year. If you want to participate in Camp Erdman’s programs, you can visit the camp’s webpage at the YMCA Honolulu’s website for more information.

If you like Skydiving, Skydive Hawaii is a private concession that offers excellent and thrilling skydiving sessions. This concession operates from the nearby Kawaihapai Airfield.

Getting to Camp Harold Erdman Beach is easy - the beach is located near 69-385 Farrington Highway.

There are many attractions near Camp Harold Erdman Beach. Kaena Point Trail - also called Kaʻena Point Trail - is a hiking trail that has a two-and-a-half-mile section near Polo Beach. This trail passes through a coastal plain that has nearby reefs and sand dunes and it leads visitors to Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve, where you can see many kinds of birds - some of the birds seasonally nest in the reserve and you can also see many native plant varieties here. In addition, you can also see migrating whales in the water near this reserve between December and May. Pohaku Lana'i (also called Pohaku Lanai) is a historic site that is a combination of two large limestone rocks which are carefully balanced together - the entire limestone structure is approximately 12 feet high. According to Hawaiian legends, the stones at this site were brought in from a faraway land called Kahiki and this site served as a lookout for local fishermen. In addition, local Hawaiian nobles also used this historic site for worshiping local deities. If you are looking for another attraction near Camp Harold Erdman Beach,  Waialua District Park is a recreational park that offers many amenities including a baseball field, a swimming pool, basketball court, picnic areas, restrooms, and tennis courts.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Camp Harold Erdman Beach. Haleiwa Joe’s is an upscale restaurant that also has a koi pond and a tropical garden. This restaurant also offers amazing Instagram-worthy views of the Ko’olau mountain range. This restaurant is primarily known for serving amazing seafood and steaks. Kono’s Northshore - Kailua serves excellent Hawaiian-inspired fare for breakfast and lunch including wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas, and tacos. Cholo’s Homestyle Mexican Restaurant is a Mexican restaurant that has a vibrant decor. This restaurant offers amazing Mexican specialties including tamale, chile verde, tostadas, nachos, quesadillas, salads, and burritos. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Camp Harold Erdman Beach, K & K Barbeque Inn (also called K & K Bar-B-Que Inn) offers many delicious dishes for breakfast and lunch including sandwiches, poultry dishes, barbecued dishes, seafood, and saimin. As another modestly priced option, Haleiwa Seafood & Grill offers excellent seafood, salads, sandwiches, tacos, wraps, steaks, and loco moco.

If you are looking for a hotel near Camp Harold Erdman Beach, there are many great nearby options within a 42-minute drive. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, 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 a snorkeling gear loaner facility. A more affordable hotel is Ke Iki Beach Bungalows which offers accommodations in beautiful oceanfront cottages and which has many amenities including grills, hammocks, picnic areas, showers, a meditation area, gardens, and a nearby biking path. The Inn At Schofield is another moderately priced hotel that offers many amenities including barbecue grills, laundry facilities, a deli, a convenience store, and tropical landscaped gardens. Owen’s Retreat - also called Mokulē'ia Beach Houses at Owen's Retreat - is another moderately priced hotel that offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and it also has a garden and barbecue facilities. If you are looking for another good and affordable accommodation option near Camp Harold Erdman Beach, Camp Mokule’ia is an episcopal camp and retreat center that offers accommodation in campsites, cabins, and lodges and it also has many amenities including a pool, a chapel, and campfire sites. The campground also has a zipline and a ropes course and it also organizes many fun programs and activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, and art & crafts sessions.