Lanikai Beach

Considered by many locals to be the best swimming beach in Hawaii, Lanikai’s clear waters, clean, wide beach, and swaying coconut palms also make it a photographer’s dream.

Lanikai Beach is located in Lanikai, a suburb of Kailua, on the windward coast of Oahu, HI. This small 0.5 mile beach has been constantly ranked among the best beaches in world. Adjacent to Lanikai Beach is a primarily upper-class residential area, because of this it is only accessible through public access paths. There are no public parking lots, restrooms, showers or lifeguards.

A mile-long stretch of powdered-sugar sand is perfect for sunbathing. Sparkling turquoise waters sheltered by a wide, protective offshore reef provide ideal swimming conditions. Other popular activities on Lanikai include kayaking, outrigger canoeing, sailing, surfing, and windsurfing. With the twin Mokulua Islands in the distance, Lanikai Beach truly lives up to its translated name of “heavenly sea.”