Lanikai Beach, Oahu: BEST In Hawaii!
Lanikai Beach in Oahu, Hawaii, is without question one of the prettiest beaches you will find anywhere on the planet.
Turquoise waters. Powdery soft golden sands. Swaying palms. Views out to the tiny Mokulua Islands. Picture perfect sunrises. Colorful sunsets.
At Lanikai Beach, you can have all these and more. No wonder so many travelers to Oahu have a visit to Lanikai Beach on their bucket list!
Located on the scenic east (windward) side of Oahu in Kailua, Lanikai Beach (also known as Ka’ohao Beach) is not too far a drive from Waikiki, but a world apart when it comes to the tranquility of the setting.
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Like neighboring Kailua Bay Beach, Lanikai Beach boasts water in several shades of blue and green. The overall effect, on a clear bright day, is surreal aquamarine.
As a beach in a residential area of Oahu, there are no facilities at Lanikai, so visiting requires a bit of research and planning. Lanikai Beach parking can be a challenge!
On this complete Lanikai Beach website, you will find all the information you need to plan a trip to pretty Lanikai Beach.
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Oahu, check out the some of the top things to do in Oahu, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
First visit to Hawaii? A luau is a great way to get a peek into local history and culture. It’s fun for adults and kids! Check out this newest Oahu luau with a Polynesian show that includes hula and fire dancing! 🌺 🌺 🌺
Complete 2025 Guide to Lanikai Beach
While there are many pretty beaches on Oahu, what’s special about the half-mile stretch of Lanikai Beach is its stunning beauty, natural and pristine – hence, its name which translates to “heavenly seas.”
The golden sands, fringed by palm trees, the clear aquamarine waters, and the stunning view of the offshore Mokulua islets make Lanikai Beach a must-visit on Oahu. The beach is popular with locals and visitors alike.
This comprehensive Lanikai Beach website is your one-stop site for all the details you need to plan your beach visit!
Based in Waikiki and want to explore the rest of Oahu without worrying about logistics? This highly-rated circle island tour stops at top spots like Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Valley of the Temples, Mokoli’i Island, and Waimea Falls! 🚌 🏝️ 🚌
Lanikai Beach is located in Kailua, on Oahu’s windward (east) coast, just a short drive from Honolulu and Waikiki. View the location of Lanikai Beach on a map.
You can drive to Lanikai Beach from different parts of Oahu, including Honolulu, Waikiki, or Kaneohe.
Unlike many other beaches, Lanikai Beach does not have an official parking lot. Instead, parking is available along the residential streets of Lanikai. However, parking restrictions are strictly enforced, especially on weekends and holidays.
If you can’t find parking near Lanikai Beach, another option is to park at Kailua Beach Park, which has a dedicated lot with restrooms and showers. From there, it’s about a 10-15 minute walk to Lanikai Beach via the public beach access paths between homes.
Lanikai Beach is open 24/7, year-round. There are no official closing hours—but visitors should be mindful of residents and avoid loud noise, especially early in the morning or late at night.
Lanikai Beach is free to visit, with no entrance fee, no reservations, and no permits required.
Unlike state beach parks, Lanikai Beach has no lifeguards, no restrooms, and no showers. Plan accordingly before you arrive.
Is snorkeling with sea turtles on your bucket list for Oahu? On this Turtle Canyon tour, you’ll likely share the warm waters with honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), as well as schools of tropical fish. This is a super popular tour, so reserve your spots early! 🐢 🐢 🐢
Lanikai Beach Activities
You can find all the best things to do at Lanikai Beach in this complete guide: snorkel, swim, kayak, sunbathe, view sunrises and sunsets, admire turtles and monk seals, surf, scuba dive, canoe or paddleboard, and other activities.
Lanikai Beach Weather
The weather at Lanikai Beach is typically warm and breezy, with temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s year-round.
Trade winds keep the area comfortable, but it’s best to check the forecast for rain or strong surf before planning your beach day, especially if you’re planning to kayak or standup paddleboard to the Mokes.
For many visitors, a first trip to Oahu is not complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. This highly-rated half-day tour comes with guaranteed seats for the boat tour to the USS Arizona Memorial, which requires advance reservations. 🚤 🚤 🚤
Best Time to Visit Lanikai Beach
If you can make it in time for the sunrise, nothing like it! Early morning is also best for snorkeling, when the ocean is calm and visibility underwater is excellent.
Crowds tend to build up quickly, especially on weekends (Lanikai Beach has been rated #1 beach in the US multiple times, and is no longer a hidden gem).
Things to Do Near Lanikai Beach
Want to spend a day or more on the windward side of Oahu? Here’s what you’ll find near Lanikai Beach:
- Kailua Beach Park: A more-developed, family beach park with restrooms & picnic areas.
- Kailua Town: A charming oceanside town with a farmer’s market, restaurants, and boutique shops.
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Kaiwa Ridge Trail): A short, steep hike with breathtaking views from strategic viewpoints of Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands
Don’t miss these top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Oahu experiences!
Best Things to Do in Lanikai Beach
1. Admire the pristine beauty of Lanikai Beach!
Your first glimpse of the shimmering, turquoise waters, the powder soft, white sands, and the swaying coconut trees will make your jaw drop as you reach for your smartphone to capture what’s likely to be THE Instagram photo highlighting your trip!
But photos of Lanikai Beach rarely do justice to its pristine, untouched beauty – a true slice of tropical paradise, widely acclaimed to be one of Hawaii’s best beaches, if not the world’s best!
For amateur nature photographers, the best time to get stunning photos of Lanikai Beach are either the golden hours in the early morning or late evening.
Sunrises at Lanikai Beach are spectacular, with the golden orb peeking from behind the offshore Mokulua islets, providing a natural frame.
Vacationing in Waikiki and have just half a day to explore the rest of the island? This sightseeing tour is the perfect way to soak in the views, with stops at 7 lookouts near Waikiki. 🌄 🏞️
2. Lanikai Beach Kayaking & Stand-up Paddleboarding
With shimmering, glass-like calmness, especially early in the morning, the turquoise waters off Lanikai Beach beckon kayakers, canoers and standup paddleboarders for a morning bout of exercise.
The offshore Mokulua islets, affectionately known as the “Mokes,” are a popular destination, roughly a mile away (more if you start from the neighboring Kailua Beach Park, the origin of many guided tours).
The islets are bird sanctuaries and you need a special permit to land, which some tours include.
Moku Nui is the typical landing spot, the larger islet, where you can explore hidden tide pools, and spot nesting seabirds and the occasional Hawaiian monk seal.
The highly popular, 5-star rated Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak Adventure with Beachside Lunch includes island landing permits and an optional professional guide.
Choose tandem kayaks if you have younger kids or prefer a companion, and make sure you snorkel near the Mokes, some of the best snorkeling in all of Oahu!
Be sure to add the option to swim in Queen’s Bath, a freshwater lava tube on the island.
>> Check pricing and availability on the 5-star rated Kayaking Tour of Kailua Bay with Lunch, Oahu now!
Not ready for a full-fledged kayak trip over the open ocean waters? Check out this this popular introductory 1.5 hour lesson Surf, Kayak or Standup Paddle board in Lanikai, Kailua, Oahu.
>> Check pricing and availability on Surf, Kayak or Standup Paddle board in Lanikai, Kailua, Oahu, now!
Lanikai Beach Kayak Rentals
Several shops in Kailua, like Kailua Beach Adventures, offer kayak rentals and rentals for other beach gear.
Want to hit the waves at the place where surfing was reportedly born? Book this small-group surfing lesson with a qualified instructor and enjoy the ultimate Hawaii vacation experience! Lessons are offered right on Waikiki Beach. 🏄 🏄🏻♀️ 🏄🏽
3. Lanikai Beach Snorkeling
On the windward, east coast of Oahu, Lanikai Beach offers some of the best snorkeling!
Extensive coral formations. crystal clear water and rich marine life, all conspire to provide an amazing snorkeling experience!
The best time to snorkel Lanikai Beach is early morning, when the water is the clearest; later in the day, trade winds tend to chop up the water, decreasing underwater visibility.
On a good day, you’ll see schools of colorful reef fish like butterflyfish, parrotfish, angelfish, triggerfish (including the humuhumunukunukuapua’a, Hawaii’s state fish) and Moorish idols.
Lanikai Beach has no facilities or rentals, make sure you pick up your snorkeling gear in Kailua.
Based in Waikiki and want to explore the rest of Oahu without worrying about logistics? This highly-rated circle island tour stops at top spots like Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Valley of the Temples, Mokoli’i Island, and Waimea Falls! 🚌 🏝️ 🚌
4. Lanikai Beach Swimming
Is Lanikai Beach swimmable? Absolutely!
You’ll usually see lots of people enjoying the warm and relatively calm waters at Lanikai Beach.
You can also bring floaties and drift on the calm waters near the shore.
Although there is some reef at Lanikai Beach, there are plenty of sandy areas to enter.
Lanikai Beach is known as a family-friendly beach due to the fact that there are usually no big waves here, but always keep a close eye on children and never let them play unsupervised in the water.
Remember that there is no lifeguard at Lanikai Beach.
Ka Moana Luau has a lovely waterfront location and features a thrilling Polynesian show with fire dancing. Enjoy traditional delicacies and learn how to hula! Transport from select Waikiki hotels is included. Check price and availability now! 🌅 🌺
5. View a magnificent Lanikai Beach sunrise
At dawn, Lanikai Beach exudes a serene stillness, far removed from the midday crowds. Just you, the rhythmic whispers of the waves, and a horizon brimming with possibility!
As the golden sun emerges from behind the iconic Mokulua Islands, the sky ignites in a symphony of orange and pink hues.
Lanikai Beach is one of the best sunrise locations on Oahu, and it’s no wonder this image graces postcards, souvenirs, and T-shirts across Hawai‘i.
Not an early bird? On evenings near the full moon, linger along the shore and watch as the silvery orb ascends over the Mokuluas, casting a dreamy glow over the beach.
A magical contrast to the fiery sunrise, but equally breathtaking!
Parasailing over the beautiful blue waters off the Waikiki Coast is one of the most exciting things to do in Oahu! This popular parasailing tour has been operating since 1977 and features your choice of an 800-foot or 1,200 foot line. 🪂 🪂 🪂
6. Do the Lanikai Pillbox Hike
One of the most popular hikes on the windward coast of Oahu, the trailhead for the Lanikai Pillbox Trail (also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail) is an easy walk from Lanikai Beach (or Kailua Beach, if you parked there).
The trailhead is in a residential Lanikai area on Kaelepulu Drive, opposite the Mid Pacific Country Club & Golf Course, and is marked by a sign.
A short 0.9 mile out-and-back hike, for a total roundtrip distance of 1.8 miles, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike is relatively easy, despite an initial steep and rocky incline at the start.
The trail takes you to two pillboxes, WWII-era relics of wartime observation posts, that offer sweeping views of the Mokulua Islands and the coastline stretching towards Kailua.
Cruise aboard a 50-foot catamaran and look for dolphins and turtles year round, plus whales in the winter. Look through magnifying portals in the glass bottom for fish and colorful coral! Leaves from Kewalo Basin Harbor in Waikiki, easy to access. ⛴️ 🌊 ⛴️
Tips for Visiting Lanikai Beach
Visiting Lanikai Beach is one of the top things to on Oahu, so be prepared to share the beach! Aim for a weekday morning if you prefer a quieter ambiance.
Located in a residential neighborhood, expect no facilities and come prepared with plenty of water, snacks, reef-safe sunscreen and beach essentials like a towel.
The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, is a great option when you travel to Hawaii.
If you’re planning to snorkel, bring your own gear or rent in Kailua.
The Cressi Light Weight Premium Travel Snorkel Set for All Family is compact and easy to pack, great fitting, and very clear underwater.
The Zenoplige Mask Fins Snorkel Set is a great budget option.
Your best budget option for underwater photography is the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof Disposable Camera, reasonably cheap with good underwater photos!
If you want high-end photos and video, invest in the premium GoPro HERO12 – Waterproof Action Camera, (waterproof to 33 feet)!
A waterproof phone case is handy to protect your smartphone from accidental water damage.
Your rental car keys, cards, and phone can be kept dry and safe while you swim or snorkel with a dry bag like this 2-pack AiRun Tech Pouch with waist strap. The transparent one is touch-screen friendly!
Based in Waikiki and want to explore the rest of Oahu without worrying about logistics? This highly-rated circle island tour stops at top spots like Diamond Head, Halona Blowhole, Valley of the Temples, Mokoli’i Island, and Waimea Falls! 🚌 🏝️ 🚌
Lanikai Beach Parking
Parking at Lanikai Beach can be tricky, as there’s no dedicated lot—only limited street parking in the residential area.
Arrive early to secure a spot, and be mindful of parking restrictions to avoid fines ($200+) or towing.
Oddly enough, the best parking for Lanikai Beach is actually at the neighboring Kailua Beach Park, a short stroll away.
This enormously popular Oahu circle island tour allows you to sit back and relax as a knowledgeable local takes you around the island! Visit the charming town of Haleiwa and stop at top sightseeing spots along the way. 🚐 🏖️ 🚐
Lanikai Beach Safety Tips
Lanikai Beach has no lifeguards, so always check ocean conditions before swimming and avoid venturing too far offshore.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, stay hydrated, and be mindful of strong currents, especially on windy days.