Kaena Point
Waialua, Hawaii
Swim
On the western tip of Oahu is Kaena Point. This dramatic lava shoreline is said to be the place where souls of ancient Hawaiians would jump off into the spirit world and meet the souls of their ancestors. With scenic views of the Waianae coast to the south, Mokuleia to the north, and the vast Pacific, it's easy to see why this point was deemed so sacred.
More Information
Kaena Point | Go Hawaii
The western-most point on Oahu, Kaena Point, is a sacred place and bird sanctuary. Find information about hiking and more.
https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/leeward-coast/kaena-pointDirections
From Waialua, Hawaii
- Head southeast on Puuiki toward Powa St (0.2 mi)
- Slight right onto Cane Haul Rd (233 ft)
- Turn left onto Kealohanui St (0.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Goodale Ave (0.5 mi)
- At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto State Hwy 930/Farrington Hwy (0.7 mi)
- Continue onto HI-803 (5.8 mi)
- Continue onto HI-99 S/Wilikina Dr (1.4 mi)
- Slight right toward HI-750 S/Kunia Rd (236 ft)
- Turn right onto HI-750 S/Kunia Rd (7.9 mi)
- Turn right onto the Interstate H-1 W ramp to Waianae (0.5 mi)
- Merge onto I-H-1 W (5.3 mi)
- Continue onto HI-93 W (19.3 mi)
- Turn right onto Satellite Tracking Station RdRestricted usage road(2.0 mi)
- Turn left to stay on Satellite Tracking Station RdRestricted usage road(1.9 mi)
Two trail heads from Waianae (south) or Mokuleia (north).
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
The Hidden Beach
Waialua, Hawaii
1.4 miles EA 3,000-foot-long north shore beach on Kauai known for size, privacy, and scenery — reached via an unmarked, steep trail for those willing to find it.
Swim
Mokuleia
Waialua, Hawaii
3.9 miles EA long sandy beach on Oahu's North Shore with a shallow reef, access to surf spots including Park Rights and Day Star, and year-round kite- and windsurfing when Kona winds blow.
Swim
Barking Rocks
Waianae, Hawaii
4.4 miles SEHead towards Wai'anae on the Farrington Highway and watch for signs marking Barking Rocks. Can swim or boogie board but watch out and don't crash into the rocks.
Swim
Makaha Beach
Waianae, Hawaii
7.8 miles SEMakaha Beach on Oahu's leeward coast offers swimming, bodyboarding, and surfing — best in summer when the ocean is calmer; strong shorebreak and rip currents in winter.
Swim
Hale'iwa Beach Park
Haleiwa, Hawaii
11.3 miles EA 19-acre North Shore beach park with a large grassy picnic area, the Kalili Surf Center, offshore surf at the Hale'iwa break for all levels, winter surf contests, and dive sites including the Hale'iwa Trench.
Camp, Swim
Waialua Bay
Haleiwa, Hawaii
11.4 miles EA north shore Oahu community hub with snorkeling, surfing, sailing, scuba diving, swimming, and fishing, plus world-class golf at the nearby Turtle Bay Resort.
Swim
Keiki Beach
Haleiwa, Hawaii
12.2 miles EKe Iki Beach Bungalows is located between Sunset Beach and Wiamea Bay less than an hour from Waikiki. Enjoy sun and surf in the winter or snorkeling, diving, swimming, sailing in the summer.
Swim
Waimea Bay
Haleiwa, Hawaii
14.4 miles EThe birthplace of big wave surfing on Oahu's legendary North Shore, Waimea Bay draws the world's best surfers for powerful winter swells and hosts world-renowned surf competitions November through February.
Swim
Velseyland
Haleiwa, Hawaii
15.9 miles NEA feisty, high-performance right-breaking wave on Oahu's North Shore that needs a medium-small west swell, breaking best at three to five feet with rights that wedge into perfectly formed tubes throwing out two or three times per wave.
Swim
Banzai Pipeline / Pupukea
Haleiwa, Hawaii
16.0 miles NEHome to the Banzai Pipeline, one of the world's most famous surfing waves, Ehukai Beach is wide and sandy with calmer summer waters that may be safe for swimming.
Swim
Paradise Cove
Waianae, Hawaii
16.6 miles SEA 12-acre oceanfront luau estate at Ko Olina on Oahu's leeward coast with Hawaiian entertainment, arts and crafts, games, traditional food, dances, and magnificent sunset views.
Swim
Sunset Beach
Haleiwa, Hawaii
16.8 miles NEThe legendary North Shore surf spot on Oahu, known worldwide for massive winter waves and the history of big-wave competitions.
Swim
Ko'olina Beach
Kapolei, Hawaii
19.1 miles SEA public beach park within the Ko Olina Resort Community on Oahu's west side, tucked between upscale vacation resorts, a man-made lagoon, and the Ko Olina Marina.
Swim
Kawela Beach
Kahuku, Hawaii
19.2 miles NERocky and sandy beach near Sunset Beach with great reefs, tidepools, and excellent snorkeling and scuba diving in summer — exceptional sunsets along this North Shore stretch.
Swim
Turtle Bay
Kahuku, Hawaii
20.3 miles NETurtle Bay on Oahu's North Shore is named for its large green sea turtle population, with surfing, diving, and fishing beyond the nearshore reef at the entrance to the legendary North Shore.
Swim
Nimitz Beach
Kapolei, Hawaii
23.2 miles SELocated at Barber's Point, offering good swimming amenities despite to the coral reefs. The offshore area is excellent for surfing.
Swim
La'ie Point
Laie, Hawaii
24.0 miles EA quick scenic stop on Oahu's Windward/North Shore with sweeping views of the coastline and a clear look at Goat Island just offshore.
Swim
Kualoa Beach Park
Kaneohe, Hawaii
28.6 miles EA calm, peaceful beach park in Kaneohe with a large grassy area buffering you from nearby road noise — just the break Oahu's busy vibe sometimes calls for.
Camp, Swim
Sand Island
Honolulu, Hawaii
31.2 miles SEAn arid coastal park in Honolulu fronting a small sand beach with picnicking, camping, shore fishing, surfing, and good views of Honolulu Harbor and ocean sunsets.
Kayak, Swim
Ilikai
Honolulu, Hawaii
34.7 miles SEA landmark oceanfront high-rise at the western end of Waikiki, the Ilikai was Hawaii's first luxury hotel when it opened in 1964.
SwimNearby Campsites
Hale'iwa Beach Park
Haleiwa, Hawaii
11.3 miles EA 19-acre North Shore beach park with a large grassy picnic area, the Kalili Surf Center, offshore surf at the Hale'iwa break for all levels, winter surf contests, and dive sites including the Hale'iwa Trench.
Camp, Swim
Kualoa Beach Park
Kaneohe, Hawaii
28.6 miles EA calm, peaceful beach park in Kaneohe with a large grassy area buffering you from nearby road noise — just the break Oahu's busy vibe sometimes calls for.
Camp, Swim
Sandy Beach
Honolulu, Hawaii
43.7 miles SEPowerful shorebreak and strong currents make Sandy Beach a dramatic spectacle — experienced bodyboarders love it, but red warning flags fly most days for good reason.
Camp, Swim