There are beautiful beaches all over the island, but not all of them are swimable. Always pay attention to what others are doing ~ if no one is in the water, don't go in.
All of the beach parks have public bathrooms, but they are very austere so keep your expectations low. And remember to never leave anything in your car!
The entire Waikiki neighborhood is on the beach, so you don't have to go far. But if you prefer a less tourist-packed & more local scene, check out either of the nearby options below.
Ala Moana Beach Park – Just to the west of Waikiki, a short walk from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is a beautiful park with a long stretch of beach and very calm water, good for swimming laps. Check out Magic Island, the little cove on the eastern side of the park, for a sweet little beach and swimming spot! It's right across the street from Ala Moana Mall, which has ample shopping & places to eat.
Kapiolani Park – This is a huge stretch of park on the east side of Waikiki, with a long stretch of beach along the whole length. Grab a bite to eat at the very casual Barefoot Cafe right by the water, and trek all the way to Kaimana's for a mostly locals beach.
Sandy's Beach Park – A local favorite, but also one of the most dangerous beaches because of the shore break (it is actually a lot worse than it looks). Be very careful if you decide to swim.
Sherwood's Beach Park – Large beach with plenty of shady spots. The water is usually fairly calm and very swimmable.
Kailua Beach Park – Busy local beach right outside of Kailua town, which has lots of dining & shopping options.
The ocean changes drastically throughout the year, and October is heading into big surf season on the North Shore. Watch the waves (and the people in them) for a few minutes before deciding if it's safe for you to go in. Always heed lifeguard signs warning of dangerous swim conditions.
Shark's Cove – A great beach for snorkeling. Don't go in when there's high surf.
Waimea Beach – One of the most picturesque beaches on the island. Also the site of the surf competition with the biggest waves in Hawaii, so proceed into the water with caution. The beautiful Waimea Botanical Garden is right across the street.
Koko Head Cafe – brunch spot with Pan-Asian eats
Waiole Kitchen & Bake Shop – brunch in a beautiful Manoa setting
Off da Hook Poke – best poke on the island
da Cove Health Bar – healthy wraps & sandwiches
Onoya Ramen – popular ramen spot
Moku Kitchen – local fusion in a fun area to explore
Barefoot Beach Cafe – beachfront cafe by Kapiolani Park
Nico's Pier 38 – counter service lunch, seated dinner (on way to airport)
Sushi ii – for classic sushi & Japanese shared plates
Izakaya Naru – portal to Japan with shared plates & drinks
Mud Hen Water – inventive Hawaiian small plates & cocktails
Livestock Tavern – for seasonal new American cuisine
Istanbul Hawai'i – Mediterranean with local ingredients
Merriman's – for higher end seafood & local fusion cuisine
Han no Daidokoro – high end Yakiniku (grill it yourself style)
Better Daze – coffee, teas & botanical drinks by Deanna's friend Sophia
Banan – delicious banana-based ice cream
Bar Leather Apron – upscale bar
Liliha Bakery – vintage dinner known for cream puffs
The Hibachi – poke & local style plate lunch
Nalu Health Bar – healthy juices, acai bowls & wraps
Kono's – pulled pork sandwiches
Maui Brewing Company – pizza, sandwiches & pub fare
Haliewa Bowls – acai bowls & smoothies
Waialua Bakery – sandwiches & smoothies
Surf N Salsa – tacos & burritos
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck – Jim's favorite
Banzai Sushi – sushi & Japanese fare (make a reservation)
Makapu'u Lighthouse Hike – uphill & full sun on pavement with a gorgeous view of the East side
Diamond Head Crater – lots of incline on stairs with a panoramic view of Waikiki
Manoa Falls Trail – touristy easier trail through the jungle to a waterfall; check out Lyon Arboretum nextdoor
Tantalus Lookout – stunning view of Honolulu
Nu'uanu Pali Lookout – worth stopping by on your way to Kailua for a beautiful view of the East side; exit is easy to miss so watch for it
Lyon Arbortum
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden
Koko Head Botanical Garden
Waimea Botanical Garden
You will need to fly into HNL (Honolulu / "Daniel K. Inouye") airport, which is about a 20 minute drive from Waikiki and an our drive from the wedding venue & accommodations.
If you're flying out of Boston Logan, there is one nonstop flight on Hawaiian Airlines available most days (but not every day) of the week. The average price is around $350 each way, but you can sometimes find it for less (check different dates if possible). The flight here is about 10.5 hours and the returning flight is roughly 9.5 hours; while it's long, it is an easier journey than you'll have with a connecting flight.
Connecting flights average around 12 hours each way. Choose a flight that has ideally at least a 1.5 hour layover to avoid running through the airport if your flight is delayed. It's also wise to avoid connecting in cities that are prone to snow storms due to potential closures.
If you are staying with us in Makaha plus just a night or two in Waikiki on either end, you can probably manage to avoid renting a car. We will coordinate carpooling to Makaha Valley for the 24th - 27th, and once there you really won't need a car. You can easily uber between the airport and Waikiki for about $30-$40.
If you're staying longer and would like to explore more of the island while you're here, then renting a car is the way to go. Oahu has so much more to offer outside of Waikiki, including spectacular (and much less crowded) beaches, gorgeous hikes for all skill levels, amazing restaurants and unique events & attractions.
Note that parking at hotels in Waikiki can be pricy, so check inquire with the hotels you're looking to book with.
NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING VALUABLE UNATTENDED IN YOUR RENTAL CAR. Car break ins are a problem here, and rentals are especially targeted. Keep valuables on you or in a locked trunk.
The most convenient place for visitors to stay is in Waikiki, which is 20 minutes from the airport and also from our house on Woodlawn Terrace Drive. Waikiki is a bustling Honolulu neighborhood that caters almost exclusively to tourists, offering ample hotels and restaurants on (or very close to) the beach all within easy walking distance.
Deanna's immediate family will be staying in Jim's favorite, the Hilton Hawaiian Village. This is very much a family resort. If you're looking for a more relaxing environment, check out some of the boutique hotels in the area like Surfjack, Laylow & Romer House.
Note that all of Waikiki is very touristy (think a little bit of Las Vegas on the beach). Once you cross over the border (east of Kapahulu Avenue and north / west of Ala Wai Boulevard), you'll get a more local experience. There are a handful of hotels in Honolulu 0utside of Waikiki.
Due to very strict interim transit laws, Airbnbs are extremely limited here. If you prefer to go this route, feel free to reach out to Deanna before booking to confirm it's a good location.
We will be around before and after the wedding weekend (no immediate honeymoon) so we would love to spend as much time as possible with everyone who makes the trek! Halloween on Oahu is also a very fun time to be here if you decide to stick around for it.
Please get in touch with us for assistance in choosing the best accommodations!