Best Swimming in Oahu With Kids
The island of Oahu (Hawaii) is abundant with swimming opportunities for both big and little kids. Here is a list of my favourite spots for the best swimming in Oahu with kids.
Ala Moana Beach Park
Ala Moana Beach Park is a free public park right near Waikiki. It’s perfect for younger kids as the water is clear and calm. It’s doesn’t seem to be as crowded as Waikiki beach. I can’t work out why though, because it’s much nicer!
This is my top pick for the best swimming in Oahu with kids as it’s close to all the shopping and convenience of Waikiki.
Waikiki Beach
I thought Waikiki Beach was nice, but it didn’t live up to the hype for me. Probably because it was too similar to the beaches back home in Australia. I found it hard not to be tempted by the Hilton Lagoon nearby as the sand was nicer.
Whilst not my absolute favourite, It’s still a fantastic place to cool off due to the location. We loved floating on our backs with the famous Diamond Head and resort buildings in the background against the blue sky.
The Windward Coast
I thought all of the beaches on the Windward Coast were just beautiful. There is plenty of sand for younger kids who aren’t quite ready for waves yet. Just hire a car, or take a bus and go exploring on your own!
The Hilton Lagoon
The Hilton Lagoon is a man made lagoon (free and open to the public) in front of the well known Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
I’m not usually a fan of ‘man made’, but its perfect for kids as the water is perfectly calm with a gradual slope. There are snack shops and facilities really close by.
If the water temperature was not noticeably cooler than the ocean, this would be my top pick for best swimming in Oahu with kids. If you bring a picnic rug and set up around the lagoon on a Friday evening, you will get a great view of the Friday night Hilton fireworks display.
Ko Olina Beach Park Lagoons
The Ko Olina Beach Park is worth a visit! However, you will need some kind of transport to get there as it’s on a part of the island that isn’t really central to anything.
We spent a day exploring the Wai’Anae Coast and paid a visit to these four white-sand lagoons which are open to the public.
Waimea Bay and Pipeline
Unless you are a surfing family, the North Shore beaches might be a little too much for young kids. However I still want to include this as we had a fantastic time just playing in the sand on the shoreline and watching the surfers.
We would all love to see this in action during big wave season!
Waimea Falls
Whilst you are visiting the North Shore, make sure you take the short 20 minute walk to Waimea Falls through the lovely Waimea Valley. There is an entrance fee, but it’s worth it due to the beautifully maintained grounds.
Snack shop and facilities are also available. When we got to the falls, there was a lifeguard on duty as well as life jackets for use.
Hanauma Bay State Park
Hanauma Bay is a must see when visiting the island of Oahu. The entrance fee isn’t much, and there is also a snack bar, gift shop and facilities here. Catch the regular tram if you can’t be bothered with the steep walk down to the water.
Car parking is limited so you need to get here early, or book a shuttle from your hotel. The water is really calm and a great place for the kids to learn to snorkel.
In general, the island of Oahu is a fantastic place for a beach holiday with the kids. Despite being known as a surfers paradise, there are still plenty of calm water options suitable for non-confident swimmers.
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Booking Your Holiday to Hawaii With Kids
Attractions
The Go Oahu Card – Multi Attraction Pass is great value for money if you plan to be hitting up a lot of Oahu’s popular attractions. Choose from 1 – 7 day cards and visit as many of the 34 available attractions and scenic spots as you want. It’s so much easier to do things at your own pace when travelling with kids!
Flights
Find a great flight deal using I Want That Flight. Hint – travelling outside of school holiday and in off-peak times will nearly halve the cost.
Accommodation
We stayed in a private rental in Waikiki which we booked direct with the owners via email. If you need something bigger or in a different location, find a great deal using bookings.com .
Car Rental
Get a great deal on car rental by comparing across rental agencies on the DiscoverCars website.
