Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
Best Oahu Beaches
North Shore Oahu Beaches
Malaekahana Beach is a pocket beach tucked away between Laie and Kahuku. It's not widely known to visitors, so your fellow beachgoers are most likely locals. Get a feel for the laid-back lifestyle of this tranquil paradise.
Overview of Malaekahana Beach
Indulge in a day of relaxation at Malaekahana Beach! The bay is located on the northeastern shore of Oahu between La'ie and Kahuku. Besides offering excellent swimming conditions, many visitors enjoy the stellar campgrounds here. Malaekahana Beach Campground provides the most diverse campground amenities. Along with providing 35 campsites, they provide:
- Lodging for vehicle, hale, suites, and a large "Tutu" Hale
- SUP, kayak, bodyboard, surfboard, and bikes rentals
- Onsite food truck and camp store
Don't wait! Get away from the crowds and enjoy a peaceful escape at Malaekahana Beach.
Amenities at Malaekahana Beach
Amenities here are limited, but you can find:
- Parking (no fee)
- Showers
- Restrooms
Directions to Malaekahana Beach
You can access the beach via two entrances: one on the south side of La'ie and the other at Malaekahana State Recreation Area Kahuku Section. Both doors lead to a parking area and campground.
Family Activities
Families will enjoy the sprawling white-sand beach as they stroll the beaches, play volleyball, or suntan. During the winter, embark on surfing and bodyboarding when the waves roll in the best. Additionally, check out the green turtles and nesting seabirds on Moku'auia Island, aka Goat Island, a remote island off the beach. When the tide is low, you can walk to the island. Just bring some shoes to protect your feet from the reefs. When it's high, grab a bodyboard or surfboard and paddle there! It's a private paradise! Families enjoy camping in the groves of ironwood trees at Malaekahana State Park.
Beach Activities
Some of the best activities here include volleyball, beach walks, and suntanning. Also, enjoy the following:
Winter water adventures: Winter is a great time to enjoy surfing and bodyboarding here when the waves on the ocean are bigger. Yet, the waves here are usually fine for beginners.
Cabin or camping getaway with loved ones: Visit Malaekahana Beach Campground for your next back-to-nature adventure! Malaekahana's northern left end houses cabins and campsites that you can rent. Malaekahana offers an array of picnic areas, outdoor showers, food trucks, water spouts, and fire pits.
Take a stroll: Enjoy a walk along this beach.
Visit Goat Island: Travelling to Moku'auia, Goat Island, is an unforgettable experience. You can wade out to this tiny island at low tide and spot green turtles and seabirds. But don't forget your water shoes—protect your feet from the sharp corals. During the higher tides, paddle to Goat Island with your board.
Neighborhood Sights and Activities
Visit Keana Farms: Keana Farms produces more than a million pounds of produce each year. It specializes in agriculture. And it hosts the longest zip line on Oahu, which goes from 500 feet to half a mile long!
Other Oahu Activity Suggestions
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