HAWAIIANS LOVE this beach – Best Beaches of Hawaii – Ala Moana Beach
Hawaiians LOVE this beach. Ala Moana Beach Park is one of the most popular beaches on Oahu. Even though a lot of locals try to avoid Waikiki, this beach is packed with locals on the weekends. Why it’s worth a visit? Check out our video about Ala Moana Beach Park.
The Location of Ala Moana Beach Park
Ala Moana Beach Park is located very close to Waikiki. The district is called Ala Moana, which means close to the ocean. Yes, “ala” means “close by” and Moana, you guessed it, means “Ocean”. From the heart of Waikiki it will take you about 20 minutes by foot or about 10 minutes if you ride a bike. You can find rental bikes all over Waikiki. More about the rental bikes in our article and video about transportation in Hawaii.
There is lots of parking close to the beach. That’s probably one of the reasons why locals love the beach. Parking in Hawaii, especially on Oahu is a whole different story! Check our article about “Cheap Parking in Waikiki” if you like to find out more about it.
Snacks & Food at Ala Moana Shopping Mall
The locals bring their own food for the most part. They BBQ in the park or next to the beach. As a visitor to Hawaii you might not have that option. Good thing the Ala Moana Shopping Mall is close by. There is a big food court in the mall. Lots of different choices of restaurants and snacks. The Ala Moana Shopping Mall is only a five minute walk from the beach. It is also the biggest outdoor shopping mall in the USA. Perfect for a stroll after the day at the beach.
The Beach
The long stretch of beach and the park next to the beach make it easy to find a spot for the whole family. There is no shade on the beach, since there are no trees. Next to the beach are lots of palm trees and you can find a quiet spot to relax and get out of the sun for a bit. The yellow sand gets hot fast, so you should bring a towel or a beach chair.
To cool off, just hop in the water. A reef protects the beach. (So make sure you are using coral reef-friendly sunscreen!) Behind the reef there is surf. Close to the beach there are almost no waves. Since the ocean is so calm, you might consider bringing a paddle board. Perfect family friendly beach and great to learn paddle boarding. The kids can play in the water while mom and dad enjoy a day in the sun.
If you like to watch the surfers riding the big waves in Hawaii, this is probably not the best spot. We highly recommend to go on tour with Daniels Hawaii. On our private and semi-private tours you will get to see the most popular surf spots of the world. Explore Oahu with Daniels Hawaii and experience THE REAL Hawaii.
Important! There are no spots to rent boards or any other beach equipment. You have to bring everything.
Facilities
At Ala Moana Beach you can find several restroom facilities. There are a couple of BIKI stops where you can park your rental bike, in case you didn’t walk or take the car from Waikiki. Two concession stands selling ice cream, local hawaiian fast food and drinks are also right next to the beach. Find more amazing beaches in our Daniels Hawaii YouTube Channel!