Spectacular sunrise at Lanikai Beach, one of the best Oahu beaches on the east side

Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Oahu, HI: Complete 2024 Visitor Guide

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Lanikai Beach, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii!

Calm, crystal-clear blue waters. Finely powdered, whitish-golden sands. Epic sunrises from behind two iconic islands. Pristine.

What a stunning beach! Routinely making the list of the top 10 US beaches and the top 50 best beaches in the world, Lanikai Beach is a must visit destination in Oahu!

Lanikai translates to “heavenly seas” in Hawaiian, aptly named!

Beautiful Lanikai Beach, with white sands and clear blue waters
Beautiful Lanikai Beach, with white sands and clear blue waters

We’ve visited Lanikai Beach many times, and here are three tips that you need to keep in mind:

  • Visit on working weekdays
  • Come early, especially for the sunrise and snorkeling
  • Park at neighboring Kailua Beach Park and walk over

If you follow these tips, you’ll have as wonderful an experience at Lanikai Beach as we did!

More of an upscale neighborhood beach, backed by multi-million dollar beach homes, Lanikai Beach is beautiful but pristine and undeveloped, and may not be the best Oahu beach for you!

When we vacationed with smaller kids, Lanikai Beach was more for a quick stroll, and we spent the bulk of the time at the equally beautiful neighboring Kailua Beach Park.

The reason is simple: Lanikai Beach has absolutely no amenities (no showers, no restrooms, no lifeguards, and no public parking).

Want more tips to plan your trip to Lanikai Beach, Oahu? Read on, and decide what you want to do there!

Planning your trip to Oahu? Check out our 2024 guide to the most popular tours and excursions in Oahu!

Aerial view of stunning Lanikai Beach, with canoes lined up
Aerial view of stunning Lanikai Beach, with canoes lined up

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Lanikai Beach Directions

Lanikai Beach, located on the windward side of Oahu, is about 30-45 minutes from Waikiki and Honolulu.

You can enter “lanikai beach kailua hi 96734” on your GPS or Google Maps for driving directions to Lanikai Beach.

From Waikiki (or Honolulu), take the H1 freeway to exit 21A, Pali Highway, Highway 61. Continue towards Kailua town to Kailua Road exit.

Kailua Road turns right (separating from Kuulei Road), and then left (separating from Wanaao Road).

Canoes and kayaks lined up on Lanikai Beach
Canoes and kayaks lined up on Lanikai Beach

You will reach a T-junction at S. Kalaheo Avenue. Take a right on Kalaheo Road and a left on Lihiwai Road, which becomes Kawailoa Road, and go past Kailua Beach Park.

Turn left on Alala Road which becomes Mokulua Drive and runs parallel to Lanikai Beach.

Depending on where you want to park (see parking below), you will either turn into the Kailua Beach Boat Ramp parking or continue on Mokolua Drive and look for street parking.

You will cross an iconic landmark, Lanikai Monument, where the road curves to the right into a residential neighborhood.

Lanikai monument near Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI
Lanikai monument near Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

Lanikai Beach Parking

Your best parking option for Lanikai Beach is actually at the neighboring Kailua Beach Park, which has multiple free public parking lots.

Use the one next to the boat ramp at the start of Mokulua Drive, and you are roughly a 10 minute walk away from Lanikai Beach.

You cannot walk along the coast, you have to walk on Mokulua Drive to one of the access paths to the beach.

Lanikai Beach in a residential neighborhood, street parking is difficult
Lanikai Beach in a residential neighborhood, street parking is difficult

Since Lanikai Beach is in a residential neighborhood, street parking on Mokulua Drive is difficult and risky. You will be ticketed to the tune of $200+ if you park illegally, block a driveway, or park on the bike path side, and traffic officers regularly patrol this area.

When we visit, I don’t even bother searching for a roadside parking spot here, just not worth the risk and hassle.

Also, starting recently, on weekends, parking is not allowed on Mokulua Drive.

Lanikai Beach Map

The Lanikai Beach map below shows the location of Lanikai Beach, and the main attractions nearby.

Lanikai Beach Access

If you parked on Mokulua Drive or streets in the residential neighborhood, there are about 4 beach access paths from Mokulua Drive to the beach, that take you between residential home fences.

Beach access pathway between private homes to Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI
Beach access pathway between private homes to Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

Lanikai Beach Reservations

No reservations or permits are required for Lanikai Beach.

Lanikai Beach Amenities / Facilities

Location: Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI 96734
Lifeguard: No
Beach Amenities: None
Food Nearby: Restaurants in the town of Kailua
Parking: Mokolua Dr street parking, Kailua Beach Boat Ramp Parking lot
Directions: 

Lanikai Beach has absolutely no amenities. Let me repeat that: no facilities, no amenities!

Located in an upscale, beachfront residential community, you won’t see any restaurants, food trucks, concession stands or rentals at Lanikai Beach.

Lanikai Beach, backed by upscale oceanfront homes in a residential neighborhood
Lanikai Beach, backed by upscale oceanfront homes in a residential neighborhood

Feeling peckish? The closest spots are Buzz’s Original Steak House across from Kailua Beach Park, or snacks and sandwiches from Kalapawai Market, a grocery store about 10-15 minutes drive.

Vacationing with younger kids? Neighboring Kailua Beach Park may suit you better, with restrooms, showers, ample parking, gear rental stores and lifeguards on duty.

Best Things to Do at Lanikai Beach

Voted as one of the best beaches in the world, visiting Lanikai Beach is on every tourist’s Oahu bucket list!

And with the increased visibility and popularity come crowds, especially on weekends!

Lanikai Beach tends to get busy on weekends
Lanikai Beach tends to get busy on weekends

If you like your space, your best bet is to come early on a working week day. That’s what we usually do, and it makes a world of difference!

Best time to visit Lanikai Beach: weekday mornings
Best time to visit Lanikai Beach: weekday mornings

You get to enjoy stunning Lanikai Beach in relative peace, and swim and snorkel without stumbling over someone else.

Come during the golden hour, and you’ll likely see photo shoots of models posing against a breathtaking background of blue ocean waters and the two Mokulua islands.

Mokula Islands across stunning blue ocean waters from beautiful Lanikai Beach
Mokula Islands across stunning blue ocean waters from beautiful Lanikai Beach

1. Lanikai Beach Snorkeling

Lanikai Beach has extensive coral reef formations, especially on the northern section of the beach (left side when facing the ocean), where you can find reefs even in shallow waters.

Extensive coral reefs along beautiful Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI
Extensive coral reefs along beautiful Lanikai Beach, Kailua, HI

The waters at Lanikai Beach are usually calm, and we usually snorkeled in the morning when visibility was excellent.

While not the best snorkeling on Oahu, especially when compared to Hanauma Bay or Electric Beach, Lanikai Beach offers the some of the best snorkeling on the east coast.

There are no rentals, we actually invested in our own snorkeling gear, ideal for travel, and used it throughout our visits.

We saw abundant common, beautiful Hawaiian fish like yellow tangs, convict tangs, triggerfish (including the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, the state fish of Hawaii), and butterflyfish.

To identify these beautiful fish, consult our detailed Hawaiian Fish Snorkeling Guide.

Our kids used flotation vests and flotation belts, and followed the reefs further from shore, and saw a moray eel hiding in the reef, and a small manta ray.

Note, while waters are usually calm here, there are no lifeguards, so be aware of ocean safety tips, and enter the water at your own risk.

2. Lanikai Beach Swimming

Unlike many of Oahu’s other beaches, the ocean floor at Lanikai Beach inclines gently, providing a large area of relatively shallow and calm waters for a refreshing dip or swimming laps parallel to the shore.

The blue turquoise waters here are so inviting, you’ll see quite a few people in the water, wading or swimming. 

Swimmers enjoying the calm, crystal clear waters of Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Swimmers enjoying the calm, crystal clear waters of Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

Life jackets and flotation belts are highly recommended, both for you and your kids, since no lifeguards are on duty.

3. Kayak, Paddleboard, Canoe at Lanikai Beach, Kailua

Most days, the ocean waters at Lanikai Beach are almost lake-like, with small, gentle waves, ideal conditions for kayaking, standup paddleboarding and canoeing.

Unfortunately, no rentals are located close to Lanikai Beach, most enthusiasts bring their own (you’ll see a bunch lined up on the beach next to the beachfront homes), or rent from Kailua Beach and stop at Lanikai Beach for a break.

Kayakers on the ocean waters of Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
Kayakers on the ocean waters of Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

The nearby Mokolua Islands, sea bird sanctuaries, are a very popular adventure destination, and many guided tours take you there, and secure the necessary permits to stop for a bit on the northern island.

We took this popular, 5-star rated Kayaking Tour of Kailua Bay with Lunch, Oahu, and loved the experience.

We chose tandem kayaks so each kid was with a parent, and snorkeled for a bit near the Mokes, some of the best snorkeling we did in all of Oahu! Make sure you add the option to swim in Queen’s Bath, a freshwater lava tube on the island.

>> Check pricing and availability on the 5-star rated Kayaking Tour of Kailua Bay with Lunch, Oahu now!

If you haven’t tried standup paddleboarding before, the waters at Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach are perfect for an introductory lesson.

Outrigger canoes, kayaks and paddle boards at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI
Outrigger canoes, kayaks and paddle boards at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

Our friends took this introductory 1.5 hour lesson Surf, Kayak or Standup Paddle board in Lanikai, Kailua, Oahu, and loved it!

>> Check pricing and availability on Surf, Kayak or Standup Paddle board in Lanikai, Kailua, Oahu, now!

4. Sunbathe or Relax with a Book on the Lanikai Beach

With such gorgeous settings, probably the best thing to do on Lanikai Beach is to sunbathe or curl up with a good book!

Sunbathers on the fine, golden sands of Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
Sunbathers on the fine, golden sands of Lanikai Beach, Hawaii

Just relaxing on the beach, taking in the stunning views, and listening to the rhythm of the gentle waves is exactly what the doctor ordered on your vacation, stress-free and in harmony with nature.

Apart from working on your golden Hawaiian tan, you can also stroll to the end of the beach, about a 1/2 mile stretch, and admire the beachfront homes.

Many had to build sea walls which unfortunately led to sand erosion.

5. Come Early for Spectacular Sunrises

Lanikai Beach is one of the best sunrise locations on Oahu, and you’ll see photos of the golden sun rising majestically from behind the Mokulua Islands plastered on local souvenirs and Tshirts.

Epic sunrise from behind the two Mokolua Islands
Epic sunrise from behind the two Mokolua Islands

Sunrise is also one of the quietest times on the beach, and the tranquility is just amazing!

Equally epic is moonrise, though not as frequently mentioned. If you’re visiting around full moon time, make sure you stay back and experience a moonrise from Lanikai Beach!

6. Admire Turtles and Monk Seals on Lanikai Beach

If you’re kayaking or standup paddleboarding to the Mokes, you’ll likely see Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles on the sandy beaches there, a fairly common sight.

Endangered Hawaiian monk seals relaxing on the beaches of Mokulua Islands | Kayaking from Kailua Beach
Endangered Hawaiian monk seals relaxing on the beaches of Mokulua Islands | Kayaking from Kailua Beach

While Hawaiian green sea turtles do frequent the shores of Lanikai Beach, given the abundant algae in the nearby corals, monk seals are relatively rare.

If you do see either one, please stay at least 10 feet away, as per the guidelines of NOAA for endangered species. Most likely, volunteers would have already put orange cones around them.

7. Wind Surf and Kite Surf at Lanikai Beach

Being on the windward side of Oahu, Lanikai Beach gets trade winds with clockwork-like regularity, making wind-based water sports popular here.

You’ll see windsurfers, kitesurfers, kiteboarders and sail boats in the open ocean waters, and more commonly around the expansive Kailua Bay!

Sail boats at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
Sail boats at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, Hawaii

We had a great time watching some professional kitesurfers through binoculars, and it was thrilling to see them lift off, high into the air, with carefree abandon!

Our teenage kids were so taken in by these sports, they enrolled for a private lesson with #1 eFoil, wing foil, windsurf or kiteboard lesson in Kailua, Oahu, and had a fun time learning to kiteboard!

Kite surfing and kite boarding at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI
Kite surfing and kite boarding at Lanikai Beach, Oahu, HI

If you’re looking to pick up one of these water sports, we would highly recommend this lesson!

>> Check pricing and availability with #1 eFoil, wing foil, windsurf or kiteboard lesson in Kailua, Oahu, now!

8. Hike the Lanikai Pillbox Trail

Lanikai Pillbox Trail is one of the most popular hikes on Oahu, short and relatively easy. but with some climbing.

The trail takes you along a ridge to two pillboxes, remnants of World War II observation bunkers, with fabulous views of Lanikai Beach, Kailua Bay, and pretty much every important landmark on the east coast of Oahu.

Lanikai Beach views from the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, Oahu
Lanikai Beach views from the Lanikai Pillbox Hike, Oahu

Sunrise views from the Lanikai Pillbox trail and the pillboxes are epic, with the sun rising from behind the Mokulua Islands amidst spectacular colors.

Planning to hike Lanikai Pillbox Trail for the sunrise? Make sure you have the proper hiking gear, including headlamps or torches.

Snorkeling and Water Activities Gear Checklist

Though you can rent snorkeling gear or use the ones that come with tours, we invested in our own gear, mainly due to Covid-19 (why take the risk?).

Have the proper gear to enjoy the waters at Lanikai Beach
Have the proper gear to enjoy the waters at Lanikai Beach

Ocean Safety Tips

Hawaii’s beaches are beautiful, but ocean activities can be dangerous. Ocean conditions are dynamic and can change without warning.

Here are some tips to enjoy the ocean and beaches safely:

  • ALWAYS heed posted warning signs.
  • Check conditions just before you arrive at your chosen beach, and watch conditions at the beach for a bit before you decide to enter the water.
  • Swim at a lifeguarded beach and ask the lifeguard for advice before you enter the water.
  • Never turn your back on the ocean, whether you are standing at the shore or on a cliff above. If you see wet rocks or sand, it means the water has been here recently.
  • Know your limitations, especially if you are not an experienced swimmer. If in doubt, do not go out.
  • If you choose to enter the water, go with a partner or in a group.
  • Know that alcohol can impair judgment and motor skills in the water.
  • Keep children close and always keep your eyes on what they are doing in the water.
  • Watch for sharp coral or rocks or sea urchins.
  • Check advisories regarding water quality at various beaches here.
Stunning Lanikai Beach with beautiful turquoise waters, but no lifeguards, so enter at your own risk
Stunning Lanikai Beach with beautiful turquoise waters, but no lifeguards, so enter at your own risk

Best Oahu Tours

Have you booked these popular Oahu tours and excursions yet?

Love snorkeling? This Turtle Canyon snorkeling excursion from Waikiki lets you frolic with colorful fish and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Hands down the MOST BOOKED Oahu snorkeling tour: turtle sightings are guaranteed!

The most popular luau in Oahu, Paradise Cove Luau has a 4.5 rating on Viator with over 3.5K reviews. The tour includes pick-up from your Waikiki hotel, pre-dinner games, arts, and crafts, a delicious meal, and an award-winning show.

Based in Waikiki but want to see more of the island? This full-day Oahu Circle Island Tour includes Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Haleiwa, the Dole Plantation, and more!

Pay your respects at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor! This popular Pearl Harbor tour includes boat tickets and round-trip transport from Waikiki.

A super popular Oahu North Shore excursion, this Oahu shark cage dive allows you to observe wild sharks in the open ocean from the safety of a cage! It’s a THRILLING Oahu adventure for your bucket list.

We have a detailed guide to the top Oahu tours and excursions if you are in the midst of planning your itinerary for the island.

Renting a Car in Oahu

If you want to explore more of the island of Oahu on your vacation, you should get a rental car.

Oahu’s popular attractions are spread over the island: the windward coast, the North Shore, and Ko Olina are great places to explore beyond Waikiki (or the greater Honolulu area).

While Oahu does have public transport options that are better than the other islands, a car offers a lot more flexibility and time savings.

We always use Discover Cars to book Oahu car rentals. They search across a variety of rental car companies, both budget and brand, to offer you the best deals, AND they offer free cancellations. Plus, there are no hidden fees.

>> Check availability and prices on Oahu car rentals now!

Honolulu Airport-Hotel Shuttle

If you are not planning to get a rental car at Honolulu Airport, consider booking shuttle transport in advance!

This shared shuttle can be canceled up to 24 hours from the date of service. It serves hotels in Waikiki and Honolulu and then back again to the airport the day you leave. It’s convenient and inexpensive, and saves time and hassle!

>> Check prices and availability for shared round-trip airport transfer in Oahu now!

Staying in Ko Olina? Consider this round-trip airport transfer instead!

Where to Stay in Oahu

Honolulu (Waikiki in particular) offers a large number of hotels and resorts, along with shopping and dining options. Most visitors to Oahu choose to base in Honolulu at least for a part of their stay.

While many of the large chains have a presence if you are looking to use your memberships, Honolulu also has several unique boutiques to consider.

Our faves include Halekulani for a splurge stay, the Lotus Honolulu for views of Diamond Head, and The Laylow for its awesome location.

Want more room to spread out or looking to stay elsewhere on Oahu? You will find VRBO listings all over the island!

On previous trips to Oahu, we have stayed in VRBO rentals in Waikiki as well as on the North Shore and the east coast and we’ve found the choice and quality great.

>> Look for an Oahu vacation rental on VRBO now!

Beautiful Lanikai Beach in an upscale residential neighborhood
Beautiful Lanikai Beach in an upscale residential neighborhood

More Oahu Travel Inspiration

Headed to Oahu for a vacation? Check out our many comprehensive guides that will help you plan the perfect Oahu itinerary!

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Discover the complete guide to visiting Lanikai Beach in Oahu, Hawaii. The beautiful beach features aqua waters and golden sand with stunning views of the Mokes. Parking can be an issue so you will definitely want this guide! #oahutravel #lanikaibeach

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