Laniakea Beach Turtle Beach Honolulu
Famous for its Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu), Laniakea Beach offers a magical chance to see these protected creatures in their natural habitat.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peak turtle feeding time
Laniakea Beach Turtle Beach Honolulu
Best Time
Peak turtle feeding time

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Famous for its Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu), Laniakea Beach offers a magical chance to see these protected creatures in their natural habitat.
"It's one of the best spots on the island to see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles lounging on the sand or bobbing in the surf—and trust us, it's a magical sight."
Respect the Honu 🐢
Maintain a 10ft distance, never touch or feed. Volunteers are there to help!
Parking is a Challenge 🚗
Arrive early or late, or consider The Bus. Traffic can be intense.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles (Honu)
Shoreline and shallow waters
Witness majestic Honu basking on the sand or gracefully swimming in the ocean. A truly magical wildlife encounter.

Beautiful North Shore Scenery
Laniakea Beach
Enjoy the classic Oahu North Shore coastline with golden sands and rolling waves. A picturesque backdrop for turtle spotting.
Planning Your Visit
Turtle Etiquette is Key
Parking & Traffic Challenges
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Respect the Honu 🐢
Maintain a 10ft distance, never touch or feed. Volunteers are there to help!
Parking is a Challenge 🚗
Arrive early or late, or consider The Bus. Traffic can be intense.
Bring a Zoom Lens 📲
Capture great photos without disturbing the turtles.
No Public Restrooms 💾
Be prepared and use facilities before you arrive.
Tips
from all over the internet
Respect the Honu 🐢
Maintain a 10ft distance, never touch or feed. Volunteers are there to help!
Parking is a Challenge 🚗
Arrive early or late, or consider The Bus. Traffic can be intense.
Bring a Zoom Lens 📲
Capture great photos without disturbing the turtles.
No Public Restrooms 💾
Be prepared and use facilities before you arrive.
Consider The Bus 🚌
Affordable and convenient, but allow ample travel time.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Laniakea Beach is a must-visit for its reliable sightings of Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, offering a magical wildlife experience. While parking and traffic can be challenging, the presence of volunteers and the sheer wonder of seeing the Honu make the trip worthwhile for many. Visitors are reminded to respect the protected status of the turtles and maintain a safe distance.
"I'd give it 5 stars if parking was more clear. Not the turtles' fault! It's an excellent spot to pull off, walk to the beach, 50 yards maybe, and hope to see some turtles feeding on the coral near the shore. There were "guides" there to answer questions and make sure no one did anything stupid or illegal.
We were lucky to see half a dozen turtles. We visited at around 12pm, which happens to be in the midst of their feeding time, which we learned was between 11am - 1pm."
Heather Anderson
"Long beach with plenty of space to hang out in a crowd on the rocks or find peace and quiet on the other end. Sand quality is good. We had no issue finding a shady spot on the beach under a tree. We walked by a turtle on the shore."
Janice Lao
"Beautiful beach! We went early around 8 am and there was no one there. It is swim at your own risk, so be careful. When in doubt, don't go out. We didn't see any sea turtles while there in the morning, but on our way back from turtles bay, around 2pm or so, driving back, we saw there was one!"
Andrea K
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the North Shore, but parking at Laniakea can be very difficult and traffic is often heavy.
Alternatively, The Bus system is a very affordable option, with a maximum daily rate of $7.50 for adults. However, be prepared for longer travel times as the bus makes many stops. Some visitors suggest a catamaran snorkel tour in Waikiki combined with a drive to Laniakea for a comprehensive turtle experience.No, parking is notoriously difficult at Laniakea Beach, often described as a 'disaster' due to high tourist volume and potential construction.
It's recommended to arrive very early or late in the day, or to be patient and persistent.Uber and Lyft are generally not available on the North Shore, including Laniakea Beach.
Your best options are renting a car or utilizing Oahu's public bus system, The Bus.Driving from Honolulu to Laniakea Beach can take anywhere from 45 minutes to over an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
Taking The Bus can significantly increase travel time, potentially taking 2 hours or more from Laniakea back to Waikiki.While specific tours solely for Laniakea Beach might be rare, many North Shore circle island tours will include a stop here.
It's also possible to combine a Waikiki catamaran snorkel tour with a drive to Laniakea for a chance to see turtles both in the water and on shore.🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Laniakea Beach is a public beach and does not have an entrance fee.
However, parking can be challenging and may involve navigating busy streets.Laniakea Beach is accessible at all hours as it is a public beach. However, the best times to see turtles are typically during daylight hours, especially midday.
No, tickets are not required for Laniakea Beach as it is a public access area.
Visitors should be aware of potential parking difficulties and crowds.The main restriction is to maintain a respectful distance from the sea turtles, which are federally protected.
Touching, feeding, or crowding the turtles is strictly prohibited.Yes, Laniakea Beach is a great spot for families to see turtles from a safe distance.
However, parking can be difficult, and there are no public restrooms, so planning ahead is essential.🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Midday, particularly between 11 AM and 1 PM, is often cited as the best time for turtle sightings as they come to feed and bask.
Some visitors have also had success seeing turtles in the late afternoon around 2 PM.You must maintain a minimum distance of 10 feet (3 meters) from the sea turtles.
Volunteers are often present to enforce this rule and educate visitors.Laniakea Beach does not have lifeguards. Visitors are advised to swim at their own risk and be cautious of the ocean conditions.
There are no public restrooms or showers at Laniakea Beach.
Visitors should come prepared with their own supplies and use facilities elsewhere before or after their visit.While Laniakea Beach is a beautiful spot, swimming and snorkeling conditions can be rough and are at your own risk due to the lack of lifeguards.
Some visitors recommend snorkel tours in other areas for a safer turtle swimming experience.🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dining facilities directly at Laniakea Beach.
Visitors will need to travel to nearby towns like Haleiwa for food options.The nearby town of Haleiwa offers a variety of food options, from casual plate lunch spots to cafes and shave ice stands.
Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to Laniakea Beach. Remember to pack out all trash to keep the beach clean.
📸 📸 Photography
To avoid disturbing the turtles, it's recommended to use a zoom lens or your phone camera from a respectful distance.
Capturing their natural behavior without getting too close is key.Drone usage is generally restricted in protected wildlife areas and national parks. It's advisable to check local regulations before flying a drone near Laniakea Beach to avoid any issues.
Early morning or late afternoon can offer softer lighting for photography.
However, midday is often when turtles are most active and visible on the sand.For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Young Children
🚗 Independent Travelers (No Rental Car)
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle)
When visiting Laniakea, remember that these are wild animals. Volunteers are often present to educate visitors about the turtles and ensure that everyone maintains a safe and respectful distance of at least 10 feet. Getting too close, touching, or feeding the Honu can cause them stress and harm their natural behaviors, which is why strict guidelines are in place. By observing from afar and respecting their space, you contribute to the ongoing protection of these incredible marine reptiles.
Navigating Laniakea's Parking and Traffic
To mitigate these issues, several strategies are recommended. Arriving very early in the morning or later in the afternoon can sometimes yield better parking opportunities. Alternatively, utilizing Oahu's public transportation system, The Bus, is a more affordable option, though it requires significant time due to frequent stops. Some visitors suggest combining a visit with other activities to make the drive worthwhile, or even considering a snorkel tour that might offer a more controlled turtle viewing experience. Ultimately, patience and flexibility are key when planning a trip to Laniakea Beach to manage expectations regarding transportation and parking.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit