Kalama Beach Park
A scenic oceanfront park in Kailua, Oahu, offering picnic spots, sports facilities, and beautiful mountain views.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the crowds and find parking
Kalama Beach Park
Best Time
Beat the crowds and find parking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A scenic oceanfront park in Kailua, Oahu, offering picnic spots, sports facilities, and beautiful mountain views.
"Lovely public beach with fun surf and great mountain views, a true slice of paradise."
🚗 Parking Patience
Parking can be tough! Arrive early or be ready for a walk.
🌊 Beach or Park?
It's a park with beach access. Great for picnics, less for pure sunbathing.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Turquoise Waters
Kailua side
Experience the stunning, clear turquoise waters that make this beach a slice of paradise. Perfect for a refreshing dip!
Mountain Views
Oceanfront
Enjoy breathtaking views of lush green mountains framing the sparkling ocean. A truly picturesque Hawaiian backdrop.
Family-Friendly Fun
Grassy areas and facilities
A spacious park with shaded grassy areas, perfect for picnics and family gatherings. Facilities make it convenient for all.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Parking Pointers
Beach vs. Park
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Patience
Parking can be tough! Arrive early or be ready for a walk.
🌊 Beach or Park?
It's a park with beach access. Great for picnics, less for pure sunbathing.
♻️ Keep it Clean
Help keep the beach pristine by using provided garbage collection areas.
🏄♀️ Surf's Up (Sometimes)
Waves can be fun for boogie boarding, but conditions vary. +1
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Patience
Parking can be tough! Arrive early or be ready for a walk.
🌊 Beach or Park?
It's a park with beach access. Great for picnics, less for pure sunbathing.
♻️ Keep it Clean
Help keep the beach pristine by using provided garbage collection areas.
🏄♀️ Surf's Up (Sometimes)
Waves can be fun for boogie boarding, but conditions vary. +1
☀️ Shaded Spots
Look for shaded grassy areas for a comfortable picnic.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Kalama Beach Park is appreciated for its scenic oceanfront views and family-friendly park amenities like picnic areas and sports courts. Visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the convenience of nearby shops and restaurants. However, some find the sandy beach area limited, parking can be challenging, and occasional cleanliness issues are noted.
"Lovely public beach. Enjoyed a sunny day with 3-foot swells. The water kicked up a lot of sand so you can’t see beneath insurance until you swim out a ways, but the surf was fun. Lots of families. Was lucky to find parking in the lot."
Ben Rich
"Came here for fireworks during Fourth of July. Not large or overly crowded. Very small parking lot had to walk a bit to find parking since I didn’t want to park in front of someone’s house. Smaller waves for boogie boarding and swimming. No life guard post. I didn’t see a bathroom but didn’t actively look"
Pink Dragun (Pink_Dragun)
"Great low key beach, but all the smashed up plastic pieces made me sad. Loved that they had a garbage collection area where people using the beach could grab a net, and do their part to help clean it all up. The kids and adults in our group pitched in. Decent waves, and would have been better if we had brought a board to body surf with, but the kids still all loved it. Adults did too."
N Matts0n
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Kalama Beach Park is located in Kailua, about a 30-minute drive from Honolulu. You can drive yourself or consider ride-sharing services.
Yes, there is a parking lot, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Some visitors recommend arriving early or being prepared to park on nearby streets.
While public transportation options exist to reach Kailua, direct bus routes to the park might be limited. Driving or ride-sharing is generally more convenient.
The park offers facilities and shaded areas, making it accessible for families. However, the sandy beach area can be limited, and parking can be a challenge.
Use GPS navigation to 'Kalama Beach Park, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii'. It's located on the east side of Oahu.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, Kalama Beach Park is a public park and does not have an entrance fee.
As a public park, Kalama Beach Park is generally accessible during daylight hours. Specific facility hours may vary.
No advance booking is required as it's a public park. However, for events like fireworks, it's best to arrive early.
General park rules apply. Be mindful of others, keep the area clean, and respect the natural environment.
While the water can be fun for boogie boarding, conditions vary. Some visitors note the water can be sandy and visibility low near the shore. There are no lifeguards posted. +1
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The park offers restrooms, outdoor showers, covered pavilions, picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and a playground.
While it's called a beach park, about 95% of the area is lined with boulders, with limited sandy beach sections. It's more of an oceanfront park.
You can enjoy picnicking, fishing, jogging along the oceanfront sidewalk, playing sports on the courts, or simply relaxing and enjoying the views.
Absolutely! The combination of turquoise waters, mountain backdrops, and the oceanfront setting makes for beautiful photos.
Crowd levels can vary. Weekday mornings are generally less crowded, while weekends and holidays can be busier. +1
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Yes, there are many restaurants, markets, and shops located just across the street from the park.
Definitely! The park has ample picnic areas, including shaded pavilions, making it a great spot for a picnic.
While not consistently present, occasional events like 'Feed The People' have been held at the park. It's best to bring your own food or dine at nearby establishments.
Kailua offers a variety of dining options, from casual eateries to more upscale restaurants, catering to diverse tastes.
Given the picnic facilities and proximity to shops, bringing your own food or grabbing something nearby is a popular choice for visitors.
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoons offer beautiful golden hour light, while mornings can provide softer light and fewer crowds.
The turquoise waters, the contrast with the green mountains, and the oceanfront views are all highly photogenic.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local ordinances and park rules before flying a drone.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive ocean and mountain views. A polarizing filter can enhance the colors of the water and sky.
The park's blend of natural beauty and recreational facilities offers diverse photographic subjects, from serene ocean shots to action on the courts.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Be prepared for potential parking challenges, especially on weekends. Bringing snacks and drinks is recommended, as food options directly within the park are limited, though many restaurants are across the street. The availability of restrooms and outdoor showers adds to the convenience for families.
🏄♀️ Surfers & Boogie Boarders
It's advisable to check local conditions before heading out. The park's accessibility and amenities make it a convenient spot to spend a few hours enjoying the ocean's energy.
📸 Photographers
+1 The golden hour light in the late afternoon can create stunning shots. The park's diverse features, from the oceanfront to the recreational facilities, provide a variety of subjects. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive scenery. Be mindful of the limited sandy beach areas, but the rocky sections can also offer unique photographic perspectives.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding Kalama Beach Park: More Than Just Sand
The park also boasts lighted tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and a playground, catering to active individuals and families. An oceanfront jogging sidewalk provides scenic routes for exercise. Despite its name, a significant portion of the park is lined with boulders rather than sand, which can be great for fishing but limits direct beach access for sunbathing.
Despite some reviews mentioning cleanliness concerns or 'shady patrons' in pavilions, many visitors appreciate the park's spaciousness and the opportunity to enjoy the oceanfront setting. The presence of a garbage collection area encourages visitors to help maintain the park's cleanliness.
Navigating Kailua's Beaches: Kalama vs. Lanikai
Lanikai Beach, on the other hand, is renowned for its pristine, powdery white sand and calm, clear waters, often cited as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. However, it's known for its extremely limited parking, which can be a significant challenge for visitors, especially families.
For those seeking a more relaxed, less crowded experience with easier access to facilities and a variety of activities, Kalama Beach Park might be the preferred choice. If your priority is the quintessential, picture-perfect sandy beach with minimal crowds (and you're prepared for parking challenges), Lanikai is the destination.
The Vibe of Kalama Beach Park
+1While some visitors have noted the presence of plastic debris on the beach, many also highlight the community's effort to keep the area clean through organized clean-up initiatives.
Overall, Kalama Beach Park provides an authentic Hawaiian experience, blending natural beauty with community recreation. It's a place to unwind, enjoy the outdoors, and soak in the local atmosphere.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit