I’ve been to the island of Oahu half a dozen times now and have tried to write this post every time I come back. The reason why it’s been so hard to come up with this list is that there are no bad beaches on Oahu – every beach on Oahu could easily be on a “best beaches in Oahu” list. Plus, it was sooooo hard to narrow it down to only five of my favourites! Some of these beaches bring back memories that no other spot could outshine, some beaches are home to the most breathtaking sunsets, and others to world-class surfing.

Regardless of where you find yourself on the island, you can be sure that there is a stunning beach not too far away. But if you’re wondering which Oahu beaches have captured my heart over the years, just keep reading!

Lanikai Beach

Located in the quiet beach town of Kailua on the east side of the island, Lanikai Beach is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful and famous beaches. In fact, this beach is so perfect that it’s fit for a President. Former President Barack Obama used to host is vacations on Lanikai Beach. An offshore reef keeps the water calm year round, so it’s perfect for swimming with kids. This is also where you can launch your kayaks to paddle out to the Mokes, the two twin islands off the coast of Lanikai.

Sunset Beach

On Oahu’s historic North Shore (my favourite area of the island), lies Sunset Beach, a beautifully long expanse of beach that is home to the best sunsets on the entire island. If you want to see the sky meld into the ocean in a fury of colours that will have you wondering whether or not you’re dreaming, this is the spot to be. In the summer Sunset Beach is also home to calm, crystal-clear blue water making it the perfect spot for swimmers, snorkelers, and families. But as the winter months roll in, so do the large waves, making this beach a dream surf spot for experienced surfers.

Waimanalo Bay Beach Park

Stretching nearly five miles from Wailea Point to Makapuu, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park is one of the longest beaches on Oahu. The waters here can be rough, making it unsafe for inexperienced swimmers, but the breathtaking scenery and white sand make this a classic Hawaiian beach that everyone needs to visit at least once. This is also a great spot for boogie boarding and fishing.

Waikiki Beach

One of the most famous beaches in all of Hawaii, Waikiki Beach has been a tourist hot spot since the 1950’s. The white sand beach stretches over two miles and is actually separated into different sections by various hotels. The calm waters here are perfect for swimming year round and there are tons of different places to rent paddleboards and other fun water sports.

Waimea Bay

Last, but certainly not least, is my absolute favourite beach on the island of Oahu. Waimea Bay is famous for its huge waves – every year the Vans Triple Crown Surfing Competition is held here, bring in surfers from all across the globe to catch the 25-foot waves that come crashing onto the shore. While the winter months bring in these huge waves, the summertime is perfect for casual swimming and jumping off the giant cliff – a bucket list item when visiting Oahu’s North Shore.

As I said, it was incredibly hard to narrow this list down; Oahu is home to so many stunning beaches! Do you have a favourite beach, not on this list? Let me know down below!