Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
With mountains on one side and a sea edged by bays and beaches on the other, the drive
along this coast rates among Oʻahu's best. The highway rises and falls as it winds its way
round the eastern tip of the Koʻolau Range, looking down on stratified rocks, lava sea
cliffs and other fascinating geological formations. At last, you've left the city behind.
Beaches
Halona Cove
BEACH
MAP
This gem-like beach is where the steamy love scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah
Kerr in
From Here to Eternity
(1953) was filmed. There's no lifeguard on duty, and
when the surf's up, this beach really earns its nickname 'Pounders' - so never turn your
back on the sea. With strong offshore currents, it's best to stay out of the water.
To reach the cove, carefully scramble down the faint path from the south side of the
Halona Blowhole parking lot.
Sandy Beach Park
BEACH
MAP
(8800 Kalanianaʻole Hwy)
Here the ocean heaves and thrashes like a furious beast. This is
one of Oʻahu's most dangerous beaches, with a punishing shorebreak, powerful back-
wash and strong rip currents. Expert bodysurfers spend hours trying to mount the skull-
crushing waves, as crowds gather to watch the daredevils being tossed around. When the
swells are big, bodyboarders hit the beach's multiple breaks.
Sandy Beach is wide, very long and, yes, sandy, but this is no place to frolic. Dozens
of people are injured every year, some with just broken arms and dislocated shoulders,
but others with serious spinal injuries. Red flags flown on the beach indicate hazardous
water conditions. Even if you don't see flags, always check with the lifeguards before en-
tering the water.
Not all the action is in the water. The grassy strip on the inland side of the parking lot
is used by people looking skyward for their thrills - it's both a hang glider landing site
and a popular place for flying kites. On weekends, you can usually find a food truck
selling plate lunches and drinks in the parking lot. The park has picnic tables, restrooms,
outdoor showers and sparse shade trees. Smoking is now banned at this park.
From Waikiki, TheBus 22 stops here twice hourly (no service Tuesday); the trip takes
about an hour.
