• There are 2 beach parks in Waimānalo. You want the one called Waimānalo Bay Beach Park (on the north side), not Waimanalo Beach Park (to the south). It’s better maintained.

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• The entrance to is right across the street from the Honolulu Polo Club

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• This is a great alternative to some more touristy beaches. Lanikai and Kailua are beautiful, but way more crowded with tourists. People get sent here from Sandy Beach and Makapu’u Beach when the conditions aren’t favorable there. 

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• Don’t leave valuables in your car. The parking lot is about 100 yards from the beach, so you won’t be able to see it from the beach.

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• Go earlier in the day when it’s the calmest. By late afternoon the wind picks up a bit on this side of the island and the sun disappears early behind the mountains.  

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• The Eastern side of the island tends to be winder (hence the name, Windward Coast). Mornings at Waimānalo Beach are mostly calm and quiet. It gets a little cooler and the breeze picks up in the afternoons. If you’re visiting November to March, you may want to pack a sweatshirt or light jacket. 

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• The sun sets behind the Ko’olau Mountains behind the beach, which means the sun disappears earlier in the afternoon than other beaches in Oahu. 

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• Check current conditions before you go. 

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• Some people like to snorkel here, but heads up that the sand is really fine, which can lead to poor visibility.

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• People like to bodyboard here because the waves break close to shore and don’t usually get too big. 

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• Keep a lookout for Portuguese man o’war in the water — little blue jellyfish. They tend to congregate in big groups at certain times throughout the year. They usually float at the surface, but can also wash ashore. If they’ve been spotted, lifeguards will post signs on the beach near the lifeguard stations. 

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• Like with any other beach, pay attention to the lifeguard’s warning signs and flags.