Surround Yourself With Mountains At A Crescent-Shaped Hawaiian Beach Park With Endless Beauty

The island of Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island and its most populous, and it's the location of the state's capital, Honolulu. Oahu is home to some of the best parts of a visit to Hawaii, including historic Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and Diamond Head, a volcano-turned-state monument. Located on the east side of the island is Kahana Bay Beach Park, a relaxing beach located underneath the watchful eyes of the Ko'olau Mountains, which surround the beach on three sides, and away from the throng of tourists usually associated with Hawaiian beaches. The Ko'olau Mountains are what remain from a volcano that erupted over 2 million years ago, with the mountains being one of two that make up the island of Oahu. Aside from a peaceful opportunity to soak up some sun, Kahana Bay Beach Park also offers fishing, surfing, camping, and kayaking. 

With views you'll never forget and sand soft enough to think you're walking on clouds, any visit to Oahu should include an afternoon in Kahana Bay Beach Park. And you're in luck because several Viator tours of Oahu offer pit stops at this well-hidden Hawaiian gem.

With Viator's Coastal Oahu: A Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour of Scenic Wonders, you and your friends and family can hop in a rental vehicle and get a comprehensive tour of the island, along with narration that'll discuss the island's history. After booking, you'll download the Audio Tour Guide App, set up a password, and you're good to go. The best part is that instead of paying per person, you only pay per vehicle and you can use the app several times during different trips. 

Early on in the tour, you'll drive through Honolulu, learning a bit about its past and how it became the big city it is today. Other notable destinations include the Bishop Museum, the Aloha Tower, and Diamond Head State Monument. The incredibly impressive Diamond Head State Monument on Waikiki's eastern coastline spans 475 acres and is famous for its wonderful coastal views. A colossal crater birthed after a volcanic eruption, this is arguably Hawaii's most recognized landmark.

After a bit of tanning and relaxing at Kahana Bay Beach Park, you can drive over to the Hukilau Marketplace. Named for the feast and celebration that became popular among tourists in the 1940s and 50s after they watched locals net fish, the Hukilau Marketplace offers food, local goods, and, most importantly, good old-fashioned Hawaiian hospitality.

With its crystalline waters and white sands, Kahana Bay Beach Park can feel like a hidden oasis. Protected from the open winds by the surrounding cove, the sea here is more tranquil than the surrounding beaches, making it ideal for swimming. The beach itself has a wealth of amenities such as outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic tables, drinking water, and a parking lot. In the winter months, the waves are ideal for surfing, with December offering surfers the most consistent, rideable waves. Very few people visit during the weekdays so it's easy to enjoy the isolation of the bay with a breathtaking view of the Koolau Mountain Range. The surrounding ironwood trees provide natural shade if the sun becomes too overbearing.

Kahana Bay Beach Park becomes more active at the weekend, especially amongst locals, as camping is possible with advanced reservations. Camping is approximately 30$ per tent and there is limited availability, so make sure to book early. Of course, as Hawaii has a fragile ecosystem, it's always important to respect nature and clean up after yourself when you leave. If you'd really like to give something back to the local community, you can participate in a beach clean-up, knowing that you've done your part to preserve one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches.