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Windward Coast

Welcome to Oʻahu’s lushest, most verdant coast, where turquoise waters and light-sand beaches share the dramatic backdrop of misty cliffs in the Koʻolau Range. Cruise over the pali (mountains) from Honolulu (only 20 minutes) and you first reach Kailua, a pleasant place with an extraordinary beach.

Many repeat visitors make this laid-back community their island base, whether they intend to kayak, stand-up paddle (SUP), snorkel, dive, drive around the island or just laze on the sand. To the south, more beautiful beaches (and good food) await in Waimanalo. North up the coast, Kamehameha Hwy narrows into a winding two-lane road with a dramatic oceanfront on one side and small rural farms, towns and frequent sheer cliffs on the other.

The coast is the main part of the round-island drive that also circles through the North Shore. Don't be surprised if you want to hit the brakes and stay a while.

Explore Windward Coast

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Windward Coast.

  • Beach

    Kailua Beach Park

    A wide arc of sand drapes around the jewel-colored waters of Kailua Bay, bookended by formidable volcanic headlands and with interesting little islands…

  • Art Studio

    Gyotaku by Naoki

    You'll probably have seen Naoki's magnificent gyotaku (Japanese-style fish prints) all over Oʻahu in galleries, restaurants and bars, but there's nothing…

  • Viewpoint

    Nuʻuanu Pali State Wayside

    About 5 miles northeast of Honolulu, turn as indicated to the popular ridgetop lookout with a sweeping vista of Windward Oʻahu from a height of 1200ft. As…

  • Beach

    Kualoa Regional Park

    Huge extended-family groups gather for weekend picnics on the wide, grassy field that fronts the narrow white-sand beach here. There’s good swimming, with…

  • Gardens

    Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden

    The dramatic ridged cliffs of the Koʻolau Range are arrayed in front of you like an Imax screen at Oʻahu’s largest botanical garden. It encompasses 400…

  • Beach

    Waimanalo Bay Beach Park

    Also known as Sherwood Forest, as a gang likening themselves to Robin Hood and his merry men operated here in the 1960s, this broad sandy beach backed by…

  • Beach

    Laʻie Beach Park

    A half-mile south of the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) main entrance, this is an excellent bodysurfing beach, but the shore break can be brutal, thus…

  • Viewpoint

    Laʻie Point State Wayside

    Crashing surf, a lava arch and a slice of Hawaiian folk history await at Laʻie Point. The tiny offshore islands are said to be the surviving pieces of a…

  • Temple

    Ulupo Heiau State Monument

    Rich in stream-fed agricultural land, fishing grounds and protected canoe landings, Kailua was an ancient economic center that supported at least three…

  • Cultural Center

    Polynesian Cultural Center

    A cultural park owned by the Mormon Church, the PCC revolves around Polynesian-themed ʻvillages’ representing Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji,…

  • Temple

    Valley of the Temples & Byōdō-In

    It's so peaceful and parklike that it might take you a minute to realize that Valley of the Temples is an interdenominational cemetery. Up at the base of…

  • Beach

    Bellows Field Beach Park

    An extenuation of stunning Waimanalo Beach, this beach park is only open to civilians on weekends (and national holidays), as it fronts Bellows Air Force…

  • Beach

    Waimanalo Beach Park

    By the side of the roadway south of the main business area, this sloping strip of soft white sand has little puppy waves that are excellent for swimming…

  • Beach

    Kalama Beach Park

    Kalama Beach Park, 1 mile north of Kailua Beach Park on Kalaheo Ave, is the best place to park for a great walk. Climb over the grassy lawn to a much more…

  • Beach

    Kokololio Beach Park

    A wide patch of sand, good surf and decent parking make this a great beach to pause for a picnic and a splash. There's a wide lawn, picnic tables and…

  • Park

    Ahupuaʻa o Kahana State Park

    In spite of over 40 years of political controversy and failed plans for a living-history village, this park is currently still open to visitors.

  • Park

    Kawai Nui Marsh

    One of Hawaii’s largest freshwater marshes, Kawai Nui provides flood protection for the town and a habitat for endangered waterbirds, and is also one of…

  • Island

    Mokuʻauia

    When the tide is low you can wade from Malaekahana State Recreation Area's southern Kalanai Point to Mokuʻauia (Goat Island), a state bird sanctuary about…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge

    A few miles northwest of Kahuku town heading toward Turtle Bay, this rare freshwater wetland provides habitat for four of Hawaii's six endangered…

  • Beach

    Lanikai Beach

    Just southeast of Kailua, Lanikai is an exclusive residential neighborhood fronting a gorgeous stretch of powdery white sand overlooking two postcard…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Windward Coast.

  • Activities