Here is my account of my kayaking trip to the sandbar. See accompanying pictures and videos. So,…read moreJohn at Go Bananas kayak rental strapped a long kayak with a skeg to my car. I drove off his parking lot, and arrived at the He'eia Kea Boat Harbor. On this windy and rainy day I launched off the Kaneohe Canoe Club towards where I thought the sandbar would be found. For my entire trip inching forward in that direction I was alone in the foreboding ocean, or rather they bay. But from my low vantage points, it looked as if I were in the middle of the deep ocean with breaking waves under me and dark clouds above me. John told me to aim for Kapapa Island, and he was right. Because as far as I could tell from my kayak it was just dark water all around me, except for that tiny speck of an island. All other boats I saw and thought to be tourist boats anchored at the sandbar all turned out to be decoys - they were docked so closed to shore in retrospect. Many a times I thought I'd reached the sandbar only to find empty boats in dark and deep water. Many more times I thought of turning back - it could be frightening being out there alone, even if I was prepared with all available safety devices. But I kept going. Then I sensed a change in water color. Shortly the sun poked its head out of the cloud. And magic happened. The sea all around me turned turquoise as soon as sunrays touched them, revealing that I was mere inches above sand now. I soon found a lone stand-up paddler lying supine on his board, drinking beer. I also ran into a birthday party dinning around a table half-submerged in water. Then Captain Bruce's boat showed up, dumping lots of merrymakers onto the sandbar. Now that I know the place, I would have no issues coming back again and finding it, next time. In some of the videos you will find dark clouds raining on entire towns, while I filmed the shore from the sandbar. That gives you a sense of how far the sandbar is from shore.

If you haven't made a visit yet to Kaneohe Bay Sandbar, do it asap because this is a once in a…read morelifetime experience. I had the hesitation to book it due to the fact my son is on the spectrum and wasn't sure how he was going to react during the experience. Took the chance and made a reservation through Hawaii Ocean Sports. They took us on a boat to access the beautiful Sandbar. It's nestled in the middle of the ocean 3 miles stretch of sand. Unfortunately, we ended up doing the afternoon tour where high tides took place water level up to our necks. During our ride there, we were served lunch consisting of a turkey sandwich, fruits, and a cookie. Very filling as we were on to our destination while we listened to live music entertaining us along the way. Snacks, towels, drinks, and a bar are available for additional cost. As we approached the Sandbar, we were required to do a brief safety class before heading into the beautiful water. My kids and I were surprised how magnificent the Sandbar was. Definitely a true paradise where our dreams came true. I didn't think I would ever experience this kind of beauty. My son and I were terrified at first as we entered the water, but our life jackets saved us as we were floating. Lots of activities offered which are part of the package including SUP, kayaking, volleyball, snorkeling, or relaxing at the dock while sipping on drinks. We mainly enjoyed ourselves floating in the ocean. The current did get a little rough as it started to pour rain right before heading back to the marina. One advice is to head out early onto the boat before everyone does because the changing and bathrooms can get wet with dirty grounds. Music was blasting with great hits as we ended the day. Made my son and I stand up desiring to dance. Truly this is an unforgettable magical experience. You bet I will make a reservation again when we return to Oahu next year!

So much for a serene Sunday stroll :(…read more This beach was so full of trash, it was quite the eye sore. We intended to enjoy a gorgeous relaxing sunrise. Instead it turned out to be a beach clean up as our heart ached to see that irresponsible visitors would have the audacity to leave their trash on our beach! "Auwe" in Hawaiian is like saying "SMH." Shame on whomever left these things behind. It is disrespectful and folks should know better. Especially on base! For the previous reviewer that noticed all the flies....it's from the dog poop left by the horrible dog owner who couldn't take two additional steps to the proper garbage bin! If you're visiting our beaches, be respectful and clean up after yourself and/or your dog. Mālama 'Āina

Why have I never been to this beach?! Very nice and on an military installation my family and I…read morewanted to walk the beach after a small meal. We had a really good time walking this beach it was practically empty and getting there from the front gate was super easy I would recommend this speech to anyone that has an ID card.

This is probably my favorite beach so far! It's so beautiful and peaceful. I was able to park my…read morecar right next to the beach!

Kaʻaʻawa Beach Park is where I took my family photos. This little beach only has a couple of…read moreparking spots so getting there early makes the adventure much easier. The reason I chose this beach is because of the towering mountains that rise right behind the sand and the green scenery that makes you feel like you stepped into a movie set. I have been to Hawaii plenty of times, but never here, and the moment I arrived it took my breath away. It felt like a hidden spot waiting to be discovered, the kind of place you want to keep in your back pocket.

Pro-tip: My family woke up at 4 am one day of our vacation to do a driving tour of O'ahu. Lanikai…read moreBeach was our first stop. No parking issues, and we had this stunning beach completely to ourselves for about 15-20 minutes as we waited for sunrise. When we left around 6:30 am, we also saw our first rainbow of the day! The early bird gets the worm. :)

It's always busy here any time of the day, doesn't matter if it's weekends or weekdays. Parking is…read moredifficult to find in this area. Do yourself a favor and park at Kailua Beach and walk over (please note that there are multiple access points). You have to maneuver around the hordes of visitors, but you won't regret it! The sand is powdery soft and the views of "The Mokes" are stunning!

They have signs "no provocative swim wear; thongs, etc."…read more No restrooms Make shift shower Only access is a HUGE staircase.

In Hawaiian, "mahalo e ke Akua" means Thank you God. If you are able to visit this beach on base,…read moreyou can't help but see the beauty and give thanks. There's street parking along Lawrence. You'll see the wooden stairs with lots of signs. Currently, it is being repaired so look for the concrete stairs from the grassed area to walk down to the beach. We went specifically for a serene sunrise. Pick a spot, sit anywhere, and I promise you'll shed at least one tear of awe. Listen to waves, gently wash up the sand. There's a cool breeze and the fragrance of fresh ocean. As you soak it all in and reflect on your blessings, all of a sudden you don't think about grieving, work stress, or inconsiderate neighbors. All there is, is peace.

Park is a peaceful, local spot that's ideal if you want a view, a picnic, or a short break by the…read morewater. It won't replace a full sandy beach for swimming or sunbathing, but for what it is, it's charming, accessible, and pleasant. Great for early mornings, a quiet hang‑out, or casual recreation. Found this place by our resort in Kāne'ohe. Wonderful spot for sunset.

Such a peaceful hidden gem! Laenani Neighborhood Park is the perfect spot to relax, enjoy the ocean…read moreview, and soak up some fresh air. The park is well-kept, with plenty of open space and a beautiful backdrop of the water. It's a great place for a morning walk, a quiet picnic, or just unwinding away from the crowds. The scenery is amazing, and the vibe is super laid-back. Parking is easy, and it never feels too packed. If you're looking for a serene spot to enjoy nature, this is definitely worth checking out!

We had morning visits from this couple. Our cottage was a few feet from the beach. Very quiet.read more

To me these cottages are great…read more I'm in 1610. It looks like it's been renovated since most of the Yelp Reviews. It's a 2 bedroom 1 bath with a sitting area and a dining table. It's advertised as a full kitchen but be prepared you get a single pan, toaster, random cookware, and a grill. If you read the occupancy its mentions 6 or maybe 7 can stay here? I have no idea how that would be possible as I am here with my wife, daughter, and mother in law and daughter is sleeping on the couch. All this aside it's still decent for the price. I am giving 2 stars mainly for the housekeeping people. They come at random times and maybe not at all? I have taken my own trash out several days because ants are common in Hawaii. I was stationed here and gave my family the info on that. The main issue is we have had 4 towels for our stay and these housekeepers have not changed them for a days. We even left them on the floor in a bundle in an attempt to make it more obvious they need changing and they still disregarded providing fresh towels. They have also provided 2 rolls of toilet paper for a 14 day stay. I expect things to not be provided by virtue of spending a career with Marines so we preemptively bought toilet paper at 9 pm on the way back from day adventures and thankfully we did or we would be out of luck because housekeepers didn't check that. We also have not had our sheets changed once in over a week of staying here. We were able to book the 7 days for myself (active duty) and my wife got her 7 day stay (also active duty). When the housekeeper crew shows up while we are here and knock on the door, I politely answer with "hey good morning come on in" And the lady looks at me like I'm some Kind of jerk off. Gives me a sense that she expects me to hand her the trash rather than coming in and getting it (like she would do if I weren't in the unit anyway). I think these units being further from the base gives the cleaning crew a "out of sight, out of mind" feeling? Or possibly that the price point on the unit becomes a "well you get what you pay for" type service. I have no idea. I'm looking forward to speaking with the front desk when it opens in the AM. Maybe it will be resolved.

One of the most beautiful beaches in the 50 US states. Parking is a challenge. Family friendly.read more

Toasted Buns... Not…read moreone of the glorious spot to grab a parking spot to veg out in the sun is this spot on Kalama Beach Park but with some patience it's absolutely worth the wait. Kailua beaches are just so beautiful and this one doesn't quite show it's glory until you walk the short path...tadaaaaahhhh! Yes there is a path which most are paved until you get to the bathroom/shower area then it's all sand and which I think is a great spot to just walk and take in the view. Wide open beach with views as long as your eyes can see it's all beautiful and something that you just need to experience for yourself, I wasn't dressed properly as this was just a random visit though since I was in the area I just though to give it a try and am so glad I did, very quite and peaceful place to relax and enjoy what we here in Hawai'i are so blessed to have. Thank you!

This is the second time I've been here! First time I went on a solo kayak tour, this time I did the…read moreguided kayak tour! Really fun times. Staff is always friendly. I had Morgan as my tour guide and he was very accommodating, knowledgeable, and super friendly! It's a very easy tour, Kailua Beach Adventures makes things as easy as possible. It does require some upper body strength, but anyone at any level can do it! BEAUTIFUL views! 10/10 would recommend.

We had an amazing time on the Kailua Beach Adventure kayak tour, and a huge part of that was thanks…read moreto Morgan! The entire experience was so much fun from start to finish--beautiful scenery, great pacing, and just the right mix of adventure and relaxation. Morgan was incredibly informative throughout the tour, sharing interesting facts about the area, local wildlife, and history in a way that kept everyone engaged. One of the highlights was kayaking out to Popoiʻa Island (Flat Island), which was absolutely beautiful. Morgan did an excellent job helping us navigate the waters both going out and coming back, making sure everyone felt comfortable and confident the entire time. Honestly, Morgan was the best guide we could have asked for--friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and just all-around awesome. We felt safe, well taken care of, and had such a great time. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you get Morgan as your guide!