I really don't want to share this. But just for my friend Jen L., this place is going on my list. Jen, I am just warning you that you will be spoiled after you go to the lagoons. Go early- week day or a football Sunday if at all possible. This place has been getting more popular and I just hate crowds, especially at the beach. Once you get to the gate, tell them you're going to the lagoons. There are several so just drive around until you find parking at one of them- they won't let more than one car wait for a parking spot. Then you can pull out your towel, little cooler with lunch and cool beverages and don't forget your noodles! Those huge fat floaty thingies you can buy at Target. Not the skinny ones...go big. One under your arms and one under your ankles and you can float ALL day. Take sunscreen too my dear. You are white. I don't want to see you red. Apply everywhere before you leave the house. Reapply when you get to the beach and every time you get out of the water and/or every half hour. I'm not joking. I do this....and use the organic kind from Down to Earth or Whole Foods that won't kill our ecosystem. xoxo read more

So beautiful!! Great place to be for anything you'd want to do at the beach. Options: 1) Just hang around the beach, lay around, be lazy, and get tan (maybe fall asleep and take a nap - I've definitely done that. Just don't forget the sunscreen.) 2) Paddle boarding - Water is calm, so it's pretty easy to get a hang of if it's your first time. An hour is a good amount of time to rent a SUP (stand up paddleboard) here. I enjoyed paddle boarding in Waikiki where there were waves (it's a little more exciting than still water - that was worth 2 hours of ocean SUP fun). 3) Snorkeling - Check to see if the water's clear first! It's usually pretty cheap to rent snorkel gear, but of course - it's more fun if you can see the fishys! There are plenty of little fishes swimming around that you can spot. A lot of them swim by the rocks on either side. 4) Kayaking - This is fun too! Either single or double person kayaks are available to rent. Other fun water activities include water hammocks (where you can just lounge around in the water - it's like a giant floating thing you can sit/lay on), Aulani has a mini catamaran, and many more. If you're not staying at a resort here, parking gets a little crazy! There are limited parking spaces right by each of the four lagoons. If you dine at any of the resorts, I believe they will validate your parking. There are a few other restaurants/eateries across the street of some of the lagoons if you plan to head that direction too. Enjoy your stay!! read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Beautiful! - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Ko olina is my favorite beach to take my sons to. In addition to the great beaches, there are some pretty awesome restaurants to enjoy in the area. Pros: Clean restrooms Restaurants and bars near the beach Grassy areas for picnics Shady areas for those who aren't sun lovers Calm waters for the kids to swim in Reef area to explore Paid parking area (10.00 for all day parking) Paved path connected to all 4 lagoons Free parking (come early for a spot) Clean water Cons: Limited parking (okay, it's a given for us locals) No tents or umbrellas allowed on the beach read more

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it is a great beach, not crowded at all and the sand is nice and soft. The walkway leads you to be able to grab a snack at aluani

So absolutely beautiful, you can relax and play in the water.. possible see turtles, fish and sea lion or seal of some sort

I was taken to the public lagoon by my cousin who lives on the island. We arrived around 9am and there was no more parking - so make sure you arrive early! Thankfully her husband wasn't staying and managed to drop us off by the parking lot. They don't allow umbrellas or beach tents in the public lagoon - not too sure about the others. It's not a deal breaker but it would've been nice to have some shade when the sun gets too hot. The lagoon is very peaceful and calm. There are hardly any waves, which makes it great for people who can't swim or young children. There are also public bathrooms, which is great for those of us who want to spend all day at the beach. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Discrimination and lack of aloha characterize this place. Awful time dealing with closed minded staff and busy bodies. This is the opposite of Hawaii or aloha. I am ashamed that these people work in Hawaii and are the face of the state that people see. The security guards that work here are rude, petty, trashy and terrible at their jobs. They are supposed to keep people safe and instead they create an atmosphere of disrespect and hatred read more

Clean bathrooms, your own space on the beach, nicely manicured lawns, calm as glass water for the kiddies, and showers without plugged drains. That is what the Ko'olina lagoons are all about. Yes, you may have to wait for a parking stall and there are no "waves" to surf but if you are with your keiki and you want a clean and safe place. This is the place to go. I would recommend going early in the am at about 8-9am OR at about 2pm (when the morning crowd is leaving). There are 4 of these "public" lagoons. All of them are sheltered by a reef so the waters are surely safe from any unwanted visitors. The running barefoot (yeah yeah, I know it is not good for your feet) is protected due to the grassy areas between the lagoons. The lagoons close at sundown and the sunset is beautiful out there. Go check it out if you don't believe me. 77/365 beachkiddygoodness yelp challenge read more

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This beach is absolutely beautiful and serene but both times I have visited the ground keeping that is being done has been so loud and not relaxing at all. It's been done in the middle of the day at prime beach time! read more

So beautiful. The water is so warm, the sand is so smooth, and it feels protected since it's a cove. Not too crowded.

PARKING: each lagoon has parking for maybe 20 stalls so it is very limited parking the fourth lagoon has maybe 70 but because the lagoons are so ideal for families to swim parking is full quick, on the weekend by 830am all the stalls are usually filled in most of the lagoons SHOWERS BATHROOMS: showers are conveniently at each lagoon and sometimes 2 or 3 at each lagoon. Water pressure is terribly light so don't expect to get a good clean of all that salt and sand lol bathrooms are clean and well maintained for a beach bathroom BEACH: flat calm clean clear water. Ideal for elderly trying to swim for exercise and extremely perfect for children babies toddlers etc NO LIFEGUARDS NO BBQ NO SMOKING NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED HERE read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Second lagoon 08/04/17 - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

If you have kids, you need to be at Ko Olina. Truly, it is perfect for families. The man made lagoons keep waves to a minimum, making the area very safe, even for the littlest ones. We went to lagoon 4. The water barely got more than chest deep, but was deep enough for the kids to swim around in. We brought snorkels, and did see lots of fish! We arrived around 3 pm on a Wednesday, and there were plenty of free parking spaces available to us. There were many other families there, but not enough to make it feel crowded. If you walk down the path to the right (while facing the beach), go past the grassy area and down over the rocks, there are some neat little tide pools to explore. (Not at high tide. Do your research, don't be dumb. ) Stay for sunset (but not later. The sign says the parking lot closes at sunset. ) There are convenient, fairly clean bathrooms and showers. No lifeguard. The dangerous areas of current are blocked off with buoys. If I was just here with my husband, looking for a peaceful, romantic place to spend the afternoon, I probably wouldn't spend it at Ko Olina. But with our kids, we could let them run and play and be crazy, and it was just the right spot. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - The view from the beach - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Ko'Olina Lagoon is my favorite place to go after a long day at work. It's a great place to hangout with family have dinner and watch the beautiful sunset. read more

It's Kuhio Day and it's packed here. We were lucky to get a parking even if they said it would be full i just had to look for myself. And as we drove up to lot a car was leaving thank god we didn't have to wait long. Another thing is i wanna give those workers who clean the bathrooms here(next to chapel) a two thumbs up. It was the cleanest i have ever seen it been. And that's so good it should always be clean anyway. Also these man made lagoons are nice and safe especially if you have little ones. The water isn't that deep but deep enough for little kids. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Kuhio Day at lagoon - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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This was my favorite place in Oahu. I'm so happy a local told us about this place because I fell in love the minute I got here. We went to lagoon 3 and it was super private, clean and beautiful. We only had about 3 hours to be here but we made the most of it by enjoying the amazing water and views. The bathroom and grounds were very well kept. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - So beautiful lagoon 3 - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

WTF? You can't have an umbrella? Who owns this and set the rules? But you can have big speakers a blare your music to everyone? Parking, like every beach, is bad. read more

Great place to snorkel, lay on the beach to relax or to just catch some sun. Man made lagoon with calm waters and beautiful scenery. Definitely a must see and visit. read more

It's stunningly beautiful. And safe for swimmers that aren't super strong. Nuff said.

Peaceful and beautiful beach Waikiki can be too many people but here, you can relax more :) If you could stay at one of those hotels by ko'olina beach, you prob enjoy more! I love spending time here for a week or so just to relax. read more

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It's a beautiful, picturesque beach. But compared to all the other beaches here on Oahu, why would you come here other than for Aulani (no offense). Trying to find parking is horrendous if you don't come here early enough, if not you might just end up paying for parking...its great for a family friendly beach because theres no waves and it's very shallow. However the water is unusually and disturbingly warm, maybe it was the day we went (Fathers day). We were in Lagoon 4 since it's the only lagoon with parking big enough that you can actually get lucky to find a stall if you wait a few minutes for someone to leave. Too touristy but still beautiful and would recommend to go at least once but honestly, just keep driving past Koolina and you'll find better beaches read more

I am not a beach lover at all, so of course if there's a beach that I'd love to go to, it'll be a "fake" beach lol. The crapiest part about coming to these lagoons has got to be parking, or lack of. Because it's a beautiful, picture perfect, touristy spot, it will forever be crowded. All areas are always clean. Sidewalks make it convenient to stroll from one lagoon to another. Bathrooms and showers are always in good working condition. Just everything in general is very well kept. The water is never rough so pretty safe for kids to play. I have heard of car break-ins happening so be sure to take all belongings with. read more

The lagoon was beautiful and wasn't crowded. However, before my sister and I decided to visit, we read online that service animals were allowed. Therefore, we brought along our service animals (in training) from our service in in the United States military. Upon arriving, we were asked by a male employee about our animals, and when explained that they are service animals, it was left at that. But once we were teaching our animals how to act at a beach and in water, we were very rudely told by a female employee that our service animals were not welcome in the water. While I can understand this for normal pets, our animals need to know how to act in Hawaii, where we are because of the military. Our animals were not being disruptive nor aggressive, they are both still young and still in the process of learning how to act appropriately as a service animal. In many ways, it felt as if this female was targeting us because of our service animals, even though we were already told by a male that our service animals were allowed. After we stated to her that we were told that our service animals were allowed, she said "even if they are, they are not allowed in the water", which tells me that none of their employees actually understand the protocol for having a service animal. Moreover, since we were stationed here by the military and are here for the next few years, we feel that it is imperative that our animals know how to act in beach-like areas. These lagoons are stated as public access, therefore it makes no sense as to why our animals will be treated in such a way. In the same aspect, they allow their guests to smoke on the beach with children, exposing them to addictive and cancerous habits, while we are just teaching our animals how to behave in case one of us needs to be alerted for our medical conditions. While this lagoon is very nice and secluded, being a veteran with service connected disabilities and trying to overcome them with our service animals to make sure that we do not have an emergency, feels discriminatory, and we do not think we will be returning to such a discriminatory, unwelcoming, and anti-veteran lagoon. read more

"Socially distanced parking spots?!" What even is that? Why on earth would you take lagoon parking, that's already AWFUL, and cut the number of spaces in half. Literally nowhere else on the island is doing this. It makes no sense. Why isn't the rest of the resort parking socially distanced? Why is it only the free public parking that is cut? read more

Lagoon one is located close to the Four Seasons and Disney Aulani resorts. Nice amenities and even board lessons available. Lagoon two and three are located close to Marriott beach club houses and timeshares. Lagoon four is at the east end. I found Public access parking at two pretty easily and there should be at each one with the lot for four having the biggest. These lagoons have the sunniest protected swimming access of the places I visited. I'd go back more often if my trip was longer. read more

Five star beaches with one star parking. Beautiful views, people, and sunsets, but hard to find parking. Once on property, very well worth the effort. Mostly resort types on the beaches, with a few locals mixed in. Always clean, plenty of bathroom options, but few shaded areas to hide from the sun. This is a great set of beaches to bring family and friends visiting the Island, but be patient...and enjoy the views! read more

My best friend moved to the other side of the Universe (aka Kapolei). I told her we'd never see each other and boy was I right! With the obligations of kids, work and life, we barely see one another every three months and that's just not good for my emotional health. This past weekend we planned a glorious day together at the beach to bridge our emotional gap. Despite having to drive from the other side of the Universe (aka Honolulu), the Ko'olina lagoons make it totally with it! At first, I was concerned about finding parking but luckily a spot opened up just as we arrived. Parking is limited, but that's a good thing because it keeps the number of beach goers at just the right amount. Downside is there's not a lot of shade and you can't put up any umbrellas or tents. We all got wicked sunburn. Upside is you have very clean beach with pristine waters that are perfect for little ones. Our kids had a blast building sand castles, swimming in the ocean and eating a picnic lunch. Despite living in paradise, I shamefully admit that we rarely go to the beach because we have a pool at our condo. After going to Ko'olina though, we'll definitely be back at least once a month for a family day out with my best friend. Love conquers all... even a drive to the other side of the Universe. read more

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Out of all the lagoons, I love the 4th lagoon the best. So, this review is for Lagoon 4. Why this lagoon? Well, there are a few main reasons... #1: Parking: There are tons of parking, in comparison to the others. There is actually a full size parking lot with the beach right in front, so very little walking distance. Parking can get full, as with the other lagoons, but because there is a lot more stalls available, you have a better chance of finding parking here. The other option, if you're willing to, you can also pay $10 to park in the Marina parking lot, which is right behind the public parking. #2: Space: We've never had any trouble finding space whenever we go to swim or sunbathe. In my experience, with other lagoons, it's always a hassle to find parking first, and then deal with a crowded beach. Not fun. This lagoon never gets too busy. What I also like about this lagoon is you can also hold a small family gathering because they have a space at the end of the lagoon with a large enough space to sit on the grass away from the beach. I've seen this many times where families use the space to do this. Great area, with enough shade from several Coconut trees. The bathroom (which is always clean and stocked) is right in front, so very convenient. We frequent this place a lot. I love to bring my son here to swim and play in the sand. We also love to come here to SUP when we don't feel like going into town or drive to Haleiwa or Waianae. I'm also an avid runner, and this place is my go to place (well, one of them) for my long runs. The area provides flat grounds, nice scenic views, and minimal crowds. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Koolina Marina - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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This review is for Lagoon 4, which I frequent with my children. This is the public lagoon with the most parking out of all the lagoons. This is a lot better than it used to be years ago, when it was just a gravel lot. There is no lifeguard on duty, so keep an eye on your own. No tents or bbq cookers allowed. Beach chairs and coolers are fine, and of course, no alcohol. There is a bathroom and a shower, I believe I saw an additional shower that was still taped off yesterday, but that will be a big improvement. Security does patrol on go carts to check on things here and there, but it's usually peaceful there. If you can't be there by 8:30 in the morning, then go after 1pm to get parking and have fun in the lagoon. Great for kids since there is no waves and no rough water. Usually the sand is clean and so are most of the beach goers there. You can usually see wedding pictures taken at the beach there by Japanese visitors whom just got married. My little girl gets a kick out of seeing the pretty wedding dresses flowing in the wind out on the beach. Remember to take lots of snacks and water to drink, and your sunscreen!!! read more

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Simply Breathtaking and amazing. Number 1 choice for families in Oahu. Get there early (6-7a) for easy free parking at lagoon #4 (easiest and most convenient). We have small kids so Ko'Olina is perfect for our family, like Waikiki but not crowded. The grass surrounding the beach is soft and posh, bring your umbrella, beach towel, chairs, cooler, snorkel gear and spend the day. Very clean, secure nearby bathroom/showers. You can watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset (hallmark pictures). This beach is very clean, sand feels great, and the water is just right. Plenty of good restaurants nearby. We were surprised by a Hawaiian Monk Seal while swimming in the lagoon. It was awesome to see one so close (and not get bit). They quickly isolated her and got her to safety btw but everyone got a chance to gawk in awe from a safe distance. Our family just had an amazing time. It was the highlight of my mother's visit to Hawaii in spending 30 days here with us and visited almost every beach and cool places to visit while here. Highly recommend it. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Seal Monk visit - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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Ahhh the Ko'Olina lagoons... how I absolutely ADORE you! Ko'Olina is a beautiful resort located on the West side of Oahu. This is home to a beautiful golf course, Ihilani, Disney's Aulani, Roy's, homes, and timeshares. The man made lagoons are beautiful. Protected (more importantly) as well. Great for the kiddies. The water is CLEAR (and free of debris), the sand is SOFT, and the surrounding area (sand and grass) is CLEAN and EXTREMELY well kept. The restrooms are THE cleaniest "beach" restrooms I've ever been in. They have umbrellas in the sand for shade... or if you're on the grass you can chill under a palm tree for shade. FYI: You CAN'T bring your own umbrella and shove it into the sand... an employee on his motor vehicle will come by and tell you to remove it (I've seen this happen) AND they DON'T allow pets. A family brought their adorable pup and once they set up, a few minutes later they packed up and left after someone stopped to talk to them. Poor pup. :( If you're at the first lagoon, this is where the wedding chapel is located and you're able to watch several couples take their wedding photos on the beach which is gorgeous and breathtaking to see. This lagoon also shares space with Ihilani. The ONLY gripe... and this is the same gripe in ALL reviews... the parking S-U-C-K-S!!! There are literally 12.. maybe 15 stalls per lot. You either have to go SUPER early to get a stall (when everyone is still either sleeping or still getting ready) or SUPER late (when everyone is going home) or in between if you get a stall you're just plain ol LUCKY. I wish there were more parking stalls but then on the flip side they can control the amount of people who visit the lagoons and this is probably why each lagoon is so clean and well kept. Catch 22. In any event, I'd highly recommend the Ko'Olina lagoons for a relaxing day at the "beach". 5 stars! read more

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Rating is based on Lagoon # 4. Two lagoons were closed when we came due to a spill. We were informed to swim at our own risk due to some jellyfish sightings. Growing up in a country with lots of beautiful beaches, I've been stung quite a few times and it did sting..but I lived. So we went on to the parking lot. We were warned that parking might be a challenge because of the crowd but somehow found one right away..hmmm..might be a trick to deviate people from coming in? Don't know, don't care. We were in! Not sure what the guy was talking about because the lagoon was not crowded at all. There were quite a few families with kids in the water and some, laying on the sand. We had with us my 8-year old daughter and 8-month old baby. I made sure to get in the water first and check if there were any before they swam. Also asked a few people if there were any jellfish sightings and they all said no. The coast was clear! We all had a wonderful day at the beach. The water was very clear, a bit cold, but nice and refreshing. No waves at all so it's perfect for babies or small kids. Almost spent the entire day there but had to leave for a luau. I definitely recommend this place to families with small children. Very safe, nice, and clean. Bathroom and shower facilities are available as well. read more

Such a magical place. Away from the crowds of people in Waikiki. They have a very small parking lot in the different lagoons. If you are lucky enough to get free parking then cool. Otherwise there's paid parking close by. Highly recommended though read more

Where do I even begin? I was no tourist - I was living in Upper Makakilo until the end of November this year - so please understand, I was living the life for four months and trying my best to see all the non-tourist places. Still, I came back to Ko'Olina again and again. At first I thought I'd be snorkeling in Lagoon #4 just for some exercise but it's actually a really nice, uncrowded spot for checking out fish, eels and turtles. I was lucky on occasion to find a small cowry shell or two out where the waves are coming in. One should be in good shape and be a competent snorkeler because the current can be very strong and can easily push you hard into an underwater rock or the sides of the lagoon especially during high tide. If you're snorkeling and expect to see a decent number of fish make sure you go all the way out to the rock formations where the water is coming in. I could go any time during the week, no problem parking. I was only turned away on the weekend once and that was Veteran's Day holiday weekend. I loved being there early on a Saturday morning and sitting in the grass watching the local families set up their areas and enjoy the day. I also enjoyed girl-watching as I think the Polynesian local girls are the most beautiful in the whole world :^) It's nice to walk along the path meanders past all the lagoons. Every now and then I'd stop at one of the bars for a beer or mixed drink and chat with tourists. Just Tacos across the street in the small restaurant area was a nice place to end the afternoon, with 1/2 price Happy Hour nachos, best on the island. I can't say a single bad thing about the Lagoons there and I miss them terribly just as I miss Oahu and its people. I'll be back again soon, and I won't ever leave again. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - One of four lagoons at Ko'Olina. - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

His family always took him to Lagoon 4, so that's where we went a couple times on our vacay. Ko Olina is beautiful and serene. Love that it's not crowded like Lanikai or Waikiki beach. Parking in this lagoon was easy too though I heard it can be difficult at the others. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Lagoon 4 - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

So these were certainly some of my favorite spots when I was living in Hawaii. Yes you need to arrive as early as you can to park, but seeing that the lots are small, busy, and have some sort of surveillance, I always felt a lot more comfortable leaving stuff in my car than at say Shark's Cove or Electric beach (other great snorkeling spots) so the snorkeling here may not be quite as interesting, but being able to leave your stuff on the beach and in the car with little worry was often worth it. Onto more interesting things..first of all I think the best lagoon is actually lagoon 2..Honu, very aptly named. For one thing it isn't exactly affiliated with a hotel, but rather thoses time share places, so it is less busy than the lagoon in front of Disney, and the lagoon in front of the marriot, and the lagoon with the big parking lot! I have never been here that I have not seen at least two turtles and I saw a barracuda! He was just hanging out..lots of fish, and you can swim under the ropes where the Honu chill and float around in the calm water. one day there was a mongoose stuck out on one of the rocks, and I actually felt kind of bad for him, then one of his buddies was nosing around trying to eat the almonds in my cooler..cant trust those devils! So I love just swimming here and checking out all the fishies, and you could swim laps if you were feeling motivated that day. Other lagoons are fun too, but honu was my fave by far! Also if you walk down past the disney resorts towards paradise cove (you do have to do sort of a little balancing act on this rock wall) there is that really shallow lagoon where I often saw turtles on the beach, and that is the only place I have ever seen a monk seal on the beach on oahu...so that was pretty cool! And there is never anybody over there in the morning, if you are feeling brave, jump the rocks and see whats on the other side! Side note-I am not looking to get anyone busted by the staff ;) but, if you are wanting to chill at the pool at the marriott (not the JW, which is the one next to Disney, but the one on the other end) I would go up to their reflecting pool and just order a drink, or go to that little gift shop and buy a drink and hang in the chair or rinse off in the reflecting pool. There is a sign that says "reflecting pool adults only" or something of the like. No one ever said anything to me, I just put my snorkeling gear in the car first so I looked more like a guest, and left a nice tip for the guy serving the drinks. In fact I brought my brother in-laws up their one day and we all hung out in the pool! I will let you know that when my dad stayed on this property he did (legally) acquire me an official towel, so that was probably helping out! Well illegal resort infiltration aside, the lagoons are very cool! And THEY are for everyone, you should check them out! read more

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Parking, Parking, Parking Parking is truly a struggle! Parking fills up quickly on all the parking lots. Plan to arrive at 9am on the weekend for a parking stall. If you come at 12pm, you most likely will not get parking and expect to pay $10 in the paid parking area at the marina at Lagoon 4. 4 Lagoons There are a total of 4 lagoons and the fourth lagoon is the most popular because it has the biggest parking lot, bathroom stalls, not near a hotel so less crowded by tourist and there is a paid parking next to it when all lagoons are packed. Beach The water is perfect for young children. Children can play on the shoreline safely without worrying about a big wave. The water is normally clear and sometimes you can see a school of little fishes. Maintenence The bathrooms are kept clean and stocked so you'll never be without toilet paper. Sometimes they don't have hand soap and towels to wipe your hands. I witness them full on scrubbing the showers and the water fountain. I always see them picking up the trash so you will hardly see the trash overflowing. Good job cleaning crew! Overall, the Ko Olina Lagoon is awesome! Its close to home, clean bathrooms, showers are available and the water is calm. I wish there wasn't a parking issue but I am fortunate to only pay once in the two dozen or so times I've came here. read more

Last time we went to Oahu, we discovered Ko Olina and fell in love. This year, we actually rented a townhome in Ko Olina, so we were able to simply walk over to the lagoons. As many have mentioned, there are 4 manmade lagoons here, and they are wondeful! It's so beautiful and peaceful. If you've got small kids or you're not a great swimmer, these lagoons are perfect for you! For each lagoon, there are rocks built in the opening of each lagoon to break up the waves. It results in what feels like a big natural saltwater pool. Also, since it's so calm, a lot of fish come into the lagoons too, so I saw many people snorkling too. Around the 4 lagoons, there's a path that is 1.5 miles long, great for strolling or running. Along the path, there are bathrooms, showers, and water fountains. Lagoon 1 has the Marriot and Disney resorts, so they're the busiest. But, they also have more rentals for paddleboating and the like. Lagoon 2 was our favorite because it's quieter (no resorts). We didn't visit Lagoon 3 or 4, but I noticed that Lagoon 4 has the largest parking lot. Parking goes quick, so you'll need to come early, especially on weekends! If you walk towards the main street from Lagoon 1, there's a mini shopping center where you can get pizza, coffee, clothes, and more. There's Island Country (like an ABC store) that you can pick up quick bites or snacks too. If you've never been to Ko Olina, it's definitely worth the trip! It's nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Honolulu/Waikiki. You're not having to move out of the way when the tour boats are coming in, or fighting over spots to lay down your towel. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Lagoon 1 near the resort hotels. They have paddleboard rentals. - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

Updating because Yelp does a terrible job filtering misleading photos. First, most of the photos on this page are of either Marriott or Disney resort pool areas. although there is public access, you have to be a guest to get a chair, cabana, etc. or you can pay for them. Lagoon 4 is the only lagoon for free public use although you are not allowed to have umbrellas because of the high winds. I'm also updating because the secret is out regarding Lagoon 4, and the lagoon is becoming overrun and abused by locals. especially on a weekend, it is JAMMED with people and snorkeling is all but useless because of the clouded water. Loud music and public parties have all but ruined the ambiance. I highly recommend walking down the strip to the neighboring lagoons and setting up there instead. It's worth the walk, and you're closer to food and better managed rest rooms. read more

We first fell in love with Ko Olina Lagoons back in 2002! The beaches are so pristine and the ocean so calm that you can swim laps easily and effortlessly. The walking path along the 4 lagoons is gorgeous both in the daytime and well lit in the evening. We loved the area and the Ko Olina community so much that we decided to buy a condo here and relocate from Philadelphia! It's definitely the best move we ever made. Although it is much more developed over the past 14 years, Ko Olina has really grown into a beautiful resort with first class hotels like The Four Seasons, Marriott Beach Club and Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa. We manage vacation rentals and do real estate sales so if you ever need great services in Ko Olina, check out OlaProperties.com and mention you found us on Yelp!!! read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Lagoon 2 - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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This is one of the 4 lagoons located in the area. It's gorgeous, small, and sheltered, making it perfect for families with small children. Apparently the snorkeling here is also quite good, but I can't speak for that since I didn't snorkel. The water is definitely clearer than Waikiki Beach though, and it's significantly less crowded. The only thing I'd note is that parking is very limited - once the lots are full, they won't let anyone in. You can park at the shopping center (right across from this lagoon) for 2 hours if you buy something, or park at the marina by the fourth lagoon for about $10 for the whole day. read more

Ko'Olina Lagoon - Beaches Near Me - Kapolei, Hawaii

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