A total gem of a beach! I would say it's a hidden gem but it honestly really isn't. It's super accessible and only a few miles away from the crowded streets of Waikiki. Really shocked that more people haven't reviewed this beach but I think that's a good thing.
If you're looking for a place to relax while enjoying an epic beach sunset, Kuilei Cliffs Beach Park is absolutely that place. I was looking for a less crowded spot to catch a sunset after having dinner in Waikiki. I initially tried to find a closer beach near Waikiki, but of course it was super crowded with absolutely no parking on site. Why I thought I could do that was beyond me.
I noticed this beach park on the map and saw that it wasn't too far away, so I headed down there. When I first arrived, I was a bit confused. The entrance is located right off of the road and it's street parking only. It looked like the beach wouldn't actually be accessible, but there's a paved pathway that's about a half mile long that will lead you straight to the beach. There's also a small grassy area where you can picnic next to the street (I guess this is the "park" part of it).
I headed down the path and was shocked to find this incredibly gorgeous and almost hidden beach. There were definitely other people there, but it was waaaay less crowded than any beach that you'd find on Waikiki. And the views were magnificent!!! Since you have to essentially walk/hike down to this beach, it has more of a cove type of vibe and it's super warm. It's also a surfer's haven and I enjoyed watching the surfers and snorkelers roam the waters here.
But, back to that sunset; stunning! I literally stayed there until it was damn near dark. It was so incredibly peaceful and beautiful to watch. The beach started to clear out as soon as the sun started to set, so I essentially had the last few moments of it all to myself. Secluded beach time in Hawaii?! Um, YEEEESSSS puh-lease!!! Literally did not wanna leave, but alas... I had too once it got dark. I will say that the trek back up the paved path will have you breathing a bit hard since you have to walk all uphill on the way back. Keep this in mind if you're planning on lugging anything down to the beach.
Also have to mention that the sand is super soft, clean and the water is very warm. This is one of those beaches where you can truly lay out, relax, and fall asleep if you wanted to. I only wished that I would have come sooner so that I could have spent more time enjoying this little beauty. Would absolutely recommend if you're looking for a chill place to relax and catch a sunset without all of the typical Waikiki crowds. read more