Ala Moana Beach

Like Waimanalo, Ala Moana is primarily a locals beach, but its charms are opposite of Waimanalo’s. Instead of rolling surf, you have calm lagoons protected by reefs; instead of quiet and lots of personal space, you have community activities everywhere you look; instead of ocean and forest landscaping, you have the dramatic backdrops of downtown Honolulu, the Ala Wai marina, and Waikiki.

Magic Island, an extension of land between the boat harbor and the actual Ala Moana Beach, is a lovely green park with paved paths, beautiful shade trees, and wide open spaces where locals come for all kinds of activities, from birthday parties and barbecues to yoga classes, running clubs, concerts, and cultural events. And kingfishers come to see if the fishermen are in a sharing mood.

It’s a great place to stroll around and watch the surfers at Rockpiles or get a different perspective of Diamondhead.

There’s a lagoon at the end of Magic Island, and the Ala Moana beach adjacent also hosts a lovely, calm lagoon.

The beach is close to the Ala Moana Shopping Center (the largest open-air mall in the U.S.) if you want to grab a bite or do some shopping, but we appreciate the beach park most of all for its convenient sunset viewing.