| If Waikiki Beach is too crowded for you or you're looking for a beach that has the best swimming conditions in town, go to Ala Moana Beach Park, located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu.
This 100-acre park has a wide gold-sand beach that is over a half-mile long. It's man-made and was created by the owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company, who was looking for a place to dispose of his dredged earth. So in the 1950s, sand was dumped at this park, which created the beach.
The water is almost always calm because the beach is protected by an outer reef. There are hardly ever any waves, which makes it a good spot for long-distance swimmers and small children.
There's a 25-foot deep swimming channel, a former boat channel that was dredged out of the reef.
Ala Moana's ocean bottom drops quickly, so novice swimmers should use caution.
Big grassy areas, banyans and palm trees make the park a good place to picnic, barbecue, play all kinds of ball games or go running.
There are lifeguards, showers, restrooms, phones, tennis courts, picnic tables, food concessions and a music pavilion.
Ala Moana Beach Park is a favorite among Honolulu residents. On the weekends, they come here with their whole ohana (family) to picnic, swim and spend time together.
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| Kapiolani Beach Park occupies most of the shore bordering Kapiolani Park. It is at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki. This park is rich in Hawaiian history.
Kapiolani Park was created by King Kalakaua in the 1870's. This beautiful 500-acre park is listed on the State's Historic Register. The trees date back over 100 years. Kapiolani Park is the site of historic Diamond Head, the famous Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Band Shell, the Sunday Art Shows, the Tennis Courts, the Soccer Fields, the Archery Range, and even a 3-mile jogger's course, which encompasses part of the Honolulu Marathon Course.
Local families and tourists alike enjoy the shady picnic sites and open grassy areas, perfect for sporting events.
The Royal Hawaiian Band provides free concerts every Sunday afternoon in the Kapiolani Bandstand.
The Honolulu Aquarium is located here. It is one of the most facinating aquariums in the world. |
