You have never been to a beach like Waimea Bay Beach Park. Visiting this park during the winter and in the summer will feel like trips to separate beaches. The wave activity and things to do change, making this a great destination for fun all year long.
Many people travel to Waimea Bay Beach Park during the summer. This time is ideal for snorkeling, swimming, and cliff jumping into the calm, clear waters. Families often visit the beach during the summer to enjoy the calm surf with their kids. Not just young kids but people of all ages can find fun activities to do at Waimea Bay Beach Park.
Older kids and thrill seekers climb nearby cliffs to jump into the bay. Since the water under the cliffs does not have rocks and lifeguards carefully watch swimmers, cliff jumping at this beach is safer than at other beaches. The highest jumping spot is only 25 feet, with lower options nearby. Even kids and people who report feeling scared of heights feel comfortable cliff jumping at this beach. At the busiest time, groups of people line up to jump from the cliffs. Even if you don’t feel like jumping yourself, watching people taking the plunge is also fun.
Summer is also a wonderful time to enjoy snorkeling. The crystal-clear waters allow you to see the coral, fish, eels, and other underwater life. To see some animals, you don’t have to go snorkeling. Sea turtles and dolphins commonly appear in the waters and are often visible from the beach. Admire these creatures from a distance to preserve their health and wellbeing.
During the winter, the North Shore of Oahu draws professional surfers to tackle the intense waves during that time. These waves often reach 30 feet, and lifeguards restrict access to the water during these times to experienced surfers. Due to the rough seas in winter, you cannot jump from the cliffs at this time of the year. Most people who visit in the winter watch the surfers or lounge on the beach.
Evenings transform Waimea Bay Beach Park into a picturesque site for some of Oahu’s most beautiful sunsets. Try to see at least one during your visit to this beach. Visitors and locals cite the cooler weather and stunning sunset views as reasons that evenings are their favorite times to visit Waimea Bay.
With so much to do on the beach, plan for an all-day stay whatever time of the year you visit. To keep comfortable during your stay at the beach, bring food, drinks, reef-safe sunscreen, towels, snorkeling gear, sandals, and a beach umbrella. Most of the beach lies in full sun, which can make the sands hot. Wear sandals to protect your feet when walking on the beach. Use a beach umbrella while lounging to protect yourself from the sun. Don’t forget to wear reef-safe sunscreen to avoid sunburn. As a public beach, you will have access to outdoor showers, changing rooms, restrooms, and picnic benches, but you will not find cafes on the beach to sell food or beverages.
Its popularity among visitors and locals all year long makes parking difficult to find, even with designated beach parking and overflow nearby. Arrive early in the morning or wait for people to leave to get a parking spot. Your efforts in getting a spot are worthwhile when you get down to the beach. Mid-afternoons rank as the busiest times for the beach and its parking area. Ask your hotel about local buses that travel to the Waimea Bay area to avoid the hassle of parking.
Whether you visit in the morning or afternoon, in the summer or winter, a trip to Waimea Bay Beach Park is one that you will remember for a lifetime.
How To Get There:
Waimea Bay Beach Park can be found by using its address in your GPS (61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712). This beach park has its own parking lot, but the streets and roadway designate as overfill parking spaces.
Insider Tip:
Arrive in the morning to find a parking spot or park across the street in the small lot for a fee. Both lots tend to fill up by mid-afternoon.