Nanakuli Beach Park is a 40-acre beach park that sits along the Farrington Highway on the west coast of Oahu. With a year-round well-protected beach and camping area, it’s no wonder why the beach park is popular with locals for swimming and camping.

Named after the Hawaiian chief Poka’i, Nanakuli means “look at the knee” in the Hawaiian language. Nanakuli is characterized by mild wave conditions even during the winter months, making it a frequent beachfront when other beaches on the island are experiencing high waves.

Nanakuli has a beautiful golden sand beach. Due to its gently sloping coral sand shore, the beach is stable throughout the year. Anyone can swim here at any time of year without worrying about sand erosion or strong surf conditions. However, the northern part of the beach is usually bumpy, which explains the presence of lifeguards in the park. If you want to swim safely, stay on the southern part of the beach where the waves are gentler.

Also known as “Subland” by the locals, Nanakuli Beach is also considered one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu. Additionally, canoeists, fishermen, and boogie boarders also feature on the beach. In the middle of the park is a camping ground known as “The Flats”. It consists of 12 campsites that are usually populated by local campers.

However, Nanakuli is in the driest region of Oahu. Remember to drink plenty of water or juices to avoid dehydration while enjoying surfing or while sunbathing. Be sure to apply sunscreen lotion or cream with SPF 15. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses will also protect you from excessive sun exposure.

Services and amenities: lifeguards, picnic areas, restrooms, showers, telephones, camping ground, baseball field, basketball courts, softball fields, playground

5 unique things about Nanakuli Beach Park:

• The sand on Nanakuli Beach is calcareous.
• The name of the beach refers to a part of the body; means “look at the knee”.
• Nanakuli Beach is well protected from strong surf conditions throughout the year.
• Nanakuli has a camping ground known locally as “The Flats”. The Flats offers 12 campsites.
• The beach has a stable sand condition, a characteristic attributed to its sloping sand made of corals and limestone.