Lanikai Beach, located on Oahu’s windward coast in the town of Kailua, is one of Hawaii’s most photographed beaches, known for its powdery white sand, calm turquoise water, and postcard views of the twin offshore islands called the Mokulua, or “the Mokes.”
Despite its worldwide fame, Lanikai is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood with no public parking lot, no restrooms, and bus service from Kailua every 40 minutes. Access has always been limited and informal, with visitors parking along narrow streets meant for homeowners.
That fragile balance is now being disrupted, as the city implements a sweeping new plan to reduce beach traffic, curb illegal parking, and alter how people reach Lanikai altogether.
The new Lanikai Transportation Plan, developed by the City and County of Honolulu, will introduce changes. While there is no specific timeline yet, what is on the horizon includes no parking on loop roads, doubling Route 671 bus service from Kailua, introducing paid parking meters or pay stations on side streets, expanding Bike share programs, and introducing private transportation options like open-air trolleys.
That puts a new spotlight on nearby Oahu beaches.
Oahu still offers other beaches that rival or even beat Lanikai in many ways, without the hassle, neighborhood tension, or parking tickets.
Kailua Beach Park: The closest alternative.
If you’re determined to have a beach day in the area, the north end of Kailua Beach Park offers the most Lanikai-like experience without the legal and logistical headache.
Kailua Beach is just a few minutes away by car and features actual beach park infrastructure, including a large parking lot, bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and lifeguards. The sand is just as soft, the water is calm and swimmable, and the walk to the end of the beach, facing the Mokulua Islands, takes about ten minutes.
It’s also one of the few spots where you can still paddle to the “Mokes,” assuming the surf and weather cooperate and you follow safe practices.
If you really want to reach Lanikai on foot, this is also your jumping-off point. Please note that walking from Kailua Beach Park to Lanikai Beach access takes at least 25 minutes each way, with limited shade and no restrooms available once you leave the park.
Waimanalo Beach: Bigger, better, and less discovered.
Waimanalo is often overlooked by guidebooks, which is surprising given its stunning beauty. This long, spacious beach just 15 minutes south of Kailua has the same soft sand as Lanikai, with an even more dramatic mountain backdrop and a fraction of the crowds.
Waimanalo Beach Park and the adjacent Sherwood Forest area (Waimanalo Bay State Recreation Area) both offer free parking, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Mornings here are especially beautiful, with calm water and that signature powdery sand that feels like walking on sifted flour.
One visitor recently wrote us, “We gave up on Lanikai and went to Waimanalo instead. We ended up liking it better—more peaceful, way easier parking, and the sand was unreal.” We’ve done the very same thing ourselves, especially on weekends.
There’s less development around the beach, which means fewer restaurants or cafes, but for a true beach day, it’s still hard to beat.
Bellows Beach: A hidden gem on weekends.
Bellows Field Beach Park, just past Waimanalo, is open to the public on weekends and federal holidays. During those times, visitors can access what is arguably one of the most beautiful stretches of beach on Oahu, with clear water and gentle surf.
This beach shares the same coastline as Lanikai but feels even more untouched.
Because it’s on military land, access is limited—but that’s what keeps it uncrowded. The park offers parking, restrooms, and showers when it is open. You’ll want to check hours in advance, but if your trip overlaps with a Saturday or Sunday, Bellows is an excellent alternative.
Makapuʻu Beach and Baby Makapuʻu: For adventure or calm.
Just beyond Waimanalo lies the rugged and scenic Makapuʻu area. The main Makapuʻu Beach is more suited for bodyboarding and experienced swimmers, but right next to it is a protected little cove often referred to as “Baby Makapuʻu.”
It’s not a Lanikai lookalike, but it does offer calm, clear water in a dramatic setting with tide pools and coastal cliffs. It’s also very accessible, with parking available at the Makapuʻu lookout and a short walk down.
Visitors who have been disappointed by the crowds at Lanikai often find this area refreshing, both visually and emotionally.
The bigger picture: A shift in how Hawaii handles tourism.
Lanikai isn’t the first beach to tighten access, and it won’t be the last. Similar moves have already happened at Haena on Kauai, Waipio Valley on the Big Island, and most recently at Makena on Maui.
These closures and restrictions reflect a growing effort to mitigate visitor impact, protect sensitive environments, and address concerns of residents.
For travelers, that means flexibility is more important than ever. The beach you saw on Instagram may not be the one you can easily visit anymore. But the upside is that Hawaii still offers dozens of incredible places where you can have a better, more relaxed experience—if you’re willing to look beyond the obvious.
Sometimes, skipping the most famous beach leads to the most memorable day.
What are your thoughts about Lanikai Beach and the changes proposed?
Get Breaking Hawaii Travel News
Was this article written by a Lanikai resident?
Overtourism is happening all over the world now. We have to change our mindset and what we’re doing. Stay home, Work out, Compete in some activity, find things to do that don’t attract other people.
Correct names for Lanikai and Sherwoods are Ka’ōhao and Hūnānāniho, respectively. We used to be able to park on the street when visiting friends and family in Ka’ōhao. Cannot anymore because it’s overrun with tourists. I would propose banning beach parking, period –keeping street parking for residents and their guests only, while increasing buses to every 30 minutes.
Lanikai is a special place. Let the locals have it during the day. I will enjoy in the evening, illuminated in a full moon, with summer tradewinds rustling through the leaves.
There’s already no where to park at Kailua Beach Park and other beaches listed do not compare in one way or another. For a state that relies so heavily on tourism, the continual anti tourism moves are counterproductive. Mismanagement of funds then expecting visitors to keep emptying their pockets is not sustainable.
I live in a tourism-heavy city and understand the frustrations that come with “outsiders” who flood the city and its offerings, but there’s a better way to balance tourism with the needs of locals if the motivation is genuine…
True. They’re happy to take my money, but don’t want me. I’m a “light” tourist–I clean up after myself, am quiet, respectful of local culture, and follow the “take only pictures, leave only footprints” philosophy. It’s disappointing to receive disdain from residents.
In the early 2000s I brought a friend to show him Oahu. We went to Lanka before hoards of tourists appeared in this peaceful enclave. Lots of parking and nobody at the beach. Then the internet opened the gates. So happy I was able to show him the real Hawaii. I will be returning in the fall to see family but I will never again visit the parts of Oahu that have
been ruined. Too many wonderful memories of growing up In Hawaii. The internet has ruined so many beautiful areas on our planet. Americans are generally disliked simply because of bad manners and the state of our current government. Aloha.
Paid parking meters? A trolley? Inconvenience tourists so they go to the next beach down the road. Paid meters also present fines for expired parking times. Money for the trolley. Money for a parking meter. IMO other beaches that don’t impose this will be more crowded and this controlled crowd tourist thing is really getting old. Not only does the reservation system structure people when to go and how to go so does this fee for parking and taking a trolley does the same. If Hawaii uses this to takfrone tourist’s away from beaches then what’s left? Close most hiking trails and such. IMO just a money grab again and a reminder that tourist’s must pay or not be welcomed. What next will Hawaii do to nickel and dime the tourist?
Thank you for not naming my favorite beach.
There are No Bathrooms between waimanalo beach park and Sherwood Forest. I often seen people going to the bathroom in the bushes, the sea and it smells. Also, No parking. The least the state can do is to put portable bathrooms ..