pronounced BELL-ohs
Three miles of ironwood-backed beach inside the Bellows AFS — public access on weekends + federal holidays only.
NWS forecast for this exact lat/lon — forecasts can change, re-check before you go.
We hand-author beach details from on-the-ground sources. The city dataset (Bellows Field Beach Park) is an official inventory that can lag reality. Worth a cross-check on arrival.
Outdoor showers vary in working order. Don't count on them for a real rinse.
Drinking-water flags vary across datasets and the fountains themselves can be out of service. Refill bottles before you leave home if it matters.
41-43 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Waimānalo, HI 96795
Bellows is a windward standout: long, lightly developed, deep ironwood shade right up to the sand, and consistent small surf that kids 5+ can boogie board on. The catch — it is only open to the public on weekends and federal holidays. Show up Friday evening through Sunday evening or holiday days; otherwise it's closed.
Public side gate opens Friday around 6 AM and closes Sunday/holiday at sunset. Bring everything — concessions are minimal. The ironwood shade is the single best feature for a long beach day with kids. No glass, no fires outside designated grills.
Lifeguarded on public days. The shorebreak is gentler than Sandy or Makapuʻu but stronger than Kailua. Box jellyfish warnings apply on the standard 9-11-day cycle after full moons.
This beach sits in the Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone per Hawai‘i Statewide GIS. If sirens sound or shaking is felt, move inland and uphill immediately. Hawai‘i Emergency Management →
Drive through the gate, park along the beach access roads, walk to the sand. Free.
Several restroom blocks throughout the park, with cold showers.
Excellent — deep ironwood groves come right to the sand. You can spend a whole day without an umbrella.
Saturday morning. Trade winds are calmest before noon. The beach is genuinely uncrowded compared to Kailua.
Accessibility: Paved access into the park; sand access from grass with short drop-down.
Long stretch of fine white sand on the windward coast — quieter than Kailua, with mostly gentle entry.
The Windward family standard — wide white sand, mostly shallow bay water, trade-wind cooling, full park facilities.
Calm shallow reef water with the iconic Mokulua islets view — beautiful but no facilities and strict parking restrictions.