Waimanalo Bay is the longest stretch of white sand beach on Oahu — about five miles from end to end — backed by the Ko’olau Mountains and facing open ocean. Sherwood Beach (officially Waimanalo Bay Beach Park) is the northern section of that stretch, and it’s the quietest, shadiest, and most overlooked part of one of the island’s most spectacular coastlines.
Avoid the Crowds at Sherwood Beach — Even on a Weekend
I’m a little spoiled when it comes to beaches. My family photo sessions are scheduled around crowds – early morning with its warm golden light or off-the-beaten-path beaches in the evening. Either way, we normally have a good amount of space to ourselves. So when it comes to family beach days, I struggle to adjust to the crowds in my favorite spaces. Enter Sherwood Beach.
If I’m feeling particularly ambitious and want to visit a popular or small beach like Paradise Cove, I try to drag everyone out to the beach early, but I often fail. It’s not them, it’s me. Despite regularly encouraging my clients to meet me at the crack of dawn for photos, I’m not a morning person. So on those, sunny afternoons, when the entire island seems to be at the beach already, we head to Sherwood Beach in Waimanalo.
There’s enough beach to go around — five miles of it. And because people tend to congregate near parking spaces, you can walk five minutes and find your own bit of peace and quiet.
Our favorite spot is at the junction where Waimānalo and Bellows beaches meet. There’s a little stream, a jumble of boulders that are genuinely fun to play on, ample shade, and perfect hammock trees with a sweeping view of the beach and the Ko’olaus behind it.
A Bit of Fishing at Sherwood Beach
My kids rarely want to go to the beach these days. When we go, they often avoid the water and look for opportunities to steal our hammocks instead.
However, if we bring a fishing pole — and some cheese (did you know fish like cheese?) — they’ll happily spend the day catching hungry tilapia in the stream. And we can enjoy our hammocks with a view.
Planning Your Visit to Sherwood Beach
Sherwood Beach is located in the town of Waimānalo, about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. The sand is soft and golden, the water clear and turquoise — and unlike the windward beaches further north, the shore break here is steeper and more energetic. That makes conditions more challenging for very little kids, but genuinely great for body boarding and body surfing.
Access is easy — three parking areas and two bathrooms with showers. It gets busy on weekends and holidays, but walk five minutes north toward Kailua and you’ll find your own stretch.
Portuguese man o’ war
On windy days, watch for Portuguese man o’ war — a marine creature commonly mistaken for a jellyfish. Their long, bluish-purple tentacles sting on contact, leaving a red welt. If you’re stung, rinse with sea water (not fresh water) and carefully remove any tentacles — a credit card works well to scrape the skin. Pain usually subsides in about 15 minutes. Some people have an allergic reaction, so seek immediate help if you have any trouble breathing.
What to Pack for Sherwood Beach (a local’s honest take)
Less is more. The longer the beach, the further you might walk — keep it simple.
The non-negotiables: Water. Always. And snacks if you have little kids who will absolutely ruin a perfectly good beach day by announcing they’re starving the moment you’ve walked far enough from the car.
For your valuables: minimize them. Car break-ins happen on Oahu — don’t leave anything that looks valuable in the car. Leave it at the hotel if you can, or bring it with you and keep it dry. A Ziploc works fine. A dry bag works better if you’re getting in the water.
For shade: the ironwood trees along the shore provide good natural shade if you find a spot under them. If you want to set up your own, skip the umbrella — the windward coast will eat it. A sandbag-weighted pop-up tent is the only thing that reliably holds here.
On sunscreen: most drugstore sunscreens contain chemicals Hawaii banned in 2021 for damaging coral reefs. Use reef-safe sunscreen and skip the aerosol spray entirely — on a windy beach, everyone around you is inhaling it. The better solution is to avoid the middle of the day and cover up with UV-protective clothing and a hat.
A bodyboard: Sherwood Beach is one of the better shore break spots on the island. Costco sells bodyboards for around $40 and it’s worth every dollar for a day here.
Slippers (flip flops): the ironwood trees that give you all that lovely shade also drop sharp, pointy fruits along the ground. Walking through without shoes is like walking on a carpet of mini pine cones. Protect your feet.
A hammock: the trees at the Bellows junction are genuinely perfect for hammocks. If you have one, bring it. You won’t regret it.
Family Photos at Sherwood Beach
Sherwood is one of my favorite places to photograph families on Oahu, and it doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves. The Ko’olau Mountains as a backdrop, ironwood trees filtering the light, five miles of beach with almost nobody on it — it photographs completely differently from the windward beaches further south, and that variety is the point.
The junction section near the stream is particularly good for families with kids — there’s enough going on (boulders, water, shade, hammock trees) that kids stay interested and you end up with real moments rather than posed ones. Sunrise here through the ironwoods is something I never get tired of.
You can see examples of Sherwood Beach sessions here and here. Or see how a Little Bird Morning Adventure works →
Where to Eat Near Sherwood Beach
- Hawaiian Island Cafe. Hawaiian-owned cafe serving locally roasted coffee, brunch, acai bowls, and daily lunch specials. A genuine local favorite. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
- Kalapawai Cafe and Deli. Offering coffee, sandwiches, fresh fish, and bentos in a fast casual atmosphere.
- Over Easy. If you have time, pop over to neighboring Kailua town for fresh local breakfast, brunch, and lunch. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
If the Surf is Too Rough — Calmer Alternatives Nearby
The shore break at Sherwood’s can be energetic — not ideal for babies and toddlers. If you need something mellower:
- Kaiona Beach. To the right of the beach access is a protected, sandy-bottomed wading area — calm enough for the smallest kids.
- Baby Makapuu. Rocky but worth it — natural oversized tide pools that double as baby pools.
- Bellows Beach. Adjacent and open to the public on weekends. Gentle waves, chill vibe. Military access only on weekdays.
- Lanikai Beach. Calm, clear, gentle drop-off. Perfect for little swimmers who want real ocean water without the shore break (parking can be a challenge).
Add a hike to your beach day
If you have energy to burn, the trails above and surrounding Waimānalo are excellent:
- Makapuu Trails. Take the easy lighthouse stroll and consider adding a visit to the tidepools below or a rugged, mellow beach.
- Maunawili Trail. A stunning 8.7-mile trek along the base of the Ko’olaus from the Pali road to Waimānalo. Commit to this one — it’s not a quick hike, but you can tackle part of it.
- Olomana Trail. 4.5-mile out-and-back with panoramic views of Kailua and Waimānalo. Borderline family-friendly to the first peak on a clear day — not for young kids.
More ideas for Family Fun near Sherwood Beach
- Sea Life Park. Sea Life Park Hawaii is a marine mammal park, bird sanctuary and aquarium in Waimānalo near stunning Makapuʻu Point, north of Hanauma Bay.
- Koko Crater Botanical Garden. Explore the botanical garden tucked inside a volcanic crater. Enjoy a tour of plants from around the world starting at the plumeria garden then to the cactus garden and giant babobs.
Sherwood Beach Waimanalo — Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sherwood Beach good for young kids and toddlers?
It depends on the age and the day. The shore break at Sherwood’s is steeper and more energetic than at Kailua or Lanikai, which makes it excellent for bodyboarding but less ideal for very little kids. If you have babies or toddlers, the junction area near the stream is calmer and has shade — or consider nearby Kaiona Beach or Bellows (weekends only) for gentler water.
How do I find a parking spot at Sherwood Beach?
Sherwood Beach has three parking areas along the park, which is more than most Oahu beaches. It gets busy on weekends and holidays but rarely impossible — and because the beach is five miles long, even a full lot doesn’t mean a crowded beach. Walk five minutes from the car and you’ll find space.
What is Sherwood Beach known for?
Sherwood Beach (officially Waimanalo Bay Beach Park) is known for being the longest white sand beach on Oahu at roughly five miles, backed by the Ko’olau Mountains. It’s popular with locals for bodyboarding, fishing, and hammocking in the ironwood trees — and largely overlooked by visitors, which is exactly what makes it worth knowing about.
Are there bathrooms at Sherwood Beach?
Yes — two bathroom facilities with showers are available within the park. One of the better-equipped public beaches on the windward coast.
Is Sherwood Beach good for family photos?
It’s one of the most underrated photography locations on the island. The Ko’olau Mountains as a backdrop, ironwood trees filtering the light, and five miles of beach with almost nobody on it — sessions here feel completely different from the more popular windward spots. Sunrise through the ironwoods is particularly special. See how a Little Bird Morning Adventure works →
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