Sherwood Beach Oahu | Solitude by the Sea in Waimanalo

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.

Is Sherwood Beach the longest stretch of beach on Oahu? If not, it sure feels like it. There’s enough beach to go around. And because people tend to congregate near parking spaces, you can walk 5 minutes or so and find your own bit of peace and quiet.

We love the spot at the junction of Waimanalo and Bellows beaches. There, you can find a little stream and a jumble of boulders that are fun to play on. More importantly, there is ample shade and perfect hammock trees with a sweeping view of the beach.

A Bit of Fishing at Sherwood Beach

I’m not sure if the pandemic is wearing on them or if it’s just a phase, but the 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 Trip to Sherwood Beach

Sherwood Beach is located in the town of Waimanalo about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki. This beach is known for its natural beauty, soft golden sands, and clear turquoise waters. The shore break is steeper here than in Kailua Bay making conditions more challenging for little kids. However, these same conditions are great for body boarding or body surfing!

Access to Sherwood Beach is easy with three parking areas and two bathrooms with showers. It can get crowded on weekends and holidays, but you can simply walk 5 minutes up the beach towards Kailua for your own space.

Portuguese man o’ war

On windy days, look out for Portuguese man o’ war – a marine creature that is commonly mistaken for a jellyfish. Their long, bluish-purple tentacles sting if they touch you, leaving a red welt. If you’re stung, rinse with sea water (not fresh water!) and carefully remove any tentacles. A credit card is useful to gently scrape the skin. That’s about all you can do until the pain subsides in about 15 minutes. A hot soak, pain medicine can be helpful if its still bothering you. Some people have an allergic reaction so seek immediate help if you have trouble breathing.

Sherwood Beach Packing List:

A few suggestions to help you make the most of your beach day –

1. Reef-safe Sunscreen – Did you know that some sunscreen ingredients are highly damaging to coral reef ecosystems and exposure has been linked to coral bleaching and coral DNA damage? That’s why Hawaii banned the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone and octocrylene in 2021. P.S., most of these chemicals are bad for humans as well and have been banned in other countries. What to do? Keep yourself covered with UV protective clothing and if you must, use reef safe sunscreen (Hawaiian Tropic and other companies have faced allegations of misrepresenting its sunscreens as “reef friendly” even when they contain harmful chemicals).
2. A trusty Dry Bag – Keep your valuables and electronics snug, dry, and sand-free. The dry bags low key cousin – Ziploc bag – also does the same job. Either way, wrap valuables in a towel and tuck under a beach chair in the shade to keep them out of the sun.
3. Shade. The beaches on the windward side are often too windy for umbrellas. You can sit back against the trees for shade or bring a beach-friendly option like this.
4. Bodyboard. Stop at Costco for a $40 body board and spend the day catching wave after wave.
5. Slippers (aka flip-flops). Ironwood trees dominate much of the coastline at Sherwood beach. These Australian behemoths drop sharp, pointy fruits. It’s like walking on a carpet of mini pine cones, so protect your feet.

Add ‘Family Photos’ to Your Vacation To-Do List (Trust Me on This One)

You’ve already got the perfect beach on Oahu—now let’s make some magic. If you’ve ever thought family beach photos meant forced smiles and stiff poses, think again. At Sherwood Beach, we trade chaos for calm, crowds for coconut trees, and awkward for actually fun. This spot feels like a secret—quiet, wild, and just remote enough to let your guard down. It’s the kind of place where your kids can run barefoot, you can breathe a little deeper, and I can capture your family just as they are: joyful, messy, and wonderfully real. Let’s turn your family beach day into a memory you’ll want to hang on the wall. See examples of Oahu family photo sessions at Sherwoods here, here, and here. Click here to learn more about our photo sessions.

Look for for Family-friendly ideas beyond Sherwood Beach?

There is more to explore when you tire of this picturesque and serene stretch of shoreline.

Post Beach Eateries

• Hawaiian Island Cafe. Hawaiian owned cafe serving locally roasted coffee and espresso drinks, brunch, acai bowls and daily lunch specials – a 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.

Alternatives to Sherwood Beach

The surf and shore break at Sherwoods can be rough. If you have babies or toddlers and prefer something mellow you can try one of these mellow options. it’s like a protected, sandy-bottomed swimming pool!

• Kaiona Beach. To the right of the beach access is a protected, sandy-bottomed swimming/wading area.
• Baby Makapuu. A rocky alternative, but seek out the natural, oversized tidepools which double as baby pools.
• Bellows Beach. If you’re a military family or it’s the weekend, visit this adjacent beach for chill vibes and gentle waves.
• Lanikai Beach. Typically sandy, calm and clear with a gentle drop off making it perfect for little swimmers.

Add a hike to your beach day

If you have energy to burn, head mauka for the trails above and surrounding Waimanalo –

• 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 that stretches along the base of the Koolaus from the Pali road to Waimanalo.
• Olomana Trail. A 4.5-mile out-and-back trail with panoramas of Kailua and Waimanalo.This one is borderline family-friendly and that’s to the first peak on a good weather day.

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.

For more inspiration on Oahu family fun sign up for the Little Bird Post below! You’ll receive monthly ideas on off-the-beaten-path family fun.