Best Oahu Family Beach | A Bit of Paradise in Koolina

Looking for the Best Oahu Family Beach?

Okay, I hear you. You want to know where to find the best Oahu family beach. Cut out all the nonsense and direct you straight to paradise. I like your style. But what would the “best Oahu family beach” even look like?

I’ll share some details of my top attributes and you decide if it matches your vision of the perfect family beach. Okay, here it goes –

• A small cove protected from big waves
• Shallow, easy entry with a sandy-bottom
• Palm trees swaying overhead with views of the leeward coast in the distance
• Tide pools for tiny adventures to explore
• Easy (although not super diverse) snorkeling (great for beginners!)
• Easy access – a short walk from the parking lot
• A little bit of shade if you’re early
• Frequent visits by sea turtles!

And where is the magnificent beach, you ask? It’s Paradise Cove Beach in Koolina along the leeward coast of Oahu.

A Hidden Treasure

I first learned of this beach a decade ago during a child’s birthday party at adjacent Lanikuhonua. I wandered away from the bubbles and balloons for a bit of quiet and noticed a pristine strip of beach tucked on the other side of the hedges. We returned the very next weekend and fell in love.

Despite our love of this little beach, we don’t go there often as a family. You have to get up early (not a morning person), wait in line for parking (no patience for that), or park at Aulani Resort and pay the hefty $39 parking fee. That one hurts.

A Great Beach for Family Photos

More often, I visit Paradise Cove to photograph other families having fun. It’s become my second office and a beautiful one at that. It’s easy and safe for small kids. There’s a diverse background and a little something for all personality types, but mostly I love the water. It’s my favorite spot to jump in the warm turquoise water and photograph families at play. You can see family photo session at Paradise Cove here, here, and here.

Preparing for Your Beach Visit

Timing + Parking trouble

Visiting Paradise Cove is perfect for little explorers, its usually sunny and calm and small enough so kids can’t wander too far. If you’re staying at one of the nearby hotels in Koolina, walk if possible. Otherwise, we highly recommend getting there early because parking is scarce. There are only 12 public parking spots and 2 handicap parking spots. When they fill up, people queue at the front of the lot and wait (and wait) for someone to leave. I

f that doesn’t sound fun, you can try your luck at the teeny tiny parking lot next to the Four Seasons and make the 5 minute walk to Paradise Cove. But, as the name implies, the lot is very small and also fills up quickly. If those options are full, you don’t want to wait, and you really want to visit Paradise Cove you can pay and park at Disney’s Aulani hotel (roughly $35 for a few hours). Do not try to park in the larger lot for the Paradise Cove luau or at the shopping area. You will get towed and it will be horrible.

Once you secure parking (yay!), you will follow a short, sandy path to the cove. There’s a little bit of shade along the fence, but no bathrooms. They nearest is back at the teeny tiny parking lot or the shopping area.

Paradise Cove Must-Have Packing List

Pack all the essentials for a perfect day at the Cove because once you find parking, you won’t be able to leave and easily return.

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 use reef safe sunscreen.
2. A trusty Dry Bag. Keep your valuables and electronics snug, dry, and sand-free. A dry bag ensures peace of mind while you explore the cove. The dry bags low key cousin – Ziploc bag – also does the same job. Either way, wrap valuables in a towel and tuck under a bush to keep gear out of the sun.
3. Water-resistant Smartphone Case. The cove often has exceptionally clear water making it fun for underwater photos. In the winter months, sea turtles regularly visit the cove to snack on limu and you can grab some photos. They are federally protected so keep your distance and don’t feed them.
4. A dip net and bucket. If you have little kids who love to explore, they will love searching for hermit crabs, sea cucumbers and tiny fish in the tide pools. .
5. Consider snorkel gear. Although it’s a tiny cove, there are fish (and sea turtles) making it a good spot to practice and get comfortable with your gear. If it’s a calm day and you’re a strong swimmer, you can venture into the deep water outside the cove. It’s deep out there so take care and make sure you know how to get back in.

Need More of the Best Oahu Family Beaches?

• If you have young children, babies, or non-swimmers you can find a roundup of all my favorite Oahu family beaches here.
• However, if you’re looking for a snorkel adventure, you can try nearby Electric Beach.
• For more tips and inspiration on island family fun, sign up for the Little Bird Post below!