Kamehameha Beach on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam — known to everyone on base as Hickam Dog Beach — is one of the best-kept family beach secrets on Oahu. The water is extraordinarily shallow and calm, parking is right there, and the view includes a steady parade of military aircraft, ships, and submarines that entertains kids without any effort on your part. Base access required. No dogs, despite the name.
A Great Family Beach on Base
Many military friends told me to visit Hickam dog beach for one of my “Oahu with Kids” features. They told me it was the perfect beach for kids. The beach sounded lovely but for one problem- I don’t have base access.
Then I had a client request a session at Hickam dog beach. Their family had made a home at Hickam over the past three years and they were about to move. Some of their fondest memories were at this very beach so they wanted to capture a day doing what they loved best.
Why you should visit Hickam Dog Beach
My dear friend Rachael had never been to Hickam dog beach either but she had base access so we planned a morning there with our families. Once we found the correct beach, we settled in and took in our surroundings. It was underwhelming at first but grew on me quickly.
Here’s why –
- You can practically park on the beach. As a parent and photographer, I am forever lugging hefty camera gear, beach toys, water, and snacks along with at least one child. You know how it goes. Your arms will enjoy the easy access.
- The cement slab. It took the kids to show us how much fun a cement slab can be. They happily played on it for hours – jumping off of it, climbing it, dancing on it, dangling, perching, catching fish from it – I don’t even know, but it kept the kids super happy. In fact, all the kids visiting the beach that morning flocked to that strange cement slab.
- Shallow, protected water. It was more like a big lake than an ocean. The tide was going out during our visit and exposed a long sandbar. People walked out onto the flats, playing, and lounging. It’s a beautiful spot for sunset.
- Airplanes, ships, and submarines, oh my! All kids go nuts over these things, right? It was a non-stop parade of vehicles.
- Critters abound. Mangroves grew in a thick, clay mud which was host to interesting crabs and fish, and the kids delighted at exploring the mangroves and catching them.
- Food and drinks on site. There’s now an ocean-front restaurant and beach bar near the beach — reportedly good food at prices that make Waikiki look absurd. Confirmed by recent reviews but check current hours before you go.
Note: this visit was in 2013. The beach is still well-loved by the base community based on recent reviews, but some details may have changed. Worth a scout on your first visit.
Preparing for A trip to Hickam Dog Beach
How to get there
Hickam Dog Beach is located on south Oahu at Hickam Air Force Base. A military ID (or friend to sponsor you) is required for entry.
A quick note on naming: the beach is officially called Kamehameha Beach on base signage and maps, but most people still call it Hickam Dog Beach out of habit. Both names refer to the same spot.
Are dogs allowed at Hickam Dog Beach?
Ironically, the answer is no. What used to be a favorite spot to play with your pets is now off limits to domestic animals due to the adjacent Ahua Reef wetland and the danger dogs pose to endangered waterbirds.
What to pack
Since you can park so close to the beach, you can bring all the things. Or you can go with bare essentials. Some things to consider:
The basics. Water, reef-safe sunscreen, and towels.
For little kids. A dip net and bucket for the mangrove area. There are crabs and small fish worth investigating. The water is so calm and shallow that floats work beautifully here. Grab an oversized pool ring and let the kids drift around without a care.
For the adults. String a hammock between the trees and watch the kids from there. The ironwoods along the beach are well-spaced for it and the plane-watching from a hammock is genuinely excellent.
On sunscreen. Most sunscreen sold at drugstores and grocery stores contains chemicals that damage coral reef ecosystems. Hawaii banned several of them in 2021 for exactly this reason. They’re not great for humans either. Use reef-safe sunscreen, and skip the aerosol spray entirely. Applying it on a windy beach means everyone around you is inhaling it, which is not a gift.
One thing to know. There’s a restaurant and beach bar on site now. You may not need to pack as much food as you think.
Family Photos at Hickam Beach
This was the first beach session I photographed on base and it stuck with me. The light on the south shore, the planes coming in low overhead, the kids losing their minds over submarines. It’s a different kind of session from a windward sunrise. If you’re a military family on Oahu and want to document your time here before a PCS move, I’d love to hear from you.
No Base Access?
My humble apologies to those without base access. I feel your pain, but I have a list of my personal favorite baby and toddler-friendly beaches here.
FAQs
Q: Do you need military ID to visit Hickam Dog Beach?
A: Yes. Kamehameha Beach is on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and requires a valid military ID or a sponsor with base access. Civilians cannot visit without being sponsored by an active duty or retired military member.
Q: Are dogs actually allowed at Hickam Dog Beach?
A: Not at Kamehameha Beach itself — the no-dogs rule has been in place for years due to the adjacent Ahua Reef wetland and the danger dogs pose to endangered waterbirds. The name is a holdover from when dogs were allowed. Fort Kamehameha Beach and Hickam Harbor Beach on base are dog-friendly alternatives with leashes required.
Q: What makes Hickam Dog Beach good for families?
A: Extremely shallow, calm water that’s more like a big lake than an ocean. Easy parking right next to the beach. A non-stop parade of military aircraft, ships, and submarines that keeps kids entertained without any effort. Mangroves for exploring. And almost no tourists.
Q: What are the facilities like at Hickam Dog Beach?
A: Restrooms and showers are available. There’s an ocean-front restaurant and beach bar on base near the beach for food and drinks. Lifeguards are present on weekends.
Q: Is Hickam Dog Beach good for a sunset visit?
A: Yes. The beach faces west and the shallow sandbar that appears at low tide is a beautiful spot for watching the sun go down. It’s a popular evening spot for base residents.
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