Kalama Beach Park | The best part of Kailua Beach?

TL;DR

Tucked in the middle of Kailua Bay, Kalama Beach Park is a shady, family-friendly stretch of sand with clear turquoise water, gentle waves, and a laid-back local vibe. It’s where residents go for sunrise swims, bodyboarding, and a taste of Kailua without the crowds.

About Kalama Beach Park

Kalama Beach Park is a charming and relatively tranquil beach park located in Kailua on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. As a longtime Kailua resident, I’ve spent a fair amount of time with my family walking, running and playing along the 2.5 mile length of Kailua Beach. Kalama Beach Park (Kalamas), just may be my favorite section of Kailua beach.

Where is Kalama Beach located and how to get there?

• Address: 248 N Kalaheo Ave, Kailua, HI 96734

Kalama Beach Park sits roughly in the middle of Kailua Bay along the windward (east) coast of Oahu. It’s about a 45 minute drive from Waikiki and Koolina. The best way to get there is by car. Although you can take a bus, it will take much longer and you’ll have to spend some time transferring and likely walking. Beware, you can get an Uber/Lyft/taxi ride to Kailua from Waikiki, but it’s much harder to find one to take you back.

What amenities does Kalama Beach Park have?

When you’re visiting the beach with family it’s nice to have some basic amenities to make you more comfortable. Kalama Beach Park has just enough to do the trick.

• Facilities: The park includes restrooms (locked between 6:00 pm and 7:00 am), an outdoor shower, and a grassy lawn surrounding an old, dilapidated house. The house and land was purchased by the city of Honolulu in 1978 for a steal at $150,000 (worth tens of millions today) and is used for community classes like yoga and lei making.
• Parking: There’s a small parking lot available from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, though spaces fill up quickly. The gates close at 6:00 pm and even though the park attendant will try to round up all the drivers and get them out, a few occasionally get locked inside. I’ve almost gotten myself locked into the parking lot at Kaha Park so now, I set an alarm. If you plan to arrive earlier or stay later (or the tiny lot is full), you can usually find parking on Hauoli Street. If that fills up, you can park on Kainalu.
• Lifeguard: In 2024, a lifeguard tower was installed at Kalama Beach making it safer for swimmers and bodyboarders.

Best Times to Visit Kalama Beach

Kalama Beach never gets Waikiki-crowded but there are still great and less than ideal times to visit.

• Crowds. Early morning or weekdays are ideal for avoiding crowds. More locals visit the beach on weekends and over school holidays making them more crowded.
• Beasties. Several days of high wind can bring Portuguese man-o-wars to shore. These bluish-purple floating blobs pack a painful sting. If you see them scattered along the beach and/or signs posted, you may want to stay out.
• Brown water. If the water is brown and murky, you should reconsider. Heavy rains can cause canals at the north and south ends to dump sediments into the bay. Kailua also has issues with its sewage treatment plant overflowing after heavy rains. Fun. If the water looks funky, check for brown water advisories here.
• Bonus. If you’re visiting Kailua on the Fourth of July, you can watch the fireworks from the beach!

A Tour of Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach in general is known for its soft white sand and calm turquoise waters. A barrier reef that sits outside of Kailua Bay protects the coastline from big waves so it remains relatively gentle throughout. Its 2.5 mile length is divided into sections starting with Castles Beach at the northern end and gently curving to Kailua Beach Park in the south. If you skip around the corner it’s punctuated with Lanikai Beach. Although it’s a perfect family beach overall, there are key differences along the length of beach that make a particular section ideal for specific activities.

Kailua Beach Park

At Kailua Beach Park on the south end of the beach, you have more parking and facilities. The park is larger as well making it a popular spot for weekend gatherings and impromptu soccer games. There is the best place to have a picnic, go for a swim in the designated swimming area, or kayak out to Flat Island or the Mokulua Islands. The area behind Kalapawai market (featuring tasty eats) is a designated launch site for wind-based activities like kite-boarding, foil boarding and wind sailing.

Kalama Beach Park – How it stands out in Kailua Beach

Kalamas, in the middle of the bay shares some of the amenities of Kailua Beach Park but in smaller, quieter form. Here’s where it shines –

• Shorebreak: Kalamas often has fun shorebreak that’s perfect for bodyboarding or bodysurfing.
• Shade: Kalamas has more tall, shady trees than most areas of the beach so if you get there early, you can tuck under one.
• Fewer crowds: Kalama Beach Park is more popular with residents than tourists. It’s quieter than Kailua Beach Park – especially on weekdays.
• Clear water: Canals at the north and south end of Kailua Beach often muddy the waters of Kailua Bay after heavy rains. Kalamas, positioned in the middle of the bay tends to stay clearer.
• Water traffic: This part of the beach has almost no kayak, SUP and boat traffic. There are also fewer wind toys here.
• Amenities: You can have all the amenities of Kailua Beach Park (bathrooms, parking, showers, shade, lifeguards) with some fun waves and fewer people.
• Sunrise photos! This spot is wonderful for sunrise. Grab your camera and a coffee and take in the spectacle or better yet, book a photo session and let me take beautiful images. You can see sunrise family photo sessions from Kalama Beach Park here, here, and here.

Castles Beach

Quieter Castles Beach sits at the northern terminus of Kailua Beach. There are no amenities and the walk from the nearest neighborhood parking is long enough to deter most beach-goers. Locals make the trek when the surf is up as it’s best in this section of the bay. If you’re a runner or love long beach walks, it’s worth a visit to take in the bay and mountain views.

Explore More – Nearby Attractions

After a fun day at the beach, you can stop in Kailua Town for tasty eats and local boutiques. Hekili Street and the area around Chad Lou’s (great local coffee) are where you will find most shops.

If you want to continue exploring the windward coast, you can find a choose-your-own-adventure style windward Oahu itinerary here. Or you can try one of these family-friendly windward hikes

FAQ

Where is Kalama Beach Park located?
Kalama Beach Park sits in the heart of Kailua Bay on Oahu’s windward side at 248 N Kalaheo Ave, Kailua, HI 96734—about a 45-minute drive from Waikiki or Ko Olina.

What amenities does Kalama Beach Park have?
You’ll find restrooms, outdoor showers, a grassy lawn with shade trees, a small parking lot (open 7 am–6 pm), and even a lifeguard tower added in 2024.

Is Kalama Beach Park good for families?
Yes! The gentle shorebreak, soft white sand, and shaded lawn make it a perfect spot for kids to play or for families to picnic between dips in the ocean.

When is the best time to visit Kalama Beach Park?
Early mornings or weekdays are best for avoiding crowds. Watch for brown-water advisories after heavy rains and Portuguese man-o-wars after windy days.

Can I see sunrise at Kalama Beach Park?
Absolutely—it’s one of the best sunrise spots on Oahu. Bring coffee and your camera, or book a sunrise photo session with Little Bird Photography to capture the moment.

Is there parking at Kalama Beach Park?
Yes, but space is limited. Arrive early, and don’t get locked in after 6 pm when the gates close. Street parking on Hauoli or Kainalu can also work in a pinch.

Is Kalama Beach Park safe for swimming?
Most days, yes. The bay is protected by an offshore reef, but always check for surf, wind, and man-o-war conditions before swimming.

What else can I do nearby?
Explore Kailua Town’s coffee shops and boutiques, visit Kailua Beach Park for kayaking, or keep driving the windward coast toward Lanikai or Makapuʻu.