Best Kids Beaches Oahu | Dramatic Castles Beach in Kailua

Uncover the Best Kids Beaches in Kailua, Oahu: Your Guide to an Unforgettable Family Experience

You might be surprised how quickly beach deprivation can take hold. We found this out the hard way when, after almost a week without sand under our feet, our kids were getting unreasonably cranky. They can spend hours at the beach lost in worlds of make believe and feats of engineering. Fortunately, we live a short drive from the beach access to Castles at the quiet, northern tip of Kailua Beach. We make the 10-minute drive regularly so the beach feels like a second home. But life gets in the way and a week had passed without making the trip.

Getting to Kailua’s Beast Beach: Castles Beach

Castles Beach lacks it’s own parking lot like Kailua Beach Park and Kalama Beach Park to the south. to get there, park in the neighborhood at North Kalaheo and Kailuana Place and walk to the access point along North Kalaheo. The walk will take about 10 minutes, mostly along a sandy path. If possible bring a wagon to easily transport gear and kids. Otherwise pack light and you can get most of the way to the beach with a stroller.

Castles Beach: Volatile moods

Castles Beach is as moody as a toddler. Over the winter months, angry waves eat away the shoreline to the foot of the dunes leaving a narrow, often steep, walking path. Those same waves uproot large swaths of limu (algae) and deposit it along this nook of the bay. As a result, the turbulent water and earthy smell makes the beach feel wild and untamed.

On a bright, low wind day, however, it feels like a different beach. A cool onshore breeze keeps you comfortable while you lounge lazily along the shore making drip castles or navigating smooth, clear waters on a paddlelboard.

Tide matters as well. During low tide, a shallow expanse of water extends far into the sea leaving a natural splash pad behind. These are my favorite conditions to visit and to photograph families – especially at sunrise with its golden reflections.

Things to do At Kailua’s Best Beaches

Plunge into the vibrancy of Kailua’s top-rated beaches with the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and family time. Now, the question is, what’s on your Kailua beach bucket list?

Capture Memories with Little Bird’s Family Photo and Video Adventures

The laughter of your children as your family dives into foamy waves, their hand in yours as you run along the shore: these are the photos that really matter. With Little Bird’s family photo and video adventures, you’ll return home with more than memories. Enjoy professionally captured shots and high-resolution videos documenting your joyful adventures on Kailua’s best beaches.

Indulge in a Beach side Picnic

Swap restaurant dining for a sand-between-your-toes picnic at the beach. Assemble your family’s favorite treats, add some tropical fruits from local markets, and enjoy all while your feet play in warm sand. Keep an eye out for rainbows arching across the sky.

If you want to keep it easy, pick up ready-made food at Kapalawai Market, Whole Foods, or Foodland (poke bowls and bentos!). Or, you can even go the easiest route and pickup a pizza from nearby Boston’s pizza.

What to do at Castles beach

Castles Beach is a little less convenient to access and it’s reported in few tourist guides so it remains a quiet, local beach. On weekday mornings you’ll be greeted with the occasional runner or walker who covers the entire stretch of Kailua Beach (it’s tradition to touch the rocks at the tip before heading back). On weekends, families and teens will congregate to talk, picnic, and play along the shore. There is usually enough surf to bodyboard but nearby Kalama Beach Park is a better option with its bigger shorebreak and a life guard tower.

When the surf is up, Castles is one of the only places in Kailua to surf (the other options are next to Flat Island and between the Mokes). The surf is gentle and small (when it exists) making it ideal for beginners and families. I’ve even seen some surfing dogs on the break.

As Castles is located on the windward side of Oahu, it’s usually windy. And wind brings choppy seas which are not super fun for stand up paddling. However, if you luck out with a low wind day, it’s a lovely spot to paddleboard. If you like to explore, head north and up the canal here. Sea turtles regularly congregate along the mouth and edges of the canal to rest in the evening. I’ve seen rays and sharks here as well!

Walking down the beach access path. Grumpy kids about to undergo a major transformation.

This is her best sea turtle impression.

“come uppa mama!” and we’re through.

Family Fun Beyond Kailua’s Beaches

Check out the details on popular beach access points for families along the length of Kailua Beach here. Another great family beach with a change of scenery, Kaiona Beach, is a short drive down the coast. For more great beaches and family fun, sign up for the Little Bird Post below.