Lanikai Beach
7.1Friend Score / 10#10 of 10 Beaches in Honolulu
Known forlanikai beachwhite sand beachturquoise watermokulua islands
Powder sand, turquoise water, and the twin Mokulua islands offshore — Lanikai is as beautiful as the postcards claim. But be straight with yourself about 2026: Honolulu has permanently banned parking on the Lanikai loop roads, so plan to park at Kailua Beach Park and walk or bike in through the public access paths.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | TheBus routes 67/671 to Kailua town, then a bike, rideshare, or roughly 30-40 minute walk; most practical is parking at Kailua Beach Park and walking about 15-20 minutes |
| Time needed | Half a day including the Kailua approach |
| Best time to go | Sunrise — Lanikai faces east and it's world-class; weekdays over weekends, always |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.1/10- Value7.0
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.0
- Authenticity8.5
- Accessibility3.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Lanikai Pillbox hike nearby?
- Yes — the Ka'iwa Ridge (Pillbox) trailhead is off Ka'elepulu Drive in the same neighborhood, a short, steep climb to WWII bunkers with knockout views over the Mokes. Same parking reality applies: walk in from Kailua side.
- Is Lanikai Beach free and open to the public?
- Yes — all beaches in Hawaii are public. Access is through marked public walkways between beachfront homes off Mokulua Drive; please use those paths and don't cut through yards.
- Is Lanikai good for swimming and kayaking?
- The water is usually calm, clear, and gorgeous for swimming — the offshore reef tames most surf. Kayakers paddle out to the Mokulua Islands (about a mile); land only on Moku Nui, and only on the beach, since both are seabird sanctuaries.
- When is Lanikai least crowded?
- Weekday mornings, hands down — and sunrise is the magic hour anyway since the beach faces east. Weekends and holidays bring crowds and the strictest parking enforcement.
- Can I still park at Lanikai Beach?
- Effectively no — as of 2026 the city's transportation plan permanently bans parking on Mokulua Drive and A'alapapa Drive, restricts cross streets 10am-4pm, and bans neighborhood parking entirely on holidays. Park at Kailua Beach Park near the boat ramp and walk or bike the last stretch.
- Does Lanikai have restrooms or lifeguards?
- No — no facilities, no lifeguards, no showers at Lanikai itself. Use the restrooms and showers at Kailua Beach Park before you walk over; it's part of why Kailua is the smarter base.
- Lanikai or Kailua Beach — which is better?
- Lanikai wins on pure beauty; Kailua wins on everything practical — parking, restrooms, lifeguards, food nearby, more room. My honest play: base at Kailua Beach Park and walk to Lanikai for a couple of hours.
- How do I get to Lanikai from Waikiki?
- Drive over the Pali Highway to Kailua (30-40 minutes), park at Kailua Beach Park, then walk 15-20 minutes or rent a bike in Kailua town. TheBus 67 gets you to Kailua but the last leg is on you.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Kailua Beach ParkBeach1.38 km · 17 min walk
- KailuaNeighborhood2.58 km · 32 min walk
- Bellows Field Beach ParkBeach3.91 km · 49 min walk
- Kailua Town Farmers' MarketMarket4.55 km · 57 min walk
- Nu'uanu Pali LookoutAttraction8.57 km · 107 min walk
Where to stay near Lanikai Beach
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