Ko Olina Lagoons
Kapolei, HI
Ko Olina carved four small, crescent shaped lagoons out of the Kapolei coastline, each protected from open ocean swell by rock breakwaters that keep the water almost pool flat year round. Resorts line three of the four, but the lagoons themselves stay public, and locals mix easily with hotel guests on the sand.
About as calm and kid safe as ocean swimming gets on Oahu, but the small lots at three of the four lagoons fill early, and the resort setting means it never feels like a hidden local spot.
How we score beachesLagoon 4, Ulua, is the only one with no resort directly on it and has the biggest public lot, restrooms, and showers, making it the easiest of the four for a day visit.
Free public parking is available sunrise to sunset, first come first served. Lagoon 4's lot is by far the largest, while lots at Lagoons 1 through 3 are small and fill fast.
Paved paths connect the lots to each lagoon, flat and easy, good for strollers.
Calm nearly every day of the year thanks to the breakwaters, making this one of the most reliable swimming spots on the island regardless of season.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Kohola (Lagoon 1)
The northernmost lagoon, fronted by the Four Seasons and Aulani resorts, with a small public lot that fills first.
Parking: A small lot holds well under 20 cars and fills early.
Local tip: Come right at sunrise for the best shot at a spot.
Get directions →Honu (Lagoon 2)
A quieter middle lagoon fronted by the Beach Villas, with turtles that graze the near shore rocks often enough to earn the lagoon its name.
Parking: A small lot serves the lagoon, similarly limited to the others besides Lagoon 4.
Local tip: Check the rocky edges at the lagoon's mouth for turtles before you swim past them.
Get directions →Naiʻa (Lagoon 3)
The smallest of the four lagoons, tucked between Honu and Ulua, with a narrower stretch of sand than its neighbors.
Parking: A small lot serves the lagoon, often full by mid morning.
Local tip: This lagoon is the easiest to walk to from Lagoon 4's larger lot if that one's full.
Get directions →Ulua (Lagoon 4)
The only lagoon without a resort directly on it, with the largest public lot, restrooms, and showers, making it the default choice for locals and day visitors alike.
Parking: The largest lot of the four, holding roughly 100 cars, though it still fills on weekends and around sunset.
Local tip: This is the easiest lagoon for a full day visit, given the restrooms and showers the other three lack.
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