Avoid Waikiki's Crowds At Hawaii's Breathtaking Beach With Stunning Water And Snorkeling

Hawaii, the Aloha State, is alive with verve and beauty. Its volcanic islands rise from the Pacific Ocean, where active lava flows still sculpt the land, adding acres to its shores. The most famous beaches in Hawaii delight and lure in travelers with their unique white, pink, red, black, and even green sands. Dense and lush rainforests hide hikes to magical waterfalls like Rainbow and Akaka falls, and popular trails lead to Diamond Head's crater or Kokohead's lookout for brilliant viewpoints and panoramic vistas. Oahu's North Shore churns with legendary surf breaks at places like Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline, and the state's coffee plantations are prized possessions, the only ones in the US.

This mix of tropical brilliance draws millions, clogging hotspots like Waikiki Beach, with over four million visitors yearly. The chaos can overwhelm those searching for a quiet spot to lay their towel. With crowds, noise, difficult parking, and no room to relax, it might not be a great spot if you're searching for a serene holiday get-away. If you crave a beach escape with more solitude, Kaimana Beach should be your answer. Just a ten minute drive from the frenzy of Waikiki Beach, this gem and local favorite has calm waters, soft sands, and quiet, delivering Hawaii without the frenzied mob. 

Kaimana Beach, also known as Sans Souci, French for 'without a care,' is located at Waikiki's eastern edge near Diamond Head on the island of Oahu. It almost feels like a secret. Its wide, powdery sand stretches generously, a contrast to Waikiki Beach that is narrower and packed like sardines. Gentle waves lap the beach that are calmed by the wide offshore reef, creating a peaceful lagoon perfect for families. The shallow and sandy ocean floor invites kids to splash without worry. Swimmers can enjoy taking laps in the Kapua Channel, a calm corridor of ocean water situated in-between the reefs.

The beach is known as one of the best places to go snorkeling in Waikiki, as the shallow waters surrounding the reef offshore provide an exciting snorkeling opportunity for all levels of experience. Don't forget to protect and conserve coral reefs when snorkeling. Schools of parrotfish in bright rainbow hues dart about, alongside butterflyfish and their beautiful tails, and if luck strikes, visitors might catch the striking yellow and black Hawaiian triggerfish, the state's official fish. Spotting a seal monk isn't unheard of, and these federally protected mammals can heighten the magic of this slice of sand. 

The Kaimana Beach Hotel is situated on the shore, and has a public beachfront restaurant, The Hau Tree, to enjoy. The Hau Tree serves up casual beachside fare, perfect for a sunset meal or a quick bite mid-day in-between snorkeling expeditions. There are also picnic tables dotting the beach for those who desire to barbecue or bring their own lunches. Other amenities of the beach include restrooms, fresh water showers, and a lifeguard on duty. The beach's soft hum made from quiet waves, and rustling palms, offers a peace not regularly found in bustling Waikiki Beach.

Kaimana Beach carries historical stories much deeper than its waters. On December 28, 1902, a steamship called the Silvertown anchored here, dragging with it a cable from San Francisco through the Kapua Channel to shore. This was the very first telegraphic link between Hawaii and the US mainland. Its first message was sent to President Theodore Roosevelt on January 1, 1903. Though this method of communication has since been left behind, remnants of the cable still linger on the ocean floor for intrepid snorkelers interested in seeing history with their own eyes.

Right next to the beach stands the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, a saltwater pool built in 1927 in honor and remembrance of the 10,000 Hawaiians who served in World War I, including the 101 who sadly perished during their service. This "living memorial," a 100-by-40 meter pool, is currently closed to the public but remains a striking sight from Kaimana Beach. It's still used for memorial services and festivals, and if you are visiting during Memorial or Veterans Day, you might be able to attend a service at the Natatorium.

Kaimana Beach is a place where history and nature merge. Offering some of the prettiest waters in the world, a quiet peace alongside a nod to those who have made this peace possible.