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Oʻahu

Is Ala Moana Beach Park worth it?

Worth itUnderrated · +12119-acre city beach park with a mile of calm, reef-protected water and Magic Island lagoon
Ala Moana Beach Park
Jayne Cloutier · Google Maps
Ala Moana Beach Park
Simon Hurry · Google Maps
Ala Moana Beach Park
Ken Kroehler · Google Maps
Ala Moana Beach Park
Atsushi A_ · Google Maps
Ala Moana Beach Park
Learned Gonzales · Google Maps

Worth it. Consistently praised for calm water and space; minuses are rocky patches, the drop-off and occasional homeless campers.

Hype59How famous and hyped it is
Reality71Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
The gap+12UnderratedHow we score
4.6 ★ Google · 7,220 reviews4.3 Tripadvisor · 2,024— hypegap votes · be one of the first

Been to Ala Moana Beach Park? Was it worth it?

One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.

Is it worth it for you?

Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 families with kids vote

Calm water, lifeguards, grass, showers and shade; the Magic Island lagoon is the gentlest spot. Watch the drop-off.

Why Reality is 71

Lives up to its fame4/5Consistently praised for calm water and space; minuses are rocky patches, the drop-off and occasional homeless campers.
Value for money5/5Free entry and free parking for a well-equipped, lifeguarded beach with showers and calm water; reviewers rate it 4.6 on 7,000+ reviews.
Can’t get it elsewhere2/5A very good city beach park, but calm sandy water is available at Waikīkī and Ko Olina too; scenery is urban rather than iconic.
Easy to do4/5About 10 minutes from Waikīkī with free lots, though they fill by mid-morning on weekends and break-ins are a known risk.

What people loved

Calm, reef-protected water with hardly any waves; good for swimming and stand-up paddlingFree parking, restrooms, many outdoor showers and lots of shade and grass for picnicsLess crowded and more local than Waikīkī Beach, yet only minutes awayMagic Island lagoon and walking path give sunset and Waikīkī skyline viewsFriday-night Hilton fireworks over Waikīkī are visible from the park

What wore them down

Sudden drop-off into a deep channel catches weak swimmers off guardRocky, coral patches in the middle and west sections; water shoes helpHomeless people are sometimes on the beach, per reviewers; guides advise leaving before darkCar break-ins happen in the lots; lots fill fast on weekendsMcCoy Pavilion's Banyan Courtyard is still under construction until about spring 2027

Know before you go

See something out of date? Fix it right here.

Booking: No reservation for beach use; permits only for organized events, group picnics of 50+ or reserved facilities.

EntryFree public city parkSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Hours4:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. daily; closed overnightSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Size119 acres, including 47-acre Magic Island (ʻĀina Moana); mile-long sandy beachSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ParkingFree lots and street parking; lots fill by mid-morning on weekends and holidaysSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
LifeguardsLifeguard towers staffed dailySource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Water hazardBottom drops quickly into a 20–30 ft dredged channel; strong currents possible on the west-side channelSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
From Waikīkīabout 10 min by car, or a 25–30 min walkSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
  • Monday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday: 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM

In their words

“Gentle waves before the break, great for kids. Can be rocky in certain areas so watch your feet or wear swim shoes.”
S K C · Google review · 6 months ago
“The only thing to watch out for is sometimes there are homeless on the beach, but they generally they won’t bother you.”
S K C · Google review · 6 months ago
“Great place to BBQ swim and watch the fireworks on Friday at 7:45 pm.”
Arthur James · Google review · 3 months ago
“A large park with lots of room. The lagoon at the end makes for a pleasant swim, skin dive, even beginning scuba.”
Stephen Smith, MA, DC · Google review · 4 months ago

Tips from people who went

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Questions people ask

Is parking free at Ala Moana Beach Park?

Yes. The park has free lots and free street parking, but lots fill by mid-morning on weekends and holidays, so arrive before about 9 a.m.

Is Ala Moana Beach good for kids?

Yes for calm water, lifeguards and facilities, but the bottom drops quickly into a 20–30 ft channel, so keep kids close. Magic Island lagoon is gentler.

What time does Ala Moana Beach Park close?

The park is open 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and closed overnight.

Can you walk to Ala Moana Beach from Waikīkī?

Yes, about 25–30 minutes along Ala Moana Boulevard, or about 10 minutes by car.

Is Ala Moana Beach Park safe?

It is lifeguarded and widely used by families during the day. Guides warn of car break-ins and advise leaving after dark.

Better fits, according to people who went

Kailua Beach — photo by Hiroyuki HayafuneWorth itReality 71 0Kailua Beach★ 4.8Windward · BeachA more scenic windward beach if you have a car and half a day.Ko ʻOlina Lagoons — photo by mightydoWorth it if…Reality 60 +41Ko ʻOlina Lagoons★ 4.6Leeward · BeachEven calmer man-made lagoons on the west side for small kids.Waikīkī Beach — photo by Wahab KayondoWorth it if…Reality 54 −20Waikīkī Beach★ 4.6Honolulu & Waikīkī · BeachWalkable from hotels with surf lessons and rentals, but more crowded.Pearl Harbor — photo by Christopher WilkinsonWorth itReality 90 −2Pearl Harbor★ 4.8Honolulu & Waikīkī · HistoryNPS memorial to the 1941 attack, with museums and a boat to the USS Arizona Memorial

Sources

Verdict by The Hype Gap editors. No one paid for it. Facts checked Oct 16, 2026. How we score · Standards