Oahu's Best Beaches   For South Seas sun, fun, and surf, Oahu is a dream destination, but first some words of caution: If signs warn of dangerous surf conditions or currents, pay attention. Most beaches have lifeguards. Be aware that the sun here is very strong. No alcoholic beverages are allowed, and no matter which beach you choose, lock your car and never, ever leave your valuables unattended. Waikiki Beaches Kahanamoku Beach. Named for Hawaii's famous Olympic swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, this beach has decent snorkeling and swimming and a gentle surf. Its sandy bottom slopes gradually. The area has a snack concession, showers, a beach-gear and surfboard rental shop, catamaran cruises, and a sand volleyball court. In front of Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki. Ft. DeRussy

Beach. Sunbathers, swimmers, and windsurfers enjoy this beach fronting the military hotel, the Hale Koa, and the U.S. Army Museum. It is one of the widest in Waikiki. It trails off to a coral ocean bottom with fairly good snorkeling sights. The beach is frequented by military personnel but is open to everyone. There are volleyball courts, food stands, picnic tables, dressing rooms, and showers. Fort DeRussy and Hale Koa Hotel, Waikiki. Gray's Beach. This beach is known for two good surfing spots called Paradise and Number Threes just beyond its reef. High tides often cover the narrow beach. Hawaiians used to consider this a place for spiritual healing and baptism and called it Kawehewehe ("the removal"). You'll find food stands, surfboard and beach-gear rental, and canoe and catamaran rides. In front of Halekulani, Waikiki. Kahaloa and Ulukou Beaches. A lot of activities and possibly the best swimming are available along this little stretch of Waikiki Beach. Take a catamaran or outrigger canoe ride out into the bay, unless you're ready to try your skill at surfing at this most popular beach. Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Waikiki. Kuhio Beach Park. This beach is named for Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, a distinguished native statesman who once had his home here on Waikiki's shore. Past the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel, Waikiki. Queen's Surf. A great place for a sunset picnic, this beach is beyond the seawall, toward Diamond Head, at what's known as the "other end of Waikiki." A mix of families and gays gather here. There are good shade trees, picnic tables, and a changing house with showers. Across from entrance to Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki. Sans Souci. Nicknamed Dig-Me Beach because of its outlandish display of skimpy bathing suits, this small rectangle of sand is nonetheless a good sunning spot for all ages. Children enjoy its shallow, safe waters, and the shore draws many ocean kayakers and outrigger canoeists. Makai side of Kapiolani Park, between New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel and Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Oahu Beaches Ala Moana Beach Park. Ala Moana has a protective reef, which keeps the waters calm and perfect for swimming. After Waikiki, this is the most popular beach among visitors. To the Waikiki side is a peninsula called Magic Island, with picnic tables, shady trees, and paved sidewalks ideal for jogging. Ala Moana also has playing fields, changing houses, indoor and outdoor showers, lifeguards, concession stands, and tennis courts. Honolulu, makai side of Ala Moana Shopping Center and Ala Moana Blvd.; from Waikiki take Bus 8 to shopping center and cross Ala Moana Blvd. Bellows Beach. The waves here are great for bodysurfing. Locals come for the fine swimming on weekends, when the Air Force opens the beach to civilians. There are showers, abundant parking, and plenty of spots for picnicking underneath shady ironwood trees. Entrance on Kalanianaole Hwy. near Waimanalo town center. 'Ehukai Beach Park. Ehukai is part of a series of beaches running for many miles along the North Shore. What sets it apart is the view of the famous Banzai Pipeline, where the waves curl into magnificent tubes making it an experienced wave rider's dream. The long, wide, and generally uncrowded beach has a changing house with toilets and an outdoor shower and water fountain. North Shore, 1 mile north of Foodland store at Pupukea. Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park. The winter waves are impressive here, but in summer the ocean is like a lake, ideal for family swimming. The beach itself is big and often full of locals. There is a changing house with showers but no food concessions. North Shore, makai side of Kamehameha Hwy., north of Hale'iwa town center and past harbor. Hanauma Bay. The main attraction here is snorkeling. The coral reefs are visible through the turquoise waters of this sunken volcanic crater. It is a designated marine preserve and closed one day a week to the public. Feeding fish is no longer allowed. The bay is best early in the morning before the crowds arrive. There is a busy food and snorkel-equipment concession on the beach, plus changing rooms and showers. No smoking on the beach. Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Excursions (PHONE: 808/373-5060) run to and from Waikiki. 7455 Kalanianaole Hwy., PHONE: 808/396-4229. COST: Donation $3; parking $1; mask, snorkel, and fins rental $6. Wed.-Mon. 6-6. Kahana Bay Beach Park. Local parents often bring their children to wade in safety at this pretty beach cove with shallow, protected waters. There are changing houses, showers, and picnic tables. Across the highway is Kahana Valley, burgeoning with banana, breadfruit, and mango trees. Windward side of island, makai of Kamehameha Hwy. Kailua Beach Park. Steady breezes attract windsurfers to this long, palm-fringed beach with gently sloping sands. You can rent equipment in Kailua. This is a local favorite, so if you want the beach to yourself, head there on a weekday. There are showers, changing rooms, picnic areas, and a concession stand. Windward side, makai of Kailua town, turn right on Kailua Rd. at market, cross bridge, then turn left into beach parking lot. Kualoa Regional Park. This is one of the island's most beautiful picnic, camping, and beach areas. Grassy expanses border a long, narrow stretch of beach with spectacular views of Kaneohe Bay and the Koolau Mountains. Bring a cooler because no refreshments are sold here. There are places to shower, change, and picnic in the shade of palm trees. Windward side, makai of Kamehameha Hwy., north of Waiahole. Makaha Beach Park. Because it's off the tourist track, this beach provides a slice of local life most visitors don't see. Families string up tarps for the day, fire up hibachis, set up lawn chairs, get out the fishing gear, and strum ukuleles while they "talk story" (chat). The ¼-mile beach has a changing house and showers and is the site of a yearly big-board surf meet. Waianae Coast, 1½ hrs west of Honolulu on H-1 Fwy. and Farrington Hwy., makai side of highway. Makapu'u Beach. Swimming at Makapuu should be attempted only by strong strokers and bodysurfers, because the swells can be overwhelmingly big and powerful. Instead, consider this tiny crescent cove -- popular with locals -- as a prime sunbathing spot. There is a changing house with indoor and outdoor showers. Makai of Kalanianaole Hwy., across from Sea Life Park, 2 miles south of Waimanalo. Malaekahana Beach Park. The big attraction here is tiny Goat Island, a bird sanctuary just offshore. At low tide the water is shallow enough -- never more than waist high -- so that you can wade out to it. Wear sneakers so you don't cut yourself on the coral. Families love to camp in the groves of ironwood trees at Malaekahana State Park. There are changing houses, showers, and picnic tables. Note that the entrance gates are easy to miss because you can't see the beach from the road. Windward side, entrance gates are makai of Kamehameha Hwy., ½ mile north of Laie. Sandy Beach. Strong, steady winds make "Sandy's" a kite-flyer's paradise. But the shore break is vicious here, and this beach has a reputation as one of the leading sites for injury to those who lack knowledge of how to handle rough surf. Do not swim here. Sandy's is a popular spot for the high school and college crowd. There's a changing house with indoor and outdoor showers but no food concessions. Makai of Kalanianaole Hwy., 2 miles east of Hanauma Bay. Sunset Beach. This is another link in the chain of North Shore beaches that extends for miles. It is popular for its gentle summer waves and crashing winter surf. Lining the adjacent highway there are usually carryout truck stands selling shaved ice, plate lunches, and sodas. North shore, 1 mile north of Ehukai Beach Park on makai side of Kamehameha Hwy. Waimanalo Beach Park. Boogie boarders and bodysurfers enjoy the predictably gentle waves of this beach. The lawn at Waimanalo attracts hundreds of local people who set up minicamps for the weekend, complete with hibachis, radios, lawn chairs, coolers, and shade tarps. You can walk a mile along the shore for fantastic windward and mountain views. The grassy, shady grounds have picnic tables and shower houses. Windward side, look for signs makai of Kalanianaole Hwy., south of Waimanalo town. Waimea Bay. Made popular in that old Beach Boys song "Surfin' U.S.A.," Waimea Bay is a slice of hang-ten heaven and home to king-size 25- to 30-ft winter waves. Summer is the time to swim and snorkel in the calm waters. The beach is a broad crescent of soft sand backed by a shady area with tables, a changing house, and showers. North shore across from Waimea Valley, 3 miles north of Hale'iwa on makai side of Kamehameha Hwy. Yokohama Bay. You'll be one of the few outsiders at this Waianae Coast beach at the very end of the road. It feels and looks remote and untouched, which may explain its lack of crowds. Locals come here to fish and swim in waters that are calm enough for children in summer. Bring provisions, because the nearest town is a 15-minute drive away. There's a changing house and showers, plus a small parking lot, but most folks just pull over and park on the side of the bumpy road. Waianae Coast, northern end of Farrington Hwy. about 7 miles north of Makaha.