Oahu] What is Lanikai Beach like? Thorough explanation of why it is called "heavenly ocean" and its charms.

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Hawaii is very popular among Japanese tourists and is famous as a resort tourist destination!

What is more, nearly 1.5 million Japanese tourists alone visit Hawaii each year.

Hawaii is so popular that many people probably have an image of paradise surrounded by vast nature and beautiful ocean.

Oahu is one of the most popular islands in Hawaii that does not disappoint such expectations.

The island of Oahu belongs to Honolulu County in the state of Hawaii, and the state capital, Honolulu, is about a 20-minute drive from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, where flights from Japan arrive.

It is the most populous island in the state and the third largest island in Hawaii.

It also has 80% of the population of the state of Hawaii, making it an important place for people to live and for Hawaii's government to be based.

 

What is Oahu like?

Oahu is home to many popular tourist attractions such as Diamond Head, Ala Moana Shopping Center, and Waikiki Beach, which attract many tourists from the U.S. and abroad.

It is no exaggeration to say that it is the first place people go to when they travel to Hawaii.

The island is introduced in every Hawaii guidebook in Japan and has such a strong presence that it is inseparable from a trip to Hawaii.

And it is one of the best things about Oahu that it does not disappoint those who actually visit the area based on guidebooks.

It is rare to find a resort area that so well blends the city and nature, with a variety of tourist attractions and huge shopping malls, not to mention the natural beauty of the ocean and beaches.

It is exactly the kind of ideal paradise that everyone envisions.

 

How to get to Oahu

To get to Oahu from Japan, you can take a direct flight or a through flight.

Direct flights are available from major cities such as Tokyo, Kansai, Nagoya, and Fukuoka.

The flight time will be about 7 hours, but please note that the return flight will take longer than the outbound flight due to the prevailing westerly winds.

 

Attractions of Oahu

Oahu is famous for its many tourist attractions, but it is also an island full of many other attractions that attract people.

I will tell you more about the charms of Oahu in an easy-to-understand way.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

When you come to Oahu, the first thing that catches your eye is the vast, beautiful beaches and wilderness.

Waikiki Beach, located in the city center where hotels and other tourist accommodations are concentrated, is always crowded, especially with many tourists.

Although many tourists and cars tend to focus their attention on Waikiki Beach, if you look closely, you will see that the beautiful nature of Hawaii is all around you.

Even in the city, there are lush trees, wide endless beaches with tall palm trees, a straight horizon to the sea, and beautiful sunset beaches at dusk.

Just taking a walk and looking out at the ocean could be an enchanting and dreamy experience.

Also, if you take a short drive or bus ride, you will find many beaches with inlets and rocky shores, each with a completely different atmosphere, so no matter where you go, you can experience the vast nature unique to Hawaii.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

Hawaii itself is recognized as one of the best resort destinations in the world, and many tourists come to enjoy the resorts.

Especially on the island of Oahu, which belongs to Honolulu County, there are many well-known luxury hotels and golf courses, such as the Hilton Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton.

The balconies of many hotels offer spectacular views of the beach and ocean, an environment that is very popular with tourists.

It also has a pool, bar lounge, and gymnasium, so tourists can always enjoy the resort while they are not on the beach.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Shopping and dining are also recommended on Oahu.

There is a wide range of shopping, from the large shopping centers that appear in most guidebooks, such as the Ala Moana Shopping Center, to small markets and stalls run by locals, as well as numerous flea markets.

Outlet malls such as Waikele Premium Outlets are also becoming increasingly popular as places to get high-brand items at bargain prices.

And in between shopping, how about enjoying Hawaii's unique gourmet cuisine?

Seafood dishes such as garlic shrimp are especially popular, but hamburgers are also popular because they are different from those in Japan and have a volume unique to the United States.

There are many pancake stores, famous in Japan as Hawaiian sweets, and they are recommended not only for snack time but also for breakfast.

In addition, there is a vast food court in the shopping mall, where you can enjoy not only Hawaiian cuisine, but also Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines, so it may be fun to try out different restaurants.

There are also numerous restaurants where diners can dine during dinner hours while watching shows such as hula dancing, ukulele, and other spectacular attractions.

Some of the restaurants in the hotel also offer this service, so please try it for yourself!

 

What is Lanikai Beach like?

Although it is tucked away behind an upscale residential neighborhood, Lanikai Beach is stunningly beautiful and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.

Some say that Lanikai Beach is a hidden gem, and I can assure you that it is that beautiful and wonderful.

It does not have the convenience of Waikiki Beach, but for that reason it is a precious place where the natural beauty of Oahu remains unspoiled.

 

Why is it called the Sea of Heaven?

The Hawaiian word lani means "heaven," and combined with the word kai, meaning "ocean," Lanikai Beach is called the "heavenly ocean.

 

Lanikai Beach Attractions

As we have mentioned, Lanikai Beach is a very beautiful and attractive beach that is well worth a visit.

The twin islands of Mokuiki and Mokulua, visible from the beach, are also popular and unique among the many beaches.

If you come to Oahu, be sure to visit Lanikai Beach.

You'll be amazed at the beautiful sights you'll find there.

 

The view is so spectacular that it is called the sea of heaven.

Lanikai Beach is famous for its beauty, with a view that is truly heavenly.

No matter where you take a picture from, the contrast between the white sandy beach and the color of the ocean is striking.

The tall palm trees planted on the beach also add to the tropical feel.

Thus, there is no doubt that the waters of Lanikai Beach are worthy of the name "heavenly ocean.

If you visit the site, you may understand the meaning of the name "heavenly sea" when you see the sea for the first time.

 

Beautiful sea with a gradation of turquoise and emerald green

The ocean color of Lanikai Beach looks like a gradation of emerald green and turquoise blue, and the scene is so beautiful that it can be described as fantastic, and you may even hold your breath!

The gradation, which seems to become deeper and bluer as it moves toward the distance, also gives us an exciting feeling as if we are looking at an unknown world.

 

Sandy beach of fine powder sand

The attractions of Lanikai Beach are not limited to the ocean.

You can also focus on its sandy beaches.

The sand at Lanikai Beach is extremely fine-textured, almost like foundation powder.

The sand, mixed with pieces of coral reef, is pure white and looks sparkling in the sun.

At Lanikai Beach, you can also see a rare phenomenon called a sandbar, which is a sandy beach at the bottom of the ocean that appears only at low tide.

It is a very mysterious sight, as if a sandy beach suddenly appears out of the sea, so it is a good idea to visit the beach at the moment of low tide.

 

Access

If you are going from Waikiki in the city center, first take a car or bus to Kailua Town.

The time is about 40 minutes one way and it is located towards the northeast.

When you get to Kailua Town, you can take The bus #70 from there, so you might want to keep that in mind as well.

However, the buses do not have a clear destination "to Lanikai Beach," so you will need to check your own timing and get off near the beach.

Therefore, although it takes a little longer, you can walk or rent a bicycle to get there from Kailua Beach or Kailua Town.

It is especially recommended to ride a bicycle, so that you can enjoy the unique local Hawaiian scenery and the abundant nature of the neighborhood along the way.

There is no parking at Lanikai Beach.

If you are driving, park once in a shopping mall in Kailua Town or in a coin-operated parking lot before heading there.

There is an upscale residential area near the destination beach, so please be very careful not to park in residential areas or near the beach without permission.

 

What to Expect When Enjoying the Beach

Lanikai Beach has no facilities such as shower rooms or restrooms other than a parking lot, and is simply a place to enjoy the beach in its natural state.

Swimming is not prohibited, but there are no lifesavers, so you will be entering the water at your own risk for safety and convenience.

As mentioned earlier, the neighborhood is residential, so please be very careful not to do anything that will disturb the locals.

There are no garbage dumping sites around the area, so please be sure to take your garbage home neatly so as not to pollute the beautiful beach, and enjoy yourself while being mindful not to disturb the local people by making more noise than necessary.

 

Facilities in the vicinity

The immediate vicinity of Lanikai Beach is lined with residential neighborhoods and has no shopping malls or restaurants.

There are many places to shop and dine in the Kailua Town and Kailua Beach area, which is a stopover point before landing at Lanikai Beach.

Since it is only a 10-minute walk or bike ride away, we recommend that you enjoy nature to the fullest at Lanikai Beach and go shopping in Kailua Town.

There are also no restrooms or showers, so we recommend that you finish up in Kailua.

 

Marine activities can be enjoyed around Lanikai Beach

The ocean at Lanikai Beach has very calm waves and is less crowded than other tourist beaches, making it a good place to do marine activities.

Stand-up paddle (SUP) and snorkeling are especially popular.

 

Recommended Marine Activities

Here are some of the recommended marine activities at Lanikai Beach!

Enjoy the great outdoors and marine activities to the fullest, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

 

snorkeling

Why not try snorkeling, where you can swim while wearing snorkel equipment and peering into the ocean?

Lanikai Beach is rich in coral reefs and is home to many beautiful fish.

This makes it a very popular beach for snorkeling.

 

Recommendations

Beautiful coral reefs and colorful fish can be seen.

The clarity of Lanikai's waters is very high, and you will be able to observe many creatures.

Even those who are not good at diving can feel at ease.

Please take a look into the beautiful waters of Lanikai.

 

Canoe/Kayak

You can even enjoy canoeing and kayaking at Lanikai Beach.

Some stores offer boat rental support to Japanese people in Japanese.

However, you will need to carry the boat to the beach yourself, so canoeing and kayaking at Lanikai Beach is especially recommended for those who are physically fit and experienced.

Try your hand at the rare experience of boating on the surface of Lanikai, which has been called one of the most beautiful places in the United States!

 

Recommendations

For those who "like the ocean but are not good at swimming," canoeing and kayaking are recommended!

Please enjoy the exhilaration and spectacular views that can only be experienced by canoe.

Canoeing on Lanikai Beach is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

 

SUP

SUP is an abbreviation for stand-up paddle, an activity in which the board is advanced by paddling in a standing position.

Here at Lanikai Beach, many people also enjoy SUP.

 

Recommendations

SUP tours are especially popular at Lanikai Beach, where you can take your board toward the twin islands that can be seen from the beach.

It is a little thrilling because you paddle while standing, but the waves are calm, so you can feel safe.

SUP and feel like you have the beautiful waters of Lanikai Beach all to yourself.

You will surely be able to enjoy yourself to the fullest while feeling the Hawaiian breeze along with the tremendous sense of openness.

 

Three recommended tours

We recommend snorkeling and kayaking at Lanikai and Kailua beaches!

 

Heavenly Sea Sandbar Snorkeling & Sea Turtle Watch Cruise

This tour offers a choice of morning and afternoon sessions, and is a luxurious tour that includes lunch, brunch, and BBQ.

You can go snorkeling to touch the beautiful sea, which is unique to the heavenly sea, or go turtle watching at a spot where sea turtles inhabit.

The sandbar that appears when the tide is low is also a sight to behold.

We also offer a pick-up option at your hotel in Waikiki, so you can easily go to Lanikai, the heavenly ocean, by joining our tour.

If you are new to snorkeling or children, you can start from the shallow end.

 

Kailua Beach Kayaking & Snorkeling

Kailua Beach is only about a 10-minute walk from Lanikai Beach and is located next to each other in terms of location.

There are also snorkeling and kayaking tours available at that Kailua beach, which are also recommended.

The Japanese-speaking staff will give you a lecture, so even those who are not good at English or who are experiencing kayaking for the first time can enjoy kayaking without hesitation.

It is as beautiful as Lanikai Beach, so you will be able to enjoy Oahu's ocean to the fullest.

 

Kailua Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP) Challenge!

There are also tours where you can SUP on Kailua Beach.

SUP is for those who are afraid of surfing but want to do an activity with more thrill and openness than kayaking or snorkeling! If you are scared of surfing but want a more thrilling and liberating activity than kayaking or snorkeling, then this is for you!

This tour allows you to paddle on your own through the beautiful waters of Kailua to an uninhabited island called Flat Island, where you can also go ashore.

It will definitely be a valuable experience that you would not normally have.

 

summary

We have told you about the features and attractions of Oahu.

With so many famous tourist attractions in Hawaii, you may have a hard time deciding where to go.

If so, please visit the island of Oahu, where all the good things about Hawaii are concentrated.

If this is your first time in Hawaii, don't worry, there is plenty to see and do, especially on the island of Oahu.

If you are in doubt, Oahu is the island for you! Please refer to us!