By Water Quality
Sans Souci Beach near the Natatorium and Queens Surf Beach at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki have the best water quality in the Honolulu area. They are farther from the Ala Wai Canal and benefit from better ocean circulation.
The area near the Ala Wai Canal mouth (between the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ala Wai Harbor) has the highest bacteria risk in the Honolulu area due to canal discharge carrying urban runoff and cesspool seepage.
Ala Moana Beach has a similar or slightly higher bacteria risk than central Waikiki. Both are affected by the Ala Wai system. Ala Moana lagoon is reef-protected and calmer but can trap pollutants.
The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water looks clear. Bacteria and pollutants from runoff can linger in the water longer than the brown color does.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
900+ beaches and hotels across all islands
Free alerts when advisories change at your beach.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, O'ahu beaches, or any government agency or hotel brand. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn’t working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.
When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙