Water quality, swimming safety, and conditions compared
Kailua Beach wins for swimming — year-round calm water, lifeguards, excellent quality.
Waimea Bay is for spectating in winter, swimming in summer only. The contrast between these two beaches couldnʻt be greater.
Many visitors do a circle island tour that visits both beaches in one day — start at Kailua Beach in the morning (best light, least crowded), then head north via the Koʻolau pali to the North Shore, stopping at Waimea Bay and Haleiwa. Return to Waikiki via H-2. In summer, you can swim at both. In winter, swim only at Kailua.
Free Oʻahu water quality alerts — brown water advisories and all-clear notices.
Independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii DOH. Ratings are historical estimates, not real-time. Verify with Hawaii DOH.
When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙