Wai‘anae's Pililāʻau / Ma‘ili Beach Park — long sand beach with BWTF community testing
Pililāʻau Army Recreation Center fronts Maʻili Beach Park — a long sand beach on Oʻahu's Wai‘anae coast that's part of West Side's calmer summer-swimming stretch. The latest Surfrider BWTF sample (2026-04-16) measured 101 MPN/100mL — within the 130 BAV threshold. The Hawaii DOH does not routinely test this beach.
Pililāʻau sits on Oʻahu's leeward Wai‘anae coast — generally drier than windward, with longer dry windows between rain events. The most recent BWTF reading (101 MPN/100mL) is at the high end of within-threshold but didn't exceed the 130 BAV.
The Wai‘anae coast has urban runoff inputs from the Maʻili and Wai‘anae communities, and the Ulehawa Canal a few miles south carries elevated bacteria into the broader area. Pililāʻau itself is far enough north of Ulehawa to be relatively unaffected.
Wai‘anae beaches generally clear faster than windward Oʻahu after rain because of the lower rainfall. Standard 72-hour rule applies; check the recent BWTF reading and visual conditions.
The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Pililāʻau (Maʻili Beach Park). The community-tested readings on this page come from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program run by the Surfrider Oʻahu chapter.
BWTF samples Pililāʻau (Maʻili Beach Park) biweekly using the IDEXX Enterolert method (MPN/100mL), and compares results against the same 130 Beach Action Value DOH uses statewide. See our overview of citizen water-quality testing in Hawaiʻi for the methodology and how BWTF data fits with DOH coverage.
Long sandy beach with gentle entry. Pililāʻau Army Recreation Center provides facilities (military-affiliated guests). The public Maʻili Beach Park section is open to all. Calm summer conditions; winter brings shorebreak.
Summer mornings (May–September) bring the calmest water. The Wai‘anae coast is one of Oʻahu's best summer swimming stretches once the north shore is breaking. Less crowded than Ko Olina and Waikiki.
Off Farrington Highway in Maʻili, about 35 miles from Honolulu. Public Maʻili Beach Park section has free parking. Pililāʻau facilities are restricted to authorized guests. Bus 40 stops at the park.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, the Surfrider Foundation, or any government agency. Bacteria readings on this page come from the Surfrider Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program. Readings are point-in-time samples; conditions change with weather, runoff, and wave patterns. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch and BWTF directly before entering the water.
This site does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share publicly available data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
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