What to know before you go
Large swells create even more dangerous conditions, frequent beach closures
Still dangerous year-round, slightly smaller waves but powerful shore break persists
| Lifeguards | Yes |
| Nearest Hospital | Kaiser Moanalua (15 mi), ambulances staged at beach |
| Cell Coverage | Good |
| Emergency | Call 911 — Ocean Safety: (808) 723-8170 |
Beginners, children, elderly, tourists unfamiliar with shore break, and anyone without body surfing experience should not enter the water here.
After heavy rain, bacteria and pollutants from runoff contaminate coastal waters. Wait at least 72 hours after heavy rain and until the water clears before entering. This applies to Sandy Beach and every beach in Hawaiʻi.
Extremely dangerous shore break — #1 injury beach on Oʻahu. Broken necks and spinal injuries common. Strong backwash. Not for beginners or body surfing novices.
Yes. Nearest hospital: Kaiser Moanalua (15 mi), ambulances staged at beach. Cell phone coverage: Good.
Winter: Large swells create even more dangerous conditions, frequent beach closures. Summer: Still dangerous year-round, slightly smaller waves but powerful shore break persists
Beginners, children, elderly, tourists unfamiliar with shore break, and anyone without body surfing experience should not enter the water here.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
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, any entity mentioned on this page, 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.
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.
When in doubt, donʻt go out. 🤙