Water Quality Across the Beach
The Diamond Head (eastern) end of Waikiki, near Queens Surf Beach and Sans Souci, generally has better water quality than the western end near the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The west end is closer to the Ala Wai Canal discharge.
The Ala Wai Canal empties into the ocean at the western end of Waikiki near the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ala Wai Harbor. The canal carries urban runoff, cesspool seepage, and storm drainage from the entire Honolulu watershed.
The central section of Waikiki (Royal Hawaiian to Moana Surfrider area) has moderate bacteria risk. On dry sunny days, conditions are generally acceptable. After heavy rain, the entire Waikiki shoreline can be affected by Ala Wai Canal discharge.
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.
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⚠️ 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.
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When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙