Waimea Bay Reviews

Spacious beach with bathroom and picnic area. Nearby multi-level rock for "cliff jumping". Light snorkeling depending on water clarity and traffic. Not many shaded areas to hide from the sun (or rain). Limited parking in the lot, even more limited along the main highway.

Thought this bay was so gorgeous! was lucky to see some surfers playing in the waves.
Heard the property is haunted so it certainly is an interesting stop!

Went to Wiamea Bay to see the giant surfing waves, however, it was the wrong time of year. That being said, the area was absolutely gorgeous! The wildlife in the area, the smell of both fresh air and the native trees and flowers was extraordinary. This is a place where peace and solitude permeate the entire atmosphere. This is a great area to relax!

Hidden gem. Wildlife and humans still exist together at this beach. Keep it clean. Traffic in area is heavy.

We stopped at this beach park & we are so glad we did! Great beach area with bathrooms. Make sure to climb the rocks & jump the cliffs into the ocean. GREAT TIME!

Well if you could this would be THE place to do it. Bring your own
blanket. Can't be too shy or cautious.

Great spot for a cliff jump not far from the waters edge, Only did it once but if I'm every back I will try it again

To me, this is one beach that I just can’t miss. Along with the “Banzai Pipeline”, the beautiful sandy beaches, and jumping off the rock cliff; it’s an awesome time.

Beautiful blue water beach and soft sand. The water and waves can get pretty big and the water gets deep pretty quickly, so definitely watch your little ones. Enjoyed watching people jump from the rock but was not brave enough to do it myself haha. Theres not much shade here so if you can, bring an umbrella or beach hat, sunnies, and def wear sunscreen! There is a bathroom with changing area and place to rinse off. Parking is terrible here! Literally it’s a u-shaped lot with maybe 30 spaces. What we did was park at Waimea Valley across the way. First lot is the best and closest to beach, but costs $20. There’s maybe 2 or 3 more lots that are cheaper at $10 if U drive down but that means further from the beach. If you’re planning to go to both Waimea Valley Falls and the beach choose something in the middle. We parked at the first lot unknowing it was the most expensive and hiked to the waterfall first, changed at the car, then walked over to the beach which took maybe less than 10 minutes from that first lot. Just be careful crossing as the cars are coming and traffic is high. Thankful for the nice locals that stop and let us pass safely.

I like the Beach because it is a calm. Today I apreciated the sand, and of sea. Snorkeling is interesting.

We took our family of 5 to the Toa Luau (the best! See my review) in the Waimea Valley, and wanted to cool off before we got there. This beach did the trick.

Waves were amazing, and the kids (and adults) had a blast. We didn’t cliff jump but we saw people of all ages doing it. Looked like fun.

Definitely a great beach stop. Only 4 stars for lack of shade and not enough parking (if you have a luau ticket you can park up the valley for free and walk over), but otherwise we loved it.

Great place to just have fun swimming and snorkeling. The waves crash close to shore, so not great for surfing or boogie boarding.

We wanted to go to this beach our whole stay in the North Shore of O'ahu but it was so incredibly busy here during the summer that we could never get our car parked near Waimea Bay. On our very last day in O'ahu we got up early so we had our car parked by 8am. This beach is totally worth a visit. Absolutely stunning sand and water and it made us wish we had gone here every day during our stay in O'ahu. We were fortunate too to have hired snorkel, masks and fins for the week so we were able to swim with the schools of fish we kept seeing while swimming at Waimea Bay. Simply beautiful!!

Wonderful beach with great surfing...but must be careful rip tide is strong and must listen to lifeguards!!!

The entire North Shore remains a special place on Oahu. It's like stepping back in time. This in an incredible world class surfing area during the winter months. Waimea Bay is a nice beach although the setting is not as nice as Sunset Beach in my opinion. Parking can be challenging but we were able to find a spot in the lot when arriving around 10:15am on a weekday in March. There were chickens everywhere in the lot and near the beach which was fun. There are facilities including bathrooms, showers and changing rooms. No lounge chairs or umbrellas to rent. If you are staying on Oahu for more than a few days and will be headed to the beach often, it would be worthwhile to stop by a local Walmart or Target and pick up a couple inexpensive beach chairs and a cooler to use while here.

We visited on a day that the waves and undertow were really strong. This was fun to swim in but even more fun to watch people try to maneuver. Pure entertainment. We stayed across the street from this beach and went a few days and noticed that if you arrive before 10 you can get a parking spot but after that it is nearly impossible. I watched the kids jumping from the tall rocks which looked fun but scary. Make sure you bring beach chairs a sun umbrella and enjoy the view!

Wonderful beach that you must visit when in the area. Great swimming on a calm day and spectacular to watch surfers if there are waves. Listen to the lifeguards ‘ recommendations . they’re very good and work hard to monitor conditions and keep you safe and have fun. Get there by 9am for on site parking or park at the church on the hill(with the iconic bell tower) for a small fee that goes to the parish.

My SO and I went on a Friday afternoon and it wasn't too crowded like Waikiki beach. Water is blueish and currents are strong, but super fun! Sand is soft and there's a cleaning area. Parking can be packed on weekends. It's my favorite beach on this island. P.S. Our stuff got wet due to the big waves lol that's how strong they are.

World famous Waimea Bay! Calm during the summer months, but really great surfing during the winter months, when "da durf's up" !

This beach is great for sand and sun and the large rocks people jump from (oh my) just be careful in the water with little kids, the waves can be very intense, the life guards pulled us out because of how strong the surge was at one time. I enjoyed laying out and I saw a lot of people out with their kayaks and surf boards. Overall a great experience in Paradise.

This is my favorite beach on Oahu. Period. The whole bay and the green, lush valley behind looks like a paradise. But from November until March the ocean can get pretty rough there. That of course depends on the swell so even in a winter you can have mellow waters perfect for swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking. So just remember - when in doubt, do't go out :)

This was probably our favorite North Shore beach. Beautiful sandy beach in close proximity to a town. We jumped off of Black Rock (some of us anyway), sat in the sun, swam, and saw sea turtles. We visited multiple times. Unless you're early, parking is a bear so be prepared to hike a bit.

I was on a circle island tour when we stopping at Waimea Bay for a swim. I've never seen water so blue! It was easy to get in and out of the water as the sand was softer compared to other beaches which had a lot of hard coral rocks on the shore such as Waikiki. The water got deep very quickly too which was good as swimming a good distance to get to deeper waters was not required.

I felt free in the beautiful tranquil, crystal clear waters on such a beautiful day. There is nothing like being in clear beautiful water with the warm sun on your skin and sand between your toes. Just perfect.

Very beautiful bay with a nice rock cliff jump. Not that high of a jump into the crystal clear water. The walk back up to the jump isn't hard either and doesn't require water shoes

Clean sandy beach and sandy, clear blue calm water. If you can find parking this is the place to go; we arrived at 8:30 am on the 4th of July and all the lots were taken. Luckily managed to find $10 at the nearby Catholic church (which was also full by 9!)

Best summer beach in Oahu, waves are calm and water is clear! Super relaxing beach not many people unless you’re on the rock jump side. The water is clear & calm for young kids on shore, just be careful because it does get deep right away after you step off the shore. Awesome place to cliff jump if you’re a daredevil🤙🏼 Also bring snorkeling gear as sea turtles like to swim around this area and eat the algae from the rocks!

It's really beautiful and well worth the drive no matter where you are staying on the island. The surf is beautiful but very strong. I know people surf there but they must have a death wish. Parking is a little sketchy - you basically have to wait for a spot, and we were there during the off-season (February). But that's when the surf is at its strongest too...

A little ways down the beach there was an actual sea turtle, complete with a taped barrier to keep on-lookers away and a conservation specialist to answer questions. That was a neat experience.

I would totally recommend a stop here - especially if you are on your way to or from something else. Enjoy the moment!

Get here early as parking can be filled up from 9am. My fav beach on the island. I have always visited in summer. The waves can be very dumpy on the shore so be careful. But the water is crystal clear. It gets deep very early into the water

There is a great big rock to climb then jump off. There are often a lot of people jumping. Follow the crowds to make sure you are jumping into the deep part

We saw lots of fish and a big turtle on our swim.

There are bathrooms and showers at the beach for use

A beautiful beach. Great swimming across the bay. Fun for all the family in the shore break and jumping from the rock.
We were there in summer so no waves.

The water was crystal clear, the sand was golden and there were very little people at the beach. The weather was 30 degrees. What a place to visit! If you get a chance stop here for a swim.

Surfers, sun and huge waves. There was the world surfing championships going on. Fun to watch and plenty of bikinis!

The north shore of Hawaii has dangerously big waves in the winter, this beach is super calm in the summer. I've always seen turtles here in the summer, swimming right by. This is one of the best spots to watch the surfers catch the big waves (from a safe spot above the beach) in the winter.

Really enjoying the beach the rock formations in the character of the beach it’s all beautiful on the North Shore but there’s something about Waimea that was really extra pleasant

This was the nicest sand we encountered in all of Oahu. What a beautiful, clean beach. I stayed on the beach with my young daughter, but my husband said it was a fun, but somewhat challenging swim and he is a very strong swimmer.
The bathrooms are a bit dodgy, but the shower was wonderful to rinse off that (very, very nice) sand.

Amazing waves but be careful, they can be dangerous at times. We saw 15- 20 foot breaks at the shore line. Very impressive but be careful.

We made a pitstop at Waimea Bay Beach Park on our way to Haleiwa and spent a couple of hours there. Basically across from Waimea Valley. Wide soft sandy beach. Bathroom facility and lifeguard on site. No shade so bring an umbrella if you must. There are neat rock formations towards the south end of the beach that are pretty cool for photography. We went during winter so no rock jumping! It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area. It’s a nice beach to spend the day on.

Beautiful Waimea Beach was calm with turquoise blue water. A great beach for swimming & snorkeling. Come early as there is very little parking.

We had a blast swimming here. Nice beach with parking and bathrooms. Parking fills early so we had to park on the side of the road up a hill. The snorkeling isn't great unless you get out near the rocks. 4 of our group of 8 did the "cliff" jumping. A large formation of rocks is on the left side of the beach. We climbed up and jumped off a couple times. We watched people do this for a while before trying it ourselves. Lots of fun!

We were searching for a North Shore beach to visit and this one kept coming up so we decided to give it a try. We arrived around 9:30am on a Wednesday morning and there was ample parking. The beach was absolutely beautiful. The water was the right temperature, the sand was nice, the views great. There are also some rocks where you could cliff jump off. There are bathrooms here as well. I would highly recommend this beach. It was definitely a family friendly atmosphere and an amazing way to spend a day on the beach.

I've been all around the world and Waimea is my favorite beach ever. The soft sand is luxurious and the water is fairly clean, calm and gently sloping. I love to sunbathe or snorkel at Waimea, so much so that we moved here a year ago, and it is still my favorite. The activities at the beach seem to fit all ages from the splashing youngsters, the cliff jumping young adults, the snorkeling middle agers and the relaxing seniors.

Stopped here to do beach and snorkeling. Very well kept beach with sandy access. Parking is a challenge unless you get there early. Snorkeling was decent, but the rock jump on the west end was awesome.

The North Shore beaches are some of the best I’ve seen. Even if you’re staying in Waikiki, I highly recommend hiring a car for the day and taking a drive.

My husband and teens jumped from the rock multiple times, they had a blast, I did not see anyone get injured, we were there the first week of July 2019

Beautiful coastline with picturesque mountains for a backdrop. It is definitely more rainy on this side of the island so be prepared.

Beautiful golden sandy beach where you can spend a few hours kissed by the sun and immersed in the warm waters of the ocean cradled by the waves. Remember to bring water and food with you because as in all Hawaii parks there is no bar or shop on site!

Great beach! We got lucky to not have strong currents the day we went to the North Shore! Adults and kids were all even able to jump from the "cliff". ;) Parking could be tricky, but if you are patient someone may leave for you to stop! There was a big pod of dolphins that came through while we were there, and a local had mentioned she had never seen dolphins there before!

This is a beautiful spot in Oahu! No wonder there is never a parking space! We paid 5$ to park across the highway. Would love to see the waves in the winter!

Love this beach! Not for swimming as a tourist but great for sitting having a picnic and watching Mother Nature at her best with epic pre winter swells and watching the surfers surf right until sunset!

A must if your on the North Shore. One of the best beaches in the world and I’m so glad I got to see it. The water is so clear and you might even get to see some turtles. Just don’t jump off the rocks otherwise your holiday could end badly.

Lovely beach. Really sheltered. The water here seamed a bit warmer than at Waikiki. This is one of my favourite spots to swim on Oahu. It’s worth the drive out and there are so many great places in north shore to stop and look at along the way.

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Oahu. The beach was so big and uncrowded in the morning. It was so relaxing and fun to watch people jump off the rock. We found parking around 9am, but it will fill up. Water wasn't too rough in early September. Beautiful beach!!

Originally came here to jump off the rock but the waves were so serious we had to just sit and watch we couldn’t even get in the water near the shallow part as were traveling with kids. We drove an hour from Waikiki and was unable to swim so it was kind of brutal on the kids but sitting and watching the sea make those waves can be so relaxing and a form of meditation if your able to sit and relax

Waimea Bay is often described as a highlight for visitors to O'ahu, and we would agree. Since it faces the west it is an excellent place to catch the sunset. There's a large two-story rock that you can jump off of, but be careful as the rip currents near the rock can be bad if the waves are strong. Be careful of the wave action in general-depending on the time of year, the swell can reach towering heights. Definitely not for anyone but expert swimmers if the waves are any higher than 5 feet or so. The lifeguards leave before sunset, so be extra careful after they leave. You do not want to get caught in the swell that rises in this place. Parking is limited. Waimea Valley offers paid parking, but it is worth it to drive around the small parking lot for a spot and wait a little bit to get it for free.

Came in the summer so this is as close as we wanted to get to big waves with a 10 and 12 year old. The waves weren't big and you can get bigger and smaller from left to right facing the ocean. Parking is terrible but the church offers donation parking if you aren't lucky enough to get in the free lot.

Relatively safe place to cliff dive. As safe as cliff diving can be. Our 10 year old did it and he is not the daredevil type. Some kids much younger were giving it a try. My estimate of height is 25 to 30 feet. Not any higher. All of the tall tales of it being 60ft are bologna.

Great view, nice sand, life guards present during business hours. Parking gets tight, the church side is a little more open.

We let the 13 year old daredevil climb and jump off the rock. It was a very cool experience for her, but a little nerve racking to watch :) Don't climb up there if you aren't sure you can jump - the other people waiting will not be pleased with you!

This beach is very seasonal. In the winter the waves a really big, so if you are not an experienced surfer/body boarder do not enter the water. Summer time the water gets super calm. It is famous for jumping off the rock in the summer. We spent some time there watching people surfing. Note, parking lot is really small. If you like to see a video how the beach look like, including drone shot, head over to our profile and click the YT link. Search for the video "Hiking, Dole Plantation, Beaches in Oahu Hawaii (Day 5 Of 7-day itinerary challenge)" time stamp 7:46

The day after her birthday, on Saturday, 10 Aug 2019, we drove to the north shore of Oahu. Waimea Bay was more beautiful than expected. There, the deep blue color of the ocean is amazing. Because the salinity level of the Pacific is so high, you can actually feel that the density of the water is much higher and even the slightest wave can easily push you off balance. Sunblock protection is essential. It is a great place for photo ops.

Waimea Bay is a beautiful stretch of water with a gorgeous beach on the North Shore. It’s popular for a reason. Thankfully there is a parking lot with a number of spaces, if you’re lucky.

Nice beach, beautiful scenery. We'll be back, we're very happy. We found somewhere to park the car....

This is a gorgeous beach! It’s also very popular so parking can be an issue after 11 am. One of my top 5 favorites!

This beach was absolutely beautiful. There were barely any crowds which was nice to escape from some of the other crowded beaches. Turquoise and blue waters, and I could literally just float in the water. Not ideal for small children given the waves, but for teens it’s great location. Had good facilities and three lifeguards on duty. We walked to Waimea waterfall earlier in day so was a great way to end the day. We got lucky with parking, but could see how that could be a problem for others. There is not really any food around this area so you definitely want to bring food if this is your location for the day. There is a food facility near the Waimea Valley at the entrance of the waterfall trail. Food there was pretty delicious and reasonably priced.

We stopped here by accident a fantastic surf beach , waves were calm today still a fab swell and some surfers out there as well as a lot of people watching , I was really impressed with the life guards on duty there warnings to the viewers was first class and delivered in a commanding but kind way to those with kids and those swimming even though they were warned not too!! Guys you have one life don’t lose it by being stupid there are plenty of calm swimming beaches dotted around the Island use them bony Male the lifeguards job difficult . Well done guys .

Waimea Bay Beach is a very popular, wide and clean beach on the North Shore of Oahu. It is located at the mouth of the Waimea River into the Pacific Ocean and is particularly popular with surfers in the winter months due to the high waves. This beach offers the opportunity to watch turtles in the water or jump from the cliffs into the deep water. Toilets, showers and picnic tables as well as a lifeguard are also available. Unfortunately, parking options on the beach are very limited and it is advisable to arrive early or to find nearby parking spaces, although these involve a short walk. We drove the entire North Shore with our rental car, which is no problem on the well-developed Kamehameha Highway, so you can get from one well-known surf spot to the next. Don't miss Waimea Bay Beach when you take a trip to the North Shore!!

This is such a beautiful bay with gleaming bright green waters, careful it is almost hypnotic in beauty you would not want to leave.

Went late in afternoon. Still plenty of room on beach. Not much room for parking. Watching cliff diving was enjoyable. Water for snorkeling was clear enough to see bottom well - no fish seen. Very nice for swimming or sunning. Nice restrooms and shower (outside).

This is one of most beautiful beaches in the world. Tons of gorgeous white sands. Surrounded by mountains yet there are no rocks in the waters. The waves are minimal at least in August. Great for kids but also there is an area of large rock outcropping where older kids and adults jump and dive into the waters.

Parking is very difficult. Drop off the family and drive down the road. I splurged and spent $10 to park on a private property off a side street at the bend.

Waimea Bay is one of my favorite beaches on the island due to its size, calm water during the summer and people-watching. The beach is steep leading into the water so a helpful hand is necessary for little ones swimming in the surf but the water is clear and calm during the summer. Great for floating and relaxing under the beautiful sun. Parking is limited so get there early to grab a spot.

Waimea Bay Beach, Oahu Hawaii
Doesn’t get old, everyone has heard of Waimea Bay Beach for surfing and in music. But parking is difficult as it offers only a small car park. When full you may find a spot up the hill or in Waimea Bay Valley there are 2 or 3 properties that offer all day parking from $10-$20. If you park up the hill, you’ll need to walk down along the road to the beach car park. To get back up, if you are fit, there is a near vertical path up the cliff through the bush up to the higher roadside parking area. Otherwise there is a residential area nearby with parking on Lliohu Place, Waialua.
#WaimeaBayBeach
#NorthShoreOahu

Parking is tough, but we got lucky. Beach and park area very clean. Waves we really big and super fun!

Show up early! I arrived at 10am and there was enough parking available. It is very pristinely kept. Only amenities are showers, bathroom, and picnic tables. Listen to the life guard’s instructions. They are to guard your life.

Unparalleled beauty at Waimea Bay! Be prepared that you may have to park a mile away from the beach toward where Waimea Falls is located, but don't let that dissuade you. There are large rock formations around the area, and one of them is used for jumping into the bay. If there has been a lot of rain recently, the stream running from the falls into the bay will bring brown water into part of the swimming area. It's a small area, so you'll be able to get gorgeous pictures still.

We enjoyed our visit to this north shore beach. The parking lot is small so arrive early or prepare to park across the street for a fee (it's worth it). The beach was not very crowded which was a huge plus. The sand is soft, the water is clear and we were fortunate to get a glimpse of a pod of dolphins playing out in the bay.

We went to jump off the rock, but when we put our masks on, we were stunned by the amount of fish just a few meters off the beach. Totally amazing and unexpected

A must for anyone visiting the North Shore, this iconic beach certainly lives up to the hype. Know for its massive swells in the winter months though in the summer a great place for the family to stop. Be mindful there is little to no shade on the beach and the water can be a little dangerous for young children. Another thing arrive early in the summer months as the car park is tiny and is full by 7am.

This is a Beautiful beach to go to. BUT be very careful if you dare to go in the water. Me and my love got into the water early in the morning at 6 A.M. the water was cooler, and more clear for snorkeling! It was a beautiful breezy day! Filled with memories, fish and tons of people splashing and enjoying the waves. Me and my love are the type of people to be casual swimmers… when the current got too rough, we’d just avoid it and stay close enough to the shore if we felt uncomfortable. We had our fill of 6 luxurious hours of swimming, running out of the water only to see all the beach goers staring in one direction. We looked and saw a man being pulled out of the water. He had CPR done on him for at least 12 minutes, the EMT’s came and I still don’t know if the gentleman made it. (This was 2 days ago) it was a harsh reality. Know what water you’re getting into, read the weather, read the surf reports too see if it’s dangerous to swim. Also, lifeguards and EMTs were rushing ALL THE TIME. I’m assuming to help rescue people from the ocean etc. so! Do your due diligence. Use your head and know that drownings happen all the time. Don’t become a number on the drowning death toll. Pay attention to all signs! And if you feel uncomfortable, better safe than sorry. Hope this helps.

I highly suggest not going to Waimea Beach or Hawaii in general. Locals were very mean. I got called a stink howly (sp),my rental cars window was smashed and robbed at gun point.

Awesome beach park but parking is difficult. You can drive past the park and pay $10 over the bridge. The sand is hot but the water is fantastic! There is also a place to jump of rocks if you are so inclined. A definite must go!

We had a lovely afternoon at the beach. The water was so blue and beautiful and the sand was soft and fine. Beach is wide and deep. You'll see a lot of smaller fish swimming in the water with you. Parking could be difficult, although we were lucky to find a spot as someone was leaving just as we got there.

Nothing compares to Waimea and Ke Iki in the early morns, especially when a pod of mom and baby dolphins swim in and let you play with them and listen to their song. Go early to beat the crowds.

The beach is beautiful! The parking was a little crazy. About chest deep in the water the waves were literally picking my husband and I up and moving us several feet at a time. When we climbed to the top of the rock there were about 15-20 teenagers just hanging out at the top. I saw one kid drinking a Heineken. Once we were at the top one of these kids fell off the side and broke his leg so bad his bone was sticking out. Several people were still jumping off both sides so I assumed he was either drunk or just not being careful. Once I hit the water I almost immediately touched the bottom. It buckled one of my legs and my knee actually hit the bottom. The sand was soft so luckily it didn’t hurt but I had no idea it was that shallow! I had severe pain in one of my ears immediately after and once I went to the dr they said I had ruptured my eardrum. I saw many people jump several times with no problem at all but be aware that it’s more shallow than it looks!

Absolutely lovely area. The rocks against the blue ocean are picture perfect. Parking is crowded but we found a spot quickly.

Spent an exciting afternoon along the North Shore and Waimea Bay. The surf was great for body surfing but you need to be aware of the current and the waves. Inexperienced swimmers could be in trouble. There are lifeguards present.

We visited this beach after lunch and we had a great time in the water, our kids loved it and I recommend it for a good day at the beach.

We were here last week in oct/early Nov. IT was NOT calm this day. Waves were extremely high and guards advised not swimming. My kids and husband went anyway and lucky they are all good swimmers. It was NUTS. I lost my shoes and I was standing at edge of water. I heard its great to jump the rock there but NO one was doing that this day. Not even locals. Way rough. Beach has great glass pieces and some shells when I was there. It was a monday and Waimea falls was closed. We did not stay long but will def. check it out again if I am ever there.

Waimea bay and waimea falls park are two stops everyone should make time for.
Beach Parking lot fills up fast. The earlier you come the more likely you are to find parking. We pick up breakfast at msDonalds and come at 8am or earlier.
If you come later Peter and Paul Catholic Church Lot sometimes offers for parking for a fee,as does a couple places at the enterance to Waimea valley. Parking is free is you go into the valley and pay the price to enter the park. The water fall is 3/4 mile in, supervised swimming most days. Take a side trip on way to the ginger and helpcinia collection. Tram for a fee for elderly and disabled.

THIS BEACH IS A BLAST! Has some pretty good snorkeling and also a great rock for all levels of cliff jumping! I’ve seen people BBQing as well which makes it a great place to post up for an entire day at the beach with friends and family! Worth the drive from the city!

Beautiful beach located in the North Shore area of Oahu. Parking fills up fast. There is a bath house for changing on property. This beach area is unique because there are large rocks to jump off of into the water for the young at heart adventurers. The water does become rather deep only feet from the edge of the water here.

This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Oahu. This is definitely a must see, specially if you are looking to be in a more reserved beach where you can appreciate nature without the business of tourists. Don’t get me wrong, there will be tourists, but it’s a completely different vibe than Waikiki. Parking is very limited, you have to arrive early, or you can pay $20 to park across the street in the Waimea valley.

While I have mainly go here for body surfing there are also things to do when the surf is not up. A fun jumping rock and excellent photography lookouts. If it's the summer it can be an excellent family beach, in the winter the waves can become huge(do not underestimate the ocean) all in all it is one of my favorite places on oahu

This was the first beach we went to and after 10 days and trying other places, this ended being our favourite one.

Just a gorgeous beach - world class! Big ripcurl waves, soft sand, lifeguard, outdoor showers and free parking. U have to be a good swimmer or its ankles only - very strong riptide!

If you want to park in the lot, temporarily park in the no parking zone near the showers. Wait for someone to exit and ask them if you can have their spot as they walk past (then follow them to their car). It’s aggressive but everyone does it. Also, be careful with where you leave your stuff as the tide is coming in — the water tracks farther up than you would expect!

First timers.

We loved this beach. Fun wave (a little rough) for the kids, but was perfect. Parking is a nightmare.

We also loved the ability to jump off the cliff into the ocean. Would absolutely go again.

Parking is challenging. A long walk in the sand to dive. Shallow dive and silty rocks, but plenty to see.

We really enjoyed our time here. We did plenty of cliff diving. You can jump from both sides of the cliff and there was plenty of smaller jumps for the kids. The rock in the middle of the bay was great for snorkeling. We ended up watching a turtle feed for about 10 minutes. There was plenty of colorful fish to see as well. The beach was pretty and the water was warm. A must see in Oahu

A great spot to watch the sunset and a great spot to jump off a giant rock into the ocean! People wait in line at this beach to climb up a dive in. Mosquitos do come out at sunset/night so I would bring mosquito repellent.

Popular surfing beach on the north shore of O'ahu. We enjoyed watching the big waves! Can get busy and difficult to find parking.

On my first trip to Oahu we jumped off the rock. I would only do it if the locals were doing it. It's a bit sketchy but super fun!

We visited this beach last week. My son was excited to go back there because he was only 8 yrs old when we went there last, 8 years ago, and it was too dangerous for him to go in the water with such strong waves that day. This time the waves were more moderate but still plenty big for great boogie-boarding. This beach is expansive with tons of soft sand (possibly the widest stretch of beach on the north shore, but don't quote me on it). However, it's wildly popular and therefore pretty crowded and hard to get parking. It's sort of like the busiest shopping days at the mall where you literally have to follow someone to their car and be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time in order to snag a parking spot. So that's why I didn't rate it higher. However, it's still less crowded than Waikiki and if you're used to a lot of popular U.S. east coast beaches, then it's not very busy at all by comparison.

Waimea Bay is essentially a much more relaxed and smaller version of Waikiki. The beach extends far and the waves are very mild. It's a great family destination and it's just a few minutes from the great waves of the Banzai and Sunset area of the North Shore.

Fantastic beach, good view and waves were pretty dominant on my visit. There a rock climb that you can do to jump in from.

My only caution is to be aware that the sand is quite hot and from the grass and then onto the beach, the walk might burn you a bit. I waited for cloud cover and quickly made my way down.

One of the locals told us that we had to snorkel on "the left side" of the rock. So, when we got here, early in the morning (the waves were relatively calm) before everyone else, we set up our "camp" on that far side of the cliff-diving rock (which, technically, you're not supposed to jump off). As this was a family vacation, I immediately got in with my dad to start snorkeling before the water got rougher and . . . *sigh* . . . I'm still reeling a month later. We swam with two sea turtles, got caught up in a school of fish, and watched other varieties dart in and out of the coral and rocks. I almost got a good shot of a moray eel before the water pushed me and I lost my shot! If you're going to snorkel somewhere on Oahu, oh my gosh, make it Waimea Bay.

Long live Eddie! Picturesque and I'm sure somewhat intimidating when the swells hit. The lifeguards here are the best and always have been! Mahalo!

The day we got there the lifeguard said the waves were too big to go out in. Many people did anyway. We played it safe and played in the waves at the edge. Even still, we were nearly swept out!

This is a nice, sandy, expansive beach where it is wonderful to pitch an umbrella and chair and just watch the waves. Use sunscreen and take water!

There are bathrooms and outdoor showers.

Waimea beach has such beauty and a very important participation in the history of Oahu. The Eddie Aikau Challenge is celebrated there every year. Amazing invitational.

We went here as the sun on our way back from a long day of exploring. We wanted to jump off the cliff before our trip was over. We easily found a park. This was also on a Monday night. Cliff jumping was very popular. My husband jumped, but it was getting too dark for me to comfortable send up my son who also wanted to jump. We enjoyed watching the cliff jumpers and playing in the waves. The undertow was strong, but it did not pull anyone out too far. We left when it got too dark and had to use our flashlights. The bugs also got bad after dark.

We were there last April. The beach is nice but we could not jump from the rock because the ocean was too rough.

The park have restrooms, picnic areas and a big parking, but we still prefered turtle beach just a little to the South because is was more secluded.

Coming here was on my bucket list and it did not disappoint! This is an amazing beach and nowhere near as crowded as Waikiki etc.

The current is really strong at times so be cautious when swimming.

The parking can be tricky as there aren't many spots available and there is an officer ready to hand out fines for anyone parked illegally.

another beach we visited on the way to the end of the island we visited almost all the beaches and this is another surfers paradise, very nice beach but not for kids...big waves and current.

Summer time Waimea Bay is a blast for families to visit. My group of 15 had SO MUCH FUN jumping off the rock and swimming in the ocean. The waves were perfect. Big enough to be fun but not scary.

I call it heart attack beach as i have to walk back and forth over hot sand carrying all the stuff my wife wants to bring. But once we set up our spot. The Bay is just gorgeous.

Easy swinging in the summer. Huge gigantic waves in the winter

There is also a famous rock off to he left if facing the beach that kids between 16 and 30 jump off into the ocean.

Once you climb up there and get ready to jump. It is a little scary. Be safe!!

This is one of our favorite Oahu beaches but it's near impossible to find a parking spot most of the time, most of the year. It also has a huge drop off within a foot or two of entering the water so it's not great for little kids. Still, it's beautiful, if you can stand watching people jump off that rock all day, haha!

We stopped here to view the large waves in January. Saw some big ones, but not the largest waves we saw that day. It is a very nice beach with large restrooms ,a grassy area, and roosters!

Beautiful!!! But we didn’t have a reservation so we couldn’t go down to the beach! Book ahead of time! If you forgot to book ahead, you can still access the lookouts and the bathrooms!

During the summer the water is calm here. It is a popular and busy spot because of its beauty and location at the heart of the north shore. As a result it can be hard to find parking. If you are looking for quiet seclusion this is not your best bet.

Beautiful beach, supposed to be incredible surfing in the winter and the site of many international events. During May, the waves were calm and the beach somewhat crowded, although not as crowded as it can get during the competitions. Really great to stop here if you are driving around the island.

This beach is not just my favorite beach on the North Shore. I like it better than Kailua
or Lanikai. The water seems warmer and it is perfect for swimming, at least this time of year, like a big giant swimming pool with some current but nothing really strong.
I could swim and float in it forever. It is so clear and beautiful. My husband had a blast
jumping off "Da Rock" A long drive, but definitely worth the trip.

We (lovely wife, two boys-16/18, me) came in July. I asked on a forum everyone's favorite north shore beach. Most of the answers were Waimea Bay. So yes we came. Our visit was on a Sunday morning so it was very busy. The beach was big enough to handle the crowds. The parking wasn't.

The parking lot was full and cars were in line to park. We opted to park on the road above (yikes); there are trails going down from the road, but it was a bit dicey (we returned via the parking lot and then the road).

Once you leave the parking lot it's a bit of a walk to the facilities and beach. Once on the beach we used the facilities to change (it was our second stop). The facilities are sufficient.

The beach is big and the sights are beautiful. The water is clear and you can see the bottom. I don't recall seeing any fish or other wildlife. There's a large rock where people jump into the water (ala Tom Brady, ha ha); I didn't brave it. There were no big waves when we were there.

It's as beautiful as described. It's a simply wonderful. Highly recommended.

This is a great place if you are looking for larger, more active waves. It is probably a better beach for teenagers and adults. Parking can be challenging so I recommend that you go early. The beach is not very crowded due to limited parking. There are lifeguards, public restrooms, a volleyball area and it is all clean. There is also a place where you can jump off large rocks into the surf. I can recommend this stop and I will return again.

Sea turtles can be seen on the beautiful beach with blue sea and white sand. Many people enjoy marine sports. There is also a surf shop nearby, where you can buy commemorative T-shirts and other items. You can also walk to the old townscape.

We drove around for a long time trying to get a spot. People would cut us off. A lot of locals there. Some were very rude. I am glad this was not my first time here. I thought Hawaii was so friendly until we came here. They need a bigger parking area or have people help with the parking.

This is a very nice bay hang out at . It’s not that crowded and you can find a great spot to lay on the beach very easily.

With a rock in the middle, allows a natural jumping ramp. The water is very good and super transparent. The problem is when the parking is complete, once that there's no second option. A must see and be in North Shore.

Very famous bay to witness huge waves and brave surfers trying to conquer them. Waves break directly on to the shore and for this reason there are active lifeguards and barriers to ensure onlookers don’t get too close to the dangerous water (though a couple people still tried to enter the water - crazy!). Extremely impressive to witness the sheer power of the ocean at this bay. Note that shade is limited so the heat can be intense on a hot day.

This is a popular beach for locals and tourists. There is a grassy area, picnic tables and a rest room. It is in walking distance to Waimea Valley.

Great summer beach in Oahu, waves are calm and water is clear! Crowded but relaxing beach. The water is clear and calm however be careful because it does get deep right away after you step off the shore. Amazing place to cliff jump! Bring your snorkeling gear as sea turtles like to swim around this area and eat the algae from the rocks!

This is a good beach but parking is awful. You can park across the highway for $10 or take your chances in the parking lot. There are dressing areas and public bathrooms. There are showers for getting the last of the sand off.

Nice sand and beautiful views. It wasn't too crowded and was nice water. We went in evening so tide was strong but we had great time

Beautiful beach but crowded the day we were there. We were on a tour of the island and stopped here. But very beautiful beach plenty of parking.

My wife and I actually were on a shark dive and decided to go to Waimea Falls and Waimea Bay while we were on the North Shore. After a short Uber ride we arrived at the falls. Then we walked from the falls to Waimea Bay. The beach and water were so beautiful it reminded me of pictures you only see in magazines. While you are there definitely jump off the rock.

Waimea Bay is SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Beautiful sand, stunning water, picnic tables, it is the most amazing spot to spend the day. I wish with my whole heart that I had spent more time in this amazing spot, or that I had come back a second day. Please do yourself the biggest favor and plan to spend a whole day here! Bring the towels or chairs and an umbrella along with a picnic lunch and have a fantastic day at Waimea Bay!!

Beautiful beach with a popular jumping rock. As my son was diving off, there was a proposal happening at the top of the rock, that’s how pretty it is. Only tough part is the parking. There’s currently construction around the area, the parking lot isn’t very big and there’s not a lot of street/dirt parking around. We gave up the first day but found it easy to park the next day at 9 (when the lifeguard got in, I was a little nervous about my kids jumping in without a lifeguard around even though they’re older).

Spent the day at this beach and it was a wonderful time had by all. There were some waves but not so bad we couldn’t enjoy the ocean and the cliff jumping was a fun time had by all. There are bathrooms and a shower to wash the sand off. The beach was clean and overall somewhat secluded.

Small parking lot and very difficult to secure a parking spot unless you arrive early. We arrived towards the late afternoon and the free parking lot was already full. Cars were already in line waiting for a spot to open up and were still waiting when we were leaving the beach. We parked about ½ mile down the road near the Waimea Falls visitor’s center and paid $10 to park there (used to be free). The beach was clean, water crystal clear. They had showers and restrooms. There was also a small cliff where visitors were taking park in cliff jumping. Others brought their own snorkel gear.

Beautiful clean beach that is great for swimming, in the summer anyways. For the more daring there is a 30ft or so rock that many people jump off into the water. Parking is limited, get there early or you'll have to wait awhile. Bathrooms and showers available, lots of grass for sports/ picnicking.

Waimea Bay Beach is a must-stop while exploring the North Shore! We weren't able to spend too much time there but what a stunning beach with its tan sand and vigorous aqua waves that were more for admiring than playing in. Lifeguards were on-duty. There were restrooms and a shower station for rinsing off sand. The parking lot was slammed; we were luckily able to snag a space and upon leaving, a car immediately swooped in to take ours.

Go early to park in the lot. Do Not park in the grass or you will be ticketed. Jumping off the rock was fun.

Unfortunately, we had very turbulent weather the day we came(July), as it was off and on rain and constant cloud cover. Parked in the Catholic church parking lot for $10, as the main lot was full and everyone was searching thru traffic for parking. There are bathrooms at the main lot though. Beach area is nice though. Lots of sand to lay out on. Weren't too many people on one side of the beach. Definitely a nice difference from the neverending crowd of people at Waikiki Beach. Waves weren't big because it was summer, but water gets deep fast. People were cliff jumping as well. Came in the early afternoon, and traffic getting in & out of the general area of North Shore was awful, so go in the morning. The famous food trucks were right up the street from beach. But great beach though

We love this beach! We like to get there early to ensure we get a parking spot & good location on the beach. We stay away from the side close to the rock that a lot of people jump off of, it gets way too crowded. Early in the morning there seems to be more locals & fishermen which we enjoy.

We stopped at Waimea Bay really early in the morning and there was nobody's there, it was so quiet. Beautiful beach.

Waimt Bay was absolutely beautiful. Our 10 and 6 year old had a blast. The water is crystal clear and the waves were very gentle. There is a little cluster of rocks on one end of the beach where people can cliff jump with varying heights, my kids both did the small jump several times. The parking lot is very small and was full by 10am on a Monday when we went. I would recommend dropping off your party and then going across the street to Waimea falls to try and find parking, it will be a small fee but worth it.

The water was clear and beautiful and our kids absolutely loved to jump from the rock at Waimea Bay.

Waimea Bay has soft sand and clean clear water. Some turtles can also be seen.. If you like rock jumping this beach is for you.... Its a 20 foot drop into deep water.....great fun and if you have the time waimea valley is also beautiful to see and a waterfall is included

This beach was absolutely beautiful. We loved the cliff jumping and the view. There is basically no shade so bring a tent if you have one.

The downside was that it was pretty busy, but there were so many types of fish! It's a small area so we didn't bother renting fins and just got snorkels, which were $12 each. Totally worth it! I highly recommend bringing a snack or meal. You can buy very expensive food up by the welcome center (where you'll watch a required orientation video), but so long as you take care of your garbage, bringing your own food is much better.

Waimea is a very beautiful yet dangerous place. Here is a little story to explain. My girlfriend and I stopped there and enjoyed swimming in the surf and going up and down the beach. We didn't notice the signs warning about high surf. I was having fun in the water. The waves would go over my head and then drop to my knees. I would watch surfers go over me on the waves. Then I was standing in water just up to my ankles. I turned around and was looking at a 20 foot high wave, more or less. It hit me and shot me up the beach for about 100 ft and then tried to drag me out to see. The only thing that saved me was my bathing suit being filled with sand. I looked for my girlfriend and she had the same problem but was missing the top of her bikini. I got that for her and we then went and flushed the sand out of our suits. We learned to watch the signs and do what they say. We became sun bathers for a while!! But I will go back in a heart beat..

First off, the parking lot is small, so don’t expect to get a space easily. However, if you desperately want to park within 100m of the beach you can pay $20 at The Valley across the road. Or you could walk a little and park for free further up the road in the Three Tables or Sharks Cove parking. It’s literally a 5-10 minute walk.

The beach is absolutely beautiful and on the east end, much quieter. There are steps down from the road so you don’t need to scramble over the rocks. There is a steep drop to the shore but you can stay on the level sand at the top. Toilets (not nice ones) are available near the lifeguard tower as well as showers.

The best thing about this bay is the snorkelling. It was on a par with Honolua Bay in Maui - highlights were parrotfish, Christmas wrasse and an abundance of butterflyfish. The water is really clear and there are some large rocks right by the shoreline where the fish can be seen if you don’t want to swim out. There are some strong waves but if you’re sensible you’ll be fine. The other highlight was watching a spinner dolphin pod swim round the paddle boarders and boats. We spent two days at this beach - simply gorgeous.

Huge powerful waves! When the waves would return the sea, it would almost suck you out into the water near the break zone. There were warnings, but it was still amazing to witness the power of all the waves. People were surfing and boogie boarding. The sand is course but not hot.

Large waves, spectacular shore breaks, and sweet beaches...
What's not to love?
It is one of the best places on the island to go hang out for the day!

We spent hours here body boarding and enjoying the beach. Parking is tough so get here early or be prepared to be patient. There are restrooms and showers so bring food and stay all day

Rent a car and drive the island. This is really what Hawaii is all about. Lookouts all over the island and along the ride. Bring your camera and a battery pack for charging. It’s unreal how beautiful it is!

The shorebreak is know to paralyze or kill inexperienced waders and body surfing neophytes. Lifeguards on duty tell the throngs to stay out of the water, and they allow only locals with swimming fins to negotiate the dangerous shorebreak and strong undertow which eats tourists for lunch.

Such a beautiful beach. As you drive down the highway to the North Shore you see Wiamea Bay in all its glory and the old church in the background looking over the surf. It's a real life movie set.

Waimea Bay Beach is a wonderful place to hang out and actually go swimming. There are a lot of beaches on the north shore, but a lot of them are not suitable for swimming. This one is a little protected so it gets medium sized waves that are wonderful to float and play in! Finding a place to park can be a problem. The park only has so many spots. We were there at 10:30 AM on a Monday and it was already full. There is some parking on the road too.

Big waves and nice relaxed atmosphere, sit on the beach make sure to bring food and drinks as its hard to get anything there, also the bathrooms are dirty but fine.

Great place to park the car and watch the sunset. You can also see turtles popping their heads up out of the water. Just beautiful!

The beach is amazing. We finally got to come during the summer when the waves are calm enough to get into the water. The slope drop is pretty steep from the beach into the water compared to other beaches around the island and the waves here can be a little rougher than other beaches. Our smallish children had no problems in the waves though. Lots of room on the beach. If you walk to the far north side of the beach there is even less of a crowd, just avoid the fishermen that have their lines out (they tend to be towards the middle of the beach).

Parking--if you don't arrive early (like most places in Hawaii) expect to wait for parking. Parking is limited and it might take a couple of circles of the parking lot to get a spot from someone leaving. There is parking also off the highway.

Saw wild dolphins. They swam right underneath us! Saw a turtle and loads of fish. This is more of a snorkeling beach than swim beach because the area is rocky and coraly. Also cliff jumping.

We walked out there about an hour before sunset. Bring a flashlight. The walk is long and somewhat difficult but well worth it. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous and we met some really interesting folks out there. it wasn't crowded and the picture taking was splendid. A must see if you like a little hiking. The flashlight is a must for the walk back.

Went to this beach so grandkids could jump off the rock. Beach was beautiful and had great views in all directions. Enjoyed watching all the young whipper snappers jumping off the rock. The amount of time you spend here is up to you.

This is our favorite beach, clear water, nice clean beach. It's not crowded like Waikiki. You will be sure to have a nice relaxing time here and other activities around the area.

We travelled up to Waimea by The Bus - a joyous adventure! Best to have a shawl or scarf as the air conditioning is on full blast in the bus - but the trip along the highway, leaving the city, seeing farms, mountains and towns along the way meant we didn't have to circle for parking once we arrived.

We walked both sides of the highway, exploring every step of the way. Waimea is totally worth the trip. As we visited in November during big surf, we did not swim but the town and surrounding area is a must do on the list!

The bus ride was just under 3 hours. Lots of time to chat and make friends with fellow passengers.

Checked out a few beaches on the North Shore, and this was one of our favourites. Really spacious beach with nice blue water. Even on a rainy and cloudy day, the beach was still pretty.

Favorite spot on the North Shore. Great beach with flush toilets, picnic tables and plenty of space. This beach is not recommended for snorkeling but has a great atmosphere and a fun beach for swimming. Definitely a beautiful beach and not crowded compared to South Oahu.

This beach is right at the mouth of Waimea Valley. It is very large and has plenty of room even when the parking lot is full. The waves were big when we visited, so we didn’t snorkel, but did do a lot of wave jumping. There are also some small cliffs on the west side of the beach that were good for jumping off of. You can definitely touch the bottom when you land in the water, so make sure the tide has come in a bit to cushion the jump.

We went in November so the waves were much more intense than other times of the year, but it was an absolute blast. We body surfed the waves and it was just wonderful. It's less manicured than resort beaches are, but that is part of it's charm.

Get here early as parking is limited. There is some shade if you stay higher up on the beach away from the water. Great rock to jump off. Doesn’t look as high from shore as it really is but there are options for a shorter jump. Water below is deep.

This beach is close to the valley, a nice and small beach, not so crowded, with a rock to jump from. If you come along and you as parents want to visit The Valley, you can leave your older children there. It might be better for you. No dangerous shore breaks and no dangerous currents.
But not a beach you have to stop for.

Bay far one of the most majestic places on the island. I love stopping by to take in the calm waters in the summer and big waves in the winter. Its a beautiful cove and home to many Big Wave Invitationals. Make sure to swing by the Waimea Valley Farmers Market on Thursday nites across the Road. Both are a treat!

We did a little tour of Oahu and this was by far our highlight! We arrived around 5/6 pm so there was some parking available in the lots (I'm told that it's hard to get a parking spot at times). There is a big rock that you can jump off of and it's so fun!
While on the rock, we saw two manta rays swimming in the bay. It was a wonderful place, I could have spent all day here.
There is also a public bathroom available here.

Beautiful, wide, sandy beach. The ocean is clean, but was really rough. Parking can be little bit tricky - there is a limited amount of parking spots.

Close to the beach - showers, changing rooms, restrooms. The area is clean.

Had an amazing experience riding the waves in Waimea! Great place for teens and had plenty of space to get crazy in the surf. Parking was easy and the showers were perfect!!!

A long drive from Waikiki but worth it to see a turtle basking on the beach, with many more swimming close to shore

I’ve always wanted to come see this place and I did, but next time I’ll come in the winter so I can hopefully see some massive surf. Parking can be a little tricky so just be prepared to walk some, no big deal.

I would highly recommend. Beautiful beach with cliffs near by ( my sons jumped from them which were about 30 to 40 feet high). Parking is tough but you can park across the street at the park and walk over. I would highly recommend going to the waterfall there since it is beautiful and you can take a refreshing swim underneath it.

We stopped here for a potential swim. It was not a swimming beach, only surfing. The lifeguard was constantly on the megaphone telling beachgoers to not swim, water is deadly. We moved on

We paired a visit to Waimea Bay after Waimea Valley. We saw a beautiful sunset and watched some people attempting to enter the waves... not for swimming but beautiful beach!

had a great time jumping from the rock. great experience until me returned to our stuff to find our clothes and phone missing.
when we approached the life guard to report we were told to check the trash bins. they usually take the money and dump the rest.
instead thanks to find my iphone we were able to track our stuff down. stressful ending to a fun day.

This is a popular beach. There is restrooms and parking. It is within walking distance of Waimea Valley.

Great family beach. Go early small parking lot fills up quickly. Take your own umbrella for shade. If weather is good can be very busy. Has been rated best beach in the area.

This is a must stop and see and take photos along this beautiful stretch of Hwy 83. Pull off and take iconic pictures of this majestic area. The rocks and cliffs are unimaginable and the pristine oceans splashing up against the hilly rocks are just unbelievable. Get there early and pull of the scenic drive and spend 30 minutes taking in the beauty of America and the Hawaiin Islands.

We drove past this beach and knew from seeing it on the side of the road that we had to go! It was stunning and very picturesque. Parking is a challenge, as others have mentioned, and we found street parking but had to basically hike from our spot down a steep hill to get to the beach that was somewhat dangerous (the other option was walking on the very narrow shoulder of the super busy road so it was sort of a lose-lose). Honestly I'd probably just Uber there to avoid all of that. But anyway, we really enjoyed the sandy shores and dipping in the water, dodging massive waves that break right on the shore (if you time it right then you're fine though!)

Another highlight was jumping off the big rock! Scary but fun! We were lucky enough to be there when the tide was high enough that it was a safe jump but often times it will be closed. If you get the chance though, you have to do it!

Great beach with great waves. Also a large rock that you can climb up and jump off of. After you finish you hoke to Waimea Falls, cross the street and finish your day at the beach. Parking is probably the worst part of this location. If you park on the highway, there are paths that go down through the woods to go to the beach.

Waimea Bay is a beautiful beach with a large boulder for cliff jumping. Water is clear and sand is soft and nice. Compared to Waikiki beach, this beach is A++ because you really do feel like you are on a tropical island and not in the middle of bustling city. However, there is a downside to this beach. Parking is so limited. You may have to park on the road or across the street at Waimea Gardens. There is also very limited shade. So plan accordingly. Get there early for good parking and possibly a shady spot or be prepared to walk from across the street or take your own beach umbrella. Still worth the trip to the beach!

This is a very popular beautiful beach! First off, parking sucks. Drove around the small parking lot for 20 minutes waiting for someone to leave. Some people park along the highway and walk to it but that seemed dangerous. It was worth the wait. This beach has bathrooms, showers, and lifeguards. Water was crystal clear and gets deep quick. There is a huge rock structure many people jump off of. My teenage daughter tried it and loved it. This was one of my favorite beaches in Oahu. I would highly recommend checking it out.

Waimea valley is beautiful. The big is big and is on the 7 miles miracle, north shore in general is very nice in the winter with big waves and you can watch surfers.

We picked a perfect day to visit this beach. The water was clean, blue and most importantly calm. While swimming you could feel the pull and the power of water even when it was calm. I couldn’t image when the sleeping giant awakens with the waves in its great heights and intensity. Very easy to get to but parking is a problem if you don’t get their early. You can park up along the side of the road outside the main entrance but watch for no parking signs. There’s a lifeguard on duty, toilets and showers. A great place to visit.

We visited several times in mid-March with our daughter (tween) who is an excellent swimmer but a novice with ocean waves. She loved it! The waves were big enough for fun body surfing with enough risk to make it exciting but without the wildness and danger (for swimming) of some other North Shore beaches. I wouldn't advise it for small children unless they are content to play on the large expanse of beautiful sand while the better swimmers play in the water. There are lifeguards on duty who actively warn of changing conditions. There is also a medium sized parking lot but expect to wait for a spot during busy times.

Went here today for a swim and it was lots of fun! Spent most of the day swimming in the calm water and then there’s a large rock that you can jump off into the ocean. We also spotted a couple of turtles here when we were swimming and were lucky enough to get a photo with one.
You do have to get here early to get a park as it fills up really quick! Otherwise there’s a place across the road that charges $5 to park your car :) (Just a car park in a locals back yard)

This beach is one of our favorites. Pros: Nice beach area, good size, surfing is possible of course (North Shore is a classic surf area), good facilities. Bathroom/changing area, outside faucets and sprays for cleaning off sand. Barbecuing is permitted. Snorkeling is good, you might even see the occasional honu (Green Sea Turtle. Warning, do NOT harass! $2000 fine!!!) Cons: Access and parking. Entrance is on a curve, so can be a bit hazardous. Lot fills up quickly, but parking along the Kamehameha Highway is permitted in designated areas. I highly recommend this beach, but best to get there early to get a space in the parking lot.

This beach has it all (except ample parking). The sand is soft and there is a lot of it so you can spread out. The water is warm and very calm in the summer. Snorkeling is good around some of the rocks and reefs they have on the south side of the beach. There is even some boogie boarding at the north side if the swells are cooperating. The best thing about Waimea Bay in the summer is the rock jump. Tall enough to be exciting, but not terrifying. This is the quintessential Hawaiian beach and if you visit you are in for a great day.

Great beach with pretty serious wave action. Good for surfing but can be challenging to exit water with snorkel gear to deal with.

Wow, yet another great beach on the north side. Bathrooms and outside showers a perk. Parking fills up fast, come early! I would spend the day, bring food and snacks. Water was quite smooth the day we were here. A must try if you are beaching.

Waimea Bay’s located in uptown which is almost an hour away drive from Waikiki — a completely different vibe from Waikiki Beach too. It’s less crowded so parking is easy.

Water is clear and it’s definitely good for snorkeling and diving. However waves could be high depends on the month so it might not be suitable for everyone. If you’re a good surfer and who have experiences it’s a place for you for no doubt. However if you’re just a beginner I’d suggest Waikiki Beach as you can get more assistance there.

Waimea is also a great place to chill out. Shops open early so you can start your day there early to avoid traffic. If you go there on Friday, try to head back to town no later than 3:30pm or you will be stuck in traffic. Some cafes there accept digital payments only so keep it in mind.

This beach at sunset was straight-up magical. We happened to be driving home for the day and decided to stop here to watch the sunset. Between the sounds of the crashing waves, the soft sand, and the stunning view it was all beyond perfect. 10/10 recommend this beach for a romantic sunset picnic.

Waimea Bay is beautiful. The parking fills up pretty quickly, so get there early. The other thing to keep in mind is the surf changes in the summer and winter. This is a world famous surf spot in the winter months, but if you’re not an expert or experienced surfer do not plan on getting in the water . The summer months provide a calm swimming spot as well as the ability to jump off the rock in Waimea bay for some cliff diving fun. Overall an awesome spot on the North Shore.

Great place for the family , large beach plenty of room. Great shoreline for playing in the waves !!!

Waimea Bay was very nice when I visited, but I also know that inexperienced swimmers have had fatal accidents during the winter months.

Best day of our trip! Great place to spend some time! Great snorkeling and views and area food is fantastic! So much fun!

The beach is picturesque. The water is a nice temperature and at this time of year, you can float in the water with minimal waves breaking. Makes for a pleasant dip in the ocean. The teenagers have a blast jumping off the rocks into the ocean. Showers are close to the parking lot. Sand gets hot so be prepared to walk in shoes through the sand.

Loved soaking up the sun on the famous Waimea Beach. Be careful here in the winter, as the waves can break on the shore and put kids and inexperienced swimmers at risk of being tossed into the sand. Otherwise a lovely beach.

We love Waimea Bay. It's an absolute dream to visit this hot spot. Go early in the morning, because it does get crowded and parking is limited. We paid to park ($10) across the street from the beach lot. It was well worth it and the parking attendants were super friendly and helpful.
The water can be choppy - so check the surf report before driving up. But it's also super clear, and a great location for snorkeling.
There are bathrooms and outdoor showers making this a really convenient beach experience.

Stopped here to do some jumping off the rocks. It can be shallow if the tide is out, so be safe. I went in 5 times and it was great! parking can be a pain, so come early.

We stayed right up the mountain from this beautiful beach, we visited several times and was in awe each time!

The beach itself is nice just unfortunately there is hardly any parking, so you either have to get there early or are lucky. There is no further option for parking in the vicinity.
The beach unfortunately also has little shade so you should think of the appropriate equipment.

We only stopped and looked at the Beach and dipped a toe in the water but WOW what a view!! Wish we could have spent more time and had a swim but was rushed to get to our next activity. Worth spending an hour or so here if you have time (do this instead of the Waimea Falls), but don't spend to long on the beach or you will melt.... also make sure you only park in the designated area as local 5-0 were giving out lots of tickets to the ball on the day we attended.

We visited Waimea with friends and family and the weather was perfect, the ocean was beautiful and so clear. Highly recommended for a relaxing day out. Parking can be tough but worth the effort.

Absolutely breathtaking. Beautiful water colors. Be sure and see the falls while this close. Great pix.

Beautiful beach! We also saw several sea turtles swimming (no pics, sadly). Perfect spot for families, kids, teens, etc

Waimea on the North Shore is a great beach. It's got great scenery with (if you're facing the water) local kids jumping off a small cliff on the left into the water and a cliff on the right. Waimea is about 35 minutes from Waikiki and well worth the drive. Lots of locals when we came - it was a Sunday and it seemed like one of the busiest beach days on our trip with families out and about. There is a small busy parking lot. We found a spot with the method of hanging out in the car by the side and asking if people were going to leave and following them to their cars. We also gave up our spot to someone else who asked us when we left. We brought our own food and drinks, laid out the bamboo mat we bought at ABC Stores and hung out here for a couple hours. We saw dolphins way out in the water on this gloriously sunny afternoon and had a good time here. We hit up Kuhio, Waimea, Turtle Bay, Lanikai, Waimanalo and Ko Olina beaches on this trip. Waimea had to be up towards the top of the list.

Listen please do not try to swim at this beach during winter im a great swimmer and seen some a couple locals in the water without a board I didn’t know they had fins on so I thought I would be ok I almost died there man those waves are so strong they pin you under water and just keep sucking u back in the scariest moment of my life. Please don’t do it man not worth it at all respect the ocean it’s so much more powerful than you think also I was yelling for help and the lifeguards did absolutely nothing they didn’t even bother to run down by the water even with my girlfriend yelling for help consider yourself on your own and also warned stay safe and don’t die on vacation 🙏😞

Great surf, sand, location. Was raining a little on the day are were there, but great never-the-less

We swam out to a nearby catamaran that our friend was captaining at the time. Rather I should say that I was floated out on a floating mat and I loved the experience. The water is crystal clear and you can see down 20 feet or more to the bottom.

Parking lot is extremely small. Be prepared to let your group out and the driver stalk people coming out to parking lot. Can take between 15-30 minutes. Took 5-10 minutes just to get out of gridlock parking lot. And for what? Steep sandy beach and gentle barely anything waves. Not worth it. On the plus side, it’s not crowded because there are more people driving around the parking lot than there are on the beach. So many other sandy beaches to try. Water was clear so you could verify there was absolutely nothing to see in the water.

Beautiful views and beach on the North Shore. Best sand in Oahu! Awesome views of the lighthouse on the main road as well. Good for swimming and surfing and just hanging out at the beach! Parking available and restrooms!

Beautiful area with a large surf or camping population. Hard to find a parking space. The jumping rock is super cool. Very near restaurants and shopping on the North Shore.

Wow what a beautiful place to spend the day. We arrived around 10:30 and parking was hard to find. Cars were circling the parking lot like vultures. We were able to find a spot in the main lot and had a wonderful day.

So much fun! We loved visiting this beach with "Oahu Private Tours."

It was a quick stop, but we all loved it!

Free parking, get there early, clean public restrooms, great beach park. Bigger waves being on the north shore. A must destination to visit.

There are just so many accessible beaches but Waimea Bay is one of the most beautiful (and therefore one of the busiest so get there early). Don’t miss a trip to this beach

We stopped here for a mid afternoon snack with friends. The day we initially went it wasn`t crowded as it was mid week however we tried again on a weekend and it was totally pack and people were parking up the hillside (so watch the traffic). Very nice beach and we watch dolphins breaching and playing from shore even though they were far out it was very nice to see and very unexpected.

Parking is hard to come by. Lots of people. Go early, pack a lunch and plan on staying the whole day. Snorkeling is fun in the summer! If you see a turtle, don't touch them and give them some space, they're protected. Jumping off the rock is a must do for my kiddos.

Very nice beach here. Very clean with plenty of parking spots. Restrooms was a bit dirty. Lifeguard on duty looking out for the surfers. Highly recommended.

Great beach but get there early as it gets busy fast. Had a great time wish we were able to snorkel as this is a great spot for that.

This is a gorgeous postcard perfect bay that is well worth the effort to get to. Parking can be a challenge but the beauty makes even that worth the effort.

To me this is the best beach or one of them in the North Shore. The area is very calm mostly and the snorkeling on the far right side when looking at the beach is great. There is also a small pond area that small kids really enjoyed. If you have kids is is a great beach and there was also a rock diving area the teens seemed amused with.

Lots of sandy beach tucked away on Oahu's north shore. I went in February and the waves were crazy huge! It wasn't too crowded, but it the water was in danger mode. There is a lifeguard there to warn folks to keep out of the water if you can't swim too well. The rain didn't keep anyone away! I would come here again in a heartbeat!

We thoroughly enjoyed our day at waimea bay. The water was beautiful and warm. Not too many people considering how lovely it was. A small amount of snorkelling was good to see. Tip: bring a beach umbrella. We ended up buying one after our day here.

The parking was horrific. There was no rhyme or reason to it. People could come in after you've been sitting there and take a parking spot. It took us 30 minutes waiting patiently. But after that, we really enjoyed the beach. It was beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. The waves were fairly strong and it was pretty deep right away. But very nice beach and not very crowded.

This was a Beautiful beach but the water had a hard undertow making it not very fun for swimming. It would not be safe for children. I still enjoyed laying on the beach and watching people jump off the rocks.

Really amazing and breath taking! You have to travel to this beach! This should be on any beach lover's list.

We were on the Hwy to North Shore and 1 X shower Niche with Frame and 1 X fixed shelf on the way to take pictures

Came here twice we loved it so much. Stopped by on a Friday, we were only ones on the beach. Felt like our private beach. Came back on sunday and it was packed. No problem though, glad to see everyone out enjoying the beauty.

First time on Waimea Beach with my family. If you are looking for big waves compare to Waikiki then this beach is perfect for bodyboarding or wave riding & surfing. The waves here can get really big in seconds. I was riding waves and I had a blast and this is without bodyboard. I jumped from the cliff and its an adrenaline rush. Highly recommend it if like big waves🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

My husband and me are on holiday from the UK. We decided to drive round the north coast road which is stunning. We stopped at Waimea bay to have a break and watch the surfer for a bit, we wasn’t disappointed absolutely stunning beach although not a beach to swim at unless you are a very experienced swimmer the waves here can get very big , there are lifeguards on duty and are always alert and advise people who try to swim here without the correct gear on or those who have young children playing in the surf, the wet sand can be like sinking sand and if you get caught in the current I can imagine it would sweep you in.. that being said it is a lovely spot to sit and have a picnic and watch the surfers while topping up your tan or sitting in the shade. They have toilet facilities here and showers too..beautiful beach on an amazing stretch of coastline...

Great spot, just a short drive away from the North Shore. Highly recommend that you also visit the botanical garden area of the park, and there is a waterfall that you can hike to. Cost is $20 per person (adult) but you will see more foliage and rare plants no where else on the island.

We were astounded at the size of the waves. To see surfers out on them on a day like today gave me even more respect for them! There was also younger people body surfing and it sure looked like they were having fun!
We got many amazing pics of wild waves.

Like much of the North Shore, this is a non-commercialized area with a tucked away beach around the bend. It is normally full of huge waves and surfers but the day we drove by was extremely windy (eventually turning into a downpour) so the waves were actually smaller because the wind was blowing against the surf, according to our tour driver.

Beautiful stretch of beach, long and wide with facilities present. Get there early if you want a parking spot, particularly on the weekends or holidays. People love jumping off the rocks on the left side of the beach, cool area to snorkel on that end also. Lots of people putting up sun tents with lots of family and friends hanging out. Great way to spend the day.

We spent our daughter's 13th b-day here! The water was absolutely gorgeous. It honestly didn't look real, and the photos I took of our kids looked fake! Kids and adults REALLY LOVED jumping off the rocks at the end of this beach. A must do for adventurous families! I do not think I would recommend this beach to families w/young children, as the water was not as calm as other beaches we visited on Oahu. But our time here will never be forgotten!

Waimea Bay Beach Park, where the Waimea River flows into the Pacific, and the nearby Three Tables Beach are excellent places to swim, fish, or just watch the waves roll in

Waimea Bay Beach Park is a fantastic North Shore Beach. We visited twice during our most recent visit to Hawaii and on one of the visits there was a swim race in the North Shore Race Series taking place. It was a 2.3 mile point to point race ending at Waimea Bay and our hats are off to those swimmers. It was so exciting seeing all the different finishers come across the finish line.
Like other beaches in Hawaii there are bathrooms at this beach, but they could use a good cleaning and a remodel! Parking can be tight in the smallish lot so please note there are two pull offs on the south side of the road, each can hold about ten cars, and if you can’t park there either about a half mile from the parking lot is a street named Iliohu Place and you can park there too (we did one of the two days and the walk was not too bad). There is good snorkeling at the south end of the beach near the reef and you can also swim to the reef and stand on it! Do note the beach can also be windy at time; make sure to secure your umbrellas!

This was a great family beach. Some days waves get to big, but the day we went it was awesome! It had clean bathrooms and outdoor showers.

Great beach views and surf.
Only wish we could have swam, great time anyany. Clear water, beautiful beaches

This place is famous for its huge waves in winter and its place in surfing mythology.
However it's a fantastic summer location with almost flat ocean and easy swims.
Car-park is small as everywhere in Oahu!

This beach is epic. So many things have happenned on this beach that you wouldn't believe. During the summer months you can cliff jump there. Beware of the dangerous shore break during the winter. Amazing.

I think this was the most beautiful sand beach on the North shore. I is a very large beach with parking along the road.

We had to park pretty far away, as the parking lot was full. The beach was also quite full. Calm surf. Not great for snorkeling, unfortunately, despite what we were told by a local. Bathrooms and outdoor showers on site, which was nice.

I stopped at Waimea bay on an all-day private tour of Oahu. It is a beautiful photo stop on a sunny day.

Great beach on the north shore in the summer. Definitely arrive before nine, maybe earlier on weekends. It is medium fine sand with showers to rinse off sand. The water is super clear. Brought the snorkel gear just to try it out and saw a sea turtle! Not that far from shore there were hundreds of dolphins doing flips and barrel rolls out of the water. There were paddle boarders near them but the dolphins didn’t seem to care. Pretty kid friendly as long as they can swim. The beach started to get crowded around ten and there was no more parking in the lot. Highly recommend this is you can come early.

We had seen this beach as we drove by when we first arrived. Waited until early morning on a weekday because it is a popular spot for locals. There is a rock where people were diving and the water was great for SUP and body surfing! There are showers to rinse off after and bathrooms for changing.

A very popular sandy beach at the mouth of the Waimea River. Attempted to visit here mid-afternoon, but of course, ridiculous parking situation. This was a weekday in early December. Use caution while driving back to Haleiwa from here, as lots of cars jockey for limited overflow parking along the guardrail on busy Kamehameha Hwy. If you don't get there early, have a plan "B" beach in mind.

Mahalo

Wonderful beach with crystal clear water and soft sand. Kids loved jumping off the rock. Awesome snorkeling left of jumping rock with turtles and good swimming off beach. Parking is limited but people are always leaving if you are patient. Showers and restroom as well as lifeguards on site.

Really enjoyed our visit to Waimea Bay beach! The water was crystal clear and the snorkelling was beautiful, especially on the north side of the beach
A couple of turtles swimming and on the beach! We didn’t just off of the ‘jump rock’ as it was very crowded but the rest of the beach was very chilled
We are looking forward to going back!

Parking sucked. Circled the lot for a good while before getting a spot. Steep walk down to the water. Lifeguards get some action here I’m betting. We had been to waikiki Beach and Lanakai Beach already. This was nothing like those beaches. Huge waves smashing on shore here. I shoulda known better than to get in the water. But I did go in and get tossed around underwater. Current and waves so strong that I lost my footing and whilst underwater, I was swooshed toward the beach, on my butt. Pretty sure I got enough sand packed into my xyz to make a big glass (stained) lamp. Maybe a pair of them…..Then, still underwater, I was pulled back out till the next wave had its way with me too. I got out of the water feeling like I just went 2 rounds with Mike Tyson in his prime. Wife was entertained as anyone else who got to enjoy the beating I took.

+++luckily our hotel had a shower with a wand. Practically had to be a contortionist and aim that thing into crevices I know that it didn’t want to spray …..and the sand is still working it’s way out a day later. Enjoy!

The view is breathtaking here, one of the best on the island. The beach was very calm in June. Small waves do crash right at the shore and right beyond the waves, it gets deep pretty fast. Not the best place for toddlers, but great for swimming and snorkeling. We saw plenty of sea turtles here, which was just amazing. It's also a lot of fun to watch the brave cliff divers.

Best enjoyed on calm days for swimming. Can be crowded and difficult to find parking. Hiking option available.

We liked this beach but not much for snorkeling and parking is very insufficient. The kids enjoyed jumping off the rock and we watched a seal swim around not seemingly to care the bay was full of people.

what can I say, It's da best jump off any rock in hawaii!! Must try if your a thriller junkie and for fun too

I would say this beach was quite nice in general, very fun to snorkel in the summer!! Sometimes it can get too crowded but it is never too much, unlike Waikiki. Amazing waters, not too cold, a greatly recommended beach by everyone!!

We were particularly lucky to see Waimea Bay on a high surf day. The waves were especially good this day and quite a few surfers were taking advantage of it. It was fun to watch.

Hey, it's a great beach - high surf compared to earlier visits - good storms a day or two prior. Great parking - driving to the North Shore is getting more and more crowded, so plan well.

Our family enjoyed this beach so much and would return over and over again. The day we went it was beautiful, calm and clear and we saw many small fish in the clear water. My husband, son, sister in law and son's friend all jumped off the rock and enjoyed it! There was plenty of beach area but we had to circle and wait for parking. I can not wait to return!

Beautiful beach in September...but wild and rough in the winter months. Worth a trip anytime! Great view of St. Peter and Paul's church and the Waimea Valley behind the beach...

Its has been a must do for my bucket list to visit Waimea Bay. Since the days of reading about it in surf magazines. No surf the day we were there but that's ok. Parking is limited.

Went for a beach day, husband surfs. Beautiful day, however the sets kept getting bigger so wasn’t a place for kids. When I went to get in, must admit the waves were intimidating - but beautiful.

This is perhaps our favorite beach on the island in June and July. It drops off fast to a relatively deep, sandy bottomed swimmer's and snorkeler's paradise. You can float pretty far out with easy, rolling swells. Snorkeling reveals little silver fish and little white fish. The beach itself is not so crowded as Waikiki or Kailua and it has a lifeguard. But, parking is tough. To get a space, get there early. Or, you can turn in the Waimea Falls entrance and find pay lots--the first one is $10 and the second one (on the left) is $5.

Sunsets here are lovely. Do look at the weather and beach information before you go. The drive from Waikiki can be as little as 50 minutes or almost 2 hours depending on traffic and you don't want to drive it and then find out it is too rainy to stay. But, on a good day, this beach is paradise.

Oh, and you can jump off the big black rock, though that is NOT recommended by the lifeguards. :)

It was very fun jumping off the rock, however, I didn't expect to see so many fish around the little rock to the right where you jump. If you're standing on the beach it's just a tiny rock poking out of the beach to your east/to your right. Just for fun, I snorkeled there and there were lots of fun fish to watch! Who knew!

Gorgeous kids loved huge waves and beautiful worth visiting - lifeguards are there too - this is hawaiii and to experience the waves is great

Visited on on a lovely day when the waves were huge. This may have made it too dangerous for would-be surfers but it made it good wave watching for landlubbers

Parking usually fills up by 9am on weekdays, but you can park across the road at Waimea Valley for $10. You can also park on the road above the park if you like some excitement in your life.
The beach is huge. There is excellent snorkeling on the far left side of the beach, but be careful of the current because that lava rock is no joke. The large rock is also a popular draw to climb and jump from, even when lifeguards put out a sign prohibiting it. We did see several dolphin pods about 500 yards out.

I have visited quite a few more beautiful beaches than Waimea Bay on Oahu. Nevertheless, we never saw the high waves that this beach is famous for...but in my opinion, unless the surf is really up, there are many better options to beach on the island

This place has a big beach which is uncommon on Oahu. The was water was crystal clear and beautiful. There is a big grassy area and there are bathrooms. Parking was tough. 2nd favorite bay on the island.

This is a lovely beach with great snorkeling. It's also fun to watch the crazies lining up to jump off the giant rock. The sand is soft and deep, maybe a little too soft. Snorkel to the left of the rock and you'll be in for a treat. A good variety and many schools of fish. The only negative about this beach is the parking. The parking lot is small and always seems to have a long line of cars waiting for a spot. There's limited parking on the street, which we were lucky enough to snag the last spot. If you can find parking, you're in for a treat.

Great beach for a swim in the summer months before the big swells nice as and sandy with plenty of beach. If your up for it there's a great rock jump at the end of the beach. Does get busy get in early to get a park easy.

We didn't spend a lot of time sunning on the beaches, but we did spend some time at this beach and found it to be a great spot for swimming and relaxing. The place has a nice vibe and is not too crowded. The parking lot is almost always full, so get there early or be prepared to walk a bit from where you can find parking.

Beautiful beach great for relaxing or surfing. Beach is free. In a residential area so be courteous not to block anyone driveways.

Firstly, avoid this place on the weekends as it’s a favourite spot for locals. Parking is very difficult. Was fun watching the locals jumping off the rocks. Saw a turtle there as well which was cool

Beautiful beach! We did not have much time during our tour to stop there but it was beautiful. If we had more time, we will go back and spend more time there.

This beach would have to be one of the most stunning beaches i have ever swam in, and i live in Australia so we have plenty. We were there in July so no waves, wopuld love to see it in the winter, i can't imagine how a place can change so dramatically.

What an amazing experience! the snorkeling was top notch! Watch the birds if you are snacking onshore tho!

The parking lot for the beach fills up fast but there is overflow parking with a fee at Waimea Falls across the road

We went to the falls and saw the cliff jumping and my teenaged children made us go back another day to the beach - such a great idea!

We went really early in the morning and got a parking spot right next to the beach but by the time we left even the police were present to keep traffic moving as people hunted parking spots. GO EARLY!!!\

We did the cliff jumping and almost jumped onto a turtle!. The water here is clear and great for swimming. It gets very deep very fast by the cliff jumping area so it is not as dangerous as you may think, I weigh 170 pounds and I jumped from the highest spots and never touched the bottom. My kids jumped from all over and did touch bottom but not hard, just be aware of jumping too close to the shore line and beware of the rocks which are black in the clear water. There is a sign posted not to jump but nobody seems to obey - but I recommend you do not jump (insert legal statement here) as you may get hurt. My whole family jumped because we are crazy

We have been coming to Hawaii for many years and always make time to come to Waimea Bay. It's absolutely beautiful here and our son loves to jump off the rock...like for hours! It is a bit of a walk through the sand to get to the rock (if that's what you want to do), so try not to bring so much stuff to carry. Friends from the mainland were visiting while we were there and their kids all had a great time. Waves are a good size (at least during the summer) to play in. Lots of snorkeling spots available, too. We usually see a sea turtle swimming around (just don't touch or bother them if you see them). We absolutely love Waimea Bay and highly recommend anyone to visit.

Hired a Jeep and drove here to jump off the rock. It’s a must do for everyone that is able to climb up. I saw 6 year old kids jumping and 40 year old adults getting scared about jumping. It was so much fun and the water was great.
The beach on this day wasn’t the best. It had a very big drop off 2 meters out so it was very dangerous from 1 to 5 meters out. Once you got out 5 meters it was fine but it was about 7 feet deep only 5 meters out so young kids needed to worry. I saw a lot of people get dumped in water that went from 1 foot to 1 meter in seconds.
Again come for the jumping and time it well.

Busy car park at 3pm on a Thursday but there was relatively quick turnaround - we waited for 15 minutes for a spot. Waves break close to shore but it was a easy great swimming spot - if you are comfortable being in deeper water. It’s also a largely sandy bottomed beach - no avoiding big rocks trying to enter the water.

The beach is absolutely lovely but come early! It is so popular and parking is scarce , so come early!!!! We were here in summer, so only small waves but great for our 8 and 10 year old kids to play around in.

You cannot go to the Island of Oahu without heading to the North Shore and visiting Waimea Bay. Any time of the year is perfect. When we went, the waves were not huge and we were able to jump off the legendary rocks into the ocean. The water is pristine and the beach is simply beautiful. Two tips: You need to get there early in order to find a parking place. Also, DO NOT leave anything valuable in the car. Lots of thefts occur at this beautiful place unfortunately!

This is one of the most popular beaches along the North Shore and that means finding parking is difficult. The main parking lot at the beach fills up by 8AM...you can try to wait for a spot but will likely be waiting around for a while. Across the road at the entrance to the Waimea Valley, they do open up pay parking in a couple of lots. You can also park at the church for a small fee just north of the beach. If you aren't wanting to pay, you can park at the Waimea Falls parking lot for free. It is about a 10 minute walk out to the main road but saves you some cash. There is also some paid parking at the entrance to the Waimea Valley.

You will want something to wear on your feet at the beach. If the sun is out the sand gets really hot so come prepared. The walk to water through the sand can be challenging especially if you are transporting umbrellas, tents, food and of course kids. The water is at least 100 yards from the grass so you will walk a fair distance through hot sand.

On the far left of the beach you will see the cliff jumping rock. Cliff jumping is done at your own risk and they have signs up to warn you of this. Climb up carefully as there is sand on the rocks and this can make them slippery and harder to navigate. Once at the top, it is wait and take your turn type mentality. You don't want to take too long when the crowds are large as others are waiting to jump...so if you aren't sure you can do it, find a place not as high to jump or wait until the crowds are smaller. Earlier in the morning there is not as long of a wait to jump (a hand full of people on the rock) but later in the day (anytime after 11AM) the rock will be covered with those wanting to jump).

If you are looking for good snorkeling at the beach, the far sides is your best bet (the middle is just sand). On the far right it is quieter and less people are in the water. There are a lot of rocks and some coral. I saw a large octopus at that end. On the far left side (on the other side of the cliff jumping rock) you can swim out and find lots of fish. If you swim out and head to the left, there is a little bay over there and along the rock walls you will find fish. I was lucky to find a turtle over there as well....he dives down along the large rock wall to hide but does come up for air so patience may help you. On a very lucky day you may even get to swim with the dolphins. They can be seen out in the open water...don't make the mistake of trying to swim all the way out to them as it is much further then it appears from shore. They do occasionally come in and swim closer to the rocks on the left so while snorkeling listen for them under water and then look up to see if they are near.

If you are bringing things to the beach (umbrellas, water toys, etc) make sure they are fastened down properly as the wind gusts show up and can take your belongings out to sea.

If you are driving around the island then you should try the Gypsy Driving Guide app. Simply download the app and for only $10 it will give you a full tour around the island with history, information and tips on worthwhile stops. It runs on GPS not data so is a great way to learn as you go...who doesn’t want a tour guide right in your own car. This particular stretch of highway on the app gives you history of surf culture and some of the greats of surfing.

I jumped off the Waimea Bay Rock after other people, and after our tour guide recommended you can jump off it. I snapped my Fibula (leg) on the bottom underwater. No air, then swimming to shore, and then waves crashing on me and tossing me into the sand, and then pulling me back out, this jump nearly took my life.
When it is choppy you cannot see the water depth.
This place has nasty Mana, do not mess with it.
Do not listen to ANYONE recommending you to jump.
7 screws, 1 plate and 2 surgeries later, 4 months after the jump, casts, boots, crutches and limping. I recommend they change the location of the warning sign and make it larger, and install a WATER DEPTH GAUGE for people to sight. We could not get any internet at this location either, or phone reception. This jump can turn your best holiday ever into your worst nightmare. Do not jump.

My husband has declared this his fave beach in the world!
Beautiful unspoiled clean beach with crystal clear water.

If you have the chance drive the highway along the North Shore. The scenery is totally different than the beach in Waikiki. A stop in Waimea Bay will certainly be worth your while.

Went there to snorkel with my 10 year old and boy we had a good time! If you want to save money bring your own snorkeling gear, food and towels. This place is absolutely gorgeous! So worth it!

Great scenery, great beach amenities, the water was warm, the people were nice, we had a wonderful time. I would highly recommend this beach

Waimea Bay is located in the North Shore area of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. It features a very large beach which is uncommon in this area. There is a small parking lot with fierce competition for spots. You can also park along the road or pay to park in the nearby lots at Waimea Valley. Traffic can also back up up during busy times. To avoid the traffic it’s best to come early and leave early.

Our kids had a blast playing in the ocean and riding on the waves. We took a kayak out and were able to see pods of dolphins swimming. I would definitely bring some type of shoes because the sand gets very hot and it takes awhile to get anywhere since the beach is so large. Our family had a great time and it is a great place to experience the North Shore of Oahu.

Waimea Beach its beautiful. Was calm with turquoise blue water. This beach is good for swimming & snorkeling. Get there early as there is very little parking.

So a must if you're cruising up to to the north shore however be warned you need to get up to this area at least before 10/10.03 otherwise be prepared to sit in a lot of traffic. The car park again is somewhere you just have to be patient , we got a spot after only waiting 5 minutes as we noticed it's a pretty steady flow of cars coming and going. Beach is beautiful with cliff jumps. Water so warm and blue and gets very deep very quickly.

Beautiful beach surrounded by nature half an hour drive from Honolulu. Parking unfortunately too small and therefore fills up immediately. Beware that sometimes, even in summer, the waves make bathing difficult. However a wonder to visit absolutely.

We visited her while the waves were very high from a storm and the beach was closed to swimming but we got to watch the surfers.
There are lifeguards protecting you and the beach is very beautiful. On calmer days you can swim here and if you know what you are doing you can surf here when it’s rough.
There is a rock nearby to jump off of into the water.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would body surf in Waimea bay in winter so much fun and a great place to chill