Information
Landmark: Ala Moana Beach ParkCity: Honolulu
Country: USA Hawaii
Continent: North America
Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu, USA Hawaii, North America
Overview
In Honolulu on the island of Oahu, Ala Moana Beach Park stretches along the water, its calm turquoise shallows drawing both locals and visitors who linger to watch the sun melt into the horizon.With calm blue waters, soft golden sand, and wide stretches of green, it’s the perfect place to kick back, play, and soak in Hawaii’s beauty.Ala Moana Beach Park sits between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, stretching over 100 acres along Oahu’s sunny south shore, where the sand warms under your feet.You can get there easily-drive, hop on the bus, or just stroll over.You’ll find it right across from the Ala Moana Center, one of the biggest malls in the country.There’s plenty of free parking, though spaces vanish fast on busy weekends and holidays, especially when the salt air carries the sound of music from nearby events.Ala Moana Beach stretches for half a mile, its soft golden sand meeting calm, shallow water sheltered by an offshore reef-perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or stretching out in the sun.Families and beginners love it here because there’s no pounding surf.On the park’s eastern edge, Magic Island Lagoon offers a smaller, peaceful spot for children to splash while parents set up picnics under the shade, with wide views of Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the endless blue Pacific.A 2.5‑mile path loops around the park, busy with walkers, runners, and cyclists, while shaded picnic tables, grassy lawns, and barbecue pits invite long, lazy afternoons.Sports fans can hit the tennis courts, launch a canoe, or try stand‑up paddleboarding, and snorkelers often explore near the reef.Palm trees sway over open lawns dotted with native plants, and evenings bring fiery sunsets that draw photographers and couples out for a stroll; now and then, a green sea turtle glides past in the shallows.Once a swampy marsh, the area was remade into a public park in the 1930s, its name-Ala Moana-meaning “path to the sea,” and Magic Island, built in the 1960s for a resort that never came, was turned over to the public instead.Today, the park hosts family picnics, birthday parties, concerts, festivals, cultural celebrations, and the moving Lantern Floating Hawaii each Memorial Day, when thousands of lights drift into the dark water.Yoga, tai chi, and fitness classes often fill the open spaces.Across the street, Ala Moana Center offers shopping, dining, and entertainment, while Kewalo Basin Harbor nearby is the place for fishing trips, parasailing, and boat tours; Waikiki’s beaches and nightlife are just minutes away.Arrive early for parking and a quiet start, watch for lifeguard warnings, avoid stepping on coral, and bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and your favorite beach gear.Use reef-safe sunscreen to help protect the ocean’s fragile life, like the bright corals just offshore.Show respect for the park by tidying up your spot and following the posted rules.Ala Moana Beach Park mixes city ease with sand and sea, offering a perfect place to unwind, get in a workout, or meet friends under the palms.You might float in its glassy blue water, spread out lunch beneath a swaying palm, or watch the sky turn gold and rose at sunset-Ala Moana captures the heart of Oahu and the rhythm of island life.
