Is Lanikai Beach Good For Snorkeling?

Lanikai Beach, located on the windward side of Oahu, is a popular destination for snorkeling due to its pristine waters and vibrant marine life. While not a renowned spot, the calm, aqua blue waters make it an ideal spot for kids and beginners to get a feel for the water. The best chance of seeing fish is on the left side of the shore, looking for dark areas in the water that represent rocks. There is a reef just offshore, and the snorkeling was above average to good.

The beach is surrounded by a residential neighborhood that backs up right onto the Lanikai Beach, making it a great place for kayaking and SUP. The calm and shallow waters make it an ideal spot for beginners and experienced swimmers alike. Lanikai Beach is mostly protected from big waves and has good depths for snorkelers. Snorkeling at Lanikai Beach is a unique experience not to be missed, as it is situated near Kailua Bay and beach park.

Lanikai Beach is generally calm but can be susceptible to winter waves, so it should be used on a day-to-day basis. Waikiki is the safest place to swim, and Lanikai Beach is an excellent spot for swimming. The sandy beach has few rocks, corals, or lava tubes, and when not swimming, one can relax and enjoy the fabulous white-sand beach, Lanikai, which translates to “heavenly sea.”

The water is crystal clear, like all beaches in Hawaii, and the author has never seen anyone snorkeling, so they would assume it does not have good views of fish.