Situated off the coast of Windward Oahu is a picturesque slice of paradise that is only accessible during low tide. The Kaneohe sandbar, located in the middle of Kaneohe Bay surrounded by the striking Ko’olau mountains, features crystalline turquoise waters, fine white sand, and plenty of fun. At high tide, you can comfortably stand waist-deep in the water, while at low tide, the sand is completely exposed. it is, in summary, one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii.
For the ultimate weekend excursion, find a friend who owns a boat, take a charter, or rent one from any of the nearby marinas — and take the 10-minute cruise out to the sandbar.
Jai Mansson/Flickr You can even kayak there if you’re up for the challenge!
This beautiful strip of sand lies a few hundred yards off the coast and is almost at sea level — during periods of low tide, you could be standing in just a few inches of water.
Diana Quinlan/Flickr
The sandbar is notorious for being the best place to throw a party on the Windward coast. Most people bring a ton of food, drinks, and just hang out catching some sun and playing volleyball.
Timothy Tolle/Flickr
Don’t forget your tubes and floaties — just in case you are at the sandbar during high tide and you want to relax.
U.S. Navy JAG Corps/Flickr
While we love visiting the sandbar for ourselves, the view from above is seriously surreal.
Shane Harder/Flickr
The views of the surrounding Ko’olau mountains are absolutely breathtaking…
y-a-n/Flickr
…and the sparkling turquoise waters are absolutely heavenly.
U.S. Navy JAG Corps/Flickr
On an island full of gorgeous spots and incredible views, this gem is often overlooked by those who don’t own a boat — but it definitely shouldn’t be.
Kashif Pathan/Flickr
With views like this, there’s no question as to why the Kaneohe sandbar should — without a doubt — be on everyone’s Oahu bucket list.
Timothy Tolle/Flickr
Have you ever spent a warm Hawaiian day at the Kaneohe Sandbar? Tell us about your experience in the comments below as well as sharing with us what you think are the most beautiful places in Hawaii. If you’re looking for a little bit more adventure in the vast Pacific Ocean, here are 11 enchanting underwater wrecks off the Hawaiian coast you might want to explore for yourself.
Jai Mansson/Flickr
You can even kayak there if you’re up for the challenge!
Diana Quinlan/Flickr
Timothy Tolle/Flickr
U.S. Navy JAG Corps/Flickr
Shane Harder/Flickr
y-a-n/Flickr
Kashif Pathan/Flickr
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Address: Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Visiting Kaneohe, Hawaii May 26, 2020 Megan Shute What is Kaneohe, Hawaii like? Located on the windward coast of Oahu, Kaneohe is a census-designated place with a population of 35,000. With an abundance of rainfall, Kaneohe was once a major agricultural area, but today is mostly residential. The only commercial crop of any significance in the area today is banana, but there are quite a few things that make Kaneohe special. What are Kaneohe’s most popular tourist destinations? Kaneohe’s lush landscapes make it a getaway for locals and tourists alike, and a trip to the area isn’t complete without a visit to the Ho’omaluhia or the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple nestled at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains. We also can’t get enough of Kualoa Ranch — one of the islands’ premier tourist destinations with a variety of excursions offered and, of course, Kaneohe Bay. So, what is so special about Kaneohe Bay anyway? As the largest sheltered bay in the main Hawaiian Islands, Kaneohe Bay is approximately eight miles long and 2.7 miles broad, with a mouth opening of approximately 4.6 miles. In the dredged channel, the maximum depth is 40 feet and the bay is home to one of only two barrier reefs in the island chain — the other being the 27-mile barrier reef of Molokai Island. Aside from its impressive size, Kaneohe Bay is easily one of the most magical landscapes in the Aloha State, with crystalline waters and breathtaking surroundings.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Visiting Kaneohe, Hawaii
May 26, 2020
Megan Shute
What is Kaneohe, Hawaii like? Located on the windward coast of Oahu, Kaneohe is a census-designated place with a population of 35,000. With an abundance of rainfall, Kaneohe was once a major agricultural area, but today is mostly residential. The only commercial crop of any significance in the area today is banana, but there are quite a few things that make Kaneohe special. What are Kaneohe’s most popular tourist destinations? Kaneohe’s lush landscapes make it a getaway for locals and tourists alike, and a trip to the area isn’t complete without a visit to the Ho’omaluhia or the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple nestled at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains. We also can’t get enough of Kualoa Ranch — one of the islands’ premier tourist destinations with a variety of excursions offered and, of course, Kaneohe Bay. So, what is so special about Kaneohe Bay anyway? As the largest sheltered bay in the main Hawaiian Islands, Kaneohe Bay is approximately eight miles long and 2.7 miles broad, with a mouth opening of approximately 4.6 miles. In the dredged channel, the maximum depth is 40 feet and the bay is home to one of only two barrier reefs in the island chain — the other being the 27-mile barrier reef of Molokai Island. Aside from its impressive size, Kaneohe Bay is easily one of the most magical landscapes in the Aloha State, with crystalline waters and breathtaking surroundings.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Located on the windward coast of Oahu, Kaneohe is a census-designated place with a population of 35,000. With an abundance of rainfall, Kaneohe was once a major agricultural area, but today is mostly residential. The only commercial crop of any significance in the area today is banana, but there are quite a few things that make Kaneohe special.
What are Kaneohe’s most popular tourist destinations?
Kaneohe’s lush landscapes make it a getaway for locals and tourists alike, and a trip to the area isn’t complete without a visit to the Ho’omaluhia or the Byodo-In Temple, a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple nestled at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains. We also can’t get enough of Kualoa Ranch — one of the islands’ premier tourist destinations with a variety of excursions offered and, of course, Kaneohe Bay.
So, what is so special about Kaneohe Bay anyway?
As the largest sheltered bay in the main Hawaiian Islands, Kaneohe Bay is approximately eight miles long and 2.7 miles broad, with a mouth opening of approximately 4.6 miles. In the dredged channel, the maximum depth is 40 feet and the bay is home to one of only two barrier reefs in the island chain — the other being the 27-mile barrier reef of Molokai Island. Aside from its impressive size, Kaneohe Bay is easily one of the most magical landscapes in the Aloha State, with crystalline waters and breathtaking surroundings.
