View of the sand coast along Kawela Beach, Oahu, Hawaii
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Kawela Bay

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West of Turtle Bay Resort, a 1.5-mile shoreline trail runs over to Kawela Bay. In winter you might spy whales cavorting offshore. After walking round Protection Point, named for its WWII bunker, you'll find the bay with its thicket of banyan trees, as seen on TV's Lost. For the best swimming and snorkeling, keep walking to the middle of the bay. Kawela Bay is also accessible via a footpath from the Kamehameha Hwy.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Turtle Bay Beach

0.76 MILES

Immediately west of Turtle Bay Resort, Turtle Bay was named because of the green sea turtles that used to lay their eggs on the beach. Not any more,…

2. Kahuku Land Farms Roadside Stand

0.82 MILES

A number of local farm stands group together just west of the Turtle Bay Resort entrance. Stop here for a fresh-cold coconut water ($3) and to peruse the…

3. Kuilima Cove

0.98 MILES

Just east of Turtle Bay Resort is beautiful little Kuilima Cove with its perfect, protected Bayview Beach. On the bay's right-hand side is an outer reef…

4. Kaihalulu Beach

1.46 MILES

A short walk along the beach east of Kuilima Cove is this beautiful, curved, white-sand beach backed by ironwoods. The rocky bottom means it's not great…

5. Sunset Beach Park

2.47 MILES

Like many beaches on the North Shore, Sunset Beach has a split personality. In winter big swells arrive, along with pro wave riders and the posse of…

7. Kahuku Farms

3.23 MILES

Take a tractor-pulled wagon tour through the taro patch and fruit orchards at this family farm – sampling included. Then stop at the gift shop for bath…

8. ʻEhukai Beach Park

3.63 MILES

The break off the park is known as Banzai Pipeline, Pipeline or just Pipe; it's probably the most famous surf site in the islands. For expert board riders…

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