IN A NUTSHELL:
PROS:
- Parking nearby
- Fun and Safe Surf for Keikis
- Grass and Shade available in addition to sand
CONS:
- The beach bottom goes from being sand to being reef about twenty five feet in, and closer in other areas
Features:
- Beach
- Grassy Area
- Bathrooms
- Water fountains
- Showers
- Nearby Parking (at Shell, Street, or Zoo)
Sunset on the Beach
Queen’s Beach is part of the larger Waikiki Beach and covers the stretch from the pedestrian pier at the end of Kapahulu Avenue (the wall of which inspired the name of the surf break “Walls”) and the beach fronting of the Honolulu Zoo and most of Kapiolani Park. The location was the former beach home of Queen Liliuokalani, hence the name “Queen’s” Beach. It’s also the part of the beach that host’s “Sunset on the Beach” movies on Saturdays and Sunday.
The beach itself has everything most people look for in a family friendly beach. While the sand is not the whitest or finest on Oahu, it is not uncomfortably rocky and fun for play. For those who want to stay out of the sun and sand, there are large banyan trees and easily a hundred palm trees offering shade of picnics and family’s with babies.
Plenty of Shady Areas
The surf on the shore is bigger than what you would find at Kaimaina Beach, located just east of Queen’s, making it exciting for more adventurous and active children, but it is still one of the safest spots on Oahu, making it ideal for beginner body boarders. However, it is important to note that about twenty five feet off shore, the beach bottom becomes rocky and eventually is all reef. One can easily play in the water up until the depth of about four feet, any deeper and you might want protective footwear or a board.
Queen’s Beach might also being one of the most convenient beaches for parking as well. There is metered parking available along the street on Kalakaua, paid parking at the Honolulu Zoo, or completely free parking available at Waikiki Shell Parking lot on Monsarrat Avenue. Any of these options will get you close enough to the beach that you can lug a board, swim floaties, towels, and a stroller with out getting too short of breath.
Freshwater Pond behind the Queen Kapiolani Park Bandstand
There are plenty of public bathrooms and showers around the beach, although during our last trip the shower closest to us was out of order. Luckily there was another shower just a hundred yards away.
In addition to the beautiful beach, the fresh water ponds (not for swimming) along the back of the Queen Kapiolani bandstand almost always have family of ducks, complete with adorable fluffy ducklings. For me, this area has always been the most lovely place in Waikiki.
Ducklings
Hi,
I’ve been looking for blog posts about Oahu to feature on our site. If you’re interested, you can drop me a line at Kate (at) Dwellable (.com)
Thanks!