When you have a baby or toddler, “best beach” means something completely different. You want calm, shallow water, bathrooms nearby, and a parking spot you can actually get. After two years living on Oahu with little ones, these are the beaches we went back to again and again.
1. Ko Olina: our absolute favorite
Best for: babies and toddlers, calm water, sunsets.
Ko Olina, on the far southwest corner of the island, was hands-down our favorite beach with a baby. Rock formations wrap around each cove, which keeps the water calm and shallow. It’s about as close to a swimming pool as the ocean gets.
- The coves: there’s a public cove, and you can walk the path to the other coves in front of the resorts. Each has the same calm, protected water.
- Sunsets: it’s on the west side, so the sunsets are beautiful.
- Bathrooms: yes.
- Parking: extremely limited. Go early, especially on weekends, or have a backup plan.
Great for babies. If you only try one beach on this list, make it this one.
2. Kahanamoku Beach and the lagoon in Waikiki
Best for: easy parking, a Waikiki day, a calm lagoon option.
Kahanamoku Beach sits at the edge of Waikiki, closer to downtown and right by the big hotels and resorts.
- Parking: much easier than Ko Olina.
- The water: a little more active, and there are usually lots of surfers.
- The lagoon: the calm lagoon by the Hilton is right next door, which is a great backup when the ocean is too rough for little ones.
3. Kailua Beach: the prettiest (but busiest)
Best for: a gorgeous beach day when the kids are a little older or the water is calm.
Kailua Beach, on the windward (east) side, is one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen: soft sand and unreal turquoise water.
- The water: usually more active than Ko Olina, so watch the conditions before letting little ones in.
- Crowds: it’s a very busy area, especially on weekends, because everyone knows how beautiful it is. Go early.
Bonus for older kids and adults: Electric Beach
Not a toddler beach, but our favorite snorkel spot on Oahu. Early mornings at Electric Beach on the west side can mean lots of fish, sea turtles, and maybe dolphins. It’s open ocean, so it’s for confident swimmers only. More in our PCS to Hawaii guide.
Our beach bag for little kids in Hawaii
- A pop-up shade tent or umbrella. The sun is strong, and shade can be scarce.
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard with a swim hat.
- Swim diapers, and more snacks and water than you think.
- A small bucket and shovel, because that’s all they really want.
- A towel or blanket for naps in the shade.
Quick comparison
| Beach | Water | Parking | Bathrooms | Good for babies? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ko Olina | Calm, shallow coves | Very limited, go early | Yes | Our top pick |
| Kahanamoku (Waikiki) | A bit more active; calm lagoon next door | Easier | Nearby | Yes, use the lagoon |
| Kailua | Usually more active | Busy on weekends | At the beach park | On calm days |
Moving to Oahu? Read what we wish we’d known before our PCS to Hawaii.
