Kāneʻohe Bay
Kāneʻohe Bay
4.5
About
This hidden gem on the east coast of Oahu is home to unspoiled marine life and awe-inspiring vistas. After a gorgeous sunrise, idle the morning away on the beach at Secret Island. Then head to Kualoa Ranch, which served as a filming location to several iconic movies such as 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides'. The sandbar is perfect for snorkeling with sea turtles and multicolored fish, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Watch out for the coral reef, though. When hunger strikes, the southern section of the bay is dotted with restaurants specializing in seafood. – Tripadvisor
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4.5
139 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
33
Average
8
Poor
1
Terrible
1
TravelingSoccerLoon
Saint Paul, MN3,477 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
I drove from Hanauma Bay up the windward side of the island of Oahu passing Makapu'u Point and continued on the Kamehameha Hwy up and around to the North Shore. Many beautiful points along the way including when passing by Kane'ohe Bay. I found a nice viewpoint near Kahaluu Beach providing terrific views of the bay and of the Ko'olau Mountains across the bay which form the backdrop at Kualoa Regional Park.
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph C
2 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Great place to stay, beautiful scenery. Safe and secure since it was located on a U.S. Marine Corp base.
Written 3 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chandra G
Melissa, TX66 contributions
Oct 2022
We were on a tour and had some wonderful views. It is another phenomal place to visit on Oahu! Will definitely go back!
Written 17 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ITRT
Virginia38,577 contributions
Apr 2022
Kane'ohe Bay stretches from the Mokapu Peninsula, home of the U.S. Marine Corps, and is Mokoli'i Island or Chinamen’s Hat. The bay is the largest sheltered body of water in the Hawaiian Islands and is home to the largest saltwater sandbar in the world. It is known for fishing, kayaking and boating.
Written 16 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yvonne S
Bolton, UK11 contributions
Feb 2020
Worth a visit! Absolutely beautiful - caution re swimming though as there are sharks at some times of the year
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raq S
Los Angeles, CA33 contributions
Aug 2019
Beautiful drivie or snorkle along Kaneohe Bay. Be environmentally conscious of this glorious place, please.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JupiterFLMom
Jupiter, FL157 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
We took a Hobie Cat tour out of He'eia State Park into Kane"ohe Bay. The sandbar was amazing. We also snorkeled two areas with abundant large sea turtles. The highlight of our trip. Simply beautiful and amazing!
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah V
Hinton, Canada99 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Beautiful bay with lots of reef/coral and the famous sandbar. Lots of fish and marine life. Worth a visit!
Written 27 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
belwells
Norah Head, Australia533 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
We stopped here on the way to Ranch. It was raining so we didn't go for a swim. The beach was easy to access. The car park is short walking distance to beach. The park near beach is clean and has toilets for changing into swim gear. The beach was calm, clean and beautiful. Great family beach. Will be coming back to this beach for a swim
Written 23 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa H
los angeles84 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
OK. I've been to Honolulu at least 10x and I've never heard of the Sandbar until 1 year ago on the plane, on my way to Maui. It's been on my list of things to do in Oahu so now I finally experienced this magical place. It's a beautiful stretch of white sand in the middle of the ocean. So amazing to be able to walk on the sandbar during low tide when the water is only 2-3" deep. Make sure you check the tide forecast before you go. We went the 1st week of April and 8am was the time to go for low tide. We spent about 1.5 hours at the sandbar and another hour snorkeling nearby. Great coral reef in the area. Total 4 hour excursion.
If you read all the reviews, there's only a few ways to get here:
1) Kayak
2) SUP
3) licensed charter
4) swim
We're a family of 4 (2 young kids) and originally we decided to rent 2 tandem kayaks and row our way to the sandbar (30 minutes). We would rent from Holokai Kayak and Snorkel, $70 for each tandem and additional $5 for an anchor. The thought of kayaking seemed easy since my husband and I are both is really good shape. This was way cheaper than paying almost $500 for Captain Bob's sandbar excursion that included a 4 hour trip to and from the sandbar + bbq lunch and other snorkeling equipment. Luckily for us, we found a last minute deal on groupon for Kapu Kai Charters for a total of $220 for the family. Since we were traveling with another family of 3, our Total ended up being $400! (pay Amber direct so she gets the money) Yes, still more $$ than renting kayaks but we are SOOOO GLAD we paid for the charter. It was easy coordinating with Amber and she brought an ice chest and some snorkeling equipment for all of us. As you approach the sandbar, you see a large stretch of white sand in the middle of the ocean. It was so dreamy and beautiful. Surprisingly not crowded. Felt like we had the entire stretch to ourselves. We brought our own floats and beach chairs and took amazing pictures. After 1.5 hours, Amber took us to a nearby spot maybe 10 minutes away to see some sea turtles and snorkel. We were supposed to stop by Gilligan's island but I got really seasick after snorkeling so unfortunately we had to head back to shore. (This was the main reason why I'm so glad we didn't kayak. I would've been too sick to kayak my way back LOL)
OVerall, I really recommend going to the sandbar. Everyone should experience it at last once in their lifetime.
*Bring a light jacket, food/snacks, sunscreen, hats, water*
If you read all the reviews, there's only a few ways to get here:
1) Kayak
2) SUP
3) licensed charter
4) swim
We're a family of 4 (2 young kids) and originally we decided to rent 2 tandem kayaks and row our way to the sandbar (30 minutes). We would rent from Holokai Kayak and Snorkel, $70 for each tandem and additional $5 for an anchor. The thought of kayaking seemed easy since my husband and I are both is really good shape. This was way cheaper than paying almost $500 for Captain Bob's sandbar excursion that included a 4 hour trip to and from the sandbar + bbq lunch and other snorkeling equipment. Luckily for us, we found a last minute deal on groupon for Kapu Kai Charters for a total of $220 for the family. Since we were traveling with another family of 3, our Total ended up being $400! (pay Amber direct so she gets the money) Yes, still more $$ than renting kayaks but we are SOOOO GLAD we paid for the charter. It was easy coordinating with Amber and she brought an ice chest and some snorkeling equipment for all of us. As you approach the sandbar, you see a large stretch of white sand in the middle of the ocean. It was so dreamy and beautiful. Surprisingly not crowded. Felt like we had the entire stretch to ourselves. We brought our own floats and beach chairs and took amazing pictures. After 1.5 hours, Amber took us to a nearby spot maybe 10 minutes away to see some sea turtles and snorkel. We were supposed to stop by Gilligan's island but I got really seasick after snorkeling so unfortunately we had to head back to shore. (This was the main reason why I'm so glad we didn't kayak. I would've been too sick to kayak my way back LOL)
OVerall, I really recommend going to the sandbar. Everyone should experience it at last once in their lifetime.
*Bring a light jacket, food/snacks, sunscreen, hats, water*
Written 13 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelloKitty11125
Scottsdale, AZ268 contributions
What is the cheapest way to get to the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar?
ai_serendipity
Tokyo, Japan70 contributions
I have never done a SUP before. Is it too challenging to do a self guided tour to Sandbar from Kan’eohe bay? ( I have only surfed three times in my life ) Is it safer to do the kayak?
Raq S
Los Angeles, CA33 contributions
If you are an experienced SUP paddler, then you could definitely attempt it, BUT there is extremely sharp coral along the way that might change your mind if you’re one to fall off your board. You will want to anchor in at the sandbar. I prefer the kayak for this trek. The sandbar is extremely reflective so reapply your sunblock excessively!! Be sure to note a standout location marker at your departure for easier trekking on your return trip. Have fun.
yjjeepchick
Birmingham, AL101 contributions
How do we get to it? It looks like nothing but homes?
quinnlavin
Minneapolis, MN46 contributions
There is a resort, Paradise Bay, that is on the Bay and if you stay there, you can join them for a snorkeling trip out into the bay twice a week.
Is there any day cruise goes there on Sundays?
dentrac
Toronto, Canada82 contributions
We did an excursion from Paradise Bay Resort that I will recommend to any one that will listen, unfortunately I believe they only go out Wednesdays and Saturdays. There is Heeia Kea Pier that I think there are cruises running from, you could check there.
peloncito76
Campitello, Italy188 contributions
Buongiorno, gentilmente vorrei sapere come avete prenotato questa escursione, se online oppure in loco alle Hawaii.
Grazie.
Saluti
peloncito76
Campitello, Italy188 contributions
Buongiorno, gentilmente vorrei sapere come avete prenotato questa escursione, se online oppure in loco alle Hawaii.
Grazie.
Saluti
Is Kaneohe on the island of Oahu?
hilaryus2016
Sicily, Italy160 contributions
Yes. easy drive from Honolulu. closer to Polynesian cultural center than Honolulu. paradise bay resort is lovely hotel there.
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Claim your listingKĀNEʻOHE BAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Kāneʻohe Bay
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kāneʻohe Bay:
- Kualoa Ranch - Hollywood Movie Sites Tour (From £45.75)
- Kualoa Ranch - Jungle Expedition Tour (From £45.75)
- Open-Door Helicopter Tour over Oahu (From £275.96)
- 8 Hour Circle Island Jeep Tour (From £216.83)
- 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour (From £217.58)
- Hotels near Kāneʻohe Bay:
- (1.53 mi) Paradise Bay Resort Hawaii
- (8.19 mi) Lanikai Beach Rentals LLC
- (2.23 mi) Ali'i Bluffs Windward Bed and Breakfast
- (7.17 mi) Papaya Paradise Bed and Breakfast
- (2.31 mi) COUNTRY COMFORT w/ AC 2 BEDROOM
- Restaurants near Kāneʻohe Bay:
- (3.38 mi) Haleiwa Joe's At Haiku Gardens
- (6.37 mi) Over Easy
- (6.59 mi) Le Crepe Cafe Kailua
- (6.32 mi) Moke's Bread and Breakfast
- (6.37 mi) Kalapawai Cafe & Deli
- Attractions near Kāneʻohe Bay:
- (0.67 mi) Captain Bob's Adventure Cruises
- (1.47 mi) Kama'aina Kayak and Snorkel EcoVentures
- (2.23 mi) Valley of the Temples
- (1.39 mi) Hawaiian Ocean Adventures
- (2.66 mi) Byodo-In Temple