Nānākuli Beach Park

So far, this has been the best beach I’ve visited in the area. The waves were amazing, and there were no rocks at all — just soft sand, which made swimming both enjoyable and safe. Just be cautious, as the waves can be very strong.

Yeah, this place is epic. Sunset swimming was amazing. Relatively calm waves for the kiddos, my 6 and 8 year old did great. Good amount of parking during our visit.

We love this beach, so much different wave action coming onto a beach that has some nuanced rolls to it. Waves can change quickly but the color between the blue, white foam and sand being rolled into the surf make it a beautiful time. Smaller children often need to be kept on the sand and away from the water.

An amazing beach. Parking is very limited but you can park on the street around the area. (As of 12/17/2022)The bathrooms here work but the women's stall only had one stall that was fully functional. The beach is clean. Spots are first come first serve. The beach is very photogenic during the sunset hours. Overall, a very nice beach.

Great beach for swimming!! Lifeguard on site! Amazing to watch sunset! Washrooms were not the best!

Absolutely loved this beach and this is where mermaid cove is if you're looking for it and this beach comes up. The water was wonderful and the waves were small. Lots of awesome people around. They have bathrooms and outside wster fountains and showers to rinse off at. The sand was nice and didn't feel like sandpaper walking on it. Make sure you wear filp flops because you might step on a thorn . Definitely go and visit.

This is a great local beach with good sand and swimming opportunities. There is good parking and restrooms on site.

TOURISTS STAY AWAYYY!!! Quiet beach however we went to see the mermaid caves and they were nice however we went into the sea after and some local came up to us and chased us out of the water & threw my boyfriends shoes aggressively and told us to leave!! He was super aggressive and it was a scary situation that could have escalated quickly.

Da besssss beach around, whole fam loves it. Not a lot of townies or tourists cos west side is the best side.

Really nice beach and great place to watch the sunset. Very clean and water is nice with sandy bottom. Good wave but shore break. Big barrels!

This beach and park is so nice to visit with kids and family. They have ample field space for sports teams. The beach is perfect too. They have soft, pillowy sand, warm, clear water, and the best vibe. It has been here since the 1950s or 60s when my Grandpa was stationed here in the US Navy. My aunt talks about growing up here and the elementary and middle school trips to the beach after lunchtime. Those were the days. They had a sports festival going on when we were there. About 40 youth sport teams. Cool to see community using the beach and park for a great cause, kids and families.

Beautiful small secluded beach. Nanakuli beach is also known as Kalaniana'ole Beach Park. There are fewer tourists on this side of the island so Nanakuli beach was nearly empty. There were some people playing in the sand and others setting up for what looked to be a party, but that was it. I believe it is more crowded with locals on the weekend. Parking and bathrooms are available. The bathrooms are very dirty, but it is a public beach so we did not expect much. Picnic tables, playground, baseball field, and basketball courts are also here though we did not use them. People do swim and snorkel here, however, dangerous rocks and caves are located nearby so keep that in mind. Overall, we enjoyed our visit here and recommend this park to others!

This review is solely for the Mermaid Cave at the beach. Mermaid Caves is beautiful, yet pretty dangerous since the waves are strong and there are rocks everywhere. Getting to the hole to drop down into the cave is extremely rocky, so I recommend wearing shoes, not sandals. When I went, there was no step ladder, so I do NOT recommend going alone cuz it's extremely hard to climb up by yourself since there isn't really any footing. I've seen really nice pictures of people relaxing in the waters where the light shines through the openings from the top, but whoa, it was like an uncontrollable wave pool in there, so please, please, please, be careful. Other than that, Mermaid Caves is truly a beautiful spot for pictures!

Very cool with a lot of unique spots! It could use to be a bit cleaner but overall very cool experience I haven't had before!!

Nice beach with bathrooms and showers. Parking gets busy around noon, so come early. You can also explore nearby caves and tide pools (just make sure to wear athletic shoes)

This was one of my favorite beaches on Oahu for a couple reasons: - mermaid caves - great sunny weather (if the island is raining, this is your best shot at sun) - local vibe (all the tourists get stuck at the Disney compound down the road) - mermaid caves The caves are great fun. Just use caution, you could get banged up pretty easily in there if you're not careful. You should also have some moderate climbing ability to get down in and climb back out.

This beach was pretty nice, but we really came here to check out the mermaid caves! Just make sure you check the high/low tide before you come if you're planning on going to the caves because you won't be able to get in if it's high tide. Caves can be found on the left side of the beach. You will reach this rocky area and one of the holes in the ground will lead you to the cave. When I went, there was a big branch that was propped up to help you climb into and out of the caves. The waves were a bit high and getting rougher when I went so I couldn't stay for too long. Still a great place, glad I got a chance to see it.

2022-04-03. The west shore of Oahu is home to many residents and workers of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, but it's also home to Nanakuli Beach Park. The park is home to fine sand beaches to the north and the Mermaid's Caves to the south. We spent the day there today with many of the local residents enjoying BBQ's in the park, wake boarding in the ocean and tanning on the beach. Parking is very limited with about 40 or so spots. There is an unpaved overflow area that will house about another 20 vehicles. And street parking (not sure if it's legal street parking) that will house probably 100 vehicles or so. Is you do venture off to the south to visit the Mermaid's Caves, be sure to wear something a little sturdier than flip flops as the terrain is jagged rock. The Caves are located underneath these rocks and is access at your own risk. As you head south, you will come across many holes that give you a view into the caves. I would not advise that you go down any of the larger holes as you will need to climb back out of them. and many do not have footholds. As you head further south, stick to the ocean side and you'll come across a mini inlet about what get wide. The is the entrance to the grotto. If you're adventurous enough to go in, you can Jump into the water (about a 10 foot drop). CAUTION: Water levels vary based on time of day and time of year. This is the ocean, there is always risk of getting pulled out with the tide! Not to scare you, but please use your better judgement and make good choices. Always go during low tide, and enter the water web green is calmer (after tide washes out). Now, if you're not into Jumping off rocks, you can go around and slip into the water at the mouth of the grotto and swim in. Just keep an eye out behind you for waves coming in. There are spots in the grotto where you can stand until the wave washes out again. When you get to the end of the grotto, there will be a small pebble beach area where you can enjoy the view of the grotto and get some great shots! To get out, there is a hole that you can climb out of, or you can swim back to the mouth of the grotto, and climb out there. If you're not into getting wet at all, or if you have younger ones with you, you can enter the grotto by the hole that is at the southeast of the the holes. Check out my pics, as no review can do this venue justice! Spacial thanks and shout out to Hannah for spending part of her day with us, and showing us all the ins and outs of the grotto! Mahalo! Aloha makou ia oe! If you would like to experience more, come dine-with-me.yelp.com I'd love to have your company... Bon Appétit!

GORGEOUS! Mother Nature does it again! These naturally formed caves are absolutely glorious! You can either jump I or climb the small ladder down. It's so gorgeous. I can't put it into words. You must take a stop and explore these naturally made wonders!

Sooo I'm a bit confused as I guess I got the beaches confused but they seem like they're next to each other. Any who here is my experience at Kalanianaole Beach (Both have the Mermaid Cave): https://www.yelp.com/biz/kalanianaole-beach-park-waianae

Again this beach is secluded and us sacred to our local community. We ask the visitors to take your trash with you when you leave. Mahalo nui...what this article failed to disclose is, there are a lot of homeless in this park and beach front area. Another thing is, public has been misinformed, I lived there over 60 years and I've never heard my elders say mermaids lived in those caves but I have heard sharks lived there, it's their home.

A small but cool little place near a local beach. We were just relaxing and was told about the cave nearby so we checked it out.

Such a beautiful beach on the west coast! The sand is amazing and exploring the nearby caves is so much fun. While exploring the Mermaid caves is so much fun, it is a tight fit and usually crowded though. The caves are very low and small so do not come down if you're claustrophobic, but it is an incredible sight to see. Just be careful going near the holes for the caves and be respectful of the graves! Sunset here was unreal.

This was one of my favorite beaches in Hawaii. The scenery is just to die for. It's not overly crowded and it's peaceful. Here is where you will find the mermaid caves. Be advised that they may not be easy to find. I took a Lyft form Honolulu to here and the Lyft dropped me off down the street, as the GPS stated that where the caves were. However that was not the case at all. It was a quick fix though, all you have to do is walk down the street to the beach. You'll likely see and a crowd and individuals jumping into a swimming hole and there you are. It is best to wear comfortable shoes whether they be sneakers or water shoes when visiting the caves. There are so many rocks to walk over to get to the cage openings. I actually broke my sandal jumping down into the cave. It was worth it though. The views and the photo opportunities are just fantastic. It's best to go earlier in the day while not many people are there. Overall it was a great experience and I'm glad I got to see the caves up close and personal. Another bucket list check.

***Pre/During COVID-19 Visit*** One of my favorite beaches on the island! Located on the West Side, the parking is plentiful during the weekdays, but it can get super crowded during weekends. A lot of locals hang out here and they are always having get togethers and cookouts. They are very friendly so extend a shaka and say howzit? The beach is not rocky at all. The water is super clear and makes a perfect location for picture taking. Sunset is also gorgeous here. I've noticed more and more people are beginning to notice this beach too. Not sure if that's a good thing, but I'm like many who prefer beaches that aren't swarmed with tons of folks. Mahalo!!!

This review is based solely off of the Mermaid Caves: I was really excited to see these caves in person! We parked in the parking lot all the way down Keaulana Ave, and went past the bathrooms/showers on the left of the beach. Past the bathrooms/showers, there are a couple of trail markers/poles (photo one). Take that trail on to the rocks. I can not stress this part enough - DO NOT GO BAREFOOT! You must wear shoes! I was a little disappointed once I actually got down into the caves, I found some broken glass. :( Please be respectful to this beautiful place and pick up your garbage. There is a website you can check to see when this beach will be at high tide and low tide (photo two). Use this to your advantage and plan ahead to arrive at these caves in low tide! The ceiling is very low (I am only 5 foot 2 in, and I had to duck my head to get in there) and if you go at high tide, it might be more dangerous than beautiful. There does have a big "what do I do now?" factor once you get down in the caves. It's good to take pictures, marvel at Mother Nature, and then leave peacefully. Enjoy the big waves at the beach while you're at it!

Nice west side beach. Soft sand, small waves, rocks for jumping off of, tide pools for exploring, a mermaid cave to climb down, and a gorgeous view. Easy parking lot. Bathrooms are available but I classify them as squatters rather than sitters. Showers ok. So much dog crap in the bushes. Predominantly locals. Be respectful and keep your head on swivel.

100% recommend! Gorgeous blue water in front, beautiful mountains behind you. A very sunny beach so bring an umbrella or even a canopy if you have it. No food options close by so bring some snacks as well. And if you don't mind a little adventure, bring some sturdy shoes and go explore the mermaid caves on the left side of the beach.

If you are in the area then this is definitely a place that is worth your time to stop and check out so much to see here with all the little sea creatures and the caves. If you can come at the right time when the tide is down you can get into the caves and see even more.

Came here for the "Mermaid Caves" but stayed for the sunset. I was recommended this spot by a friend who grew up in Hawaii to visit Mermaid Caves. Since that spot wasn't entirely obvious, to this day, I'm still not sure whether or not my girlfriend and I found it on our visit here. Nonetheless, searching for the caves was a pretty adventurous experience for the both of us. There is a rocky path you can take as you're walking down south of the beach. I highly recommend wearing some sturdier shoes if you do plan to walk around this area as the path isn't very flat and also could get slippery depending on what time you visit, since the water does splash on the rock. We were able to see some sea turtles here on our visit, but I don't think that's very common. The beach itself was gorgeous. The waves do get pretty strong and come up pretty high towards the evening. During our visit, it was also very quiet; felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. Really loved this place, and feeling really lucky I didn't experience the crowdiness that other reviews mention. If you get the chance, definitely stop by this awesome spot on the west side, and stay for the sunset while you're at it!

Loved this beach! Not typically super busy and they have beautiful "mermaid caves" that are the perfect place to get pictures. There was tons of beach space when we went and lots of families playing in the waves. Great place to boogie board!

While our Iphone Maps didn't really take us the scenic route to the mermaid caves when we clicked on the map through here ! We still found the beach and the caves to be absolutely amazing ! What made the views a little scary while trying to find the caves were the crosses around for people that passed away. Definelty makes you think twice and warn to be careful and smart ! For new people remember only to go down when tides are low !! Don't risk the high tides. Check online before going if you can! The caves were photo shoot worth it and so clear you can see the fishies swimming around ! The waves are a little scary but hanging on to the rocks around are KEY! Now the cave is hidden hence secret mermaid cave but it's to the left of the beach towards the back! Great beach to go to, we went when it wasn't packed so it was serene and a great adventure ! So worth going to just check it out.

We just moved to the west side and are in love with its beaches! We went here today In search of the mermaid caves! If you plan to go on a weekend definitely get there early! We got there at 12:30 and it was pretty packed in the parking lot due to a lot of people camping. If it is full you can do some street parking on the street before the beach park going south. The caves were easy to find due to the amount of people exploring them! Head towards the rocks to the left! We jumped in the farthest hole away from the ridge and then swam into the front! It's beautiful! A little scary because of my fear of rogue waves but it was great to explore! The sand and rocks get really really hot in the summer and we learned that by walking barefoot because someone stole our slippers... be wise with what you bring to the caves

After seeing pictures on social media, I had to add the mermaid cave to my itinerary. It's located at Nanakuli state beach. It's a little hard to find the cave but it was towards the back near the fence. There's a bucket inside. You can use that to climb down. It's a little cramped inside. I would highly suggest checking for low tides before visiting.

We stopped by Nanakuli Beach Park to check out Mermaid Cave. Pretty cool spot for a few photo shots, but be careful about the tide that runs through the cave. The cave has two "entrances", one which is a big gaping hole that can be jumped into, and another smaller drop that is angled but this may be tricky for bigger individuals. I jumped right into the cave from the large drop hole, and it wasn't an issue to get out of the cave climbing the same way. However, you may want to go down with at least one person, and if anything, there seem to be people there at all times. We met some local fishermen that were kind enough to talk about the fish they catch, and the other secret spots (which I won't get into detail about). Definitely recommend visiting this location, if not for the mermaid cave, but for the cool tide pools and beautiful ocean views.

What a beautiful beach! We found the mermaid caves right away and hopped down in those for a spell. Someone had left a footstool in the opening, and that helped a ton. We were there at high tide, and were unable to go too far in, but it was still a really neat experience. The beach itself is really nice. Lots of locals hanging out and listening to music.

Very beautiful! Went here for what i heard was "Mermaid's Secret Cave." Took me about 15 minutes to find. Almost gave up and then when I found it, it was awesome! I did not go down since I was not confident I could get out but two other girls were down there taking pictures. Out of the 3 caves, the one you would not be able to enter due to the force of the tide. The current was too strong and it would more than likely push you against the sharp rocks. The two other cave entrances you could go in and out of. They were really neat to look at from above. The two girls said they were even better from below. I went in the morning and the one girl, who was a local, said that depending on the tide you cannot go down there at all. Worth checking out! Bring tennis shoes to walk around in. Flip flops were not the best idea.

This place was stunning, it's a must see attraction when visiting the island of Oahu. I typed in mermaid cove on Apple maps and it took me right to the underwater caves. As you enter the beach the caves are on the left hand side.

Beautiful beach. No lifeguard. But there is a lifeguard several hundred yards down. What I love about this beach is that it is away from the crowds and so peaceful. There is a public toilet and outdoor shower. The sand is soft, the water is clear and there are views of the gorgeous mountains. We usually go for a hike then head here :) Mermaid cave is okay. When the tide is high be careful. If you go and see that there are people waiting to get in, please have some Aloha....take your selfies and exit so others can enjoy as well.

It's a beach east of the resorts such as Aulani and Four Seasons. My family went to see the mermaid caves but didn't go into the mermaid caves due to the sharp lava rocks and rough waters. Some hipsters went to check it out. My kids loved it to see the sea urchins, crabs, snails and other small sea life. Locals come to fish and some homeless individuals laying on the beach or wash their clothes. It's paradise mixed with reality. No paid parking or admission fee. Check it out. Wear good shoes when you go.

Nana mili Beach Park is a small beach where the famous mermaid covers are located. When we went, there was only a few locals laying on the beach. Finding the coves were tricky, luckily there was a couple there that knew exactly where they were. We had a great short time here experiencing something we hadn't seen before.

One of my favorite beaches in Oahu. The park is clean and features showers, restrooms, and changing rooms (which is hard to find). The short break makes some great waves and the sunsets are picture perfect. While diving I wasn't able to find a lot of sea life, but the views of the mountains and the sun made up for it.

Visited this beach on Sunday for a birthday party. The beach was not crowded, the sand was clean, and the water was clear and relatively flat. A turtle swam right past us. It was a perfect beach day! There are restrooms and showers available. Also, a short walk to the "Mermaid Cave".

We used to call this place, "Tunnels". Not sure when or who named it, Mermaid Caves but either way, Great place for photos. Bring a ladder or something to climb down into the cave and to get out. Gets crowded with lots of people in there. Don't go during high tide or when the waves are up. DANGEROUS!

Absolutely beautiful!! Stay safe down in the caves as the waves can be quite strong! It's easy to get in and out when others are so friendly and help each other. Glad we stopped here on our short 5day getaway ;)

Pretty beach. Found the tunnels (mermaid caves). It's a little tricky getting in and out but some locals just jumped right into some of the holes and swam from one to the other. That seemed a little scary. I only went into the one in the back and went in just a bit. Try to go during low tide as it can get pretty wavy . Pick up what ever trash you bring in...people left trash all over which took away from the beauty of it.

Fun times at Nanakuli Beach and "Mermaid Cave". First entrance into Nanakuli Beach (416 Keaulana Ave., Waianae, HI). Park in the parking area or street parking (do not block entrances into the local homes). Walk straight towards the beach. When you reach the beach, there will be a sandy part to the right and lava rocks to the left. Walk towards the left over the lava rocks. There will be a couple of memorials (respect the memorials please). Take the lava rocks around a curve and about a tenth or quarter of a mile. You'll start to see the water underneath (mini-caves). The main entrances is towards the back where homes are located (you'll see a "No Trespass" sign. Recommend a step ladder or rock to get into and out unless you are a strong swimmer and know the other ways out of the "cave" which are more towards the sea.

WEST side is the BEST side You wont beat our beaches, trust ME!! Nanakuli Beach Park offers a little something for everyone. We have family that comes to the islands from all over, and I tell them this is the best beach for EVERY member of the family, the far left handside of this beach is Zablans and is mellow, family friends, the middle is also known as Flats, which tends to stay true to its name, its for lying out, inflatables and family time, and the right hand side which is Nanakuli Beach park caters to the teens, body boarders, and big shore break junkies Best beach on the island hands down :)

I've been to this beach a couple of times because I live central and not westside. This beach is beautiful. It's always sunny and has plenty of parking. There's showers and a bathroom which is a plus . The best thing about this beach is the beautiful cave. You must check this out. It's gorgeous and has tons of shells :) We're lucky we live Hawaii yelpers

Awesome mermaid cave! Park in the lot and walk over to the cave. The drop in is about 5-5.5 feet deep onto small smooth coral/rocks so if you're not comfortable getting into or out of that space, bring a chair or something to stand on to get in and out of the drop point. Sometimes there is a lady there with a ladder - the men and boys didn't seem to have any trouble getting in and out but it was an especially low tide when we went and I struggled in both directions, as did most of the shorter women. Everyone helped each other get in and out of the space so that was nice - the true spirit of aloha and community!

The water is beautiful at this beach. Not much of a crowd, which is nice - lots of locals do hang out here. The lack of crowd gives you lots of room to lay out and swim. Can be a bit confusing because there are a few different entrances and several parking lots. Not bad once you get the hang of it. There's even a lot reserved for campers. There are showers and restrooms too. Nice bonus.

What a great spot! Plenty of parking, restrooms and a lifeguard. Plenty of space on the beach too. We were here specifically for the mermaid caves. They are on the far left side of the beach, passed all the memorials. There are several openings. We scouted out the whole area before we decided where to best enter and exit. Ensure you check tide times too before you go. Be safe! It's an amazing spot to explore and we had lots of fun. I will be heading back.

Nanas is nice for a swim and sometimes if you catch em good day, a good body surf session. I miss the sidewash of old and I hope it returns again naturally in the future when the sand has changed.

I la la la LOVE this beach! When I first moved to the west side and came here all I thought was, BEAUTIFUL! Yeah, I felt like I was going to pass out walking from one end to the other on the sloping part of the sand (not a smart idea for my first time there). But the sand is so soft, the water is clear and the breeze makes it perfect! On either end you have areas where the "bombers" are jumping off the rocks, not to high, but I'm afraid of heights so I just enjoy watching. It does tend to get a bit rough, but it is the west side. There is also a huge field where you can catch a glimpse of keiki football practice taking place. A basketball court is also located next to the field, a jungle gym for kids and pop up tents with lots of local grinds. There are outdoor showers, because this is a popular beach the bathroom tends to get crowded and parking can be hard. But again, you are in the country so you pretty much make your own parking. You are able to camp. I would love to camp here and wake up to the beautiful view. Clean water, fresh air, perfect sun, cool breeze and soft sand....Heaven!

Okay, so I'm definitely not much of a beach person but like most Yelpers, I love good food. Some good friends were camping at Nanakuli Beach Park and invited me 2 a paella dinner on a Saturday afternoon. The best part was I was the assistant chef to help cook on a special 4 foot diameter paella pan. From start to finish I learned to cook authentic Brazilian paella. See my pictures to understand what I'm talking about. Now about Nanakuli Beach Park, it is a good 40 minute drive from Waikiki and if you want to see more untouched natural Beach area then it is well worth the drive. Only 5 or 10 minute walk to the East takes you to are very rough natural lava stone area where small crabs and fish can easily be seen. Camping permits are available for those that want to camp. There are the usual not very clean restrooms and showers. For me, it's a great place to visit for a couple hours but definitely not to stay out overnight.

This is my new beach to go to. So close to where I live, and the beach is beautiful and calm. When we went, there was a seal that was sun bathing on the beach. The waves were calm and it was not crowded. So pretty, and the mermaid caves are right next to the beach. A great way to spend a relaxing day soaking up the sun, enjoying the water and watching the little crabs run around in the sand.

This beach has the beautiful wide sandy beaches and of course the mermaid caves! The first time I came here, we almost tried to swim in through the ocean side and that would have been a mistake. The tides were pretty strong that day and I didn't want to risk it. Second time around, we just lowered ourselves into the holes. That was a lot safer for me!! Great views and cool for pictures.