Haleiwa Beach Park

Planning a beach day on the North Shore? Haleiwa Beach Park has calm water, a large grassy park with amenities, and plenty of space for kids to play, swim, and hang out all day.

Haleiwa Beach Park is the first beach you'll see as you enter Haleiwa Town. It's close to shops and restaurants and looks out toward Aliʻi Beach Park, the Haleiwa Rainbow Bridge, and the Small Boat Harbor.

It's easy to pull over and park, and it's one of our favorite places to relax and watch the sunset. Here's what to know before adding it to your North Shore plans.

Where is Haleiwa Beach Park

Haleiwa Beach Park is located on the North Shore of Oahu, right at the entrance to Haleiwa Town. It's the first left turn after you pass the famous North Shore sign.

The park sits directly across the street from the Macadamia Nut Company farm and next to Puaʻena Point Beach.

It actually shares some parking with Puaʻena Point, and you'll also find spots along Kamehameha Highway near the historic WWII War Memorial. Parking is free, and it's usually easy to find a space.

From here, it's an easy walk to surf shops like Surf N Sea and Rip Curl, nearby gift shops, and restaurants such as Haleiwa Beach House.

What's the beach like

Haleiwa Beach Park is a really good beach for swimming, especially if you're visiting with kids. The water here stays calm year-round, and there's a large grassy park where you can spread out, play games, and relax.

Water conditions: This beach is protected from the surf, so the water stays calm even in winter. You'll usually see people swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding here. The water can be a little murky, so it's not the best place for snorkeling.

Shoreline: Getting into the water is mostly sandy and gradual. There are a few reef patches here and there, but for the most part you're walking on sand.

Beach space: The beach isn't super wide or long, but there's still plenty of room to stretch out.

Sand texture: One nice bonus is the sand - it's coarse and doesn't cling to your skin, so it's easy to brush off.

Shade: There isn't much shade right on the beach, but the park has plenty of trees and shaded areas.

Lifeguards: There aren't lifeguards stationed here, so it's a good idea to keep an eye on conditions, especially if you're swimming with kids.

The park area & amenities

Right next to the beach, there's a large grassy park with a playground, picnic tables, courts, and all the amenities. It's open to everyone and completely free to use.

You can set up a shade tent, host a birthday party, and use the restrooms and facilities without needing a permit. Just keep in mind it's day use only, and camping isn't allowed.

Here's what you'll find in the park area:

• Restrooms with changing areas
• Outdoor showers
• Picnic tables
• Playground for kids
• Basketball court
• Tennis court (bring your own net)
• Ample free parking
• Bus stop nearby

What to do here

There's a lot going on here beyond just sitting on the sand. Here's how people usually spend time at Haleiwa Beach Park.

Relax on the beach: The beach here is great for relaxing or letting the kids play. It's easy to stretch out on the sand, enjoy the sun, and settle in with a good book.

Enjoy the calm waters: The water stays calm year-round, which makes this a good place for swimming and for kids to play along the shoreline.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding: You'll see many people out on kayaks and paddleboards during the day. There are even guided night paddleboard tours that launch from this area.

Paddling the river: This is the main launch point if you want to go stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking on the Anahulu River and paddle across the Rainbow Bridge.

Picnic and play: The grassy park area is great for picnics, casual games, and small gatherings like birthdays and family get-togethers.

Haleiwa Beach Park War Memorial: You'll also see the North Shore War Memorial here, honoring those who lost their lives in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Surf "Chocolates": In winter, a small break called "Chocolates" can come alive on the south side of the beach when a bigger swell hits. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's fun to watch.

Haleiwa Arts Festival: Once a year in summer, the Haleiwa Arts Festival takes place in the park. It's a fun chance to browse unique gifts and check out the work of local artists.

Watching the sunset

This is one of the best places on the North Shore to watch the sunset. The park faces west, so you get wide-open views as the sun sets.

In summer, the sun sets straight into the ocean. In winter, it drops behind the outline of Kaʻena Point.

What makes it even nicer is everything happening around you - boats heading in and out of Haleiwa Harbor, fishermen along the shore, and surfers, kayakers, and paddleboarders still out on the water.

It's the kind of scene that makes people linger a little longer before heading home. If you want to get a feel for it, here's a short video we took at sunset.

Good to know

Best time to visit: If you can, come in the morning. It's usually calmer. Weekends get busier, especially from late morning through sunset.

Weekdays vs. weekends: Weekdays are quieter. On weekends, there's more movement with locals and visitors coming and going, but it usually doesn't feel overly crowded.

Sea life you may see: You'll sometimes see turtles swimming pretty close to shore. They pop up to breathe, so it's worth keeping an eye on the water. Early mornings and late afternoons are usually the best times to spot them.

Snorkeling: The water can be a bit murky here because of the nearby river and harbor, so snorkeling isn't the best. I'd still bring a mask just in case, but Waimea Bay and Shark's Cove are much better options in summer.

What to bring: Bring towels, a beach chair or mat, a shade tent or umbrella, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water, and snacks.

Food & shops nearby

One of the nice things about Haleiwa Beach Park is how close everything is.

The Beach House restaurant is directly across the street and a great option if you want a meal with a view of the beach. You can also head over the Rainbow Bridge to Haleiwa Joe's, a popular place to eat in town.

If you're just looking for something quick, there are cafés nearby where you can grab an acai bowl, ice cream, or a snack before or after the beach.

Right next to the park, you'll also find Surf N Sea, the iconic surf shop set inside a preserved historic building. It's a fun place to browse, even if you're not shopping for anything specific.

FAQs

Thinking about visiting Haleiwa Beach Park? If anything comes up while you're planning, feel free to leave a comment below. I've also shared more guides to help you plan your time on the North Shore.