Want info about Haleiwa Ali’i Beach Park? Is it family-friendly, good for swimming, snorkeling, or surfing? Here, we'll guide you through all you need to know, including plenty of photos, reviews, and local insights to help you plan your visit.
Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park, steps from Haleiwa Town on Oahu's North Shore, offers everything for your Hawaiian escape: stunning views, spacious grassy lawns, amenities, numerous activities, and a beautiful sandy beach.
The atmosphere here is exciting, with a vibrant mix of welcoming surfers, families with kids, visitors, and friendly locals.
There's more! This is a special place in history, being the former filming location for the TV show Baywatch Hawaii and longtime host of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing competition.
You probably have a lot of questions and want to know more, so here we'll reveal everything you need to know to plan your visit to Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park.
Where is Ali'i Beach Park
Ali'i Beach Park is one of the four beaches near Haleiwa Town, located between the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor and Kaiaka Bay Beach Park.
This location provides easy access to the town and the famous Rainbow Bridge, which are both just a short 5 to 10-minute walk away. The popular beaches such as Sunset Beach and Pipeline are also easily accessible, and only a 10 to 20-minute drive away.
From Honolulu and Waikiki, you'll be looking at a 50-minute drive (about 30 miles).
Getting there: Public bus or rental car?
While the bus offers a budget-friendly way to reach the North Shore, we believe a rental car provides more flexibility and a faster commute.
Plus, exploring the area at your own pace becomes easier when you have a car, and finding free parking spaces is never a problem on the North Shore.
What's the beach like
Ali'i Beach Park is known as a great surf spot for both kids and advanced surfers, and it's also one of the best places to watch surfers on the North Shore.
Beach space & shoreline: Ali'i features a beautiful sandy beach. Patches of reef create natural sections within the beach, and most visitors gather in a relatively small area near the restrooms and parking next to the harbor.
Water conditions: Summer brings calm waters, with easy entry into the water through sandy entry points. In winter, the conditions change - bigger waves break outside, and small waves wash onto the shore.
Sand texture: The sand here is coarse, feels really nice underfoot, and easily brushes off the skin. In certain areas, it may appear slightly darker from red clay deposits.
Surf conditions: During the summer, there are usually no swells here, and the ocean is pretty calm. But, in winter, the swells come alive and create one of the best waves on the North Shore for surfers.
Shade: There are scattered trees on the beach offering shade, while the park itself has large, shady trees.
Views: Ali'i Beach is known for its stunning views which include breathtaking sunsets, boats crossing the channel, Haleiwa Beach Park, Pua'ena Point, and the Ka'ena Point mountains in the distance. Plus, you can watch the surfers up close, making for an exciting experience.
I love going to this beach. Every now and then, you can see the sea turtles swimming through the gentle rolling waves. Just off to the right side, there are a few bigger tide pools, that usually have snails, small fish, and occasionally a crab or two!! Perfect for littles who are learning to swim or surf. The water is shallow, and calm in that area.
- Tina
Best time to visit
On weekends, the beach is busier with both local families and tourists. Mornings and evenings tend to be quieter, whereas afternoons and sunset hours attract larger crowds.
The best time of year to visit Ali'i Beach Park depends on whether you want to simply enjoy the beach or also watch the surfers.
- From May to late September, the ocean is calm, making it an excellent time for swimming, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
- The best time of year to enjoy the beach while watching the surfers is from October to early May.
This was hands down THE BEST beach to spend our day to catch some sun rays. The locals were very friendly and fun, even when a wave knocked me on my butt and swept me up, twice. When I finally gained my footing, they applauded and made small talk. 🤣 It was fun to watch all of the surfers. We were on vacation for my birthday for a week and we were staying down by Waikiki Beach. (Not so fun and for a different review 🤣🤭)
Activities & things to do
Swimming & Snorkeling
Swimming is a great summer activity at Ali'i Beach. Calm ocean conditions and sandy entry points make this a great spot for families and swimmers of all skill levels.
Bring your snorkel gear! The reef attracts fish, and spotting sea turtles isn't uncommon. Keep an eye out for them!
This beach was rarely crowded, and even on Saturdays, you could easily find your own space. The views of the mountains were fantastic, and it really was a perfect place to start (or end) your day. We saw a few sea turtles, both underwater and on the beach, and several colorful fish populate the coral/rocks near shore - make sure you bring snorkeling gear to check them out.
Winter brings waves and potential current conditions that make Ali'i less suitable for swimming or snorkeling. We always suggest checking with the lifeguards and taking notice of their posted warning signs before entering the water.
Hot Tips!
- Don't get sunburned! Wear a rashguard or sun shirt, and don't forget to bring some reef-safe sunscreen.
- Bring a wetsuit top - it can get chilly with the wind. Rent one at shops like Surf N Sea in Haleiwa.
- Check the local surf forecast and Haleiwa webcam for current conditions.
Surfing Haleiwa
Winter is surfing season on the North Shore, and Ali'i Beach is a world-renowned surf spot for all skill levels and a great place to watch the surfers from the beach.
The kids love surfing this spot! The gentle waves on the inside create the perfect playground, and it's so fun to watch the little ones catching waves.
For more advanced surfers, this is a high-performance right-hander (with some lefts). This wave is good when the swell's head high to double overhead, and it handles pretty large swells. The ideal swell direction is from the West or Northwest.
Park Activities
Ali'i Beach Park stretches across 19 acres, featuring a spacious grassy lawn waiting to be enjoyed with a variety of activities.
If lounging on the sand isn't quite your style, the park offers a perfect alternative for a relaxing day near the beach - have a picnic, fire up a BBQ, or play games.
This is also an ideal spot for hosting a wide range of events, from birthday parties and family gatherings to weddings, all without the need for a park permit.
With benches available on a first-come, first-served basis, we encourage you to bring a tent, BBQ grill, and chairs for a day full of fun and unforgettable memories!
Is overnight camping allowed at Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park?
This is a fantastic spot to spend the day, but overnight camping isn't allowed. However, Kaiaka Bay, located next to it, offers overnight camping permits.
Other Things to Do at Ali'i Beach Park
Here are some other activities this place offers that we think you'll enjoy:
- Scuba diving: The Haleiwa Trench, a deep water shore dive accessible from Ali'i Beach Park, becomes an excellent location for scuba diving in the summer. You see coral, fish, turtles, and, if you're lucky, even sharks!
- Watching the sunset: Ali'i stands out as one of the best locations for watching the sunset on the North Shore!
- Relaxing on the beach: Here you have the perfect setting for relaxing on the sandy shores. The photo below shows the beach just to the west of the restrooms and parking.
- Fishing: We often see fishermen along the shoreline, so fishing might be another enjoyable activity to plan during your visit.
- Things to do nearby: Haleiwa Town is just a short walk or drive away! Head over to savor some delicious local food or browse the charming shops. While there, explore some of the best activities Haleiwa and the North Shore offer and plan your perfect day.
We visited this beach after exploring Haleiwa town. Alii Beach is a wide golden sandy beach. Clean beach with lots of elbow room. Big parking lot, lifeguards onsite, picnic tables, bathroom/shower facilities. Walkable to town for restaurants and shopping. The waves were small when we visited…it was perfect for surfing lessons. We saw a turtle bobbing its head in the water. Definitely worth visiting if you are in the area.
- May E
Amenities & facilities
You'll be pleased to know that Ali'i Beach Park offers amenities and facilities that you will find useful. Here's what you can expect to find:
- Restrooms with changing areas
- Showers
- Picnic tables
- Free parking stalls
- Lifeguards on site
If you're using public transportation, there is a bus stop within walking distance, by the restaurant Haleiwa Joes's and the convenience store 7-Eleven.
Are there any lockers available for rent nearby?
Unfortunately, no lockers are available for rent at Ali'i Beach or any other beach on the North Shore. The area is pretty safe, so it should not be a problem to leave your stuff on the beach while you go in the ocean.
Local tips & insights
Restroom & park hours: Ali'i Beach Park is accessible 24/7, and the public restrooms are open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Additionally, the park entrance might be chained shut between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, but even during these times, you can still enjoy the beach by parking at the neighboring harbor and accessing the beach from there.
Don't forget the essentials: Bring towels, a hat, reef-safe sunblock, sun shirt, sunglasses, beach chairs, snorkeling gear, and snacks.
Beach gear rentals: For beach umbrellas, chairs, snorkeling gear, surfboards, and other types of beach gear, check out these shops in Haleiwa Town: Surf N Sea and North Shore Surf Shop.
Bring your pets: Dogs are allowed at Ali'i Beach Park! They'll have a blast playing in the park or on the sand and splashing in the ocean. Just remember to keep them on leashes. 🙂
Surfer heads up: When the swells are overhead or bigger, be aware that this surf spot tends to have a strong current pulling towards the harbor.
Rentals & accommodations: If you're looking for a vacation rental near Haleiwa, we highly recommend this charming cottage close by. Additionally, there are other options available, and here’s a list of places to stay on the North Shore.
Fun fact: "Ali'i" means "chief" in Hawaiian. The name might reflect the area's historical significance to the local community or its use by Hawaiian nobility. The exact origin of its name remains a mystery, as there is no documented story specifically linked to Ali'i Beach Park that explains its regal title. If you know the story, let us know!
Conservation Etiquette
Let's keep this place pristine! While exploring the ocean, avoid touching coral or stepping on it - it takes years to recover.
Similarly, please don't touch sea turtles and other marine life, and always maintain a good distance from them.
Remember to pack out all your trash and respect the residents to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Ready to explore beyond Ali'i Beach Park? We've got everything you need to know for an amazing trip to Haleiwa. Check out these other posts:
We hope you enjoy your vacation here! After your visit, please leave a review in the comments below, and let us know if you have any questions.
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