Heading west from Waikīkī, Ala Moana Beach Park offers a change of scene: it is a Honolulu coastal park with a half-mile beach and the man-made peninsula of Magic Island. Its reef-protected shoreline is known for calm water, with swimming, surfing and bodyboarding among the activities Hawaiʻi’s tourism board highlights.
- Location: Oʻahu’s south shore, just west of Waikīkī.
- Beach: A half-mile shoreline protected by a fringing reef.
- Magic Island: A peninsula with seawalls and a shallow lagoon.
Where Ala Moana Beach Park sits
Ala Moana Beach Park lies on Oʻahu’s south shore, just west of Waikīkī. The Historic American Landscapes Survey identifies the park at 1201 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. That puts the beach and Magic Island in a coastal park setting between the Waikīkī area and Honolulu’s shoreline to the west.
The park’s beach stretches for half a mile. Its fringing reef helps protect the water, which is described as calm. For a wider look at the neighboring shoreline, compare it with Waikīkī Beach access and swimming areas.
Beach access and swimming areas
Ala Moana’s reef-protected beach is known for calm water, and swimming is one of the activities associated with the park. Hawaiʻi’s tourism board also highlights surfing and bodyboarding, so conditions and the activity you choose matter.
Park amenities include lifeguards, restrooms, showers, phones, food concessions, picnic tables, parking and barbecue grills. These make it possible to combine time in the water with a meal or picnic; for current surf, wind and public-safety conditions, the tourism board recommends checking Hawaii Ocean Safety before choosing a beach activity.
Magic Island paths and viewpoints
Magic Island is a man-made peninsula extending from Ala Moana Regional Park, with seawalls and a shallow lagoon. It gives the park a second waterside setting beyond the open beach, and its lagoon and shoreline provide a natural place to continue a walk after time by the sand.
As you plan your visit, keep the beach and lagoon distinct: the beach is the reef-protected swimming shoreline, while Magic Island is the peninsula with the seawalls and shallow lagoon. Park amenities include picnic tables, showers and restrooms, as well as food concessions and barbecue grills.
How do you get from Waikīkī to Ala Moana Beach Park?
From Halekulani - NO RESORT FEE, Ala Moana Beach Park is about 7 minutes by car or 33 minutes on foot. The park’s address is 1201 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. After time at the beach, continue to Magic Island to see its seawalls and shallow lagoon.
If you’re planning to take TheBus, Route 8 serves Ala Moana Center–Makiki and Waikiki Beach & Hotels, but its route information does not confirm a stop inside the beach park; check current route and stop details before setting out.
Before you go: Check Hawaii Ocean Safety for current beach conditions and check the official site before you go for relevant current guidance.
FAQs
Is Ala Moana Beach Park in Waikīkī?
No. The park is on Oʻahu’s south shore, just west of Waikīkī.
Is the water calm at Ala Moana Beach Park?
The beach is protected by a fringing reef, and the water is described as calm. Check current ocean-safety conditions before choosing an activity.
What can you do at Magic Island?
Magic Island is a man-made peninsula with seawalls and a shallow lagoon, offering a different shoreline setting from the park’s beach.