ALOHA!
It’s quite reasonable to walk from Kailua Beach to Lanikai Beach. It will be about a 15 minute walk. It’s a scenic walk that first starts off going up a hill that gives you amazing views overlooking Kailua Bay. You’ll continue to follow Mokulua Drive until you get to a Lanikai Beach access that you want to go down!
Since Lanikai Beach doesn’t have a designated parking lot and sometimes street parking is banned, it can be easier to park at Kailua Beach and then walk over. Ideally you’ll park at the Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot since this is closer to Lanikai, but if it’s full you can try the other Kailua Beach parking lot.
There are no beach facilities at Lanikai Beach, so whether you are driving yourself or arriving in Kailua by bus, you might want to stop by Kailua Beach before you go the rest of the way to Lanikai!
Below I’ll show you what you can expect on the walk over!
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OAHU DAY TRIPS > KAILUA BAY KAYAKING
Quick tips for going from Kailua Beach to Lanikai Beach
Distance: Minimum 0.5 miles. Longer if you want to go to a part of the beach that’s further away!
Time: 15-20 minutes, depending on your pace and how far along the beach you go
Difficulty: It starts off with a hill, but otherwise it’s mostly flat and easy
Start: Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot (map)
Also called “Lanikai Beach or Kailua Beach Boat Ramp” on google maps
Route: Head left out of the Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot, up the hill, following Mokulua Drive until you get to a beach path
Beach access: Lanikai Beach has different beach access paths, including the Mokumanu access, Kaiolena access, and Haokea access
Facilities: There are no beach facilities (including bathroom, showers, lifeguard) at Lanikai Beach. (There are at Kailua Beach.)
Bus: Bus #671 goes to Lanikai Beach from Kailua Beach. There is a bus stop across the street from the Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot, and the bus loops around the Lanikai neighborhood, including pretty much at the beach access paths. It runs every 40-50 minutes.
Step-by-step walking to Lanikai Beach
Start at Kailua Beach boat ramp parking lot
👆 The Kailua Beach boat launch parking lot is one of the parking lots at Kailua Beach Park. This is the one that’s closest to Lanikai.
Follow Mokulua Drive
👆 Coming from Kailua Beach Park and the parking lot, you’ll walk out onto the main road and turn left on Mokulua Drive. This is the direction of the hill going UP! There’s a paved path on the ocean side that you will walk up. It’s a scenic walk with ocean views!
👆 This walk also serves as a Kailua Bay overlook!
👆 The sidewalk and road will then veer right and you’ll continue walking on Mokulua Drive, and you’ll end up in the Lanikai neighborhood. There are a number of beach access paths off of Mokulua Drive, which are located between residential homes. (You will also pass a spot to walk towards the Lanikai pillbox trailhead.)
Pick a Lanikai Beach access path
- Kaelepulu Drive (closest to Kailua Beach)
- Mokumanu Drive (middle)
- Haokea Drive (further away so tends to be quieter)
👆 Decide which beach access you want to take to get to Lanikai Beach!
Arrival at Lanikai Beach!
👆 You will be at Lanikai Beach before you know it.
👆 Welcome to Lanikai Beach!
Tips for getting to Lanikai
- Bus from Waikiki to Kailua Beach
- Bus from Kailua Beach to Lanikai Beach
- Waikiki to Lanikai Beach
- Walking to Lanikai pillbox hike from Kailua Beach
Oahu day trips on the blog
OAHU DAY TRIPS > Kailua Bay kayaking
There are partner websites included on this blog.
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