Ala Moana Beach Park

Just minutes from downtown Honolulu, the exquisite and tranquil Ala Moana Beach Park is yet another reason the U.S.’s southernmost capital is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The sprawling 40-hectare site is home to an array of jaw-dropping natural features and man-made facilities that combine to form the ideal city retreat.

Long, balmy shores, inviting, turquoise waters and gorgeous shady oases lend themselves perfectly to a relaxing day at the beach. The 800-metre stretch of golden sand is closer to downtown and a lot quieter than Waikiki Beach, while the calm waters provided by the offshore reef make it one of Hawaii’s safest swimming spots. The eastern end of the beach, in particular, is very popular with families as it’s a perfect spot for the kids to have a splash around with lifeguards always on duty.

However, it’s not just the park’s tropical tranquillity that draws the crowds. This is also where everyone – local and tourist alike – come to get active and keep fit. There are an array of facilities to help you work up a sweat, ranging from jogging tracks to tennis courts, to free-to-use gym equipment. The gentle waters of the Pacific also play host to a wide variety of activities from long-distance swimming in the deep-water channel to the increasingly popular stand-up paddle boarding. The beautiful coral just off shore is a popular spot for scuba diving and snorkelling while beyond the reef are some of the best surfing waves on the entire island.

Picnic-goers also flock to Ala Moana Beach Park to avail of the rolling grassy areas in the shade of beautiful palm and banyan trees. Sit yourself down next to one of the park's ponds and you just might catch sight of one of the freshwater turtles that inhabit the park.

Another major draw to the park are the many cultural events and concerts held here, such as the Independence Day fireworks spectacular in July or the enchanting Lantern Floating festival in May. The combination of fantastic facilities and beautiful natural surroundings mean that parking in the area is at a premium on weekends and during the tourist season but there are regular bus routes from downtown that allow you to avoid the traffic and make the most of your day in paradise!