Some beaches on Oahu are easy to find because everyone’s already there. Waimānalo is a little different. It sits on the windward side of the island, a long stretch of soft white sand backed by ironwood trees, and most tourists drive right past it on their way to Kailua or the North Shore.
That’s honestly their loss, and your gain.
If you want a real beach camping experience on Oahu, this is one of the few legal spots to do it. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That helps us keep creating free, honest Hawaii camping guides for travelers planning a real trip around Oahu.
As of April 2026, this guide reflects the latest publicly available information from the City & County of Honolulu and official camping sources.
What Is Waimānalo Beach Park?
Waimānalo Beach Park is a City and County of Honolulu beach park on the southeastern coast of Oahu, right along Kalaniana’ole Highway. The campground inside it is officially called George Ke’a Mahoe Jr. Campground, named in honor of the native community that has long called this area home. The camping area sits inside what locals call Sherwood Forest, a shaded grove of ironwood trees that runs right up behind the beach. You’re a short walk from the water, sheltered from the midday sun, and far enough from the highway to actually feel like you’re somewhere.
The park itself has more going on than just camping. There’s a baseball field, basketball courts, and the beach draws local families on weekends. It’s a lived-in, community park vibe, which is actually a good thing. It feels real, not touristy.
If you’re still deciding where to camp on Oahu, check out our full Oahu campground guide to compare all your options in one place.
Waimānalo Beach Park Amenities
The facilities are basic but they get the job done.
What you’ll find here:
Public restrooms.
Outdoor beach showers.
Picnic tables and grassy areas.
Free parking nearby.
Direct beach access.
Lifeguards on duty during the day.
One ADA accessible campsite.
What you won’t find:
Electrical hookups.
A shared kitchen or cooking area.
WiFi.
Come prepared. The park is simple by design, and that’s part of the appeal. You’re here for the beach, not the amenities.
How to Get to Waimānalo Beach Park
Address: Waimanalo, HI 96795 (along Kalaniana’ole Highway)
From Honolulu or Waikiki, plan about 30 to 40 minutes with normal traffic. Take Kalaniana’ole Highway east past Hawaii Kai and follow it along the coast. From Kailua, it’s a quick 10 to 15 minutes south.
Parking is available near the beach park along the highway. The windward side is generally less congested than Waikiki, so getting there and back is usually a smooth drive.
Best Time to Visit
Oahu is warm year-round, and Waimānalo is no exception.
Summer (April through October) is the sweet spot for camping. The ocean is calmer, the weather is dry, and conditions are great for swimming. This is when the beach really shines.
Winter (November through March) brings more wind and occasional rain on the windward side. It’s still doable, but expect choppier conditions and cooler evenings.
Weekday mornings are the best time to enjoy the park without crowds. Weekends bring locals out for family beach days, which adds some energy to the atmosphere but also more people around your campsite.
One thing worth knowing: wind can pick up on the windward coast, and when it does, man o’ war jellyfish occasionally drift into windward beaches. Check conditions before you get in the water. And always look up any brown water advisories before swimming, especially after heavy rain.
2026 Fees and Reservations
Camping at Waimānalo Beach Park requires a permit from the City and County of Honolulu. Here are the current rates:
3-day permit (Friday through Monday, 8am): $32.75
5-day permit (Friday through Wednesday, 8am): $53.22
Each permit covers up to 10 people, 2 tents, and 3 vehicles.
Fees are confirmed from the official Honolulu’s online camping reservation system. Always verify the latest rates at City and County of Honolulu’s page before booking, as these can change.
How to book:
Head to City and County of Honolulu’s online camping reservation system to reserve your permit online. Reservations open two Fridays before the Friday you want to camp, at 5pm HST. Spots go fast, especially for summer weekends, so be ready right at 5pm when they open.
In-person permits are also available at the Fasi Municipal Building (FMB), 650 South King Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. Office hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday through Friday.
A few important things to know:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
One permit per person per weekend.
Permits are non-transferable and non-refundable.
No camping on Wednesdays or Thursdays.
You must have a printed copy of your permit with you at the campsite.
Walk-in camping without a permit is not allowed.
Camping Rules Worth Knowing
Tent camping only. No sleeping in vehicles at county beach parks.
No campfires.
Quiet hours are enforced. This is a public park and a shared space.
Up to 2 tents and 3 vehicles per permit.
Keep the area clean and use the trash bins.
Alcohol rules may be enforced depending on local regulations.
The park is busy with daytime visitors even when you’re there as a camper, so expect some activity during the day and plan accordingly.
Is Waimānalo Beach Park Campervan Friendly?
Not for overnight stays. City and County beach parks require tent camping only, and sleeping in your vehicle is not allowed.
If you’re traveling with a campervan, Waimānalo Beach Park is a fantastic spot for a day visit. Park up, spend the day at the beach, and then head to a campervan-friendly campground for overnight stays.
If you’re planning to explore Oahu, renting a campervan makes it much easier to move between campgrounds and beaches. You can get 10% off your rental through our Outdoorsy link. Click through first so the discount applies, then use code LMONDROP10 at checkout. Rent a campervan for Oahu through our Outdoorsy link.
What to Do Nearby
Waimānalo puts you in a great spot for exploring the windward side of Oahu.
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. One of the best easy hikes on the island, with wide paved paths and dramatic coastal views at the top. On clear days you can see Molokai from the lookout. In winter, whale spotting from up here is genuinely incredible.
Lanikai Pillbox Hike. A short but steep trail that rewards you with sweeping views of Lanikai Beach and the Mokulua Islands. It’s popular, so go early in the morning to beat the crowds.
Kailua Beach. About 10 to 15 minutes north. One of the most beautiful beaches on the island with calm, clear water. Great for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming.
Rabbit Island (Mānana Island) views. You can see Rabbit Island right from the beach at Waimānalo. Watching the sunrise from camp with that view in front of you is a pretty special way to start the morning.
About 20 minutes north near Kaneohe. Free to enter, beautiful to walk around, and one of the most photogenic spots on the windward side.
Waimanalo town. Small, local, and unpretentious. Grab food at one of the roadside spots along the highway and get a feel for what life is like on this side of the island.
Alternatives If Waimānalo Beach Park Is Full
The windward side has a few solid options if you can’t get a permit here.
Just a couple miles north, Bellows shares the same bay and has more campsites. It’s on a military base and has a slightly more managed feel.
About 30 minutes up the coast on the windward side. Dramatic Ko’olau Mountain views and the iconic Chinaman’s Hat offshore. One of the most scenic campgrounds on the island.
Final Thoughts
Waimānalo Beach Park is one of those places that rewards people who actually look for it. The beach is genuinely stunning, the Sherwood Forest campsite is cool and shaded, and the windward side of Oahu feels worlds away from Waikiki even though it’s only 30 minutes east.
It’s basic camping, which means you bring what you need and you leave with a lot more than you arrived with. Wake up to a sunrise over Rabbit Island, go for an early swim before the crowds show up, and spend the day exploring some of the best hiking on the island.
Just get your permit early. These spots go fast, and the 5pm Friday window fills up quickly for summer weekends.
Book your camping permit at City and County of Honolulu’s online camping reservation system. And if you need a campervan to make the most of your time on Oahu, use our Outdoorsy link to save 10% with code LMONDROP10 at checkout.
Related Oahu Camping Guides
Stay up to date on new guides!
Book RV/Campervan
Pro-tip: Don’t visit Waimanalo Beach Park or anywhere around Oahu without renting a RV / campervan far in advance, and when you rent with Lemon Drop Campers you can get 10% off your rental by using the code LMONDROP10 at checkout. Click our Outdoorsy link.
- By
- Adeline Dela Cruz
Share this post