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Kuilima Cove and Turtle Bay Oahu

ByLisa Dworkin Hours

These beaches are rarely used by anyone other than guests of the Turtle Bay Resort. As a result, they aren’t crowded like Waikiki Beach yet have a nice variety of amenities for all visitors.

Kuilima Cove has excellent snorkeling, especially around the reef towards the middle and right of the cove. Be sure to stay away from the areas where the reef ends, and the water flows into the open ocean, as the currents are extremely strong in these areas.

Turtle Bay is a typically beautiful Hawaiian beach with an offshore island. Sometimes when the water is especially calm, you can even walk out to the island to snorkel; however, during the winter, the waves here are usually too big to allow any sort of water activities for anyone but the most experienced surfers.

Turtle Bay Beach got its name from the large numbers of green turtles that used to come here to lay their eggs on the beach. While you may see green turtles today, they are no more likely to be at Turtle Bay than other Hawaiian beaches. Remember, Turtle Bay isn’t Turtle Beach. It’s easy to confuse them because of their similar names, but they are two entirely different beaches.

Beach Activities:

  • Lounging
  • Swimming
  • Snorkeling
  • Surfing
  • Boogie boarding
  • Skim boarding
  • Paddle boarding
  • Volleyball

Beach Amenities:

  • Public bathrooms – Yes.
  • Showers – Yes.
  • Parking – Yes.
  • Food – Yes.
  • Lifeguard – No.
  • Dogs allowed on the beach – Yes, dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Beach Rentals:

The Sand Bar rents boogie boards, skim boards, snorkel gear, and beach volleyball equipment.

Hans Hedemann Surf School rents surfboards, boogie boards, and paddle boards and offer surfing lessons.

Directions:

To get to the Turtle Bay Resort (57 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku) beaches from Honolulu, take Interstate H1 West to Interstate H2 North. Merge right onto H2 North. Exit at exit 8, Wahiawa, and take Route 99 North, Kamehameha Highway. Stay on Kamehameha Highway as it becomes Route 83 East, Joseph P. Leong Highway (then Kamehameha Highway again at Haleiwa). Continue for another 12 or so miles to Kuiima Drive. Turn left and continue to the Turtle Bay Resort. The entire drive should take approximately an hour, depending on traffic.

To many joyful beach experiences!

— Lisa Dworkin

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