Kawela Bay Beach Park - A Hidden Gem Near Kahuku
Kawela Bay Beach Park is a bit of a hidden gem situated near Kahuku on O'ahu's north coast. There are two major ways to get to the beach. First and foremost, hotel guests at Turtle Bay Resort may enjoy a leisurely 1.25-mile stroll along a shaded path. If you're driving in, the alternative way to get there is to take a path that starts across the street from the Kahuku Land Farms Stand.
Either route will lead you through a tree-shaded canopy. You'll come upon a huge banyan tree along the route from the Kahuku Land Farms Stand, with shoots that stretch out for a hundred feet or more. Fans of the television program "Lost" will recognize this banyan tree. Many episodes were filmed in and around Kawela Bay. This is an excellent location for photographing the tropical forest atmosphere.
Keep an eye out for horse feces as you go down the path. A few businesses have licenses to provide activities like kayaking instruction and horseback riding. The paths here are also suitable for mountain biking.
Kawela Bay is a quiet beach on the Turtle Bay Resort's western border. With its crescent shape and calm sea, it is sheltered by a huge reef. It is home to a wide range of marine creatures. It is less congested than some of the more well-known North Shore beaches, such as Sunset Beach and Waimea Bay Beach Park. However, there will be a significant number of tourists over the weekend. During the week, there are usually just a few beachgoers.
The beach is curving, with calm water close to the coast. It may be a great beach for families and children, but keep in mind that there is no lifeguard on duty. On that point, there are no restrooms, showers, or other amenities here. There are a few rocks and reefs off shore, but the bottom is mainly sand. You'll be able to stand on mainly sandy land if you swim out approximately 25 yards.
Paddle boarding, swimming, and kayaking are all popular sports on the beach. However, when the outer surf is strong, it churns up the silty sand, making it unsuitable for snorkeling. The beach is small, but there are shaded places where you may put your beach blanket and cooler. When you go for a swim, take a minute to glance back and appreciate the beauty of the trees that border the curving beach. It really feels like you're on a deserted Pacific beach.
In Hawaiian, the term Kawela translates to "hot." According to legend, the gods Kane and Kanaloa struck spring water from a rock known as Why Wai-Kane to provide life to a previously waterless area.
The final thoughts
There are so many great North Shore picture spots that you nearly can't go wrong. However, my favorite is Kawela Bay Park, which is situated near Turtle Bay Resort. I like this place because it is a hidden treasure that few people know about, which means there is never a crowd, and it has an infinite supply of excellent picture locations - I'm always discovering new ones.
