Windward Coast (Oahu)

The two main towns on the Windward side are served by three routes that cross the Koolau Mountain range via tunnels. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. (Google Maps estimates below assume no traffic.)

• Pali Highway (Route 61) provides the most direct access to Kailua (the highway ends at the main entrance to Kailua town) and access to Kaneohe via route 83 at the foot of the Pali on the windward side. It also passes by the Nuuanu Pali lookout, a spectacular vantage point to view the Windward side. Inbound, the route provides the most direct route to downtown Honolulu. From Waikiki, take H-1 west to exit 21B (Pali Highway, route 61 north). From H-1 the route passes through the residential neighborhood of Nuuanu (with several traffic lights) for the first 3 miles. (Google Maps estimate from Waikiki to Kailua 28 minutes; to Kaneohe via route 83, 30 minutes).
• Likelike Highway (Route 63) (pronounced lee-keh-lee-keh) provides the most direct route to Kaneohe (Google Maps estimate 25 minutes), and also provides the most direct access to route 83 going up the coast to Laie. From Waikiki, take H-1 west to exit 20A (Likelike Highway, route 63 north). As with the Pali, the route passes through residential areas for the first few miles.
• Interstate H-3 provides an alternate route to both Kailua and Kaneohe. Although H-3 allows for speeds as high as 60 mph (and is one of two stretches of highway in Hawaii where speed limits exceed 55 mph), from Waikiki the speed advantage is more than offset by the additional travel time required on H-1 and/or H-201 to reach the Halawa interchange (Google Maps estimate from Waikiki to Kaneohe 30 minutes, to Kailua 33 minutes). Only recommended if the more direct routes are congested or closed, or if you are staying west of Pearl Harbor (e.g. at Ko Olina). From H-1 west, take exit 19B to H-201 west, then exit 1D from H-201 west to H-3 east. Take exit 9 or 11 from H-3 for Kaneohe; exit 11 or 14 for Kailua.

Other routes:

• Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72):, from southeast Honolulu, round the southeast corner of the island. Scenic.
• Kamehameha Highway (Route 83):, from North Shore, down the eastern coast of the island.

• Kailua Beach Park - Located just below the Kaneohe Bay and directly above Bellows air force station, this beach is famous for its excellent swimming and wind surfing. With nice fine sand - perfect for sunbathing and recreational activities, and a backdrop of tiny offshore islands, this makes for one of Oahu's most beautiful beaches. The beach has suffered from erosion, removing a significant amount of sand from the shoreline. As a result, the space available on the beach has been severely reduced.
• Lanikai Beach - Located in Lanikai, a neighborhood within Kailua, on the windward coast. This small stretch of thin beach is home to some of the most clear and blue water you will find surrounding Oahu, and with views of the two beautiful offshore islands, known as the Mokuluas or Nā Mokulua, you truly feel engulfed in the tropical setting.
• Bellows Beach Park - Located near Bellows Air Force Station (Bellows Field) in Waimanalo, fronted by a long, wide, sand beach. A shallow sandbar off the beach provide good waves for bodysurfing and bodyboarding.
• Kahana Bay Beach Park- Located at Kahana Bay just 5.5 miles from Kualoa with only a 10-minute drive until you can be surrounded by the lush green Ko’olau Mountains, Kahana Bay is an ideal secluded getaway along Oʻahu’s eastern shoreline. Often times gone unnoticed by tourists driving by, this beach is the perfect spot to sunbathe and explore! You can check out the natural fishpond from the Kahana Stream, take a quick up hike up the surrounding hills or just enjoy the peaceful picnic grounds – either way, you’ll surely enjoy Kahana Bay.
• Kaneʻohe Sandbar- located in Kailua where you can rent a kayak or sailboat to explore the unique Kaneʻohe Sandbar in the middle of the bay. Once landed on the Sandbar, you can experience the feeling of the ocean all around you while staying dry or take a refreshing dip into the crisp blue and green waters. The view of Oʻahu’s Windward Side is absolutely breathtaking from the Kaneʻohe Bay Sandbar- so bring a camera! The bay’s unique coral reefs are one of the most studied in the world, so you’ll also want to be sure to bring your snorkel gear.