Live Your Best Lives
Bellows Field Beach Park Reviews
4.7
1 of 11 Best Attractions in Waimanalo
Reviews
We went to the military beach but the public beach was just as beautiful. Very windy but beautiful and clear beautiful water.
My Girlfriend & I just sat at the Beach for about a half hour then right next to us, this Boy, say around 10 yrs. old was screaming for he just got stung by a Jellyfish! We was prepared for we packed a bottle of Vinegar just in case we got stung!! We waited a few minutes to see what they would do to calm him but looked like they weren't prepared so we volunteered to get our bottle of Vinegar for them to use!!! Happy Ending for he finally stopped screaming after about half an hour due to using the Vinegar also some warm Water!!
Beautiful , quiet and tons of weddings on the beach...
Never busy, you don't need umbrella because there is shade from trees, and if you love the waves , perfect beach.
Hubby and I had visited Bellows Beach on a previous visit and were eager to return during our recent trip. Luckily we had access to the military section of this tropical heaven, and it was as beautiful as we remembered.
Although we did not stay on property, additional condos had been added to the beach houses available for rent. A convenience store, Subway, laundry, and other amenities made a day or week stay a pleasure.
Calm blue waters, powdery white sand, a smattering of beach-goers = an ideal day.
Great beaches
Water is perfect
Great with kids of all ages
Clean
Well maintained
Short distance from downtown
Nice ride along water
It is difficult to describe the many beautiful blue colors of the water at Bellows! It is one of our favorite stretches of beach in the world. It is quiet. Just sit and enjoy the view!
Well if you check a lot of the travel literature and Oahu websites plus the reviews downpage BELLOW'S rating as TOP BEACH appears to be the consensus.
And YES, from my own personal point of view, the southern section of BELLOWS along with the conjoined northern km or so of WAIMANALO BAY BEACH is the best strip of sand on the island.
BUT THERE IS NO ONE BEST BEACH IN OAHU – IT DEPENDS ON THE USER.
So the best beach for the average visitor (WAIKIKI) will be different from the best beach for snorkelers (HANAUMA), for high rollers (KO OLINA), for surfers when the swell is/isn’t huge (BANZAI PIPELINE), for families with teenage kids (WAIMEA BAY when the swell is NOT big), for nudists (NORTH POLO FIELD/MOKULEIA BEACH)…..and so on.
UNDERSTAND
The long sweep of WAIMANALO BAY has a 7.3km /4.5mi long beach technically divided into 3 sections – from south to north:WAIMANALO BCH then WAIMANALO BAY BEACH and finally BELLOWS FIELD BEACH.
REASONS FOR TOP RANKING
The whole 7+km of sand is pretty nice but I particularly like BELLOWS and northern part of WIAMANOLO BAY BEACH section (the “junction” is a low line of rocks – otherwise there is no real change) because this zone is backed by forest rather than suburbia and tends to be a bit quieter away from the town area.
Thing is, what I look for in a beach is not too crowded, nice clean sand (not fussy if it’s yellow instead of white, but this one has the latter), clear water, backed by vegetation rather than suburbia or crumbling cliffs like so many in California. Easy access with good parking, picnic facilities and similar amenities back of beach don’t hurt.
The almost sheer walls of the high KO’OLAU RANGE which separates THE WINDWARD COAST from the HONOLUL/WAIKIKI SOUTH COAST is not too far inland and adds to the aesthetics.
I personally don’t mind surf, but for families another advantage of this place is protection by the substantial offshore reef which runs along most of the WINDWARD COAST. Waves reaching the sand tend to be ankle/shin/thigh slappers most times – maybe bigger on a few days of the year when the north-easterly swell gets unusually big. When I visited we were talking shin/thigh slappers – enough for kids to be enjoying some body-boarding but not big enough for genuine surfboarding.
Adding to kid-friendliness - small waves mean rip currents are less likely and the open nature of the beach plus Oahu’s small tidal range should see an absence of major tidal currents.
CAVEAT
BELLOWS FIELD BEACH is on a reserve air force base and is only open weekends. NO WORRIES – if you arrive on a weekday simply drive or bus a bit further south and access the equally nice WAINAMALO BAY section thru the WAIMANALO BEACH PARK area detailed below.
LOCATION AND GETTING THERE
BELLOWS/WAIMANALO is on the southern quarter of the WINDWARD COAST. You are looking at roughly 32km/20mi from Waikiki whether you come around the south-east corner of the island or use the central route thru the Pali Hay tunnels. I came via the latter: BUS 70 from Honolulu’s ALA MOANA bus interchange – changing to bus 57 in KAILUA once the coast is reached. There are any number of buses from Waikiki to Ala Moana. The whole trip from Waikiki cost me $2.50 using the 2 transfer stubs on the ticket.
I hopped off 57 opposite WAIAMANALO BEACH PARK which is about 20% from the south end of this 7km+i strip of sand and walked north, reaching the junction of BELLOWS BEACH abt 2km further on.. After another 500m walk north I exited BELLOWS via the public access road out to the Hwy - a 1.6km/1mi walk. At the main road I picked up another 57, once again getting out at WAIMANALO BCH PARK from where I walked in the opposite direction, checking out the southern part of WAIMANALO beach.
BTW bus users can also come around the south-eastern corner of the island on buses 22,23 from Waikiki, changing to 57 at its turn-around point (SEA LIFE PARK). This has the better views - sit on the right hand side of the bus for best coastal outlook.
CAR users can come either way – there is plentiful free parking at WAIAMANALO BCH PARK, at a similar area behind the nice northern section at WAIMANALO BAY BCH PARK and at BELLOWS FIELD BCH PARK. All 3 have change/rest rooms, showers, water fountains, BBQ facilities etc. I think you can camp at all 3 but sites are limited and need a county permit. These types of campgrounds close down one or two days a week to discourage the homeless setting up permanently.
CROWDS, TRAFFIC and PARKING.
A big advantage of these nice WINDWARD COAST beaches over the very popular NORTH SHORE is the lack of the latter’s heavy traffic and parking problems. My visit on a very nice day in the Easter holiday period saw a fairly relaxed scene, even on the southern part WAIMANALO which tends to attract more people.
The vibe is different too – WAIMANALO/BELLOWS seemed to have mainly locals using the beaches – the NORTH SHORE appeared way more tourist oriented.
A GOOD BASE FOR A DAY TRIP.
Like all these southern WINDWARD COAST locations, BELLOWS/WAIMANALO is a good starting point if you want to check out some other neat spots in the area or along the way from Waikiki.
For a start my #2 and #3 personal best beaches, compact LANIKAI and looong KAILUA are the next 2 north.
And anyone who comes across here and doesn’t check out the excellent panorama from the LANIKAI PILLBOX TRAIL is either nuts or suffering severe time deficit.
But there’s more! Coming from Waikiki via the south east corner of the island are many other great places to spend time: DIAMOND HEAD CRATER, HANAUMA BAY SNORKELLING, the super tough KOKO CRATER RIDGE TRAIL-LOOKOUT, KOKO CRATER BOTANICAL GARDENS, HALONA BLOWHOLE, HALONA COVE (scene of the iconic kiss-cuddle in FROM HERE TO ETERNITY), SANDY BEACH (please be careful of that shore break if you go for a swim), HAWAII KAI GOLF COURSE, MAKAPU’U POINT/LIGHTHOUSE TREK-VIEWPOINT, the roadside MAKAPU’U LOOKOUT (lower than the LIGHTOUSE but still surprisingly elevated, MAKAPU’U BEACH (be careful: often big waves/dangerous currents), SEA LIFE PARK and the adjacent CHIEF’S LUAU.
Enjoy your visit trendsetters
quiet, clean, shallow, calmer and whatelse I must say... This is the best all year around. Northshore has beautiful beaches but there is rough season and wave is for surfers especially winter season. But Bellows is not. Of course, sometimes it is rough waves if it is windy but MOSTLY it is ideal beach for kids and family who wants to relax and like to make sand castle. If you have friend that can take you in military area, it makes you feel you're at private beach (almost). One negative thing is that you will never feel to go back and swim in Waikiki or Ala Moana beach after you visit here.
This beach makes you feel like it is your own private place. The water is warm, the beach is sandy, and sunrises are beautiful. Just watch out for the shore break.
My friend and I was looking forward to this outing at this highly regarded beach park. Upon arrival the quaint narrow road into this AF beach open to the public, revealed a seemingly beautiful beach of white sands and bluest of water. Reality set in as we walked down to the beach from parking, and seeing the trash along the way. People! Really, respect where you play, others want to enjoy it too, without the mess. We walked about 50 yards or so along the beach looking for a spot to set. Found: 3 cans, a bread bag, an empty suntan lotion container, rusted metal, half buried filthy towel....1 condom wrapper. We took photos of the surf, and promptly left, feeling grossed out.
Bellows beach is only open weekends for the public. Very nice sand, clean water for boogie boarding and surfing or just lying on the beach. Different sand than Waikiki beach...i think it feels better! A little more gritty in a good way!
Bathroom are available with outside showers. Plenty of shade and trees. Very nice overall!
Our family voted this our favorite beach! As military we accessed the based side of the beach park. We rented equipment at Discovery Bay. Although we went on a Saturday and arrived after lunch at Buzz's, it wasn't as crowded as we expected and finding parking near the showers and restrooms was easy. We set up right in front of the life guard since it was the first time our grand kids had ever been in surf type waters. We all ventured out and soon were enjoying great body surfing. The beaches on the windward side of the island are so totally different then the leeward side-Waikiki. They are prettier and more relaxing. Our family had space and lots of white sand! We strongly encourage any first timer to Oahu to try out Bellows. It's heavenly!
I found this beach from word of mouth through a co-worker. There are two sides to this beach. There is the public side that is only open Friday-Sunday, and there is the military side which you can only access if you are able to get on military bases. The sand is white and the water is blue. There is also a lifeguard. On the public side there is plenty of space to park and camp, as well as BBQ. On the military side they have a large parking lot with an outdoor shower, restrooms, and a covered picnic area. There were plenty of people here enjoying all that this beach had to offer, but it is so much less crowded than the other beaches of its likeness. If you are on this side of the island I highly recommend Bellows beach as an alternative to the many other public beaches.
Try to go during dec. you won't be sorry. Bring food and drinks, because its you and the sandy beach white light powered sugar, and ocean blue as a kittens eyes just born. Honestly breathtaking.
Good Beach in a somewhat secluded place. Not overcrowded unlike the beaches close to Waikiki. The treeline is close to the shore so there's plenty of shade. The waves are good for body surfing.
We stopped today on a whim with our kids. It was a beautiful beach. The sand was soft. There were very few people around..the kids loved jumping in the waves. It was a great way to get out of Waikiki for a day.
Plenty of surf and clean beaches. Military keeps the beach very clean and accessible. Military operations can result in some beach closures and you cannot plan for this. Plenty of beach to visit and a good place to visit. If you are visiting military and staying for a while, plan ahead and reserve a cabin or cinder block house on the beach.
Bellows is a nice beach for families that are camping, picnicking or just spending a day at the beach. For me personally, I don't care for the beach at Bellows because the sand is too fine and the water is too murky. But for families with small kids, this beach is much safer than swimming at Makapu'u or Sandy beach down the road where the waves and current get be very strong. If you are military active or retired, there is a military side that has cabins and a small mini mart. Make sure you lock all your valuables in the trunk of your car and keep an eye on your things when on the beach. Do not leave anything unattended on the beach while you are in the water. This goes for all the beaches and parks on the island.
Highly recommend! Been to Waikiki, Sunset Beach on North Shore and Turtle Bay...Bellows is best. If you have a friend that can get you on military side, that beach is even nicer...better amenities. Surf is perfect for 6 year olds and up, and the boogie boarding is fabulous! Enjoy!!!
I was staying near Waikiki which
I did not much care for .si my trusty Mustang convertible and I explored the island's other beaches. Particularly liked this one. Very clean, really good breeze, uncrowded. Paradise!
The views were incredible!...beach was like a postcard with clean sand and aquamarine color waters. And the mountains were like I've never seen before....beautiful!
basically a continuation of Waimanalo beach. This beach is open to the public on the weekends ONLY. It is posted closed from 0800 Monday to 1200 Friday for military training. This is a great beach if the folks who visit would clean up after themselves. There isn't a lot of trash, but enough that it detracts from what could possibly be the best beach on O'ahu.
This is the beach to come to for a peaceful retreat at the beach. The sandy bottom makes it great for swimming, wading, boogie boarding and body surfing. The view of the mountains and the different shades of blue in the water are beautiful. The sunrise is amazing and a great way to start your day! It is family friendly and having facilities is a plus! It truely is paradise!
I have not been to island of Oahu,Hawaii in over 15 years, and I have many fond memories of that visit. My wife was pregnant with our daughter at the time and it was just a great memory. This trip was about my mother in-law getting something off her bucket list. My wife came to me and said that her mother was getting up there in age and that she had always wanted to go to Hawaii and the Holy Land. Well, the trip was planned. My mother in-law has been such a positive influence in our marriage and the baby sitter when in need. This was a simple, let make it happen.
This trip was a great experience for my daughter and my mother in-law. But the stay at Bellows was very special, in the words of my mother in-law, "I can move here, just sit and watch the ocean. It is so peaceful, I can live here for the rest of my life." There is no finer beach on the island of Oahu, and the nights are cool with the sound of the waves to put you to sleep. The staff there is friendly and helpful. It was just a great stay. The beach cabins are a little rustic, but if you are looking for air conditioning there are the new condos too. Either way, you cannot go wrong at Bellows.
I went on the military side of Bellows. It was secluded, quiet, clean, and good clear water. Great place to boogey board or just relax. It is on the eastern side of the island so it isn't a great place for sunsets, but it was definitely my favorite beach that I went to.
Tranquility, beauty, and the best sand on the island! This is the second year at Bellows, and great place to swim, walk, and just enjoy. The undertow is gentle compared to most of the island, and the sand is like sugar.
The sites from this beach are astounding. Everywhere you gaze presents a new and wonderful experience. The beach is exceptionally clean and it is not congested. Patrons are very kind and the overall mood is very relaxing.
With a title like this I know that I am bound to invite some controversy. Let me start by saying that I grew up on O'ahu and have visited most beaches as a result and that while I body surf and boogie board that i am not a surfer. It should also be noted that this beach is only open on weekends due to its location near a US Military base.
Why do I love this beach:
- its not too crowded due to its distance from Waikiki
- nice beach with perfect white fine sand
- stunning colour of water
- you can walk out about 300 feet and there is no coral in the water the whole way
- great waves to play in, surf in, or boogie board in
- family friendly
- incredible views of the ocean in front and the dramatic east coast mountain range behind you
For the record, my favorite beaches on this island include (in no particular order):
1) Sandy Beach (please dont go in the water unless you are local or a very strong swimmer as there is a magnificent but very violent break right at the shoreline)
2) Bellows
3) Yokohama Bay
4) Makapu'u
5) Waimea Bay
6) Lanikai (avoid when windy)
Open to the public on weekends only. Lots of sand, water and some shade for sitting and watching the waves roll in. There's a camp ground if you want to stay and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean.
We bought Boogie Boards at Costco and went to Bellows Beach twice during our time on Oahu. First day was too choppy and we couldn't catch a good wave or even bob around in the water much. Second time was the same day they had record waves on the North Shore and we got the tail end of that system which made for some seriousy fun boarding. The beach is BIG and sandy without too many people so easy to find your own spot for fun. Afterwards, we drove up the North Shore and got to watch the HUGE WAVES until sunset which was a great capper for a fun day. Get your Boogie Board and Go...you won't be disappointed
Trade winds can be a blessing or a curse, but when they're active at Bellows it sure reduces the need for A/C. The beach is first, last, and always the best....not too far from tourism activity. AS for us, we come to Hawaii and get off the beaten track.
Amazing beach that-goes-on-forever on the east shore that allows overnight camping. Lots of local families and surfers.
This is actually a military installation, but has a great beach which is open to the public during part of the week. Good place to hang, if you are into beaches.
This beach is gorgeous. Bright blue water, steady waves perfect for boogie boarding. It also has the best sand I have ever experienced, feels like foam under your feet. The area is beautiful too, with the mountains and islands in the back drop, its really a sight to see.
Would have loved to spend more time here. Very little people at this beach due to it being on an Air Force base.
Unfortunately the rain put a damper on us enjoying it. There are many cheap rentals on base to enjoy the water. A great park and many benches on the beach to sit on. Plus quite a few picnic shelters.
The most picturesque beach I've ever had the pleasure of visiting, far from the tourist traps of Wakiki and would recommend to everyone that is staying over the weekend on Oahu.
Bellows Beach is just perfect. It's clearly popular with locals and it's just far enough out of the way that visitors won't find it unless they know to look.
Clean sand and easy water make it family friendly. You can camp there too but it's only open on weekends as it forms part of Bellows Field Airforce Base.
On a holiday weekend -this beach was not packed full of people at all...One of the reasons I go to this beach "Privacy" This beach is on the east side of the island. This beach is so beautiful...words can't describe.
One of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen. It also has nice shade and bathroom facilities. The water was calm enough for the little ones to swim in as well.
You can see the Makapu'u lighthouse and the mokes. Parking is not an issue. However, this beach is closed during the week so plan ahead.
If you're in the military, you can't go wrong to stay here. Great sand and cottage to stay with full amenities
We are staying in a cabin on Bellows AFB, just steps from the beach. Its been absolutely fantastic. My 11 yr old son can run down to the beautiful blue water and white sand and play for hours while Mama n I chill on loungers on the sand. Gets pretty busy during the weekend as its open to the public, but, not another soul, except for any others staying in cabins. Beach is amazing from sunrise to after dark. Life Guard tower with awesome guards. Restrooms and a close by Subway, and Military Exchange. Ample parking around. Love this place. Biggest complaint has nothing to do with beach but with cabins...NO AC. However, the ocean breeze is quite nice, just not always cooling enough lol. Fantastic overall. Well recommends. Just beware... MAN O'WAR. Jellies sometimes present in surf zone. My boy was stung today but after a hot shower, some pee and visit to life guard for some magic lidocaine spray, he was totally fine after an hour.
This beach is amazing. Absolutely gorgeous, the colors are amazing. You almost think it is fake it's so beautiful. We spent the day here, brought picnic lunches and enjoyed every minute. The ocean floor has beautiful soft sand, perfect for playing in the waves. We found this beach to be perfect for boogie boarding. Not a beach you'd want to snorkel at.
Enjoyed a wonderful afternoon here with my wife. Cool breezes, great sun and wonderful beach to play on.
Not crowded at all! Beautiful. Great parking. Some changing area. Highly recommended. SOme days it is almost deserted. Great for a quiet beach walk.
Spent the afternoon at Bellows with some friends. We did some swimming and boogie boarding. We cooked burgers and watched the sunset. Good shady spots to be out of the sun. Good parking. Good clean restrooms. Good time.
Walk on Bellows sand and you'll get hooked big time. If you're authorized to stay at this first class military recreational center you are indeed blessed. There just is no better place on Oahu. The water is safe and lovely...gentle enough for kids, yet enough action packed for older boogie boarders. The cabins may not be 4-star, but hey...they're 30 yards (sometimes closer) from the beach! If you're not into cabins, how about camping...lots of spots and gear can be rented. They've now added brand new condos to the mix as well.
There are trails to explore and a nice, mini PX (and gas station) for all of your short-termed needs. For more groceries hit the Kaneohe Marine Base commissary, just 30 minutes way. Speaking of Kaneohe, Bellows is an auxiliary training base for the Marines, so the beach is owned by the military. Read that to mean it's clean, safe and lifeguard protected. If you're lucky, you can observe a helicopter exercise or amphibious landing! Ensure you sign up for the kayak class out to the Mokolua Islands...or the pontoon boat out to the Kaneohe sandbar. Priceless!
The Turtle Cove Recreational Center at the Base provides a number of equipment offerings to rent....kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, boogie boards, etc. They offer wonderful classes such as learning the hula and ukulele, thought by the legendary Sherry Kaku! Bellows Field Beach Park is heaven on Oahu.
Love Bellows! Breathtaking views, ocean breeze and perfect weather. Chose to go in The first part of November to beat the holiday rush and avoid the heat. We had a renovated cabin this time. Much better. No ac, but the breeze was great and the cabins are in the shade most of the day. A great place to bring the kids and spend time with family. Saw complaints about Wi-fi quality. Had no issues with my IPad. If you want resort amenities, go to the Hale Koa on the other side. This was the perfect get away for two!
not too far out of town, somewhat secluded in finding it it is next to an AFB so entry can be closed depending on military exercises.
nice white sand, decent parking quiet n ideal
Bellows Beach, located along Waimanalo Bay, is ideal for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing. The soft, white sand is just perfect. The calm, shallow water is great and safe for younger swimmers. There are a few times when the ocean waves are large and lots of fun to "ride". I wouldn't recommend snorkeling here as there's not much to see below (except the jellyfish), besides, the water is so clear you won't need snorkeling gear to see. The trees along the beach provide lots of shady areas if you're not much into tanning.
This was one of my favorite beaches when we went to Hawaii. The sand and water was pristine and it was very quiet. Great place for couples and families alike.
This has been a favorite of our family since the mid 1980s. Long walks on the well groomed beach are such a wonderful way to relieve stress. The beauty fills me with wonder.
It's amazing to think that a beach on O'ahu could be considered 'quiet', but this is definitely true for Bellows Field. My wife and I made a quick stop after the recommendation from a local, and we're glad we did! If you're lucky, you'll have long sections of the beach to yourself and can relax away from the business of Waikiki. Don't miss this place!
This beach is attached to a military training facility. It is open to the public only from Friday afternoon to Sunday without exercises. The sand and water are very clean and the long coastline is quite comfortable for people to come. However, the waves are extremely high because it faces the Pacific Ocean directly compared to its neighbor Lanikai, which is separated by mountains, and because it is shallow and there are no coral reefs, people who board and play more than snorkel or swim in the sea are mainstream. Many people seem to barbecue loco.
There are clean toilets, changing spaces, showers, and plenty of parking if you come in the morning. It is possible to come here as there are a reasonable number of buses, but it is a good idea to rent a car or take a taxi as you can walk nearly 2 kilometers from the main road.
This beach was nice back in 1983 and still has a nice beach. Its open to the public half way up now so all can get to a beautiful spot with lazy waves. Great for kids/family.
By far the best beach on Oahu!!!! Great for pets, kids.. Everyone pearlywhite sand and turquoise water!!! Paradise!!
This is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The beach is like white powder and the water is teal and warm and you can walk out pretty far. We had a great day feeding the very friendly birds which ate right out of our hands
I only spent 10 days in Hawaii, visiting friends, but this beach quickly became my favorite. We have base access, so I'm reviewing the base beach. Beautiful, perfect surf, expansive grounds. If I ever return to Hawaii, I think I'd spend a few nights at Bellows just for the beach, it was that good.
If you go to Oahu you have to visit Bellows. There is a public beach and a beach for those in the military. We stayed in an ocean front cabin where our back yard a few steps away was the most beautiful turquoise beach I've ever seen. Very quite on military side...maybe saw a total of 10 people on the beach. This should be included in your bucket list!
This is a Nice Hawaiian beach however if your making the trip you probably wanna go somewhere else Like Sandy Beach or the North Shore. We were able to get shaded areas however the tree debris was annoying. I had to keep my Flip Flops on the whole time so I didn't step on an errant pieces of nature.
Bring a pick nick basket and use the restroom before you go. Have fun in Hawaii.
Aloha
The drive is open to the public on the weekends. We went mid day on a Sunday and had no issues finding parking. Beautiful sandy beach with fun boogie boarding. There was plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the beach. Life guards were present as well.
We tried to go earlier in the week and found it was only open on the weekend. We early Saturday morning at 7:45. Not much traffic and an empty beach. This has to be one of the nicest beaches we’ve been to anywhere: great sand, scenery, bathrooms, water, waves, and breezes. We spent from
7:45-10:30 and it was perfect. Starts getting crowded around 11.
Off and on the location is over run by homeless makeshift camps, tents, and shopping carts. The area can go from pristine to that of a big urinal that hasn't been flushed in weeks. Major problem that needs addressing.
Bellows AFB Beach is breathtaking. We went there because there are decent waves for boogie boarding. The stretch of beach is for military families only, so it is not crowded at all. Changing room/bathrooms were typical for beach parks. It was windy and misted rain a bit, so my sunbathing daughters didn't like that, but my husband and 13 year old had a great time in the water. If you are not military, there is a beautiful public beach area adjacent but it is closed during the week for military training- opens at noon Friday, I believe.
Our son, who lives in Kaneohe, took us to this beach for a picnic on the last day of our visit. What a wonderful way to end our vacation! Although the weather had been hot and humid all week, the ocean breeze at this beach made it comfortable. The beach area is separated from the parking area by trees which offer nice shade. The park area has bathroom facilities--a must if you are there with kids, which we were. The beach is one of the longest white sand beaches in Hawaii. The view of the water and off shore islands is breathtaking. The ocean here is relatively safe for adults to swim, but I wouldn't recommend it for children. There are signs warning of a strong undertow, so our grandson played in the sand, and waded in the water with adult supervison. It's a great place for a picnic, and a lovely place to spend a lazy afternoon.
I would have to say this was my favorite beach in oahu. We went there 3 times in 14 days. The beach is divided into two parts, military and public. My son is in the military, so we went there twice, not crowded, good boogie boarding waves and the bathrooms were clean (unlike other beaches we went to). We went to the public side (open Friday noon till Sunday) and also had a great experience. Much less croweded that the other beaches on the weekends. The water was very clear too. We also rented a cayak on the military side for $30 for the day.
If you want a sandy beach with good waves for boogie boarding, this is the place to be! It is only open to the public on weekends. There isn't a lot of showers like at other beaches, but there is one washroom/shower area in the middle of the campground area.
Nice private military-only beach near Kailua. Super fine sand along the beach results in some turbidity for the first 10-20 feet of water. After that the water clears nicely. You can walk out about 75 feet and still have your head above water. Lots of trees above the beach provide lots of shade. The only drawback is this ground has a lot of rough pine cone-like things on the ground that are painful on the feet. Sit/lay on the beach instead.
My husband and I were a little concerned about coming to Bellows because we came during the gov't shutdown. The military side was opened and it was beautiful. I would have given it 5 stars, but I was unable to swim here (surf was rough maybe high tide?) and my husband got stung by a jellyfish (all down the side of stomach, part of his arm and part of his face). He brushed it off but said I would have been pained. Therefore I just waded in the water. There was a flat bit of water but mostly little kids and families were in that area.
They have cabins there and next time we may look into renting one of them. The location is perfect, the view is spectacular!! You have to visit the beach at least once.
nature at its best..free public beach but not crowded..you will enjoy the beach because of the turquoise waters - a must see!
One of the best beaches in Hawaii, always powder soft, rolling waves, great for the beginner body boarder, full sun, gorgeous view!
During my trip to the south shore at the island of Oahu, my friends and myself decided to make our first stop here before going to Mukapu’u Point, Halona Blowhole lookout, and to Hawaii Kai. Man, will I say we made a great decision because this place is beautiful not to mention peaceful and wonderful! A lot has to do with the fact that this location is within an Air Force Base, so only military personnel and their families and friends can have access to this hidden location. This is possibly one of the few spots in the island where it will never be crowded or noisy by tourists or hardly anyone because it is within military grounds. Even though the average folks may not have access within the gate here, they can go enjoy what is outside the perimeter and camp outside of the entrance location by making reservations online. One important thing to know is that reservations can only be made during the weekends and national holidays since there are military exercises held here during the weekdays. If anyone ever has the time to check this place out, then I will definitely tell them to do it! It is worth it, and will be among the best places they will witness here in Oahu.
Bellows is actually two parts. The public side where anyone can enjoy the beach and the military side where you have to have an ID card to get through the gate. The beach is kept very clean with the militarys assistance and there is plenty to enjoy. The area is relatively free of rocks or reefs so there is little fear of injury. The undercurrent can be difficult at times but the lifeguards do a great job of posting important information on conditions. The military side of Bellows has a rental shop where you can rent pretty much anything for water sports. Boogie boarding and kayaking are some of the favorite things here with the vast majority using boogie boards. There are some chances for surfers and body surfers to catch a wave but they are few due to the size. Boogie boards reign the ocean here since most of the waves are 2-4 ft.
We decided take trip down try this beach out. The water water was clear sand was clean. Was not overcrowded. We spend most of day there. Grilling is allowed which alowed me cook hamburgers for the family. They have the hot coal pits can use that. They do have campgrounds just not sure if a fee or not. Overall nice clean family friendly beach.
This is the best beach on Oahu. We took some friends here when they first moved here, and now no other beach is good enough. It does get really crowded on the weekends.
We were stationed at Kaneohe back in the early 70's. Went to this beach numerous times and stayed in the cabins back in the 90's after retirement. We are going back this coming Oct for 10 glorious days. Best anywhere in the world.
Every Friday at noon (except for the rare occasion when the Marines use the beach for amphib training on a Friday/Sat) Bellows is open to the public for the weekend. Get there early. Locals show up to camp for the weekend closest to the beach.
Awesome. Don't miss it.
The views and the privacy make this one of my all time favorite beaches! If it's not the weekend, you can go to one of the close beaches and have about the same experience!
We tend to stop at this beach at least once during our trip to the island. This beach is very nice and clean , and has the perfect size waves for body boarding. You can also cam here as well , if you are military you are able to head up a little further on the beach where there are cabins, shelters , and a restaurant.
Warning only open to public on weekend and holidays unless you have a military ID. Bring a boogie board and catch a gentle wave. The kids will love building sand castles. Restrooms are ok and outdoor showers rinse off. Camping allowed for locals on the weekend with gates closed and locked at dusk. If you have a military ID can reserve a beachside cottage. The cottages are the basics but so worth it. Bring a picnic and enjoy the day. If you get too hot there is shade just steps from the beach.
Absolutely beautiful waters but also rough waves.
I knew about this beach because of visiting previously. It is closed mid-week, but open on the weekends. We brought chairs, lunch, and towels and spent about 4 hours. It was too rough to boogie board, but the kids loved playing in the waves. We got parking no problem, and the bathrooms and showers were very convenient. 30 min from Waikiki, it was worth the drive.
Although we did not have much time we did stop by to enjoy the spectacular scenery and beautiful blue water. We are military so we drove to the military side which offers cottages, campsites, small px and other amenities for active and retired military. Especially liked the small px!
Bellows beach is beautiful and greatly underused. It is open to the public on Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday. Great for boogie boarding. There are picnic tables, grills, and bathrooms. The sand is soft. On Sunday afternoon ethere is a group that sells BBQ chicken dinners right outside the gate. It is also close to L&L BBQ for takeout.
Our family loves this quite beach! It is on a military facility but a couple days a week it's open to the public. Even on those days it's never crowded. The water is clear, the waves just right even on a windy day. There's also shade if you want it & restroom & shower facilities. It truly is a paradise. I can't believe how uncrowded it is and we've been there many times. To sit there, perhaps reading & enjoying a packed lunch & then going out into the waves now & then is just heavenly. To sit just there in relative privacy & gaze out into the sea & the nearby islands is a stress reliever no medication could ever duplicate. Anyone who reads this I sure hope you can get to Bellows Beach.
Came here for the day from Waikiki. Check before you come because the day we were here the public beach was closed. My son and husband are military so this review is for the section that is on the military base - you will need to be accompanied by someone with a military I.D. Having said that the beach is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen, just gorgeous. The water is crystal clear and while the waves are strong they are on the smaller side which makes for fun body surfing. If you're not used to the ocean, use caution though as the undertow can be pretty strong - please keep a close eye on little ones. There is an attentive lifeguard there though. Our kids rented kayaks ($7/hr) and rode them in the surf - such fun! There is also a convenience store so we bought some ice and cold beverages to enjoy on the beach. Besides kayaks you can also rent boogie boards. You can stay overnight in cabins they have there - we've done that in the past, it was fun but a step above camping. This trip we stayed at the Hale Koa but it's an easy drive to come here for the day. Highly recommended!
This is the most beautiful beach encountered during our week on Oahu. Too bad it was closed. Seriously. It was closed. We stopped anyway to admire and take pictures but did not swim.
If you have a military ID this is a great beach. There is a shopette with a subway and gas station. Also a food truck which served great food. Showers and bathrooms also. Again. If you have a military ID this is an excellent beach. Super soft sand.
Very quiet beach with very fine sand. Great for body surfing. Great surroundings and the view is fantastic. Had a great time.
On one of the best beaches on the island in my opinion only open at weekends but wow great view so so clean. Great facilities and a great day.
A more secluded beach, not many visitors during the non holidays, which is great since most of the bigger beach in Oahu tends to be crowded. Some area also have shade coverage, and barbecue pits.
Best Beach On The Island is what I was told. We did not go to other beaches to compare but this beach is awesome. Large soft sand beach with beautiful blue water. The surf can get rough. It was crowded but it was a Friday afternoon. My only complaint is the changing area in the mens bathroom is one big area so it could be embarrassing for younger boys or teenagers to change in front of strangers.
Watch for jellyfish... otherwise best boogie boarding!!! Beautiful location! Lots of beach, never too crowded. Cabins for staying the night are amazing and perfect location!
Bellows is one of the best, safest and fun beaches to visit in the United States. We spent 2 days of our 9-day visit to Honolulu boogie boarding at Bellows. Because we have military ID’s, we were able to use the facilities cordoned off from the general public that included gas station, showers, expanded parking, equipment rental ($5 for boogie board!), and food. What separates this from other beaches is the warm water, sandy bottom, great surf, campgrounds and easy access to your car. The surf provides an excellent place to boogie board, which we did for hours. Don’t forget to put on lots of sunscreen…because time will just fly by. You won’t go wrong with Bellows because it is, without a doubt, one of Oahu’s very best beaches.
Too beautiful to explain. Strong waves which are excellent for body boarding and lots of shaded area near the water. We had a wonderful time.
This is a great place for a swim, clean water and quiet through the week. Watch out for the undertow.
We have enjoyed this beach several times over the years for many reasons. First of all, you must have base access for parts of the beach as it is an Air Force Recreation base. The views on this windward location between Waimanalo and Lanikai are stunning, the sand is clean and the beach is relatively reef free saving the environment from careless swimmers and saving your feet from cuts and scrapes. The water is warm and not given to a strong undertow or rip currents. There is also a lifeguard on duty. Access is easy and you can park nearby this getting your toys and goodies on the beach without hiking too far. As the day retires, the sun sets to your back as you face the ocean. It won’t make a beautiful sunset but you can enjoy the waning hours without squinting on the water. Bellows is a wonderful place to spend a day!
If you like Waimanalo beach, then you will also like Bellows beach. As others have said, it is only open to the public from Friday to Sunday. Long expanse of powder white sand and clear turquoise water. Great for boogie boarding or just playing in the surf. Lifeguard present. Small area on the far right side with lava rocks and tons of black crabs. Also a pretty grotto area bordering the trees with a small pond. Lots of shade if you want it. Hardly anyone there despite there being a campground. Highly recommend, you won't be disappointed!
The public side of the beach was closed but we are military and went onto the Air Force Station beach. It was a great beach with facilities including bathrooms, showers and changing areas. There are trees on the beach for some shade off the sand and it's perfect for boogie boarding. Highly reccomend it!
This is my third time going to this beach and it is always beautiful and peaceful. The waves are fun,the sand is soft, and it remains one of my favorite beaches in Oahu.
Great beach with lifeguards, making it safe for all ages. Great amenities--bathroom with hot water to shower up after a day in the ocean. This is a fun beach for beginning body-surfing, kayaking, and paddle-boarding. Looking forward to the return trip!
A very nice, less traveled beach. The waves were absolutely perfect for our 12 and 14 year old daughters to ride boogie boards over and over. Nice soft sandy beach. I would return here again and as often as possible. Can't wait to go back. Beautiful, relaxing, blue water.
All sand, no sea grass, no rocks = the best beach on O'ahu. When the surf is sufficient, it's a great place to boogie board. When the surf is down, it's a fine place to relax and enjoy the view -- ocean on one side and the Ko'olaus on the other. Part of the beach is open to the public on the weekends. The public area has a restroom, but no other facilities. If you have DOD or military ID, you can access the military portion of Bellows beach, which is beyond the guard post (take Tinker Rd in from Kalanianiole Highway for about 2 miles). The military facility includes cabins and houses which can be rented: but take note the facilities book up early, especially in the summer and on long weekends. Also available are volleyball courts, kid's play area, rental facility for kayaks, boogie boards, picnic pavilions, a small restaurant and a Subway sandwich shop, and more. By the end of the day, the restrooms and shower areas a bit messy, but that's the case anywhere on the island. Do pay attention to the speed limits when driving on Bellows.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Don't keep valuables in your car/ trunk.
Cottages available to rent for military families.
Soft, white sand. Clean beach. Not crowded. Clean, modern bathrooms close. Water is easily accessible. Rain comes and goes all day long. Seems like more in the afternoon than the morning.
Went with family and a. 13 mo old. Beach was beautiful and the facilities were clean and we'll kept. Great family beach! The water is awesome and beautifully clear. They have a mini golf course, disc golf, and the cabins are nice
Except for weekends/holidays, this beach can be "all yours" with the exception of a few people walking along. Clean, golden sand,beautiful water and scenic view. I did see people walking their dogs on the beach but I never encountered any "doggie do" so please if you visit, keep it that way.
Bellows Beach is one of the jewel of Oahu, lovely sand and turquoise water. Although I love Bellows Beach and have been going there for many years we had some very unpleasant experience with some angry "campers" who resented the fact that we were laying on the beach in front of what they think is their own property. Remember this is a public beach controlled by the US military! They treated us with such disrespect throwing balls at us and with racist comments. The beach was empty and they came where we were laying purposedly throwing the balls towards us so we would leave. We are a middle age couple respectful of people no matter which race and were horrified to meet people like that in gorgeous Hawaii. No Ohana with those people. When I related the incident to our Hawaiian friends later on they were as horrified as we were. Hope next time some people will explain to those people that the beach is for everyone regardless of race!
The beach at Bellows is slowly disappearing. While efforts have been made to stop the process you can’t stop Mother Nature.
Bellows Beach has two sides; the Military side and the public side. Both sides are great but if you can get on the military side it's definitely better. The sand is powder soft both on the beach and in the water. The views are really incredible because you can see the Mokulua islands off to one side and the Waimanalo mountain range (very dramatic) to the other side. Having lived on Kauai and visited many beaches on the other neighbor islands I can guarantee that Bellows is in the top 3 beaches in all of Hawaii because of its comforts, views, and it's never overcrowded. Love Bellows!
This is a family friendly beach located in Waimanalo, on Bellows Air Force Station. Hawaii. It offers air-conditioned lodging units a well as 50 camp sites. The campsites are in an area filled with ironwood trees. If you are looking for a secluded campground, then this is probably not for you. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and picnic tables. The beach has clear waters and white sand. Keep in mind the area is open on weekends and holidays for civilian personnel. Military personnel and families are allowed to use it any day. The Bellows Air Force Station is an active military training facility and may have to close without notice.
This is one of the best beaches on Oahu and you no longer need military ID to get to the beach. They have cabins to rent but these are so busy they are booked at least a year in advance. Last time there I saw homeless have moved in so it probably won't be long till they make a mess of this nice place, too.
So secluded, quiet, peaceful. Before colors, soft sand. Pretty much had this place to ourselves on a Monday morning. Visited around 10am. If we visit Oahu again, I would really consider staying here instead of at the Hale Koa. Loved this place.
Looking for fine white sand beach, turquoise water, rolling waves for body surfing of boogie boards and not too crowded? Here it goes... don't look further...
contrary to the general belief, it's open to public except on Monday morning when there is military training.
We camped at a few different places on the island during our Oahu vacation and Bellows was our favorite. Bellows is a really pretty beach with an awesome view.
Note: I think that you can only camp here on the weekends so if you plan on camping here you may want to verify that. We camped on a Sunday night.
Beyond beautiful!! This beach is by far the best beach on the Island. You can drive right up to the beach, the water is crystal clear, minimal waves, and the best of all there is some shade. This beach is perfect for a friendly gathering or a family outing. Highly recommend it.
On my very first day in Hawaii my son and his wife took me and my husband to Bellows Beach Park. The Air Force opens the beach to the public only on the weekends but as my daughter in law is in the service we were able to visit midweek. We hadn’t brought our bathing suits with us because we had only intended a drive to see some of the island. First lesson – in Hawaii always bring your bathing suit just in case!
After walking in the softest sand I have ever walked in and getting our feet wet in the clear warm ocean water, we could not wait to come back. My son and his wife (stationed at Ft Shafter) have two boys, 6 and 7 years old. They come to Bellows frequently and feel it is the best beach for a family.
There is a somewhat wooded area with plenty of shade where you can picnic and then step right down to the sand and beach. My son brings his own grill – one caution, this is a military base and there are some rules, one of which is don’t leave a hot grill unattended!
There are bathrooms, showers and outdoor spigots to wash the sand off your feet or whatever. We came back again on the weekend and though there were more people than midweek, there was still a feeling of plenty of privacy.
Through a tip, we accessed this beach with my fathers military ID. The beach we think is the best on Oahu. Military can access any day but the other part is open to the public on the weekend. The water is gorgeous, the waves are perfect, and the sand is fine. Well worth a stop on the island.
We go to this beach almost daily. The best part is that it is private for military and dod. The area that is open to the public is exactly it...it is public. It gets noisy and crowded. You know the private beach is good if the first family swim there.
This is one of my family's favorite places to go boogie boarding!! It had started raining so the waves looked beautiful, and then they were biiiiiiig!! It was a beautiful beach :) super great place for all types
Drove here from our stay at Hale Koa on Waikiki. It was about a 40 minute drive but a beautiful scenic drive along the coast. You turn down Tinker road and keep going to the guard gate. You need military ID to get on. We drove and parked in the ample parking lot.
The beach was picture perfect!!! No hotels in sight, and just the most amazing views. Small picnic shelters and bathrooms available.
Seriously, if you are military, make the beautiful drive along the scenic coastline and spend the morning at this beach!!
(We went at 9am on a Sunday and for traffic purposes it was perfect )
My brother in law is in the military and he took my family and I to the restricted part of the beach. The sand is like silk and the water was gorgeous!
Subject: Bellows Field Beach Park
Location: Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii, United States, North America
Title: One Wedding After Another
ID#: 349542424
Visiting this beach was one of the biggest thrills to our time in Oahu. First, it is gorgeous and uncrowded. Scenic rocks and small islands to both ends of the beach, gorgeous sand and beautiful turquoise waters. Then, as we are about to leave, the wedding parties start arriving in their long white limosines. There is nothing more beautiful than a woman on her wedding day, dressed in her long white gown, veil drifting in the wind, ukuleles playing, and stars in her eyes as she is getting married. We watched from a distance, and then the next wedding party arrived. The limos were lined up; they must have assigned times. This beach is spectacularly beautiful, and a wonderful place for a beach wedding.
We also saw what we speculated might be illegal activities going on in the parking lot, and we saw some people living in and out of their cars. If you go, keep your valuables with you or leave them at home, or in the safe in your hotel.
The beach park that is open to the public is very beautiful and relaxing. The shore is lined with a beautiful beach and picnic area, highly recommend going to see this beautiful place!
This is, by far, the best beach on the island! CLEAN - few tourists - and gentle waves. The grounds and beach are maintained by the Marine Corps and it shows.
This beach was so beautiful. There were not a lot of people here, probably because the only thing around was military base lodging rentals. No condos, no noise to spoil your beach fun here! Had a lot more waves than over in Waikiki, but manageable even for little kids. Beautiful views with the mountains in the distance.
Could not get a reservation this trip because of short notice, but went to the beach every day! Best beach around!
Spent some time looking for a quiet beach with small but body board appropriate waves and found this spot thanks to the recommendations of a local! The beach is divided, public and private (Military affiliated) access...we visited the latter because the public beach was closed.
Soft sand with the occasional drift wood pile or rock under foot (so be careful with bare feet) with beautiful views and low risk for rip currents thanks to topography. Showers, store, restaurant, cottages, picnic areas, you name it and I think it is there. I will definitely return and would be interested to see if the public access side is equally maintained.
We were able to go onto Bellows Beach because our son is an army officer, but it is open to the public on the weekend. It had the best sand we found on the island and there was hardly anyone there. Loved it!
Quiet (although pretty spartan) lodging for military, but public beaches allow camping and water activities. Beautiful area.
Another hidden gem on famous Waimanalo Beach good for family fun and weddings! Turn at the McDonald's and go six blocks and park or go through the main entrance.
If you have the option to stay at Bellows AFB, TAKE IT!! Not only is it one of the most affordable places on the island, its also one of the most practical. Most hotels will run you $100- up a night. This dose not include parking fees and resort fees, both of which can cost you 2 times more than the hotel is TELLING you a room costs. For instance if a hotel says its $100 a night and you stay for one week, you will be expecting a bill off $700 plus tax. Now add that $15-$30 a day parking fee, and that $18-$35 a day resort fee. PLUS TAX.... If your lucky, that's only another $250. Now not only is it cheaper, like I said its practical. They have Cottages for $95 a night. Yes they are older but each cottage is 2 bedrooms and has a kitchen fully furnished with a full size fridge. Not to mention your RIGHT ON THE BEACH!! No you don't have to walk across the street and run in to 1000 tourist, 200 people advertising their store, 50 surfers and 30 homeless people like on Waikiki. You have nearly a private WHITE SAND beach almost all to yourself. Even on our busiest day, there where only like 20 people. You have the shoppet, Minnie golf and gas close by. Not to mention you can come as go as you please without having to wait half an hour to get through traffic. The base is quiet and you can have a get together at your cottage if you choose. Open your window at night and fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean, then wake up and watch tiny crabs scurry across the sand as the sun rises over the horizon. If you come to Hawaii, chances are your not going to be spending a lot of time laying around your hotel, so save your money and come stay right on the beach. A white sand beach with blue skies, great views, benches, playgrounds and hardly anyone to bother you.
A little primative, but what you would expect from a beach side cabin. The sand on the beach was perfect for building castles and forts for the kids. Rented beach equipment at a reasonable price
Best place for a beach day. Not crowded. Clean. Turquoise water, talcum powder sandy beach, you can swim barefoot it’s so smooth. Great wave action, so fun to swim, body surf, body board. Bathrooms, private showers nearby. Gas station, Subway sandwiches, and AAFES shopette onsite. Cabins, kayaks, campsites for rent. Easy free parking close to the beach. So convenient. So beautiful!
This is a very nice beach on the windward side of O'ahu. The surf is rarely too much for older kids, and it's never crowded. Still, as with every possible tourist destination in Hawai'i, keep an eye on your stuff.
Military access only. Strong waves perfect for body boarding and swimming. Great views of the surrounding landmarks.
This is my all-time favorite beach on all of O'ahu. The color of the water is out-of-this-world beautiful aqua/turquoise and the sand deep and soft (unlike Waikiki). Totally worth a side trip if at Sea Life Park or going to see where Tom Selleck lived as Thomas Magnum back in the day. Gorgeous!
We are non-military so we went on a Saturday out of Waikiki. Nice ride up H-1 and hwy 72. Passed Sandy Beach and the crowd. Mid morning and traffic into Honolulu on the opposite way was really slow through the suburbs. Northeast was easy going. Bellows was so relaxed and uncrowded for just sunbathing and swimming. Camping spots seemed full for the weekend but not overly crowded. Parking for a day visit was wide open, free and close to the beach.
I will call it a perfect 50/50 spot because my wife and I could spread our towels next to each other, one in the sun and one in the shade.
I really, really liked the feel of the water. Not a super bodysurfing beach, but nice swimming (me) and sunbathing (her).
Driving back took a bit longer due to bottlenecks. Go early leave early.
This setting with immediately transport you to a world of peace, overwhelming beauty and tranquillity. The waves are huge and water aquamarine. Pack a lunch and stay all day and prepare to enter the most beautiful place on this earth. The beach opens at noon on Friday and stays open the weekend and Wednesdays.
although i've only been once, i really really want to go back
there's no beach like bellows! the sand is so SO so fine
it's softer than 'dust' , sand dust
A beautiful, uncrowded beach great for swimming, playing in the sand or doing nothing, The first beach area is very popular for family gatherings with bouncy houses everywhere but it gets a little quieter up the road.
Bellows would have to be one of my favourite beaches. The water is beautiful and sand is powder and it's nice and quiet. Great facilities like beach volley ball, camping areas, canteens and toilets. It's perfect anytime of year.
Have traveled all over the Hawaiian islands, and this is, by far, the best beach in the island chain. The setting is gorgeous no matter the day; the weekends can be crowded, but there is plenty of space, and you can find yourself alone in nothing flat. Highly recommend!
One of my all time favorite beaches. White sand - as in blindingly white. Man o war sometimes are abundant so beware and know the local remedies. Great for Boogie boarding more so than surfing. Highly recommended.
Bellows Beach is located on the Military base on the north shore. Bellows Beach is amazingly wonderful. White, power soft sands, moderate waves that even us old people can handle, yet large enough waves for body surfing with a boogie board. This is a gem of a find as we cruised the island beaches one sunday afternoon. We played in the water and surf for a couple of hours. We could smell the ocean breeze along with the smell of barbacue grills as families picniced along the groves of monkey and ironwood trees.
This was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The color of the water was a beautiful bluish green color. Nice break from the North Shore waves
This beach is on Bellows Air Station and open to US Military ID card holders. It has picnic areas, lifeguards, a PX, Subway Sandwich shop, sports equipment rentals, and overnight cabins/condos, and the best beach on Oahu! Great for the entire family. The surf is gentle and the sand is like powdered sugar. Bellows offers tours (snorkling, kayaking, etc) which are great to get a feel for the area. Highly recommend the trek from Waikiki to Bellows and it's only a 30-min drive.
This is an incredible location for beach goers. To the right are beautiful views of the mountains, and all around is teal blue water! The sand is soft, white, and simply perfect. Since it's on the windward side, you may want to plan your trip, otherwise your stay may be too windy. On a perfect day the wind is calm and the waters perfect for swimming and or boogie boarding. This is one of our favorite beaches on the island. The military side isn't overcrowded, there's a shoppette, mini golf, camping grounds, and grills. You will need military ID's for the military portion of the beach. The civilian section is only open certain days of week due to military training. Depending on which side you intend on visiting, you may want to review your calendar to make sure it's open.
Totally gorgeous. Super soft sand. Amazing views. You can grill and lodge here as well. I highly suggest visiting. Beauty turquoise blue water. Be sure to have your ID. Will be needed when entering these military protected grounds.
We have been to this beach many times for a reason. The waves are big enough for body boarding, but there aren't a bunch of rocks and coral to break your body on. Plus there are areas with low to no waves that the kids love. The only thing that this beach is missing is a good snack bar on the public side. There is plenty available if you have access to the Air Force Station part, but otherwise you have to drive back into town. We usually see turtles when we are out swimming, and being on the windward side there is almost always a great breeze.
Beach is almost perfect. Blue and clear water but be aware. I have been here three times and it's been always the same. Strong currents and war sting precautions should be taken.
It is a clean Beach comma and not very crowded. However the waves are quite large and it's a little hard to swim. You can not bring canned beer onto the beach. It is a little out of the way. It is good for military families he wanted to scout cabin this day and a nice view on the beach. But food and drinks must be had outside of the beach on picnic tables.
My husband and I were told about this beach from a few people and since he's military we were able to go on base. The public side is closed during the week, open I think on Friday (at noon maybe?) through Sunday. I can only speak to the base side, although from what we saw of the public side it's about the same beauty-wise. There was plenty of parking, bathrooms with shower stalls, a shopette that's pretty well stocked, gas station, washers and dryers outside the shopette, a Subway and a place to rent stuff. There's also camping and cabins and a few condos. It's wonderful for families. The sand is soft, the water gorgeous and there are waves but not too crazy. Good for boogie boards. It was one of our favorite places on Oahu and I wish we had gone sooner in our trip and multiple times. We stayed in Waikiki and drove the coastal route instead of cutting across and it didn't take too long, we stopped a few times so I can't give a time frame but I would say maybe 35 minutes? 40? Totally worth it and if you're military you're lucky with what's offered and if you're not you still need to go on the weekend.
Spent a day at Bellows Beach. It was during the week, so we had to go on the base to use the beach on the Military Installation. (I am retired Navy). Beach was beautiful and extremely clean.
We followed the advice of one reviewer and caught the bus from Waikiki to Bellows beach. The bus driver was not sure where to drop us off and asked the advice of the other passengers, who were all locals. The journey took two hours and we went 'around the houses' to get there! We were dropped off in what seemed like the middle of nowhere and began walking towards the beach, and walking, and walking...! Thankfully two very kind young Americans took pity on us and gave us a lift for most of the way. The beach itself is beautiful. Lovely sand and not many people there.After a few hours we began the trek in the heat back to the main road to catch the bus back. It was an adventure but best hire a car next time!
The beach is only 30 min away from Honolulu. Along the way, you'll find this cool small town where we stop to buy shave ice called Dave's Hawaiian Ice cream.
You need to have an military ID to enter (Air force Military ID). They provided a very cool cabin right next to the ocean with minimum of 2 days stay. There are area that is open to public too.
The beach is a bit sandy but its a really cool spot for family with kids. The changing room is available and very clean.
There's also gas station with a mini mart selling all sort of necessity.
Worth a visit!
One of the most gorgeous beaches in Hawaii if not the world. I am from Maui so I know a good beach. I like some surf and not perfectly calm water so I was pleased on the day I went. I was surprised that the water was so warm--i cannot recall water at this temperature ever in Hawaii. The water was perfectly clear and the sand white. There was no seaweed or rocks. Off the coast were numerous uninhabited small islands while the majestic Koolau mountains framed your upland view. This is a bring your own supplies/food/etc kind of beach as there are no vendors.
Bellows Beach Park is controlled by the US Marine Corps. On the Weekends, the USMC allows the City and County to operate the beach park. Good boogie boarding for newbies and a lifeguard stand.
This was the first beach we went to. Water is so pretty. Sandy beach. Life guard, bathrooms, and showers.
I've been to Oahu so many times and I can't believe I've never been here! My last visit to Oahu I decided to stop by this beach since we were in the Waimanalo area.
PROS:
Location: Bellows Field Beach Park is located on the east side of the Island. It is one of three beaches on the Waimanalo Bay. This is a good area to get away from the many Honolulu tourists.
Beach: This beach is a true paradise! One of the nicest beaches in Oahu! I'm mad at myself for not discovering it earlier! The turquoise water is calm, clean and absolutely BEAUTIFUL. The white sand is very soft. The shallow water and consistent shorbreak is a good spot for beginning bodyboarders, surfers, swimmers. Other activities that I have seen consists of sunbathing, picnics and fishing. Although it is a good area for sunbathers, if you need a break from the hot sun, there are many trees along the beach that will provide shade.
Good for Families: There are restrooms, showers, picnic areas and campgrounds.
Parking: Lots of parking available! There is a parking lot next to the beach as well as parking along side of the beach.
CONS:
Limitations: Only open to the public on weekends and holidays. Plan your visit wisely.
My kids loved this beach! It was very windy the day we went but it was great. There wasn't any food in the section where we were.
I lived on Oahu for 2 years so have been to just about every beach on the island. I have also traveled the Caribbean extensively and all of the Hawaiian islands, and in all of my travels I have never been able to find a beach I loved as much as this one. The sand is so fine and the surf so gentle if there is any. Everytime I went the surf was calm. There are beautiful trees lining the beach that provide good shade if you start to get too much sun. I am not sure if its still only accessible if you have someone with you with a militayr ID, however if you have a chance to visit this beach do not skip out.
I love Bellows really nice Beaches not so crowded. If you are in the military cabins are clean by no means luxurious. Like the cabins on the Kaneohe Marine Corp base much better. But Bellows is clean and beautiful!!!!
Bellows Beach was really beautiful, quiet and had very few visitors. It was tough to find. Just keep driving and driving and driving once you turn onto to gated road and you've arrived. You'll think U are lost. Unfort, the man-of-war were floating around during our brief visit so we stayed on the beach wo too much real ocean time. Still, peaceful and beautiful.
This is one of our favorite beaches on Oahu. The coastline is long and uncrowded. The sand is like powdered sugar beneath our feet as we body surf great waves. The palm tree and pine trees make a great backdrop for postcard perfect pictures.
This is probably the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The sand is white and feels like powdered sugar under your feet. The water is a clear aquamarine and is great for swimming and boogie boarding. It is absolutely breath-taking and one of my favorite spots on Oahu.
We went during a weekday so there was a military exercise going on so not really a crowd just a few couples having wedding photos taken. But even with all that commotion it was the most peaceful beach I've been to on island. Deep blue water contrasting with soft white sand. Very clean. Not a lot of rocks to hurt the feet. However look out for man o war jellyfish!!!
This beach is in Waimanalo on the windy-side of Oahu. When the sun is out, the water is blue and green and the beach is white.
PROS:
Safety: Save since it is near the closed-off military beach, it feels safe.
Family: Mostly local families. A super place to take your kids for a day at the beck.
Picknic: Tables are available.
Facilities: Showers, bathrooms and changing area are provided.
Parking: Close to the beach when you are hauling everyone's beach toy.
Campgrounds: In case you want to stay for a long weekend.
CONS:
Campgrounds: Can get really busy.
Times: The beach park and beach is only open to the public on weekends and holidays.
Thanks to all the previous reviewers for helping us find this absolutely beautiful beach. It's only open on the weekends to the public as it is owned by the US army and it's not too crowded. The blue waters and the soft white sand took our breath away.. best part of our vacation!
Always something happy happening. Friendly service members enjoying a bit of Beachy Fun.. Sand is sugar, food and drinks just up the walk way with ample parking.
Great waves! Only open on Sundays since it's actually part of the Air Force Base. You should bring a picnic and spend the day. Don't miss it.
bellows is trashed. sad because I used to come here all the time as a kid. now it is full of suntan oil coated water and plastic marine debris and crowds.
I have not been to all the beaches but this is my favorite to go to during the winter. It is especially great during the week. Not very crowded then and the public beach there is closed. Also a great spot to spend a few nights on your vacation to Oahu. Were else can you camp only feet away from the beach.
We were invited with dear friends who retired from Air Force to join them for 2 weeks in this lovely place. We were told the accomodations are "nothing fancy". Between us, we shared a duplex about 100 yards from the beach, 2 bedrooms & 1 bath each. Every morning we woke up to the MOST spectacular sunrise! Breathtakingly quiet except for the crashing of the waves & wind. NO crowds on this beach near the cabins because of security entrance. Many times it felt like we had the whole beach to ourselves! The cabins were adequately comfortable.....who wants to spend their time inside anyway while in Hawaii? I can't wait for the privilege of doing Bellows again! Wonderful!
Drive right up to the beach. A lesser population, it is what one would expect from an Hawaiian beach.
One can bbq,, this is a place for Families
We stayed in two beach cabins for our best vacation ever! We are a military family and appreciate the service of all the staff members for their support in keeping Bellows so beautiful. We spent our honeymoon here and can now share it with our adult children. We loved it!!
Stopped briefly here it was gorgeous. Sign posted said closed mon 8am- fri 1200. I was here Friday early afternoon hardly a soul on the beach. I'm told it's always windy here. Real treat for military families.
First, make sure you go on a day the beach is open. The Marine Corps might be using it for exercises and is only open 12n Friday thru Sunday. Anyway, the beach is quiet, out of the way, and beautiful. Shade is available. Free parking in the dirt/mud puddle bowl along the entrance road. Enjoy!
Off the beaten path. Beautiful views from the East side. Great place to boogie board or paddle board. Not a lot of coral or rock, beautiful sand and turquoise water!
We went on a weekend. Drove thru the open beach on the way to the military section. BUSY! And the military section was also busy. It was a hot weekend & the beach was perfect. We were able to find a space under some trees for our towels, etc & then in to the waters we went. The waves weren't high but we had a good time. The shopette with the Subway made it easy to get a meal, drinks & snacks. We would definitely visit Bellows again. Drove thru the rentals too. It's the location as they are right on the beach but the rentals were very basic looking.
This is a nice sandy beach, part of which is a private air force beach and part is a public beach. The public beach is only available on the weekends. You can camp there as well, though you are supposed to get a permit. The sand is nice and soft. However, the waves may be a bit much for children.
Stayed at Bellows for 3 nights. This place is absolutely magical. The beaches are beautiful and the sand is perfect. The one negative is that the wind is much stronger here than in Waikiki, but nothing you can't handle. The water is blue, and the temps are perfect. Stayed at one of the condos, perfect for a quick vacation!
We went to Bellows Beach after Hanauma Bay closed early on a Monday. There are two parts of the beach here: the public side and the military side. The public side is only open on the weekends. The military side is open all week. To get to the military side you have to go through the Bellows Air Force Station Gate with your ID card.
The beach was not crowded at all. The water is very blue and the sand is very clean. The waves were not too rough, but there was a jellyfish warning posed. I did get stung twice, but they were not too painful. No one else in our party was stung and our children had a great time. There are changing and shower buildings available. The showers had hot water, which was a plus for treating jellyfish stings.
The beach house has a small store that is open daily and a bar/grill open on the weekends. The shoppette is small, but there is a Subway for food. There is a gas station here with some of the cheapest gas on the island that I saw.
If you have a military ID/DoD CAC, this is a must visit on Oahu. Beautiful, clean beaches, store, Subway, gas, mini golf, etc. Gorgeous water, great swimming if the wind isn't blowing too hard. Boogie boarding, fishing, cabins, camping.....super place.
My family and I had a wonderful time at Bellows. The Beach is incredible. Perfect white sand that goes on for about a KM or more. We were there in Dec so the waves were big but not high enough to cause alarm. My kids loved being in the surf as the waves came in. Seeing the old airstrip was cool also. I am hoping this area will never be handed over for development, that would be beyond shameful. It is open Fridays til Sundays only and plan a full day there and take a picnic.
we were told of bellows beach by a friend and checked it out while vacationing - Bellows has got to be one of the most beautiful spots on the island - not crowded, perfect sand and the bluest water! we went for a quick swim and loved the showers available here too - we returned a few days later to just hang out and got lunch at the subway and some sunscreen at the little store right there. would love to recommend for anyone to go to but need to have a government Id to get to this spot we were at.
We visited here with family who are locals. Easy parking and beach access. No rocks. Good for swimming. Park is clean. Restrooms are clean-ish. Beautiful view of the mokes. Only open to the public on weekends. Not nearly as crowded as Waikiki.
Not crowded at all which is great. Easy to find and get to. Water is beautiful no rocks, corals nothing but sand. Great for photographers too.
If you can imagine paradise - this would be it. This was my paradise. The beach was clean and the ocean floor was sandy. Perfect for children. No snorkeling here.
We stayed in the cabins for two nights and found it concerning.... there was a queen bed and then a twin bunk bed. That's it, but what was expected as this is just a cabin with no electricity/water/furniture- except the beds.
We were able to get sheets and pillowcases at check in. The cabin was dirty with what looked like dried blood drops/stream on the bed post....perhaps someone had a scrape and leaned on the bedpost. Found a necklace on the window ledge along with other debris. They just don't clean the cabins...lots of dirt and sand on the floor.
While there is posted signs for 'quiet hours', other guests didn't stop their partying until their boos ran out.
This could be an awesome place for families if they would just put a little care to it- like cleaning and ensuring their guests followed the guidelines.
The park itself was beautiful. The bathhouse was dirty almost all the time. I came right after they cleaned it and still found it dirty.
I have nothing bad to say about this beach. We visited end of March 2013 and went to every beach on Oahu. This was by far the best beach on the entire island. There were a few people camping along the beach in camping areas, but if you drive a little further down the beach there was no one on beach but us. Amazing water and views!! Also, as others stated it is only opened to public on weekends, starting Friday at noon. During the week they have military training and is closed to public. Deff worth the drive from waikiki.
Notes:
Public restrooms are available for use.
Free Parking
Free entry
7 eleven/ Subway/Gas right outside bellows facility
Only opened on weekends
Whoa! I'm a believer! I love this beach. I'll be going there again this weekend. I went to the military side because I can and I loved it! Gorgeous! It's like Lanikai except there's more parking and there's waves. You still have a view of the twin islands.
I didn't do this last time I was there, but from what I understood, you can rent kayaks and paddle boards from the Turtle Cove place and then go pick them up by the lifeguard stand. I plan on checking that out next weekend.
We found this beach while exploring the island a day before we left Hawaii. Words do this beach NO justice. It is simply beautiful. I wasn't prepared to get in but I can guarantee you I will when we return. Clear water, shaded areas on the beach, and manageable waves. Love it!
I love this beach, it is the most beautiful beach I have been to on Oahu. The waves are alittle strong for younger children, but I went there for family pictures and it was perfect.
It is a nice beach, good parking and it’s beautiful. There weren’t many people. It is open on weekends and it seems there is camping there.
Love driving up to the trees , park your car and walk on the beach. Great to choose under the trees or out in the sun.
It was so lovely today. We love this side of the island. This is our first visit to Oahu, but quickly realized this island is very military. This beach is no exception. The beach is lovely. There is a tiny BX/shopette with a Subway, restrooms and laundry. The campground is one of the nicest I have ever seen as far as military property. There are tiny cabins to rent and it appears TLF houses right on the shore. It was a very family friendly beach.
Don't tell anyone, but the best beach on the Big Island is open to everyone (not just military families) on weekends and many weekdays. OK, the beach is no better or worse than Waimanalo Beach or Kailua Beach (two of the world's highest ranked), but few people go here.
If you're lucky, on weekdays you can have a mile of beach all to yourself. It's a great place for kids (mild break) and camping (weekends only).
The best beach in town,Quiet, beautiful sand, treasure hiding place, original, peaceful area, will be back for sure, belong to military
Beautiful beach,warm blue water,white soft sand,lifeguards and bathrooms.You can only go there on the weekends,it is a military base and only open the beach only 2 days. Enjoy!! Go in the mornings for a ful sun,it gets shady in the afternoon.
This is one of our favorite beaches. It is a wide expanse of white sand and aqua waters. The backdrop are the beautiful mountains. Usually the beach is pretty empty. There is ample parking and facilities near by.
Clear water you can see to the ocean floor for a couple feet. Beautiful sand. Picturesque sunsets and awesome photography.
I'm not one for crowded beaches, so this was absolutely perfect. Well worth the 30 minute drive from Waikiki. There is awesome scenery driving along the coast on the way to this beach. The water is
bluer than blue and also very calm, safe for a
toddler. A previous review stated there were no lifegaurds here. Not true, as we were directly in front of the lifegaurd tower. Again, this was great as I am traveling with a toddler. This is the most gorgeous beach I've ever been to and highly recommend it as opposed to the resort area beaches!!!
Beautiful beach! The sand was so white and the water was blue. Really great for body boarding. The waves are high and rough so not good for children.
We stayed at the cabins on the Bellows Air Base and had the beach right outside our cabin. The beach is so clean and not crowded. There is plenty of parking. Tent camping is allowed on weekends only.
Do not give into the tourist urge to go to Waikiki. It is not fun being on a small strip of land with thousands and thousands of others. Been there and it is was not fun. Bellows is way better and with a fraction of the people and at least double the beach real estate. Do not know why more people do not go here as the sand is better too. This beach and the beaches on the North Shore are the best on the island of Oahu. Great for everyone!
If you are a Vet or Active Duty Military there is an Air force base with cabins and a shopette with a subway and laundry facilities. Do yourself a favor and go here!
Really beautiful. Breath taking. Current isn't that strong either. This is the best place you can go to in Oahu!!!!
A great place to enjoy with your ohana (family) private and you can have your own space without others bothering you!!! bring chairs and a tent and boogie boards for the kids :D
We went on a Tuesday and The sign read that the public beach is closed for military training from Monday to Thursday.
The beach itself was empty and it looked great. Was windy around noon and the current was strong
We love coming to bellows for the soft sand and minimal rocks in the surf. It usually is less crowded than Waikiki and much more scenic. The tide is stronger so make sure little ones have one a life jacket. There is beach camping and mini golf nearby if you want to do something other than sunbathe. Our favorite beach so far!!
This beach is absolutely gorgeous! We were fortunate enough to stay on the military side and couldn't have loved it more!
We put this on our Hawaii itinerary for the weekend, since this is the only time this is open to the public. This was by far our favorite and most surprising beach since it had such a picturesque and soothing atmosphere.
Access and beach parking is very easy and reduces the stress, thus adding to the enjoyment factor. When we were there, there were a few spots where the algae turned the water green in the surf which was a bit disconcerting, so we moved down the beach a bit to a better location. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to camp out and enjoy as the beach area is HUGE and gives you space to yourself.
If you want to see a GREAT BEACH, this is the one which will instill many good memories of Hawaii
This is a slice of heaven. Away from the crowds, you can enjoy the seclusion of the beach but have the typical outdoor recreation amenities found at military locations.
I was so sad to see such a beautiful place so full of garbage! Why can’t people clean up after themselves?!! Myself and another three lady picked up lots of trash. But there was still so much more!!! Free parking and not real crowded.
Love love this location but the jellyfish are infested full moon times. 4 of the 8 of us has gotten stung. So make sure you check full moon dates.
It is the most beautiful beach on the island, it's serene when not too crowded. It takes you back to the old days. It's cleaned, well mantained and safe ! Love sitting on the beach and watch the waves crashing on the pristine white sand beach.
O'ahu is literally surrounded by beautiful beaches, but some are truly nicer than others. Bellows Field Beach Park may be one of the more beautiful on this island. Located on the eastern shore, just north of Waimanalo, it's a quick drive from either Honolulu/Hawaii-Kai, or from Kailua. You simply turn onto Tinker Road, which leads you right to the park. The beach itself is well kept white sand; plenty of area to lay out and tan, or relax swimming in the surf. The waves never seem to be too big, so it doesn't strike me as good surfing area. It's a crescent shaped beach so it's perfect for pictures: mountains to the back with green trees, islands off the coast with clean blue waters.
There are two distinct areas to this park. The first is open to the public and allows camping. There is a large bath house and areas under the trees for parking and tents, permits are required. One issue with this area is it's crowded, especially on the weekends. With the beauty, I can understand why but it doesn't seem like an ideal situation to "get away."
Traveling down the road a little farther leads to a security check point where the beach becomes part of Bellows Air Force. With valid ID (check their website for specific types), entry will be granted to reach the other facilities. These include free paved parking lots, the rental cabins, castle playground, pavilions, and cabin rental office. Inside the latter, they have a newly renovated bar with pool tables, light food, and beer; a pro shop with golf, water sports, tennis, and disc golf equipment; and public restrooms. In the park proper you'll find the tennis courts, open field for volleyball and other games, and a disc golf course surrounding it (please see my specific review if interested).
Staff in all these facilities are friendly and professional, it feels like a family here. There are always big groups having fun for events. The beach is an easy walk; everything is picturesque. Be sure to have a beer on the lanai and just watch the clouds roll in. For anyone with access, whether visiting or living here, this is a must visit beach!
Open to the public on Bellows. This beach was not crowded and a lovely day to play in the waves and possibly see a turtle if you're lucky. The long stretch is beautiful to walk along due to not being overly crowded so finding a spot to lay down and relax was stress free. Beautiful crystal blue water as well. Will definitely go again!
This place is super chill and always has been. Bummer that the ranger cabin burned down recently. Anyway, if you want to go,to a place that is calm go here. A long beach with almost nobody there
Such a gorgeous beach. Definitely worth the drive from Honolulu. The water is a beautiful shade of blue and we were amazed by the beauty of it. There is public and military only access. We were able to access the military part but be sure all adults in the car have an ID as they are doing 100% ID checks right now. There was a problem with jellyfish while we were here so be mindful of that. The weekends tend to get very crowded. Also, there are several food trucks at the entrance of Bellows if you want to grab a bite to eat. There is no seating though. Overall, the beach was the most beautiful we saw on Oahu!
Beautiful day at the beach! Sand was clean surf was beautiful turquoise color! Covered patio with picnic tables. Showers to rinse off the sand worked well. Must be with AF member to enter.
not so busy during weekdays, really nice to relax, like to come more often, belong to Bellows Airbase
We have lived on Oahu for few months now, so after a while one gets spoiled. But finally we went to the Bellows Field Beach Park today, after hearing and reading all these good things about it, and our expectations have been met and then some. Spectacular views, great sand, good waves (for us, we are not North Shore or Sandy types). The beach goes on and on. It really is special.
We have so many fond memories here. I learned to boogie board and then taught my daughters. You can always find space on the beach to enjoy. Love walking at sunrise and enjoying the sound of the waves and the soft light.
Once a week, the jellies come ashore. Check for warning flags on the beach. There’s an under current but it hasn’t bothered us when swimming. I would keep an eye on younger swimmers.
We happened upon this beach while out for a drive to see the coast. The waves were gorgeous, the space plentiful, and the view dazzling. We stopped to stretch our legs and use the restrooms, but there were few enough people, we stayed and read for 2 hours. It was serene and pleasant, without the rain that normally falls for a minute or two every other hour on the East side of the Island. This spot was a real find, even though the bathrooms, the reason for our stop, were not very clean at all.
Some of the beach access is open to the public and parking is limited so arrive early! 3-4 ft waves are fairly consistent and are good enough for the newbie and experienced bodyboarders.
If you have a military ID, get out of the crowded Waikiki beaches and take the drive to Bellows. This beach is much less crowded and has a nicer sandy bottom than Waikiki's rocky beaches. The water is a gorgeous blue-green and has amazing views of the mountains and small islands. There are also showers, changing rooms, and bathrooms at the main parking area as well as a Shoppette close by to get supplies from. This is our second time visiting Oahu in the past year and Bellows is by far our favorite place to go swimming and lay out.
Another fabulous endless white sand beach, gentler slope so can get long rides without being slammed by the waves - would be too tame for the hard core boarder however. Only open on the weekends but not crowded and well but worth the trip.
One of my favorite beaches on Oahu and in my opinion one of the loviest. Some of the popular touristy beaches in Hawaii are just not as beautiful (or clean) as this beach. Bellows is further north so be prepared to get on the bus or have a rental car if you want to easily get to it from Honolulu/Waikiki. There may be homeless communities out here, but Hawaii's homeless are people just trying to make some sort of life for themselves and their family, they don't bother anyone and they camp closer to the road and not on the sand since the tide would get to their setup if they did that. There are some park amenities out here too (benches, restrooms and such). But beware of Man of Wars during jellyfish season.
When the Marines aren't conducting live ammunition beach landing exercises, this really is a peaceful beach to visit.
We stayed here while visiting our military family living in Hawaii. It takes a few hours to get used to the calm, accept the renewal of senses. We always have so much to do when we're in Hawaii, but this is the place to chill, breathe, read, and just let yourself fall in love with the best things about Hawaii. You have to be military to use the campgrounds, cabins, store, etc., but the beach is open to the public on weekends. We always go to Lanikai beach, which is around the corner from bellows, but bellows is more nature, with no imposing private residences taking up beach entry. It's really, really a great spot to do little to nothing and unwind. If you are in hawaii for the first time, you will want more than this primitive beach, but if you are tired of the rat race of life, this is your spot.They do have activities, but I would like to go back for about four days of reading, relaxing, and listening to the waves put me to sleep. Fabulous, just fabulous!
Since my sister and her husband are military, we were able to gain access to Bellows where the public can not. The sand feels wonderful, very very soft and cool. Its very quiet on this beach and the views are outstanding. The surf is great for boogie boarding but not for surfing, which made it perfect for my children to enjoy.
We went here on a private tour. It was fantastic. Large beach with very few people. There were people camping here too.
This is one of the best beaches in Oahu. It is beautiful, peaceful. The water is crystal clear, the sand is soft and white. It is not overcrowded, worth the visit.
Great place to go, but you have to be military. If you are, you will enjoy this whole area. Great beaches, fun mini golf, fun park equipment for children.
Beautiful sandy beach at Windward Coast, it is opened to public access just at the weekends. It is like other beaches like Kailua and Kalama, but not crowded! It is not my favorite beach in Oahu because I prefer the rocky ones, but the color of the sea is really impressive. So bad It was so windy and cloudy when we went there. Plenty space for parking and great areas with trees to picnic. Note that there is an area restricted for military access even on weekend days (you must have a military ID to enter). We got the wrong way and were walking to this area, but fortunately the officer explained the restriction to us.
This beach is the best beach for swimming on Oahu. Kailua Beach Park and Lanikai are also beautiful beaches, but they tend to get crowded and parking is limited. Bellows and neighboring Waimanalo Bay Beach Park have plenty of parking, wide beaches, and mostly calm waters.
This beach is first of all one of the most beautiful. The turquoise waters which are typically only viewable from arial photos or in pictures but the water is still turquoise from where you stand. Open to the public only on weekends and guest of military all week. The waves are perfect for boogie boarding and body surfing and the sand is the softest. No rocks anywhere. You have to make sure the moon phase is right or you will encounter jellyfish. This beach blows away Waikiki or any other on Oahu in my opinion.
This beach is part of Bellows Air Force Base. (There is an area just before you reach the base that is public.) You have to have a military ID to make it onto Bellows. Both areas are gorgeous. Great for boogie boarding. There are times the beach is closed due to military exercises so check before going.
We were staying in waikiki and this little excursion was about 45 minutes from our condo. On the recommendation of a retired Marine, it did not disappoint us. The old guard shack by the main road with the sign, Closed Daily Until 1200 for Military Exercises, almost deterred us. Stay the speed limit, MPs can be touchy about that, and you will be rewarded with almost 1&1/2 miles of pristine beauty all to yourselves. Remember to mind your p's&qs, you are on the door steps of a military installation, so the USMC is probably watching. Great sun, nice shade and balmy breezes, cool surf fantastic day.
One of the most beautiful beaches and it's so long and wide that you don't feel the least bit crowded. The sand is soft and white, the waves are fun without being dangerous. The beach is clean, the view spectacular. There is ample parking and decent restroom facilities.
I spent the morning here while waiting to depart Hawaii. I had access thanks to my son who is in the military. Hawaii has numerous facilities for military personnel and their families. This area has cabins to rent, hot showers for after you swim and a nice quiet beautiful beach far from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. It was a great place to spend the morning while waiting to catch a very late night flight. It took us about 25 minutes to drive to from the Hale Koa hotel at Waikiki. There was a life guard on duty for the safety of the children and personnel. Great place for military families.
Bellows beach is by far one of my favorites! The beach is clean and has waves. The waves are not overpowering and the kids were able to have a great time. There are bathrooms as well which is a plus. I have nothing negative to say about this beach EXCEPT that depending on the time of day, it may get very windy. Otherwise, perfection in my eyes!
We were back on Bellows beach again after a long absence. The beach just as we remembered it when we lived on Oahu and visited regularly. Very nice and quiet ...especially on a weekday. We had nice memories floating on the gentle waves.
This was the BEST BEACH on OAHU
Off the beated path, you have to work to get to it,, But once there its wide open...and clean,, and the beach is clean... no rocks to step on , Good WAVES...
This beach is open to civilians on the weekends. Other than that you will need a military id to get on. Beach is white sand and the waters just beautiful
Gorgeous beach. Man of wars in water & on beach on windy days so be careful. They can cause a painful sting and, in some, lead to a life threatening reaction. Do not leave any valuables in your car.
Amazing sand and small waves for the beginners. Convenient store and gas for military, bathrooms and showers. Cabins, condo and campgrounds for military. A must see and experience spot...
We visited this beach after a crowded experience at Hanauma Bay. The day was generally cold and rainy; however, we had a bit of a break in the clouds when we got to Bellows Field Beach and the kids had a blast. There weren't any major crowds that day (a Sunday) save for some locals having cook-outs further down the beach; so, we really enjoyed having some space to play on the beach, all to ourselves. It was quite scenic and the waves were much calmer than on the west/north shores.
We were married along this beach. It is absolutely on of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. It made our day so much more memorable!
lovely beach. don't miss it even though it's a bit hard to find. is this 50 characters yet? I guess not. now?
This is the best place I went to in Hawaii, over here you can body board, you can do it with big waves, not so big that they are surfing waves, not to small that they are swimming waves.
Although tourists,me were able to find this beautiful park. There were very small crowds and the beach was one of the nicest I have ever seen. Fellow tourists, abandon Waikiki and take an adventure to see the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii.
I've been to five of the Hawaiian Islands, and this is the prettiest Beach I have seen there. Right on Oahu!
...an image of The Bellows could easily be right there. White sands, blue waters and waves perfect for kids and body surfing are all here. The beach is over a mile long and has pine and palm trees right up to the sand. For those with military access, the AFS beach cottages are perfect and quite reasonably priced. If you want to camp at the beach, this is a great spot too. The view of the mountains in the background completes the picture. Be sure to bring sand toys, a bucket, as well as flashlights.for crab hunting at night.
Me and my friend drive around Oahu, and we stopt at this beach, peaceful, beautiful nice beach! The most beautiful beach on Oahu!!!
We drove down to Bellows Beach it was absolutely gorgeous unfortunately we were there during a weekday it is closed for military training Monday through Friday on Friday it opens at noon for the weekend for the public
, there are tons of Ironwood trees right along the shoreline great for shade picnicking and a great perfect day at the beach highly recommend checking it out on the weekends
It is right on an air-force and Marine barrack off the beaten path on the left side of Oahu. We stopped there based on some other travelers reviews and they were spot on.
White sandy beaches, calm water where it was safe for my 6 year to play. No lifeguards was my only concern but then again it was very calm so it wasn't too necessary.
If you are looking for a nice postcard and lazy afternoon this is the place for you!
It was a bit windy the day we went, but this beach was much less crowded and just as beautiful. It's a great place to have a beachside cookout too.
Pretty beach with nice sand. There are lot of trees and it is less crowded than some beaches. It is near the Air Force base. There are restrooms.
This out of the way hidden gem lies right in the middle of the windward coast of the island of Oahu and is primarily a military facility for their personnel, retirees, and DOD civilians. Camping grounds are well kept and groomed and secure. Military patrols frequent the grounds to ensure safety for all visitors here. Facilities are dated but very good condition. Beaches are beautiful, second in my opinion to only nearby Lanikai Beach in Kailua, and another excellent spot for toddlers and younger children. There were no lifeguards when we visited, but parents should always monitor their own children near water. Definitely somewhere we would revisit again and again. Military personnel can reserve bungalows on the beach for a memorable camp out with the family! Best deal in town!
This is a great beach. Keep in mind that it is on an air force base...but they do open it to the public on the weekends. It stays pretty busy, but it is a large beach and you can find space and not be on top of other beach goers. Beautiful views of the surrounding area. A real gem.
I grew up on this side of Oahu. Bellows is a Beautiful beach on a military area so check for access ahead of time. Some days its open and others not if there is anything special military wise going on-such as drills etc. There are areas non military are NOT allowed as well. Public areas are gorgeous beaches with no hotels and CALM WATERS good for snorkeling and swimming BUT--there are man-o-wars here on windward windy days so please be careful. If stug, they burn but are usually not serious. We have a jar of vinegar and meat tenderizer in the car and you mix the two to neutralize the stings. (pee only works on sea urchin sticks) Usually the Lifeguards have the latest updates on cnnditions as well as some vinegar/tenderizer mix if needed.
So DON'T LET THAT STOP YOU from enjoying yourself. This is one f the last pristine beaches on Oahu. It's also a lot safer as the military don't TOLERATE crime rip-offs etc.
Me and my husband love the beach and the cottage here at bellows, but the front desk staff and the staff at the gift shop are rediculous lazy and act like it an inconvenience to help anyone. Plus you can't use the pool table area because all the staff are sitting there eating and drinking and act like you shouldn't be there and talking about inappropriate material for children ears. Really supprised for military installation. I thought they would be better quality and better trained. Such a shame for such a nice place.
Are so serene on this side of the island!! Every morning at 6AM we go for a four mile walk and the sun rise from the ocean reflects and it is just beautiful!! A must do when in Hawaii!!
If you're on the island of Oahu on a weekend and want to visit a nice beach, this is it. It is beautiful, the waves were perfect for playing in. The sand is soft and clean. My only disappointment is that we only managed to go for one morning. If you can, arrive earlier in the day before it gets busy. It got busier and busier, but not nearly as busy as Waikiki! Bring a cooler, and a picnic lunch, an umbrella and some chairs and stay for the day. If I lived on Oahu I would go to Bellows every weekend.
Enjoy a picnic lunch and enjoy the warm water at this beach. Remember you are on the Windward side of the island, so it may be a little windy. But you have a great view of Rabbit Island.
On of our favorite beaches for swimming on Ohau. The water was crystal clear and perfect for swimming and floating around on boogie boards, the sand was powder fine. Long beach with plenty of room to spread out. It sometimes got windy later in the afternoon, but we were happy for the breeze to cool off. Clean restrooms and showers.
This is such an idyllic spot. Not too crowded. Be sure to check if it is open for public use before you make the trip
This beach has clean and clear sand and beautiful waters on a sunny day, the wind here is rough and it might be better for strong swimmers, we were just sitting at the edge of the beach but some people were doing surfing and sailing small boats because the wind was strong, great to fly kites.
One of the longer continous beaches on Oahu, it provides about 3 + miles of beach to enjoy. The ocean is very swimmable here with no concerns of coral.
Need ID to get on base to access the private area. Lots of people camping. Beach did not feel crowded. Water is great. Sandy and you can go out pretty far and still stand. Lots of manageable waves. Has an AAFES with gas station. Also has a Subway there.
The last time I was at Bellows was two years ago, not March 2015 One three separate trips, we went to this beach. It is not even close to being crowded, and is fabulous! It is a military beach, and, as I understand it, not open to non-military.
We went just after the public side opened at noon on Friday. There is a restroom at the first parking area near the beach. We traveled further down the roadway until we reached the gate for the base. There is a large parking area near the guard entrance with easy access to the beach. We practically had the beach to ourselves. The waves are small and perfect for younger kids. On the way out, we stopped at the stand selling shaved ice. My granddaughter said it was the best she ever had.
A very pretty beach. Only open to the public on weekends because it is on a military reservation. If you have a military ID you can use it during the week. The cabins and condos are available for rent to Military and DoD personnel including retired Military and DoD civilians.
This is a great beach and park to visit. The sand is soft and the water is green and warm. Great for the kids and adults too. Safe surf. The drive getting their is as worth the trip.
This was an awesome beach to go to. Much quieter than the Waikiki side of things. We are military so it was a perfect retreat from the crazy speed of life sometimes.
If you are fortunate enough to get access to the military part of the beach it is one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been to. The public beach is just as beautiful but there were a lot more people. The water was perfect and the views were breathtaking.
This beach is the nirvana I didn't know existed on Oahu. Clear turquoise water and sand with no rocks, shells, or algae and warm temperatures in a pristine environment. The waves were choppy and formidable though so strong swimmers only should swim beyond the wading area. We found a spot in a residential neighborhood where we were the only 2 people at first. I was glad to see 3 others join us over the course of the 90 minutes we spent there. This beach reminded me of the Caribbean waters but with bigger waves. We had lunch at Keneke's after (dive with delicious homemade food).
This beach was recommended to me by a fellow military spouse as one of the best kept secrets in Hawaii. She wasn't kidding, this beach is gorgeous. It is definitely worth a visit. We went on a weekend day in the summer and found that it wasn't too crowded at all. Bellows Air Force Station is its own little oasis! There's a subway and a shoppette that has lots of snacks and drinks and beach necessities. The recreation center offers all kinds of activities including kayaking, paddle boarding and more, just make sure you book ahead and check on availability. Highly recommend!!
Open to the public on weekends and to military most of the week. This beach is wide and sandy, the waves are good for body surfing or boogie boards. An easy drive from the city and definitely worth spending a day on this.
On Bellows AFS, which restricts access for much of facility/beach to military's/ military retirees. If you qualify, it is worth a drive out from Honolulu, Haas small BX , Subway and Gas station with hours limited by Covid.
White, clean, soft sand! Beautiful beach with a breeze! Restrooms, lifeguard stand, free parking, shade available. Never crowded during the week ( must be Military during week) no eateries there except for a subway. There is a gas station and a little shopette .
The view is pure magic, the sand is white powder, the sea is tropical turquoise but don't go there when the tradewinds are too strong because the sea gets pretty choppy and the sand gets in your eyes. Unfortunately only open at weekends.
We had a great time sunning and walking at the Bellows Beach. The beach was clean and the water was beautiful. With great views of the islands and mountains this is a super beach to spend the day.
It was such a quiet and beautiful beach. The sand is so flowery and soft. The water is calm with small waves perfect for body surfing. Make sure you go there on weekends as the weekdays are closed.
If you visit this during the week, there is plently of room to park. The beach is wonderful and the waves are great to Boogie board on. It's a great family beach. Though with all Hawaii beaches watch out for the strength of the waves
This was probably my favorite beaches. The water was so turquoise and the beach was the nice soft sand. Although you have to be military or with a military member to get on this beach, if you have the opportunity it is worth it! There are showers, bathrooms and a store right there for your convenience. This beach is best of bobbing in the waves or boogie boarding. My kids had a blast learning to boogie board here.
Camped on a Sunday night- there was maybe one other tent set up. All the families left by sundown so it was extremely quiet and beautiful. You must be gone by 8am sharp on Monday, so it was an early morning bring roused by the groundskeeper after sunrise, but nothing compared to being right on the beach and close by a comfort station with flush toilets, an outdoor cold shower and and a sink. We had a rental car so be cautious of the sand when you are trying to park- it was like driving in snow.
This beach is absolutely beautiful and wasn't too crowded when we went. The sand and waters were perfect for playing in. My husband is not a very good swimmer, and I prefer some waves to play in. This beach seemed to have the best of both worlds. :). He could walk out quite a ways and still have the water below his waist and feel safe. I could go out further and play on a boogie board in the waves...felt like a teenager again. :)
From what we understand, it's only open on weekends, which is too bad, because it is too beautiful a beach to not be open 7 days per week.
this place is empty in comparison to other places and clean and well kept. It is a dream of a site that makes one feel transported to Tahiti or Samoa...without the plane trip!
Stopped here for a look on our drive around the island. We had just come form swimming and didn't feel like going in again, but this looked like a really nice beach. Even some postcard photo scenes here too. Waves were big when we were there.
Waimanalo is the best beach on Oahu. My favourite beach in all of Hawaii, and that is saying something. It beats out Lanikai, which is a different kind of beach. The military section (Bellows Beach) is supposedly only open to the public on weekends. It's in front of Bellows Air Base and I assume they use the beach area for training sometimes. I believe this base is due for expansion (not too much I hope).
However, we wanted some pictures of an empty beach, so we went during the week. Took some great pictures till a friendly cop reminded us of the rule. I would like his job - hanging out in his car at the empty beach. The south end is always open. Now we know.
One of my favorite beaches, my friends and I go here typically monthly for volleyball. The cabins are wonderful to rent (very cost effective and pretty nice/clean for the price). You DO have to rent in advance, especially during peak season. Makes for a great beach day, good spot for beach photos shoots and it is close to Waimanalo and other areas that are fun to explore. Again, one of my faves!!
This beach is spectacular!!! The water is amazingly beautiful and aqua blue, ive never seen water this color ever. The sand was soft and white. The beach was not crowded This is a really good beach for anyone in the military to enjoy! I was so happy that i went to this beach so beautiful highly recommended for anyone in the military and retired military.
My late Father once took me to visit Bellows Beach Back in 1970!
Back then it was still an active Air Force Base with guard posts on the bridge that led you on to the base. Now it is only open on weekends unless there is a scheduled amphibious training by the Marines. The Beach has the view of the iconic Rabbit island! and the green turquoise colored water plays a contrast against the powdery white fine sand on the Beach. The white sand crabs are often seen darting across the sand. But beware! every once in awhile the currents carry the Portuguese man o wars.
They sting like hell and can cause temporary paralysis. If you get on you get to shore immediately!
I'm not a beach person for a number of reasons - been to sand spits the world over, but Bellows Air Station beach was absolutely spectacular. I've been to Oahu three times and have always enjoyed the view of the water from many places, but to stand in the surf at Bellows on a clear day and see the expanse of sand and water, uncluttered by buildings, was truly memorable.
After the crowded shores of Waikiki, there's nothing like spending a day at Bellows Beach on the windward side of Oahu. Miles of powdery white sand, interrupted only by the odd visitor, and the stunning turquoise blue ocean almost overwhelms the first-time visitor. What's the downside? Restrooms are few and far between. There's no snack bar or food truck, so bring your own, or pick up a plate lunch on the main roadway, before entering the park. The sand gets very hot, so an umbrella will help. Shore break and sometimes jellyfish will deter the swimmers, and lifeguards are far apart. But in all, my family absolutely loves that beach.
This "hidden gem" is one of Hawaii's most beautiful beaches absent of any hotels or congestion. Great place to really enjoy the beach if you don't want to be crowded at Waikiki or Kaulua...
This beach is so amazing . The view was breath taking . The sand was white and so soft. The water was clear and warm. It had a cool breeze that flowed through the area. Restrooms were very clean. They have picnic areas with a covered patio. They also have a little store to buy snacks and souvenirs . This is a military base, so military ID's are required.
Hidden on a remote Air Force Station, this beach is pristine. Yes, you need a DoD ID for access. There are cabins to rent and a small BX for provisions. I did not stay in a cabin, just stopped by to see the view. Camping is also allowed. Definitely an awesome place to escape from the hustle of Waikiki.
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I was lucky that I was in Oahu over a weekend while this beach was open. I found a rotisserie chicken van at the entrance and picked up some lunch on my way in. The beach is magical and mostly deserted. It's comfortable to swim without a noticeable rip which made it enjoyable. There is beautiful white sand which is completely tree lined perfect for those who need to stay out of the sun. I noticed quite a lot of plastic and debris along the high tide mark which was disappointing; everywhere else I went on Oahu was super clean and well maintained.