Ko’Olina Lagoon

Great family beach. You share the beach with the resort guests. Located near the Marriott and Aulani Resorts, the man made beaches are a favorite of locals and tourist alike. The areas are always clean, the bathroom and showers are spacious and clean, clean, clean :)
Get there early as parking is difficult to find as the lots are small.

This was my favorite beach of all the ones I had been to during our vacation because it was a great spot for the kids. Now if you don’t have any kids it still a nice beach to come to. It’s more laid back than lets say Waikiki and that was the goal. The lagoon is surrounded by nice hotels including the Aulani Disney hotel. There is no BBQing allowed but you can bring you own food (picnic style). I was impressed with how clean the bathrooms are. It not your typical beach bathroom dirty and all. Showers are available and parking is free but limited so good luck! We paid $ 10 to park because we went willing to wait. Lastly this is a great spot for pictures of your whole family! Hope you enjoyed it like we did!!!

Very relaxing, man-​made lagoons. I like to come during the evening, when the waters aren’t so crowded. The sun sets during that time as well so that’s a nice bonus. At the moment there are rennovations being done on the Four Seasons, which is the next to the Aulani at Lagoon One. The construction area is an eye sore, but the sight of Aulani is worth it. It’s got a very unique Hawaiian style.
As for the water and sand, you won’t need to worry about rocks. There are some, but your feet are safe. If you don’t walk near the rock borders. Stay away from that area. There are crabs and scorpionfish there. Although, I did see a turtle hunting for some crabs. There may also be seals as well. Be very respectful to the wildlife and give them distance.
If you do want to snorkel, head over to Lagoon Four. It’s got the biggest parking lot, and the most fish. The water is not as clear as it used to be, but you can still see the fish.

These are public beaches on private property. Meaning that the hotels own the land but have to make the beaches accessible to the public. They try to make it really hard for people not staying at the resorts to park there. It was a huge pain trying to figure out parking. There are small free parking lots at each lagoon that holds about 20 cars and they fill up super fast and only about 2 cars can wait in line for an open spot otherwise the attendant will shoo you away. There are parking lots in the shopping center across from the resorts but technically you can’t park there to go to the lagoons and there is a 2 hour limit. You can park at the Disney resort for free for the first 30 mins but then it’s $ 12 every half hour. They do validate for up to 4 hours if you spend $ 37 on food or $ 50 on shopping. There aren’t any local neighborhoods to park at either. They are all gated communities. If you’re going there to visit the lagoons good luck with trying to find parking. You have to go either really early or really late.
The lagoons are really small. We went snorkeling but only saw 1 fish. But it does have nice scenery and you can go into the Disney resort to take a look around.
I wouldn’t recommend this if you are only staying on Oahu for limited number of days. There are much better beaches and a lot of other fun activities to do instead.

This is a great place for sunning and swimming.
Plenty of facilities and places to eat. Parking can be tricky but patience is a virtue. U will be rewarded. It’s a resort complex so of course it’s full of tourists. But the water is calm and the beach is nice. U can easily picnic. There are restrooms and showers. Will definitely be back but probably on a week day.

Serene waters, powdery sand, lots of sun and fun. They offer beach toys for rent for Aulani guests and they have a snack shop for some mediocre yet expensive food.
I don’t have any complaints about the lagoon. Oh and they have wifi… Perfect

This is one of the 4 lagoons located in the area. It’s gorgeous, small, and sheltered, making it perfect for families with small children. Apparently the snorkeling here is also quite good, but I can’t speak for that since I didn’t snorkel. The water is definitely clearer than Waikiki Beach though, and it’s significantly less crowded.
The only thing I’d note is that parking is very limited — once the lots are full, they won’t let anyone in. You can park at the shopping center (right across from this lagoon) for 2 hours if you buy something, or park at the marina by the fourth lagoon for about $ 10 for the whole day.

Really liked this lagoon. So glad we found this place while looking for aulani. It was pretty empty on the weekday we went so it was nice. It did get a little more crowded on Thursday, but still not bad. They have tons of beach chairs but we weren’t sure if they were for public use or for the resort so we just stayed on the side where we knew was for the public. I love the lagoon because it isn’t deep and for a non swimmer like myself I got to still enjoy the water at a shoulder deep height.

Parking, Parking, Parking
Parking is truly a struggle! Parking fills up quickly on all the parking lots. Plan to arrive at 9am on the weekend for a parking stall. If you come at 12pm, you most likely will not get parking and expect to pay $ 10 in the paid parking area at the marina at Lagoon 4.
4 Lagoons
There are a total of 4 lagoons and the fourth lagoon is the most popular because it has the biggest parking lot, bathroom stalls, not near a hotel so less crowded by tourist and there is a paid parking next to it when all lagoons are packed.
Beach
The water is perfect for young children. Children can play on the shoreline safely without worrying about a big wave. The water is normally clear and sometimes you can see a school of little fishes.
Maintenence
The bathrooms are kept clean and stocked so you’ll never be without toilet paper. Sometimes they don’t have hand soap and towels to wipe your hands. I witness them full on scrubbing the showers and the water fountain. I always see them picking up the trash so you will hardly see the trash overflowing. Good job cleaning crew!
Overall, the Ko Olina Lagoon is awesome! Its close to home, clean bathrooms, showers are available and the water is calm. I wish there wasn’t a parking issue but I am fortunate to only pay once in the two dozen or so times I’ve came here.

Good beach to go to. Man made beach so soft sand and water is always blue and clear. The scenery is beautiful I always go to this beach and park at the last lagoon for more available parking but you Gotta go early for a good parking spot otherwise you end up waiting for one because there isn’t any other parking around.

Unilocal 100 Review Challenge 2015: ⁸⁶⁄₁₀₀
If parking wasn’t such a struggle, I would venture here more often. Ko’Olina is one of the safest, most beautiful beaches in Oahu.
This beach reflects the Hawaii Paradise that they show in tourist magazines where the grass is green, water is blue and you’ll find families playing and eating under the Hawaiian Sun. After passing the security gate into Ko’Olina, follow the well directed signs to each of the Lagoons. The rock wall in the Lagoon’s prevent major waves which is safe for keiki and the security puts you at ease that your car and belongings are secure. Lagoon 4, with the Aquaveil Chapel probably has the most parking though it’s very hard to score parking on the weekends as the security will turn you away if the lot is full but this probably helps regulate crowds and theft. You’ll find many vacationers here since each lagoon has at least one hotel surrounding it.
There are bathrooms and showers conveniently available to wash off the sea water. You can set up on the grass or sand but be aware of the tanning chairs & umbrellas that are usually for hotel guest only. I love coming here and feeling like I am on a vacation in paradise.

Beautiful beach alongside a beautiful resort. It’s a bit of a trip to get here if you don’t already live on the West side but it’s worth it in my opinion.
Because it’s located on a resort, there’s access to bathrooms!!! Relatively clean bathrooms! That’s always a plus.
I recommend coming here in the late afternoon and enjoying the sunset at one of the lagoons. It’d be a great picture perfect moment.

Looking for that beautiful beach that is family friendly? Look no further!
Ko’olina Lagoons are beautiful beaches that are clean and perfect for the kids with no big waves or currents. There are a total of 4 lagoons and it depends on the day which one we go to. If you want to do paddle boarding, kayaking, and be around the hotel crowd, lagoon 1 and 2 would be perfect for you. We tend to favor lagoon 3 beacause we like the grass umbrella to sit under, and it tends to be less crowded.
The beaches all have public restrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off. It doesn’t get deep quickly at any of the lagoons to keep it safe for the kids. There are many places to eat as you leave the lagoons. Mokeypod Kitchen, Two Scoops Ice Cream, Sushi, Pizza, Coffee… you name it!
Just be prepared, parking fills up quick!

What beautiful lagoons! Well worth five stars however parking is limited! For this reason I give four stars. Get there early or your chances are slim, unless you wait but I’ve waited for hours for a parking before! You may also choose to pay for hotel parking if willing! After the wait or parking fees the lagoon is well worth it. I recommend staying for the sunset! Unbelievably gorgeous! The lagoon is children safe! Perfect family fun day in the sun!

Came for a friend’s wedding at Ko’Olina Place of Joy chapel for her wedding. The beach was BREATHTAKING! It’s beautiful and clean. The water was clean and the sand was super, super soft. This would probably be my second or third choice of beach, after Lanikai (super clean water, soft sand) and north shore beaches (also super clean, but sand was sticky and the beaches had a lot of rocks). It’s also not so crowded, even at the public parts.

I was taken to the public lagoon by my cousin who lives on the island. We arrived around 9am and there was no more parking — so make sure you arrive early! Thankfully her husband wasn’t staying and managed to drop us off by the parking lot.
They don’t allow umbrellas or beach tents in the public lagoon — not too sure about the others. It’s not a deal breaker but it would’ve been nice to have some shade when the sun gets too hot.
The lagoon is very peaceful and calm. There are hardly any waves, which makes it great for people who can’t swim or young children. There are also public bathrooms, which is great for those of us who want to spend all day at the beach.

What a paradise! Blue sky… white cloud… green palm trees… beautiful ocean. The water is warm and clear. Looking at the view, exactly like in the postcard!
Lay down on the lounge chair, feel the ocean breeze, watch the waves… so relaxing, life is good!
Totally different feeling than going to any beach in LA.
Come early in the morning and watch sunrise. Very peaceful. See the color change in the sky, so beautiful.

Though man-​made and part of the Marriott and Disney resorts (and therefore often crowded, noisy, and eclipsed with visions of buoys), the coves are still beautiful and tame enough for those not interested in the super waves of the north shore or even the jostling at Hamauma Bay when snorkling. Close to Longboards restaurant and beachside bar, you’re not far from sustenance if you get thirsty or hungry post-​sun bath or ocean dip.
My favorite has to be taking the yoga and pilates classes right on the beachside, surrounded by palm trees, sand, and the ocean front and horizon. Who wouldn’t want their yoga studio to look like this (see pics), especially during the sunrise yoga classes. (Must be associated with Marriott to participate, but I’m sure there’s a way to get in on the class action somehow).

Simply Breathtaking and amazing. Number 1 choice for families in Oahu. Get there early (6−7a) for easy free parking at lagoon #4 (easiest and most convenient). We have small kids so Ko’Olina is perfect for our family, like Waikiki but not crowded.
The grass surrounding the beach is soft and posh, bring your umbrella, beach towel, chairs, cooler, snorkel gear and spend the day. Very clean, secure nearby bathroom/​showers.
You can watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset (hallmark pictures). This beach is very clean, sand feels great, and the water is just right. Plenty of good restaurants nearby.
We were surprised by a Hawaiian Monk Seal while swimming in the lagoon. It was awesome to see one so close (and not get bit). They quickly isolated her and got her to safety btw but everyone got a chance to gawk in awe from a safe distance.
Our family just had an amazing time. It was the highlight of my mother’s visit to Hawaii in spending 30 days here with us and visited almost every beach and cool places to visit while here. Highly recommend it.

My best friend moved to the other side of the Universe (aka Kapolei). I told her we’d never see each other and boy was I right! With the obligations of kids, work and life, we barely see one another every three months and that’s just not good for my emotional health. This past weekend we planned a glorious day together at the beach to bridge our emotional gap. Despite having to drive from the other side of the Universe (aka Honolulu), the Ko’olina lagoons make it totally with it!
At first, I was concerned about finding parking but luckily a spot opened up just as we arrived. Parking is limited, but that’s a good thing because it keeps the number of beach goers at just the right amount.
Downside is there’s not a lot of shade and you can’t put up any umbrellas or tents. We all got wicked sunburn. Upside is you have very clean beach with pristine waters that are perfect for little ones. Our kids had a blast building sand castles, swimming in the ocean and eating a picnic lunch.
Despite living in paradise, I shamefully admit that we rarely go to the beach because we have a pool at our condo. After going to Ko’olina though, we’ll definitely be back at least once a month for a family day out with my best friend. Love conquers all… even a drive to the other side of the Universe.