Kaneohe Sandbar

John at Go Bananas kayak rental strapped a long kayak with a skeg to my car. I drove off his parking lot, and arrived at the He'eia Kea Boat Harbor. On this windy and rainy day I launched off the Kaneohe Canoe Club towards where I thought the sandbar would be found. For my entire trip inching forward in that direction I was alone in the foreboding ocean, or rather they bay. But from my low vantage points, it looked as if I were in the middle of the deep ocean with breaking waves under me and dark clouds above me. John told me to aim for Kapapa Island, and he was right. Because as far as I could tell from my kayak it was just dark water all around me, except for that tiny speck of an island. All other boats I saw and thought to be tourist boats anchored at the sandbar all turned out to be decoys - they were docked so closed to shore in retrospect. Many a times I thought I’d reached the sandbar only to find empty boats in dark and deep water. Many more times I thought of turning back - it could be frightening being out there alone, even if I was prepared with all available safety devices. But I kept going. Then I sensed a change in water color. Shortly the sun poked its head out of the cloud. And magic happened. The sea all around me turned turquoise as soon as sunrays touched them, revealing that I was mere inches above sand now. I soon found a lone stand-up paddler lying supine on his board, drinking beer. I also ran into a birthday party dinning around a table half-submerged in water. Then Captain Bruce's boat showed up, dumping lots of merrymakers onto the sandbar. Now that I know the place, I would have no issues coming back again and finding it, next time. In some of the videos you will find dark clouds raining on entire towns, while I filmed the shore from the sandbar. That gives you a sense of how far the sandbar is from shore.

I went there 4 years ago. Looking back, it was a truly unique experience. White sand in the middle of the ocean, surrounded by shallow water. When snorkeling, you need to swim a little farther from the sand (we joined a tour, and our guide led us to the snorkeling area), and the water suddenly drops into deep, dark blue ocean, and sunlight still penetrates the deep water, illuminating countless fish below you. You might even spot sea turtles gliding gracefully nearby. If you’ve never been snorkeling in the open deep sea, it can feel intimidating, but the sight is absolutely breathtaking.

We didn't actually make it out to the sandbar, we walked out from the harbour/beach until we hit some coral and explored there. It was fun and free. If we took a tour to the sandbar I am sure it would have been even more incredible, but being as I didn't have it planned we just drove here and figured it out. Still had a good time snorkeling on the shore. You just have to walk out far enough past the seaweed until you hit coral. We went in the morning while the tide was low, and the water was at waist-level so I could walk the whole way.

My favorite thing to do on Oahu. All my friends and guests say the same thing after the experience there. Beautiful Bay surrounded by majestic mountains and turquoise waters. Tide changes throughout the day. Enjoy company, eat, drink. And be merry. Play catch, SUP, snorkel, party, or just relax any time of year. The place is my go to spot for rest and relaxation.

A good moment to enjoy before leaving Hawaii for a better life. A good spot to have fun drinking and hangout with friends there. When I was there, there was a big boat hosting a block party there with a bunch of people. Had a buddy that owns a boat to take us there and it was worth it. Going through the Pacific Ocean passing through coconut island to get to the sandbar. By the time we left, it got crowded. Not really a party person but some say they go there all the time for parties like that but it was my first time there. Remember to pick up your trash and take it with you on your way back to shore to keep the place respectful 🙏 🤙 💯

Love the sand bar! It takes some work and strength to paddle out all the way there. You need to check the weather before committing to this little adventure.

We went on a rainy day, but it was still scenic & beautiful.

We went on a tour to Kaneohe Sandbar. It's difficult to get there privately since it's a few minutes offshore by boat. The sandbar appears twice a day during low tide and is surrounded by coral, making the waters calm and crystal clear. We snorkeled around the deeper areas with abundant coral, enjoying the sight of numerous fish and sea turtles swimming or resting. The staff mentioned that seeing a sea turtle is considered good luck, and we were fortunate to see many of them, which brought us plenty of joy! This was the most exciting ocean experience we had. It was such a wonderful time that we wished we could have stayed and snorkeled privately for hours.🥰The only disappointing thing was that I couldn't press my phone due to the water pressure, so I couldn't capture any footage of the underwater scenery. Next time, I'll make sure to prepare the right equipment.😊👍

Here is my account of my kayaking trip to the sandbar. See accompanying pictures and videos. So, John at Go Bananas kayak rental strapped a long kayak with a skeg to my car. I drove off his parking lot, and arrived at the He'eia Kea Boat Harbor. On this windy and rainy day I launched off the Kaneohe Canoe Club towards where I thought the sandbar would be found. For my entire trip inching forward in that direction I was alone in the foreboding ocean, or rather they bay. But from my low vantage points, it looked as if I were in the middle of the deep ocean with breaking waves under me and dark clouds above me. John told me to aim for Kapapa Island, and he was right. Because as far as I could tell from my kayak it was just dark water all around me, except for that tiny speck of an island. All other boats I saw and thought to be tourist boats anchored at the sandbar all turned out to be decoys - they were docked so closed to shore in retrospect. Many a times I thought I'd reached the sandbar only to find empty boats in dark and deep water. Many more times I thought of turning back - it could be frightening being out there alone, even if I was prepared with all available safety devices. But I kept going. Then I sensed a change in water color. Shortly the sun poked its head out of the cloud. And magic happened. The sea all around me turned turquoise as soon as sunrays touched them, revealing that I was mere inches above sand now. I soon found a lone stand-up paddler lying supine on his board, drinking beer. I also ran into a birthday party dinning around a table half-submerged in water. Then Captain Bruce's boat showed up, dumping lots of merrymakers onto the sandbar. Now that I know the place, I would have no issues coming back again and finding it, next time. In some of the videos you will find dark clouds raining on entire towns, while I filmed the shore from the sandbar. That gives you a sense of how far the sandbar is from shore.

Beautiful place make sure you have enough information about the tides and how high the water is at the Sandbar Island. Kaneohe Bay Ocean Spots took us there. People who work there have great souls and with them this adventure was great even though the water was high.

Kaneohe Bay Sandbar is still amazing. You need someone who is in the military (such as army, air force, marines, navy) or Pearl Harbor. He/She can sponsor you onto the base. The sponsor will need to take a class on how to operate the boat and how to guide the boat safely around the bouys. We checked in at 8 am and signed the paperwork. When we boarded the boat, I noticed that the employee helping us was local. It's nice to see the government helping the locals out with these jobs. Remember what time you reserved the boat either 12 noon or all day. Sandbar is a nice area to hangout with your friends and make new friends nearby. Be careful with the marine life. Some are dangerous/poisonous and others are endangered. I suggest to bring a large speaker so you can listen to music, snacks, and drinks. Always keep hydrated :)

Had a great time here with my friends and all the kiddos. Staff went above and beyond for our families to have a good time. Kids loved it.

If you haven't already, you need to book the sandbar with this company ASAP. The best activity we've been on thus far. They have a bunch of things that you can do once you get to the sandbar but shout out to the band that was playing while we were headed there. Everybody was so kind so nice and I'm so glad that we took The time that we did because I felt like we had the whole boat to ourselves! I can go on and on about this entire event, but please make sure you experience it yourself. Be sure to get the activity with the tubing and banana tube.

Lucky we live Hawaii! Going to Kaneohe bay sandbar is so much fun especially at really low tide. I've had the pleasure of coming here twice (once through a chartered boat called captain Bruce and another with my friend on her boat). Its best to probably go early in the morning as the tide becomes higher during the afternoon. Although, it may just be waist deep but can still make a difference on your experience there. I've come here when it's pouring rain (but it doesn't really matter if you end up getting wet and snorkeling with the chartered boat anyway), and also came when it was cold and windy! nonetheless, it was still a great experience to even be there. Just be aware of your surroundings because there was loose dogs running around when we were there. The bottom of the sea can be a little rough on your feet as it is rocky, so maybe you can wear some water shoes if your feet is sensitive. Also watch for live coral and dont step on them either :) Make sure you bring sun screen, food, and water to hydrate throughout the day as you are out in the middle of the ocean. There is lots of parking at Heeia pier but about 3 hours long. Its probably best if you park on the street if you plan on staying longer than that. The 2 hour stalls next to the restaurant may not be the best option for you to park if you end up on a chartered tour because they will tow your car away.

Pristine ocean. High tide. Knee high to waist or chest high pending on height. Perfect for lounging, wading, running, and/or swimming. Great option for physical therapy. Reflection or inspiration. If you're lucky enough, you may spot a sea turtle bobbing for air or come very close to the surface of water. 360 degree view of beautiful mountains, private boats, rented pontoons, airplane flying above, kayaking, paddle boarding, kite flying, conversations, music, dancing, and making memories. We brought in our own food, nonalcoholic beverages, flotation devices, and trash bag. Malama or care for what you bring in and take opala or rubbish with you when you're done. Loved every minute of it! Will be back.

Love coming to this sandbar. The reef you can swim is perfect. I saw multiple sea turtles and one even high fived me. So crazy!!!

Lucky me, my local friends are military and know how to cook - what a beautiful day on Kaneohe Bay...We had a pickleball net, paddles and balls and set it for the day. The water is warm and shallow. A highlight of my life on Oahu.

Went in the early morning if you want to swim in warmer waters, evenings seems to be cold in higher tide. Standing in the middle of the ocean on a sandbar and experienced for the first time to snorkel was so fun, especially with the very experienced captain and his crew guiding you the whole way through your experience. Best excursion ever if you're in Hawaii. Take a chance. Enjoy life!

Great experience! The staff was so wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable. We had a great time snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding. Definitely worth the trip!

Beautiful setting and excellent food! Sat at the bar. Great service from Bella! Super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Highly recommend!!

Against my better judgement, I really shouldn't reveal this "secret" spot. The Kaneohe Sandbar is such a great spot to hang out. The sandbar is about a mile offshore. Once you're out there, you can stand around, sit, run around, etc. It looked like the most popular ways out there were: * kayaking out on your own * taking your boat out there * chartering a boat A few tips: * You're fully exposed, make sure you have water and a lot of sunblock * You can bring out "activities if you'd like - snorkeling, beach football, etc. Think of this has being on the beach by the water, except you're a mile off the coastline * Go early to avoid crowds * Check out the tide table to see when low / high tide are - while we were out there for a couple hours, the tide rose noticeably (we were still able to easily stand up) * If you kayak out, make sure to bring a dry bag and a weight you can hang off the side with a rope (if you want to save some money) * With a kayak, you're able to go all the way into the "inner" part of the sandbar - the larger boats hung on the outside areas where it is deeper * If you charter a boat, once nice benefit is that there will be shade (confirm with them) - that said, we went pretty early and didn't have a problem with the heat (probably because we were in the water and could just swim to cool off)

We just loveeeeee coming here. This time, I took the boat out from 8am-12pm, and it was a tad breezy with some clouds (tide seemed a bit higher too), but equally gorgeous. We went on Sunday, so the sandbar was packed - way too many boats anchored close to each other. Upsetting that one boat decided to anchor right in front of us - must be a new coxswain. I believe going between 12pm-4pm is better since the sun is brighter and waters look bluer, but you'll see the same amount of marine life. We saw two huge sea turtles come up for air this time and we were so ecstatic!! Best times ever here with our family!!!!

I don't ever take things for granted. I'm especially thankful for this blessing of a place! I'm also especially thankful for my boat captain friends because without them, I wouldn't have had this breathtaking experience. Fortunate to have been here a few times now, all I can say is wow. So clean. So peaceful. So magical. It's therapeutic for sure. Whether you go for fun or relaxation, make it a point to respect. If at all possible, leave it better than how you found it. That way, others may enjoy this treasure for generations after us.

It is definitely an experience not to be missed, highly recommend! Very happy we came across it before we flew back home from Hawaii! The vibes were just right!

K-Bay sandbar may be THE prettiest ocean sandbar in the entire USA. I say that because I've watched videos of sandbars in Florida and river sandbars in Lake Tahoe and elsewhere and nothing looks as nice as the one in Kaneohe; the one in Miami had greenish water and you could see the high-rises behind you (not pretty); the one in Islamorada had thousands of people on them partying, drinking and peeing all up in the water that you'd probably get a rash from on your legs and arms from the sheer, massive amount of human urine due to being surround by beer-guzzling, party-going people blasting loud music that you absolutely hate. K-bay did have a few of those "people" by the way; party folk who were so intent on blasting offensive, racial and sexually explicit music super loud so that EVERYONE could hear and approve of their hateful music. I feel like kidnapping all of them and putting them in an elevator, dressed in polyester suits and make them listen to Barry Manilow on half-speed. Or maybe kidnap them, tie them to trees and make them listen to my son's attempt at flute solos. Aside from those inconsiderate people and minor inconvenience, it truly was an absolutely gorgeous place to visit. The water was crystal clear, it was clean and cool despite the sun's rays hitting the water that was so shallow it was ankle-deep. There were a few Portuguese Man Of War (PMOs) floating around, so we promptly avoided those (hint: blue looking pretty things that look like bubbles with long tentacles). We didn't see any other wild life, aside from those party animals with gold umbrellas and tent. HOW TO GET HERE: rent a Kayak from Holokai Kayak right across the bay (see my other review); it only take 30 minutes at the most to kayak out to the sand bar. I've never kayaked in my life and I made it just fine. You can charter a boat to take you out, or if you are military, rent a boat from Kaneohe Marine Corps. I've seen stand-up paddlers going out to the sandbar - kudo's to them. AVOID: obviously, the party animals. Look for: tents, gold umbrellas, unicorn-shaped floaties. Also avoid the tourist areas because they blast by with jet skis (they are only supposed to stay in a designated area but two of them blasted by us on a no-jetski zone). Also avoid the PMOs. Avoid going on Memorial Day, July 4th or any other 3-day weekend unless you are into the party atmosphere with lots of crowds (and pee). BEST TIME TO GO: weekdays, for sure. Check the tide chart, you don't want to rent kayaks only to be find the water is deep when you get to the submerged sand bar. I heard it never truly gets totally submerged, but it may be a difference between waist-high and ankle-deep. What I would do differently next time: take way more food and drinks. Stay away from human wildlife. Put on WAY more sunscreen - like my Yelpy friend Toni says, how in the world can you give the K-Bay Sandbar negative ratings for getting sunburned - are you serious?!?! I would have also invested in a submergible pouch to put my cell phone in for underwater photo-ops (my GoPro Hero 5 is a POS that quit working after about 30 uses); there were some super-strange 'real' wildlife called Conspicuous Sea Cucumbers along the reef and shallower parts of the bay that I wanted photos of (not at the sandbar, though). I would definitely go out again, maybe this time in a boat, so I can haul tents and gold umbrellas and blast my Barry Manilow.

What a fun excursion to the sandbar!! The lucked out with perfect weather even though the storms were looking dark over the island. You hop on a boat that fits about 60? people, I recommend getting on early and grabbing a seat by the front. They take you to the sandbar first which is crystal clear blue water for miles. The volleyball game they set up is so much fun and everyone should join in! After hanging out for a bit there, you eat lunch on the boat and there's also beers to purchase. The second half of the trip is sea turtle watching, we saw quite a few! Then snorkeling around a large reef, it is huge, takes about 25 minutes to get around if you take your time. As a not so strong swimmer I wore a life jacket and brought my own snorkel gear but they have it on the boat too. After some time swimming and jumping off the boat, you head back to shore. Overall, our guides are so friendly, the sandbar is really cool, and I highly recommend them!

I'd recommend everyone who visits Hawaii make a stop at the Kaneohe sand bar. It really is a paradise there. Water is crystal clear and you could see the white sand and fish. Water is mostly calm and warm there until later afternoon. There're numerous turtles swimming and enjoying their afternoon. You could easily get some pictures or videos with them. Who doesn't want to spend a day there? You could kayak or paddleboard there but I think it takes 30 minutes or more and the water can be quite choppy so I don't think that would be an option for me. We were so lucky that our friend is in military and able to rent a boat to get to the sandbar. I read from other yelpers that you can also charter a boat. There were around 10-20 boats there when we arrived. Most of them were quiet, respectful and just enjoyed their good time. However a few groups were very inconsiderate and played loud music and screaming like they were by themselves. Please, if you are going to visit make sure you respect people around you. Mahalo.

The Sandbar is easily one of the most popular (yet still widely unknown) things to do on Oahu and is a great place to lounge and relax with a group of friends. It is located off of Kaneohe Bay and is a beautiful stretch of white sand in the middle of the Pacific Ocean ocean surrounded by the Koolau mountains. Depending on when you go, the tide may be higher or lower but each time I've gone, the water level has never been above my calves. People like to bring floaties, chairs, volleyball nets, and other beachy things to hang out here. Food and drinks are appropriate as well, although only *non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. The trick with this place is that there are only a few ways to get here. The easiest way is by boat, and usually, you need to either have a boat or know someone in the military with a boat license that's able to rent. We always leave from Kaneohe Bay Marine Base, but you also need to get a special parking pass (for which you will need updated driver's license and insurance) to park on base unless you're riding with someone who already has one. The other way people get here is by kayak, or paddle board, but that route is quite a long journey, so if you do have access to a boat, that would be your best bet. If you depart from the base, they have two time frames to hold the boat for: 8AM shift or 12PM shift. You must bring the boat back by the end of your shift as they have other people that book the boats after you. Tip: bring water as it does get hot and also bring a jacket as it gets a bit chilly with wind.

I'd give this place 0 stars if I could. Despite having the word "bar" in its name (and yelp listing), there is no bar here. No place to have a beer. No buffalo wings. Nothing. It's just water, guys. Lots and lots of water. We kayaked for over 2 hours in a torrential rainstorm (high winds and what felt like hail) looking for a bar that simply doesn't exist. We almost died. I lost my sunglasses, a bottle of jameson, and my dignity. I'll never get that back. On the fifth time my friend SJ (aka bimbimbap) and I capsized, we managed to see a nice turtle swim past us as we were retrieving our oars. Still. It's not worth it. Please have the decency to change the name. Enough is enough. Never again. You're welcome.

We decided to Kayak out here for a full adventure rather than take a boat to the place. It. Is. Beautiful!!! About a mile or so away from shore, the water as in fact so shallow that it was only up to our ankles. We went first thing in the morning, Kayaked around 8:40 and got there maybe 9:20. If you want to beat the crowd it is definitely best to go first thing in the morning, probably right before 10, that's when boats and other kayaks began showing up. What an experience! A must-do!

No better place to hangout, whether it's high tide or low tide, day time or night time, sun, moon or dark time! Secret fishing spots! Choke sand!

Kaneohe Bay Sandbar was awesome and is by far my most favorite place in Oahu! My boyfriend and I rented kayaks from a nearby rental place (idr the name of it) and though it was personally scary for me cause I'm scared of deep waters and don't know how to swim, the 1 mile, 45-minute struggle was worth it nonetheless. We started kayaking at around 8AM, got there at 845AM and pretty much had the whole sandbar to ourselves. It was so peaceful, the views were amazing and the calm, turquoise water was just perfect. We saw some fishes and turtles too and couldn't help but wish we had snorkeling gears especially since the tide was low the whole time we were there! The sandbar is huge that even though private boats and tour boats started arriving, it didn't bother us at all since they were on the other end of the sandbar, away from us. If you're planning to go and spend half your day there, make sure to bring sunblock, hat, sunglasses and, of course, snacks and drinks. Make sure to bask it all in and enjoy the water and the sun! I really, really can't wait to go back and enjoy the sandbar again!

IMAGINE A SAND ISLAND IN THE MIDDLE OF KANEOHE BAY There's only a few ways to get here 1) tourist charter 2) SUP 3) kayak 4) personal boat We decided to kayak and start at 8:30am. The earlier the better because when the tide rolls in the less sand you get to walk on. It's approximately maybe 1-1.5 miles for shore. If you get lost, just paddle where you see the break in the water from blue to turquoise. So amazing to walk on Sandbar! It would have been just sand but the water was to our calves because we came late when Tide was coming in. If you want to see sea life, be at the edge of Sandbar, the bank drops deep and quick. 1) Bring snacks and water, it gets hot. 2) Go as early as possible before all the tourist charter boats come 3) it's a good arm workout but it's not a hard kayak adventure if the waters not choppy

GO WITHOUT THE KIDS!!! (At least, the first time LOL) It was soooo beautiful and peaceful, and relaxing, and calm, and just everything possible to be at zen. To access, you can sign up on a tour or go through someone who has access to a military installation. *Military, do the online portion and take the course to obtain license* In the entrance, they have life vests for all the kiddos and adults of all sizes, if needed. Now, this is a kid friendly area, BUT, if you can go without, try! On the way to (on Marine base), there is a shoppette (gas station store) to pick up any last minutes drinks or snacks, or use restroom. *No alcohol is allowed*. They do have restrooms, prior to docking, BUT there are no restrooms once you go out. [When I bring my kids, I'm just going to bring a poop bag, with water jug and soap bottle.] There is plenty of parking. Once you fill out your paperwork, get in line, and start heading out to dock. There are signs that your items that you bring onboard will be searched, so be mindful. Out on the sand, we anchored down, and let the water take us. *BRING FLOATIES!!!!* To just lay in on the water. But also bring ropes to tie yourself to the boat because the wind will blow you out on the water, and you'll find yourself swimming back. Walking on the sand is rough! Highly recommend water shoes. We brought our speakers, and just laid in the sun, floating in the water. There were a few tour boats that came out, but if you park far enough away, they don't bother at all. Things Consider Bringing: - SUNSCREEN!!! You will need to reapply while out there - Floaties to just float on the water - Snack, drinks, Bluetooth speakers - Towels *With kids; - Poop bag - Hand soap - Life vest - Water shoes We'll be back!!!!!

Kaneohe is my home and there's something quite surrealistically beautiful about life on the Windward side. No better way to experience it than to take a boat ride out to the famous Kaneohe sandbar. There are many recreational sandbars across the globe but in my biased opinion this is the best. Snorkeling and fishing is superb and so is relaxing. You can rent pontoon boats from the MCB-H outdoor recreation facility provided you pass the online test and hands-on check ride. We were out here recently with some visiting mainland relatives and had a splendid experience. Caught fish, swam, snorkeled the rocks and despite several squall showers really came away feeling rejuvenated. Tips: make sure you depart in plenty of time to return your rental vessel on time . Watch for weather... storms (especially in winter) tend to sweep through the bay quite rapidly. Bring plenty of food, water, sunscreen and jellyfish first aid (we didn't need it but always nice to have). The views of the Ko'olau range are impressive as are the landmarks of Coconut Island and Chinaman's Hat. Be safe but do try to experience it at least once. Mahalo for reading my review.

What a pleasant experience! We had out of town guests visiting and discovered KBOS from several friends that had recently booked a private charter with them. All raving reviews so we trusted their recommendation and book a private charter for 10 ppl! The entire team was awesome from beginning to end! We had SUP, clear kayaks and the best part the was the bumper tube. ( if you like adrenaline- this is for you! The gal that drives the jet boat will give you a run for your money) :)!!! There's several guys in the water guiding you and helping you with the activities so that you have a great time! They will also bring you to go look at turtles! Anyways this was really fun and worth every dime! The day we went out was a little overcast and had a little shower but it was totally fine! You'll get wet anyways! Bring your drinks , food and your friends for a fun afternoon! We'll be back for sure!

So the sandbar is pretty much a submerged island in Kaneohe bay. You can only access it by some kind of water vessel (boat, kayak, etc) but it's a good distance out, maybe a 15-20 min boat ride. It's a huge, very shallow area where the water level can be anywhere from seeing some exposed sand to chest height (memorial day weekend with the king tides). I've only been out of MCBH marina when you can rent the pontoons if you have access and a license (I go with military friends). Sandbar is the perfect place to just enjoy water and sunshine with friends, meet new people who are out there as well and just chill. We take floaties, food, drinks (stay hydrated) and play games while we're out there. O absolutely love going to the Sandbar.

Always a fun time. One time I seen one shark, but nevah bite me cuz I nevah touch da private pahts yessah

Just go please! This was our favorite thing we did while vacationing on O'ahu. We booked through visit Hawaii and we had an incredible experience. The snorkeling was amazing, the live music was killer, and the whole experience was such a joy.

Absolutely beautiful! Omg, I can't even describe this beauty. Breathtaking & amazing. Being able to enjoy this creation of nature was beyond beautiful. My boyfriend enjoyed it too but I was mesmerized. Worth every penny of our tour. We did Captain Bob's Kaneohe Bay Sandbar Snorkel Adventure & BBQ Lunch Boat Tour & it was excellent. The crew was was just amazing. They were super nice, sweet, courteous. Loved everything about this tour.

Out there for a day. Lovely views, calm waters what's not to like. Water was mostly thigh high where we were.

My favorite place on earth! Sandbar is magical and serene. Lucky to have friends with a boat, otherwise would be difficult to get out here.

I finally got this crossed off my bucket list!!! If you happen to be in the military or you know someone who has access, you have to take advantage of renting a patoon at the the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base. They offer a licensing class twice a week (I believe) and you will need someone licensed in order to reserve a boat. My bf did the class a week before the 4th of July and we were lucky that we reserved a boat for the 4th of July morning. Prices are extremely reasonable for patoon rentals. Anyways, so the sandbar. My friends and I had a blast riding to the sandbar and soaking up the beauty of it all. We had such a great time hanging out, munching on snacks, and mingling with other folks around the sandbar. Now, if I could do this all over again, I would have brought a grill so we can enjoy some bbq. Also remember, there is NO shade anywhere. Make sure you bring something to shield your skin from the sun (rash guards, umbrellas, extra sunscreen, hats, etc.). Also, don't forget to look up the tide schedule! Low tide is the best way to enjoy this little slice of paradise.

If I could give this place more than the allotted five stars I would. This place is HEAVEN ON EARTH!! I've been here a couple of times already (before the alcohol / booze cruise ban and recently) and I must say...no matter how often I go...this place never fails to take my breath away. You can get here via private or chartered boat. Each time we've been here we have packed up kayaks, boards, chairs, umbrellas and fishing gear to enjoy once anchored in. We've even had the pleasure to go "banana boating" with some friends here. I've brought snorkeling gear as well but have yet to snorkel. All in all, it's just refreshing to be able to be away from Oahu proper and experience a side of Oahu that isn't well populated (unless it's a major holiday). If you want a private getaway...plan your trip on non-busy days like the weekdays or non-holiday weekends. Word to the wise, there is no shade here aside from what your boat provides so it does get hot. Just lather up the sunscreen or better yet, wear a rash guard and hat if you're prone to burning. Bring lots of water and tons of food to sustain your visit at the sandbar and remember to collect all your belongings before boarding your boat - that includes all your trash. If you get a chance, take a cruise along the shore and head towards Chinaman's Hat or around "Gilligan's Island"...but I'm sure that once you've experience the sandbar with glorious backdrop of mountains galore - you'll want to anchor in and settle in for a relaxing day and never want to leave. It never fails...there are not enough words to express the surrounding beauty of the K-bay sandbar...it must be felt. I almost regret posting this review because like most of my favorite places on earth, I'm quite selfish and do not want "my place" to be ruined with tourist boats and fees.

I have been invited several times to go to the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar but I have always declined. I finally accepted and was not disappointed. The Kaneohe Bay Sandbar is about a 1/2 hour sail from Kaneohe Bay Base Marina and at low tide was only about 6 inches deep with amazing views back toward Oahu and out to sea. Be sure to bring lunch, lots of drinks, sunscreen, and ideally some water shoes to walk around because the sand was a little coarse for me. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Love the entertainment in the boat. Love the staff who's all very supportive, encouraging and very nice people! So many activities: paddle board, snorkeling, kayaking, lounging in an amazing sandbar!!

This place was awesome! We rented kayaks from the marine military base and then drove to a launch site closer to the sandbar. It was a struggle to kayak there , but was worth the view. The water is crystal clear and the tide is low. Some people had tables and benches set up next to their boat. Others were there on a paid expedition/ tour. We brought snacks, a speaker and just hung out. Remember to wear sunblock because the sun reflects right off the water. My only complaint was that there is nothing to anchor your kayak to so you're constantly trying to make sure it doesn't float away. I will probably do this one more time while living here, but I wish there was a cheaper/ easier way to get out there.

THE place to watch the airshow! See pic. Sooo cool to be out in the middle of K-Bay and stand in inches of water soaking in the view. Plus the snorkeling is cool too! Last time I saw 5 squid!!! No not Navy dudes - lol! #30/31 Yelp Review Challenge

Soooooooo fun Soooooooo beautiful we picked it as our wedding site. Bikinis & board shorts mandatory wedding attire. The sandbar in Kaneohe...A place to relax, to appreciate the surroundings, we are so fortunate to live/ enjoy this wonderful place called Hawaii AALLOOHA

One of the gems of Oahu when doing something outdoor. The Kaneohe Bay Sandbar is huge and wherever you park the boat you rented or own, the fun is determined by your group. It's a great location to just swim, paddleboard, relax in a boat, relax on a floatie, as well as enjoy your food and drinks from the boat. You will enjoy the sun and the amazing light blue water with the amazing views of the Koolau mountains, chinaman's hat, other Kaneohe land views. Highly recommend to any local or visitor to enjoy the beauty of the Kaneohe Bay Sandbar

The Kaneohe Sandbar is wonderful to experience if you have the opportunity. Unfortunately, you need to have a boat, know a friend who has one, or a person in the military with a boat license that's able to rent. We've also seen people Jet Ski (Seadoo) and Kayak to the Sandbar, providing those options as well - Just aheads up, the paddle is extremely far. Luckily for us, we had friends with a military boat license that invited us out for the day! We had two options to rent a Pontoon from 8AM and bring it back a little after 12PM or rent it at 12PM to bring it back by 6PM. We chose the the 12PM timeframe, allowing us to soak up the sun before sunset. The weather was perfect! The boat was only covered half-way with shade making sunglasses, big farmer hats, and sunscreen a necessary for this adventure. Optional accessories to bring are fins and goggles to explore the surrounding reef. The reef is full of life. Every time I've visited the sand bar I've seen colorful fish, turtles, and sea urchins. It's quite easy to make new friends out here as well. Each boat is usually a mini party and some strangers even combine their crafts, forming a makeshift barge where 2-4 groups merge. Everyone we met while out here were very friendly. As for the natural aspect, it was more than enough. You're in the middle of the bay which is an outlet to the Pacific Ocean so it is a bit surreal. The Ko'olau Mountain Range surrounds more than half of the landscape scenery. Standing out on the sandbar is a unique experience in itself - you are literally on a beach in the middle of the ocean. During high tide (the time we arrived) the water can rise as high as your chest; At low tide, the water can drop so low exposing the sand. I've seen people bring tents, barbecues, and volleyball nets, making it all that much easier to meet new people - they are very inviting. Everyone is just looking for a great time out here.

Been here on several occasions and I always enjoy my time basking out on the Sandbar and cruising in the boat. If you have your own boat or know someone, that is one way to get out to the Sandbar. Paddling or kayaking would be a long journey for the average or even beginner paddler, I wouldn't recommend. Another way I have been transported out here was by a friend who was in the military. With a boating license, they were able to rent a boat and have us join. Cap limit on the amount of people to be invited. Also, our vehicle and our drivers license had to be updated to enter the marine corps base. It's about a 4-6 hour rent time either early in the morning or afternoon. The water and sun will surely help sober you up if you plan on drinking out there. Floaties allowed!!

If heaven were a place on earth, it would be the sandbar. I've never experienced anything like the blue waters here. Make sure you know which direction to go in once you embark - my group started kayaking into the wrong direction and made a 30 minute trip out into an hour and a half.

Photos can't capture the experience of standing on a sandbar in the bay. A group of us rented double kayaks at Go Bananas in Honolulu and launched from Heeia Kea Pier. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the sandbar. For some, it was longer because their kayaks got stuck on some coral . So, I suggest kayaking close to the pier until you're in open water. It was low tide by the time we arrived at the sandbar so the water was only up to mid-calf. We tied all of the kayaks together and someone always kept an eye on them so they didn't float away. I was amazed how far we could walk on the sandbar. Because it's so large, we had our own "private" area as did all of the other groups who were enjoying the sandbar. I highly recommend a trip to the sandbar while you're in O'Ahu. It's such an amazing experience.

I'm not much of an outdoorsy type person BUT who can complain about riding a brand new pontoon boat to an amazing sandbar in the middle of the gorgeous Kaneohe Bay? We had our favorite friends. We had food. We had music. The sun was shining. The sky was blue. The clouds were white. The sea was that amazing shade of blue green that I can never quite capture regardless of how many thousands of pictures I take (with my phone 0_o). As the kids splashed and lounged in their floaties... we adults sat in the shallow water enjoying the cool water and warm sun. We sort of formed a circle so we could talk and laugh and have a great time. So there we were.... my circle of friends (literally) lazing in the water, relaxing and basically just shootin' the sh*t until... until a piece of sh*t (literally) came floating into the circle of friends- straight into the middle of our circle! An approx 5inch long perfectly formed (what appeared to be human) sh*t came floating right into the middle of the circle of friends. How that clever little sh*t floated over and got into the middle of our circle without touching anyone is a mystery. We all noticed it at the exact same moment. Horrified and full of disbelief we all (except for one brave- or sick- soul) ran, swam, jumped and screamed back on to the boat and proceeded to pour hand sanitizer over our entire bodies. Someone pooped in the water at the sand bar??? We all looked around and tried to figure out who could have done it. I'm convinced it was the boat with the slightly shady looking drunk people. My husband insists it was a sea turtle but I didn't sea any sea turtles... only a lot of questionable drunk people. I have so many questions. How? Why? Where? WHY???? WHHHHYYYY? I am so traumatized. After taking a long scalding hot shower and a looong soak in a tub full of bleach, I feel that I can finally write my review and objectively say that, even though there was a disgusting floating turd in the water, the Kaneohe Sandbar is still amazingly beautiful and relaxing and a great place to spend the day with friends and family. I still give them 5 stars because it's not the sandbar's fault that some one pooped in the water. Now if I could rate the patrons of the sandbar, they would obviously get NO STARS!!! Btw- if you go, I def recommend you pay extra to get one of the new pontoon boats!

When I saw a picture of the Kaneohe Sand bar on the cover of Travel & Leisure, I knew this place was magical and is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and it's in my own backyard! Now it is part of the Emerald City of Kaneohe and only a few ways of getting there. First try to go during low Tide which is the best! Now the easiest way is to rent Kayaks to go out in and it's fairly easy 30 minute ride. 2nd, if you're military or know someone you can rent a platoon boat for up to 14 people. 1/2 or Full day can range from $360+-$485. Third way, buy your own boat or befriend one who does! So depending on your pocket book, you pick! LOL! Now, if you plan on boating for the day, bring lots of goodies! Hats, sunglasses, floaties, lots of SPF, drinks, snacks, food, beach chairs & grill for low tide, dogs, friends ,snorkel gear, music and a designated driver! I would plan to stay the whole day there, but BEWARE, YOU WILL BURN, wear lots of SPF, hat or long sleeve shirt. I'm Filipino with a dark base tan and burnt my shoulders and my lips were swollen red for a week! But it's worth it to float around & snorkel in clear bluewater, have the best time with friends, family and new friends you meet at the bar, and if you've never been to a sand bar at low Tide before, you must make it your life mission to make this a part of your bucket list. You can read other reviews on how beautiful it is, but I will tell you to go and see it for yourself to experience one of the the best days of your life!

What a mistake--we've been missing out on the most pristine water, coolest perspective of the Koolau mountains from this natural sandbar. We kayaked from He'eia State Park. We rented Kayaks from Holokai Kayak & Snorkel Adventures www.heeiastatepark.org . Snorkeling was great right by the sandbar too-fish, turtles and sea cucumbers and more.