Sunset Beach Park

This was the first beach we went to on Oahu and loved it. Not quite swimming weather as it was very windy, the water was cold and the waves were huge but we enjoyed very much walking on the beach, seeing the sunset and just being there. I love a good, relaxing beach.

Went to Sunset Beach at sunset yesterday and had a front row view! The beach was wide and clean, not crowded (even on a Saturday), and plenty of free parking. Highly recommend!

A beautiful place. Definitely less crowded than other beaches, but I wouldn't recommend swimming here unless you are a highly experienced and confident swimmer.

Must see adventure especially for an unforgettable sunset set experience. My wife and I were out there around 30min before the sunset actually took place and the views were breathtaking. 10/10 would recommend!

I visited sunset beach on my second trip to Hawaii this past April 2025. This beach is absolutely stunning. The surfing is incredible and the sand seems to be such a rich gold colour like nothing I’ve ever seen before. If you’re visiting Hawaii, I definitely recommend renting a car and adding Sunset Beach onto your list!!!

Yep that's correct Sunset Park is amazing you definitely want to stop here and take him to Sunset you cannot beat this area a little crowded Park is a little rough traffic's really bad but it's still worth it

Absolutely gorgeous beach, well worth the drive to the north shore. There aren't many bathrooms, water refill stations, or changerooms so make sure to take care of that before arriving

Sunset Beach Park is a legendary destination on Oʻahu’s North Shore, famous for its towering winter waves and jaw-dropping sunsets. In surf season, it’s exhilarating to watch professionals conquer massive swells, while summer transforms the area into a calm, swimmable paradise. The broad sandy stretch provides ample space for sunbathing, picnics, and leisurely strolls along the shore. What sets Sunset Beach apart is its spectacular evening display, as the sky explodes into vibrant hues of orange, pink, and deep purple, creating one of the most breathtaking sunsets you’ll ever witness. The beach offers public restrooms, showers, and decent parking, though it fills up fast in peak hours. Whether you’re a surf enthusiast or a sunset chaser, Sunset Beach Park lives up to its reputation as one of Hawaii’s most iconic coastal destinations.

North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaii, just past Waimea Bay and before The Ritz Carlton Turtle Bay A two-mile stretch of mostly beige sand. Winter (November-March): Witness towering surf breaks up to 30 feet, attracting professional surfers and hosting competitions like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. Summer (April-October): Enjoy calm waters ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and turtle-watching. You may still encounter a rip current, so be aware of your surroundings while swimming. Year-Round: Relax on the sand, watch breathtaking sunsets, and explore nearby attractions like Pupukea Beach Park for tide pools and marine life. Lifeguards are usually present, and you can find restrooms and showers at the Sunset Beach Support Park across the street from the beach. Popular eateries near Sunset Beach include Ted's Bakery, Pupukea Grill, North Shore Tacos, and Giovanni's Shrimp Truck. For a more upscale dining experience with ocean views, consider the Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi at Turtle Bay Resort. Transportation: Drive approximately an hour from Honolulu or Waikiki by taking H-1 West, merging onto H-2 North, and following Kamehameha Highway (HI-83) along the coast. Alternatively, TheBus provides service between Ala Moana Center and stops near Sunset Beach. A free parking lot is located across the street from the beach, but it can fill up quickly. Roadside parking may be available as well. Note that the sand can be soft, so be prepared for a bit of a workout if walking along the beach.

Out of the three beaches we visited this was by far the best one. We went on a weekday, last afternoon so it was not overly crowded. It was simply beautiful. There was a short walk across the street to the restrooms and outdoor shower to rinse. Sunset Beach Park if perfectly named. I can only imagine if we tried to go on the weekend we would not have been able to find a parking spot. This appears to be a popular beach location.

It's such a beautiful beach, however we tried to visit in Mid-February and the waves were 9-12 feet high. While we weren't able to swim, we did have a picnic and saw the surfers do their thing. My recommendation: check a beach safety website before stopping by if you are planning to visit.

There are bathrooms and parking. We came to watch the sunset, of course lol The waves were rough so it wasn't great for swimming.

Amazing spot to sit and watch the sunset. This was during the weekday so we didn't have too much trouble finding parking. Weekend could be tough just because there is not much parking around this area. I enjoyed the quiet and relaxing area with a good view.

We passed up many beaches on the North Shore due to lack of parking. We finally found a spot along the road near Sunset Beach. This beach had no crowds and no nearby bathroom. Great swimming beach with no worries of stepping on coral. We did find the wind to be a bit much, and the tide caught us off guard when we were laying out and got our towels and bags wet. It was nice for an hour stay away from the crowds.

Sunset Beach Park What a beautiful beach coast, clear blue water golden sand and the best part off the beaten trail... a beach the locals visit.

Had a family member recommend coming here to watch the sunset and it was phenomenal. Highly recommend making the way up here to get one of the best sunsets on the island. The park has plenty of parking and a place to rinse the sand off before getting into your car.

(Visited 05/21/23 SU @ 6:00pm): Came for the beach... and stayed for the sunset! A friend and I continued our journey along O'ahu's North Shore after we left Hale'iwa Town and ended up at Sunset Beach Park. Regardless of the time of the year, this place was always beautiful. But, if you were fortunate enough to be here during the winter months and the ocean was churning out building-tall waves, you were in for a breath-taking experience! Unfortunately, it was late-spring, so the water was placid and sparkling with "mere" ripples of waves as they lethargically made their way to shore. Would we be in line for a relaxing time on the beach and graced with spectacular sunset views to end our day on the North Shore!? EXPERIENCE It was about a 30-minute drive from Hale'iwa Town where we earlier spent the afternoon exploring and ate a lot of shave ice. Now, it was more exploration and relaxation once we reached our destination. We walked on the smooth soft sand, dunked our feet in the lapping waves, people watched, and just had no care at all. Soon enough, the sun was going down which gave birth to some gorgeous sunsets which appeared to bring even more people to the beach as it suddenly seemed to be crowded. There was a calmness and everyone just sat or stood back and peacefully allowed the beauty to soak into our respective eyes. Pictures were being taken from every angle. Needless to say, the weather was great, and the views were awe-inspiring. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=E72dAvDxpdSPVtP35xGDfQ SERVICE There were public bathrooms where we parked, and I saw a couple of workers as they cleaned around. The lifeguard stations were empty, and I saw trash cans, which I imagined the same individuals also took care of - 'nuff said. PARKING (FREE) We easily found parking in the sizable lot across from the beach and simply walked across the street. Otherwise, if you were lucky you found a spot along the main drag of Kamehameha Highway - "nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE An expansive long sandy beach with palm trees that lined along the top https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=jk4UnB-hWdrUfAoAilHy-Q close to the street level which offered some shade. It appeared clean, there were several families and sunbathers https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=DqvZXl1svUE2dl9MDMXy0w laid across the sand, and a few people swimming while some surfers were out far. There weren't any visible coral or rocks that pierced the water, but they definitely were underneath the surface. This beach was more for low-medium water activity (i.e. paddleboarding, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, wading). No benches, chairs, or tables, so bring your own chairs or towels to lay or sit on. A handful of lifeguard stations were dotted up-and-down the beach. Obviously, there was plenty of natural lighting with the glowing stars and street lights left to guide you when night time came. There were no TVs while the sounds of cars, conversations, and crashing waves filled in as background music. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&select=rG5AaCM8XwwSrVEY9CHJHA ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL A lovely sunset was spent at Sunset Beach Park with my friend, and I would definitely return in the future. It's far away from the hustle and bustle of more known tourist areas such as Waikiki, so I was thankful for the relative peacefulness and solitude. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, there was no need for funds of any kind which included my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

This beach is so beautiful during day time and romantic at sunset time. The parking is easy to find. This beach does get crowded so try to be there on time. Enjoy

Absolutely beautiful beach, we came in the beginning of December and the weather was great mid 79s- 80°. The water was still a little cold (it's the Pacific Ocean) but you adapt to it pretty quick. Parking is a little tough but we got lucky and found a small lot in the sunset beach support park where the little wild chickens are. The beach is a great place to relax and hang out in the sand or come out to surf since it has really big powerful waves. I'd definitely take the advice of the warning signs when you enter the beach and not attempt to swim. My friend and I were just hanging out in the water and the smaller waves that came up to shore knocked me on my ass at least six times. I tried to swim a little out into the oceans and the rip tides just kept pulling me to the west of where I started and the power of the waves left me tired. So it's probably best to just relax and probably just dip your feet in the water.

This is one of my favorite beaches of all time. It had been a few years since I had been and it was as good as always. Wide open stretches of perfect sand, not crowded, beautiful. Always a pleasure. It's windy at times but it was pretty calm this time. Perfect spot for a day at the beach.

Sunset Beach is approximately a 45 minute drive from town with out traffic. Double the time to get here if you commute during the popular hours. I like coming to this beach to watch the sunsets. It's simply breathtaking. The water is clear and ideal conditions to snorkel. You can see lots of fish and honus swimming around.

On the one hand, I loved it. This is a great beach with unbelievable waves and the site for the World Surfing League which we watched live and on TV when we got home. On the negative side, it was the cause of terrible traffic and posed a major challenge throughout our stay.

What an amazing day! Parking was tough to find but there are many options if you drive along the highway. Look for the public right of ways to get to the beach as there are many private resident driveways that look like beach access. Midweek visit was perfect, no crowds and felt like we had the beach to ourselves! Snorkeled along the shore break and found puka shells and ocean glass. Saw a school of fish and a sea turtle. We packed a lunch and enjoyed a family day at the beach!

One of my favorite beaches to catch... you guessed it... the sun set. Love getting out of the water and wrapped up in a warm blanket sitting on the sand to say good bye to another amazing day... or grabbing a plate lunch and sitting on a beach blanket to eat and watch the day die and twilight take over. So peaceful with the sounds of nature and the ocean and little ones playing in the background. Peace and purple sunsets

Well I thought we would have a great experience but a rip current grabbed my daughter, and I nearly drowned trying to save her. An amazing bystander saved my daughter. I think it is a beautiful beach but comes with some understated dangers.

There are so many beautiful beaches along Oahu's coast. I love Sunset Beach because it's my backyard. So many people come here to enjoy the views. You can literally see whales playing just off the coast between the months of December through March. The sunsets are spectacular. I spend most mornings walking the trail from sunset to Velzy land. Stopping to smell flowers and take pictures along the route. Partake in snorkeling, swimming or bodysurfing as the water is still warm this time of the year. Across from Sunset Beach is public parking. It also has restrooms and showers to wash of the salt of the sea. Depending of the time of the year, you'll catch a surf event or two. If you're a local surfer, maybe I'll get to watch you catch some waves. Hubby is always out. I enjoy watching him do what he loves the most. Surfing. Maybe I'll see you in the beach soon. There's no place like home. We live where others vacation. ‍

Lovely place to enjoy the beach, view of the ocean, and listen to the powerful waves. We stopped here while driving around the island. Parking is available and the beach is relatively empty. We enjoyed watching the waves and the beautiful view. We visited in January so the waves were tall and several surfers were out. It is a dangerous place to surf for those who are inexperienced. We stayed on land and watched the waves. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and recommend this beach to others!

One of my all time favorite beach up at the north shore. Your away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Away from the craziness of Waikiki. Island life living for the win here. Normally a day around the island and a stop is mandatory here. There was plenty of parking the day we went, mid week. But parking can be pretty sparse as it does get busy on the weekend. Of course the north shore is know for their major waves. The beaches heres are beautiful white sand and amazing blue water. Like mentioned, water a bit tough so be cautious if your in it for swimming. Honestly, not sure if it's really for swimming during the high waves season. The sand are perfect. Find yourself a nice spot and just go with the flow. We went in the water just frolicking along the shore. Even that, current was pulling you back in. Also, the sunset here, AMAZING........ I believe it's also a big spot for the local surfer.

When the big winter swells comes in, this is the best place to watch all the action. Was fortunately enough to be on the north shore as a huge swell was coming in, there was many of the pro surfer surfing this very gnarly break. And many professional photographers and spectators on the beach watching all the action. This spot is one of the favorites for the likes of Kelly Slater and John John Florence. Beautiful beach with outside breaks as big as 25 feet faces. Lots of pretty human beings hanging out. Parking is limited so plan ahead. Bathroom across the street near the school.

This is one of the most beautiful beaches on the north shore. It was densely populated and the white beaches and clean water was great

Soooo much traffic. We traveled from Waikiki. It took us 2 hours! We got there just in time for the Sunset. I feel there were several other options along the route that would have been just as nice. We were only there for maybe 10 mins. We also experienced a downpour right after the sunset. The sand seemed more rocky/gritty. The whole experience was just meh.... The sunset was beautiful though.

Came here on a Sunday afternoon with hubby, daughter and the two nieces. We drove about an hour away and finally found parking here. Parking had a deep dip so I had to be careful when reversing my car out. As we arrived, the sand felt different. It was soft. The waves were crashing along the shore. Be careful as the waves can suck you back in. I had to hold my daughter's hand so she wouldn't be pulled in. Luckily, there were lifeguards working the beach. He actually was nice and waved hi to me. Good to know he acknowledged me. My daughter and her cousins held hands as they stood near the water. The water was nice not cold or to hot. Just right. The beach was clean. I loved coming here because it was beautiful. The ocean was clear and blue. Not too many people on the beach which was nice. I would come back!

There were many beaches where you could catch the sunset, and we visited a few, and this one was great for the sunset. It is true to its name.

Sunset Beach is a great beach to swim at. There's parking right up front, and there's a designated FREE parking lot right across the street that has both bathrooms and an outdoor shower.

quiet beach, plenty of sand , limited parking is off the side of the road, across the street from some homes. water seems a bit colder here though.

Beautiful beach to watch the sunset. The waves are pretty big here compared to LaniKai beach and the sand has more rocks/grit to it. It's a fun spot to try out a boogie board or similar water activities. If you're looking for calm waves this isn't the place to go.

With the whole Covid thing and many places not open yet, I resort to going to the beach. I've been to a few around the island these past weeks, and I think Sunset Beach is one of my favorites. There's a bathroom and a shower nearby, the parking is sufficient, and the water is beautiful. Usually I just stay in the water for 2 minutes and the rest of time I'm on the sand soaking up rays, but at Sunset Beach, I enjoy being in the water. Watch out though... there's like a sudden drop and it's easy to not be able to reach the bottom. (I'm only 5 feet tall.)

We decided on this beach for snorkeling and it's beauty, and it didn't disappoint. Saw tropical fish and relaxed. Parking was easy, found a spot right next to the road, people come and go and you could even park down the road if needed and walk. Aloha!

Super cool spot to hang out. Even better to stay until sunset and watch the beauty (hence the name). It does get quite busy, but we found parking easily. Surf can get a little big here and the current can be quite strong. There is a lifeguard shack that is manned and the guards patrol on their ATVs. Our favorite part of this beach is that the amazing Sunrise Shack is right across the beach, so you can walk down for an açaí bowl and enjoy it while watching the sunset. You'll thank me later.

Like all good things, they come to an end including lazy beach days that drag on forever, hanging on to the last rays of sunlight that breathtakingly bathed the day in beauty. Fortunately here at Sunset, you can stretch out as long as the forecasted green flash without worry of knocking over your neighbors beverage like most overpopulated coastlines in Oahu. And yes, during the infamous winter swells and surf contest galore, you might find yourself questioning if you're on the right side of the island. As it is, the swells are slowly situating themselves to a calmer state of family days with waves that make it just a little exciting, interesting for inexperienced swimmers, unfamiliar tourists during this gorgeous February day at Sunset. Come early to avoid traffic which is escalating to Lanikai status due to the ongoing issue of tourists crossing like they are donkeys on the Big Island. And thanks to these faithful patrons of our number one industry here in the islands, a crosswalk is being developed. Good for tourists, bad for residents, initially anyway; until the standstill of what could easily be mistaken as Friday traffic is no more, be prepared to sit patiently and practice your meditation skills. Worth the wait? When you're soaking up Hawaiian Sun and drinking it in all its various flavors, sand between your toes, the crashing of shore break keeping beat with the echoing of trade winds, the sharp breaks of Keiki laughter and the first dive into salty, coolhealing blue, the wait to get here will dissipate into clear skies, and everything else other than the moment of being at one of Oahu's most loved beaches will be casted into the surf. Speaking of which, good swells for both surfers and spongers. Current is strong for tourists, so don't go unless you know aka fins and no Walmart paraphernalia. Tourists and locals unite here for the always crowd-pleasing, soul-satisfying Sunsets that remind you how lucky you are not just to be in Hawaii, but to be alive.

Not sure why some of the reviews mention white sand...this is NOT white sand. At all. It was a really nice beach regardless. That was until the lifeguards decided to dig a tunnel down to the water to empty this big swamp water lagoon that had formed further back on the beach. If they needed to empty it, fine. But why did they need to do it in the middle of a beautiful sunny day at 12:30? It turned the gorgeous aquamarine water into a brown cesspool that nobody wanted to swim in and a lot of people ended up leaving. Disgusting and so unnecessary at that time of day.

A beautiful and sandy beach great for surfing - but to its name, the best place to watch sunset in Oahu. Therefore, plan your north shore excursion to get here 30-45 minutes before sunset time. You can relax, rest and enjoy the great sunset. It would probably be the most memorable part of your trip.

So far this is our favorite beach on the island! It is quite the drive from Honolulu at about 65 minutes but is worth every minute. The drive is gorgeous and parking relatively easy. There is ample beach front parking with an overflow lot by the bathrooms. The beach itself is breathtaking. The water is clean, calm, and crystal clear! We will definitely be bringing our snorkel gear in the future. The water gets deep relative fast so it is possible to snorkel nearby instead of being many yards offshore. The sand is soft, white, and void of rocks. Because this beach is away from all the touristy locations it is much quieter and you can hear the waves crashing on the shore. We have made a habit of going to the sunrise shack for a refreshing acai snack after laying in the sun. We highly recommend visiting them for a nice end to the trip up north.

After a week full of rain and thunderstorms (which are so not typical for Hawaii), we had to get out of the house when the sun finally showed itself today! This is a Kid friendly beach (during summer months) with nice sand and beautiful blue water. During the summer the waves are pretty flat on the north shore, so it's an ideal place...not too "touristy" and great for snorkeling since there's some coral reefs right off shore.

The Stop At This Beach has made our trip! Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places in the world, but we would come back for this place alone!

Great beach, I usually walk abOut two football fields past the treee to avoid all the wild instagramers. No one bothers you on this beach it is a really fun time!

I always wanted to spend the day at Sunset Beach and I finally did. I actually spent a few hours here for the first time and I loved it. I didnt get to see the sun set but I still enjoyed the calmness and beauty of this beach park. We usually drive right pass the beach, catching a glimpse of it. I was quite excited to spend the day here. The weather wasn't too bad. It was an overacted day and not super hot. Though, the sand was pretty hot. Since the day was overacted, I didn't want to get into the water. But I did walk around in it and it was so cold. But there were a few people swimming. The waves here are rough, it could have been because its winter. I'll most likely come back during the summer months to see what it's like then. Parking wasn't so bad, we were able to park along the highway directly in front of the beach park. Though it took some time to get out of the parking space since it is a busy highway.

Wow, it's so very, very beautiful here... a gem of O'ahu, for sure. The beach is a bit grainier here than others on the eastern and southern shores and it just adds to this beach's unique flare. Need a spot to watch the biggest surf on the Island? THIS is the PLACE!

Great swimming beach, gentle waves in June with rocks at the bottom for some fun fish sightings/snorkeling. THERE's GNATS EVERYWHERE THOUGH!! They get on everything and literally won't leave you alone, so be prepared for that. If it wasn't for the gnats I'd give it 5 stars!