Your TL;DR Travel Guide to Visiting Oʻahu
TL;DR: The Kāneʻohe Sandbar is located about one mile off the coast of Oʻahu’s Eastern coast. Travelers will need to rent a boat or book a tour to access the Sandbar (or have access to one already). While getting there can cost some money, the Sandbar is a great place to relax and spot some sea turtles. Overall, the Sandbar is a great destination for the whole family.
- What is the Sandbar and Why is it Special?
- The Logistics
- Essential Things to Know for First-Timers
- Explore More on Oahu
Off of Oʻahu’s Windward coast lies one of the Island’s most treasured (and underrated) destinations – the Kāneʻohe Sandbar. I’m not much of a boat person, so I almost skipped out on this specific excursion. But, one warm day I thought “Why not?” and hopped on the pontoon my family had rented to check out why everyone was raving about this sandbar.
Kids in tow and snacks packed, we headed out, navigating around the reef and coast for an easy 15 minute drive to the Sandbar. Surrounded by gem-hued waters, we saw sea turtles while splashing around. And with gentle winds, calm waters, and clear skies, we had the best views of the ocean.
So how exactly does one get to the Sandbar? And is it worth it?
Before we dive into those questions, check out the views for yourself with this little video!
What is the Sandbar and Why is it Special?
The Kāneʻohe Sandbar is a raised bed of sand located about one mile just off the eastern coast of Oʻahu. Only accessible by boat, the Sandbar offers travelers serene stretches of calm ocean to relax in. During low tide, the waters can be as shallow as ankle-deep making it the perfect sea destination for aquatic adventures.
Because of its calm waters, the Sandbar is ideal for those with kids, those interested in spotting some sea turtles, and those looking for a unique spot on the Island to enjoy.
The Logistics
At A Glance
Location:
Kāneʻohe Bay, Oʻahu
Cost/Reservations:
No cost to access the Sandbar; will need to pay for transportation only
Best time to visit:
low tide during the standard work week
How to Get to the Kāneʻohe Sandbar
The Sandbar is only accessible via boat, kayak, etc. By boat, expect about a 15/20 minute journey. Depending on your marine skills, you could look into renting a boat or booking a tour through a local travel company.
Renting is most likely the cheaper option (aside from already owning a boat or becoming friends with someone who has one). But, that does require some experience handling and navigating the ocean.
If you are interested in getting more physical activity in, you can also book a kayak, stand-up paddle board, or snorkeling tour. The journey can take about an hour.
We rented a pontoon through the Marine base, which may or may not be accessible to you. If you are able to rent through the Marine base, rates are actually pretty cheap and the process is fairly simple – if you’d like me to share more about this, let me know in the comments! Otherwise, check out more information here.
If that’s not available to you, consider looking at the various options from Trip Advisor here (not sponsored!).
Essential Things to Know for First-Timers
How Deep is the Water?
Depending on the tide, water at the Sandbar can be anywhere from ankle-deep up to 4/5ft.
Waters are *usually* calmer in the mornings (*check the weather before you head out*).
I ventured out around 8/9 am and the water was maybe 2ft high – perfect for everyone.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Sandbar?
As you might imagine, the Sandbar gets pretty busy during the weekends – especially during the summer. Visiting during low-tide on a weekday will give you the best access all around.
That being said, all boats need to anchor 30 ft away from one another so you should still have plenty of space to move around regardless of when you visit.
Is the Sandbar Okay for Kids?
Yes! We were traveling with little ones and the water was the perfect height. With little waves and a slight wind chill, there was plenty for the kids to explore. We all were able to marvel at the seat turtles and marine worms in the sand.
And, when they needed a break, some snacks in the boat were perfect.
Will the Journey Give me Motion Sickness?
Everyone has different sensitivity levels, so it’s hard to give a concrete answer for you. However, based of off my personal experience, the journey on a mild-weathered morning was pretty quick and easy.
Since we were only a mile from the shore, in the Kāneʻohe Bay, there were few cross waves that rocked the boat. And with the cooler air and short journey, there was little time for any motion sickness to settle.
The only time I really could see nausea setting in was while we were anchored. As it neared noon, the winds began to pick up and the pontoon was rocking gently from side to side. However, I only noticed this because I was lounging in the boat – everyone in the water was perfectly fine. If you are sensitive, I’d consider bringing a floaty to attach to the boat while anchored to give you space to relax without being fully at the mercy of the rocking boat.
What should I bring to the Sandbar?
There are a few essentials I think everyone should bring
- Water/Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Suit
- Towel
- Cell phone (for emergencies)
- Goggles (to check out the Sandbar floor)
While the list above are (in my opinion) absolutes, there are a few more things I’d strongly consider.
While out there, I definitely started to work up an appetite (basking in the sun is hard work!) – so I wish I had brought along something a bit more filling for lunch.
It’d also be perfect to bring a little floaty to chill around in.
The Kāneʻohe Bay Sandbar is an absolute treasure – one worth visiting. Perfect for relaxation, the Sandbar has unparalleled views of the coast that anyone can enjoy while relaxing in the shallow water. The only con is it does cost some money for most groups – whether it’s renting a boat or booking a tour. That being said, the experience is certainly worth it if the fee is within budget.
Have you been to Kāneʻohe Bay? What was your experience like?
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