Oahu Resorts & Beach Info

[TA Dina]

LUXURY RESORTS

The Kahala

Halekulani

JW Marriott Ihilani at Ko’Olina

Royal Hawaiian

 

 

MODERATE TO UPSCALE

Turtle Bay Resort

Hyatt Regency Waikiki

Waikiki Beach Marriott

Embassy Suites Beachwalk

Hilton Hawaiian Village

Hilton Prince Kuhio

Sheraton Princess Kauilani

Moana Surfrider, a Westin resort

Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach

Outrigger Reef on the Beach

RQ Waikiki Beach Tower - 1 & 2 bedroom deluxe condo w/full kitchens and w/d

 

BUDGET RESORTS

AQUA Resorts

Wyland Waikiki

 

BEACHES FOR WEDDINGS

Kakaako - The Beach Park

This is not really a beach, but more of a park area. It’s off of Ward Ave in an industrial area, but great location for pics. Lots of grass and rocks and a big pavillion w/trellis. Lots of parking too. Right near John Dominis restaurant which would be a nice place for cocktails or a small dinner reception

 

Ala Moana Beach Park

Great beach, but lots of locals all the time. Magic Island is at the end of the park. The walk to the end of MI is very far (approx the length of 2 football fields) and that is where you would go for Diamondhead photos. Ok if you’re not wearing heels and it’s not 100 degrees outside. Not such a fun walk in the heat, in a dress, or for your elderly guests.

 

Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach

On the opposite side of their lagoon. Nice stretch of beach. Good for Diamondhead pics

 

Diamondhead Beach

This is a nice beach for pics but it’s small. And you have to pretty much hike down to the beach from the main road above. No access for handicapped. And when the tide comes in, the strip of beach gets even smaller.

 

Waialae Beach Park

Great beach! This is the beach right next to the Kahala. Lots of sandy beach plus palm trees and grassy areas too. There is easy access for handicapped down a path next to the hotel. I think this is my 2nd favorite wedding location just for the combo of the sand and the palm tree and little ‘island’ in the background. But this is a very popular area for weddings, so especially on a weekend, you may not be the only bride there. But there’s room for everyone.

 

Lanai Lookout

Not really for weddings but a great location for pics. It’s a lookout point off of the main highway. Wear sneakers or flip flops as you have to do a little hike down to it after hopping over the guardrail from the highway. But it’s worth it once you get there.

 

 

Sandy Beach Park

This is my favorite beach for weddings. The sand literally sparkles. We’ve renamed it Sparkle Beach. Crashing waves, rocks, LOTS of flat sandy areas. No need for a white plastic arch and flowers here. Absolutely gorgeous. BUT, it gets crowded, especially on the weekends. I’d recommend a weekday ceremony here. Lots of parking too, but on the weekends it could take you 20min just to drive through the parking lot. It’s still worth the hassle IMO.

 

Waimanolo Beach

Another wide, sandy beach area. In a residential area about 30 min outside Waikiki. Parking is in the neighborhood or down by the military base. A bit windy here. And this is the beach where Rev Capt Howie does his beach weddings. He lives right across the street. And as a side note, yes, he does the weddings in his backyard. The falls he refers to on his website is a waterfall he built in his yard. And he’s got a big fence around his property so I guess it’s ‘secluded.’

 

Lani kai Beach

Another beach in a residential area about 20 min past Waimanolo Beach. Gets very crowded on the weekends. But it’s another nice sandy beach with the Mokolua islands in the background. Parking would be in the actual neighborhoods so not really a good spot for a large group with lots of cars.

 

Waimea Bay or Sunset Beach - North Shore

Both are great areas, lots of flat sandy areas. Lots of surfers up in this area though (so I’m sure some might show up in the pics). I would avoid Sunset Beach in the winter time since that is where most of the big surfing competitions are held.

 

Ko’Olina Beach

On the western side of the island. This is a less crowded area. It’s right next to the Ihilani Marriott. Great for sunset weddings.

 

As far as the issue with the permits for beach weddings, it is still an issue here. You should definitely inquire about obtaining a permit yourself or work with a WC who has the ability to obtain one on your behalf (they have to be properly insured etc to be able to get them). If they tell you it is not necessary do not listen to them. The police will stop (especially if it’s a large group). And as I mentioned on the Maui board, if you are planning a ceremony/reception at a rental property, be careful. Especially up on the North Shore. The neighbors will complain and the police will break up your event.

[princessina]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Dina if you are planning a ceremony/reception at a rental property, be careful. Especially up on the North Shore. The neighbors will complain and the police will break up your event.

Oh, wow!!! this is me how will I know if I'm in a problem spot I'm located on the north shore Thanks for the information, I think I'm going to go scream in my pillow now

[Jtds2713]

Hi Princessina,

 

I think the North Shore is so romantic. Great spot for pictures! You are thinking of getting married in May right? We were there in August and in summer it is very peaceful and quiet. It only gets very busy in winter because then you have the big surfs. Have you looked at Turtle Bay REsort? I know Ed Pingol shot a wedding at Turtle Bay and you can see it in their blog.

[Jtds2713]

This is us getting married at Lanai Lookout. Also called Heaven's Point!

 

 

[princessina]

I loved turtle bay but the only problem is that we've already committed to the property and have already made our invitations listing the property. I don't know, I emailed my WC to have her look into it :fingers crossed:

 

I love your pics...I've heard of Heaven's Point but never knew exactly where it was at.

[Jtds2713]

Moli'i Gardens located at Kualoa Ranch is a beautiful place to get married at also. We seriously considered getting married here however there were only two of us. It is also located on the North Shore. Here's why it is ideal:

 

 

It has a long staircase where the bride can walk down. Very dramatic entrance.

A beautiful beach in front for the ceremony.

Lush gardens and mountains offer a spectacular backdrop for pictures.

Full facilities for the reception.

 

Here is the link: Kualoa Ranch House photo album

[TA Dina]

Pretty pics Jess!!

 

Just so everyone does not get confused. You will not find info on "Heaven's Point" in any guide books or official Island info anywhere. It is a name that was basically made up by local photographers on the island (kind of how now 3 TAs, 2 Oahu photogs and brides reading BDW now know about "Sparkle Beach" ) And now some of the WC on island refer to it as well. So if you're looking for it you'd have to search by it's official name "Lanai Lookout" or most people won't know what you're talking about. I know that caused some confusion for some before so just wanted to clear that up before everyone starts PMing me that they cannot find info on it

 

As far as the ranch, that's not really on the North Shore as to what Princess is referring to. It's more on the northeastern coast. North shore is up there with Turtle Bay, Haleiwa etc.

 

Princess...I'm curious as to what your WC says. What neighborhood is your house in again?

[princessina]

Dina,

 

I haven't heard back from my WC yet but my vacation rental is in Laie. We did look at Moli'i gardens but we wanted a ocean front venue v. a water front venue.

 

I'm more worried because I have such a large group (100) and it's obviously not going to be quiet. Not to say we're going to party it up till midnight but it's a given with 100 that we're not going to be church mouses.

[TA Dina]

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessina Dina, I haven't heard back from my WC yet but my vacation rental is in Laie. We did look at Moli'i gardens but we wanted a ocean front venue v. a water front venue. I'm more worried because I have such a large group (100) and it's obviously not going to be quiet. Not to say we're going to party it up till midnight but it's a given with 100 that we're not going to be church mouses.

That's what would concern me most. That size group is going to draw attention. Both on the beach for the ceremony (make sure you have those permits), and then at the house for the reception.

[princessina]

Yeah, I'm hoping to hear back from my WC soon. I'm making it work with her although I did just want to fire her a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes it's hard when you feel as if you have so much already invested. We'll see..