With more than 750 miles of stunning coastline and countless incredible beaches, the Hawaiian Islands are home to more coastal hangouts than any other American State. And while nothing compares to the feeling of fine white sand beneath your toes and turquoise waters crashing against the shore, the little slice of paradise known as Cromwell’s Beach in Hawaii comes pretty close.

Nestled at the edge of a ritzy residential neighborhood just east of Diamond Head Beach on the southern shore of Oahu, Cromwell’s Beach is a true local secret.

Phoebe F./Yelp

While you will find a stretch of pristine sand at Cromwell’s perfect for curious kiddos to wade and play in the sand…

Kale K./Yelp

…the true beauty of this little-known beach is in the rockwall walkway and crystalline cove. It seriously doesn’t get any more gorgeous than this.

Monique A./Yelp

With patches of reef scattered along the shore, you’ll find stellar snorkeling at high tide, and at low tide, a series of picturesque tide pools.

Winnie L./Yelp

Did we mention the ethereal glow found here near sunset?

Shelley T./Yelp

Cromwell’s Beach is named after Doris Duke’s husband, James Cromwell, likely due to the beach’s proximity to Doris Duke’s Shangri La, which you’ve probably noticed overlooking the cove in this photograph.

Ashley S./Yelp

Go during a weekend or holiday and you’ll quickly understand how popular this hangout is among locals, but if you go early enough during the week, you might have the cove and accompanying beach to yourself. Plus, it will be easier to find parking at this beautiful, albeit busy, Hawaii beach.

Lianne S./Yelp

Have you experienced this gorgeous slice of paradise for yourself? Why not make a day out of your visit to Cromwell’s Beach and take this stellar southeastern Oahu road trip or perhaps plan a visit to Doris Duke’s Shangri La?

Phoebe F./Yelp

Kale K./Yelp

Monique A./Yelp

Winnie L./Yelp

Shelley T./Yelp

Ashley S./Yelp

Lianne S./Yelp

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Address: Cromwell’s Beach, Honolulu, HI 96816, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cromwell’s Beach August 09, 2022 Sarah M. What are some other beautiful Oahu beaches? All of Hawaii’s beaches are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but the beaches of Oahu – especially the North Shore – are especially extraordinary. In addition to Cromwell’s Beach, Kailua Beach is another Oahu stunner. With powder-soft, white sand, magnificent turquoise, clear water, and swaying palm trees, Kailua Beach is a photographer’s paradise – if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. The water is relatively shallow, and is perfect for enjoying a lazy day at the beach. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter, you should also check out Kailua’s neighbor, Lanikai Beach.  What are some other things to do on Oahu? If you’re into history, Oahu is full of sites with immense historic significance; most notably, Pearl Harbor. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the United State’s entry into World War II. You may not have known that Hawaii was put under martial law until the end of the war. Today, Pearl Harbor houses a variety of historical sites, and is home to more than 160 commands. If you only see one thing while visiting Pearl Harbor, it has to be the famous USS Arizona Memorial.  Perhaps one of the most iconic images associated with Hawaii is the towering silhouette of Diamond Head on the southernmost tip of Oahu. Dubbed Diamond Head by sailors who were entranced by the volcano’s glittering peak, the mountain’s summit is littered with calcite crystals – but the name stuck. Once used for military training, the government-owned property has since been opened to the public, and is now the most iconic hike on the island for tourists.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Cromwell’s Beach

August 09, 2022

Sarah M.

What are some other beautiful Oahu beaches? All of Hawaii’s beaches are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but the beaches of Oahu – especially the North Shore – are especially extraordinary. In addition to Cromwell’s Beach, Kailua Beach is another Oahu stunner. With powder-soft, white sand, magnificent turquoise, clear water, and swaying palm trees, Kailua Beach is a photographer’s paradise – if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. The water is relatively shallow, and is perfect for enjoying a lazy day at the beach. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter, you should also check out Kailua’s neighbor, Lanikai Beach.  What are some other things to do on Oahu? If you’re into history, Oahu is full of sites with immense historic significance; most notably, Pearl Harbor. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the United State’s entry into World War II. You may not have known that Hawaii was put under martial law until the end of the war. Today, Pearl Harbor houses a variety of historical sites, and is home to more than 160 commands. If you only see one thing while visiting Pearl Harbor, it has to be the famous USS Arizona Memorial.  Perhaps one of the most iconic images associated with Hawaii is the towering silhouette of Diamond Head on the southernmost tip of Oahu. Dubbed Diamond Head by sailors who were entranced by the volcano’s glittering peak, the mountain’s summit is littered with calcite crystals – but the name stuck. Once used for military training, the government-owned property has since been opened to the public, and is now the most iconic hike on the island for tourists.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

All of Hawaii’s beaches are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but the beaches of Oahu – especially the North Shore – are especially extraordinary. In addition to Cromwell’s Beach, Kailua Beach is another Oahu stunner. With powder-soft, white sand, magnificent turquoise, clear water, and swaying palm trees, Kailua Beach is a photographer’s paradise – if you can catch the beach during a low-traffic period, that is. The water is relatively shallow, and is perfect for enjoying a lazy day at the beach. If you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter, you should also check out Kailua’s neighbor, Lanikai Beach. 

What are some other things to do on Oahu?

If you’re into history, Oahu is full of sites with immense historic significance; most notably, Pearl Harbor. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the United State’s entry into World War II. You may not have known that Hawaii was put under martial law until the end of the war. Today, Pearl Harbor houses a variety of historical sites, and is home to more than 160 commands. If you only see one thing while visiting Pearl Harbor, it has to be the famous USS Arizona Memorial. 

Perhaps one of the most iconic images associated with Hawaii is the towering silhouette of Diamond Head on the southernmost tip of Oahu. Dubbed Diamond Head by sailors who were entranced by the volcano’s glittering peak, the mountain’s summit is littered with calcite crystals – but the name stuck. Once used for military training, the government-owned property has since been opened to the public, and is now the most iconic hike on the island for tourists.