Watching, wading or wheee! Kailua Beach Park

September 3rd, 2009

I love watching the kite boarders at Kailua beach park.  The kites fly gracefully along wind currents pulling the board across the water.  In between, the human being attached to both must navigate skillfully.  Almost any day, you can watch new learners taking lessons from ever-patient instructors — I always want to cheer when they finally manage to grab the surf board with their feet while keeping the kite aloft and rise to skim the waves.  Some days the kites are lined up in a sort of holding-pattern along the beach waiting for their turn for take-off.  It all depends on the wind.  No wind days bring less entertainment.
 
At the other end of the beach, kayakers head out for the flat island that is a bird sanctuary.  Some are on their own, others are on tours.  The line of yellow kayaks wobbling unsteadily after the leader remind me of baby ducks swimming in their mother’s wake.  Some people rent kayaks in Kailua town, others at the beach center across from the entrance or the rental truck near the beach.

Kailua beach really is a family park.  It is shallow and calm enough for babies and young children at the water’s edge.  The sand is great for sandcastles!  Many people sunbathe, read books or bob about in the water.  Others wind surf or kite board or kayak. or stand up paddle.  There are activities for any skill-set, or none.  Later in the evening, fishermen set up their poles as people stroll by for an evening walk.  Kailua beach is dog-friendly, as long as the dogs are friendly.  Many of the dogs and owners seem to know one another.  Not all of them pull their dogs on a surf board while swimming, but I have seen this same dog several times and he always seems to be having a good time.

Not only are there a variety of activities on the beach, you could arrive with absolutely nothing and have a good time.  The beach center across the street contains stores that rent kayaks, kite boards, surf boards or bicycles.  You can even buy a swimsuit there.  On the beach itself there are no concessions so you’ll want to buy pizza or shave ice at the beach center or a sandwich or beach burger at the Kalapawai Market right at the entrance to the beach.  Of course, it also has sunscreen, water and the rolled beach mats that are more popular than beach towels.  TheBus has a stop a couple of blocks from the beach.  Parking is hard sometimes - the lot is small for the number of people who want to enjoy the beach.  Drop by for some of the best people-watching on the island!
 

Posted by Cindy Scheopner  Follow me on Twitter @Scheopner
 

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Entry Filed under: Oahu