Bellows Beach Oahu
Best for. Families and beginner bodyboarders on a weekend, with shade, soft sand and small, playful waves.
Best spot. Back under the ironwood trees for shade, with the gentle shorebreak just in front for the children.
Know this. The park opens to the public only from Friday noon to Sunday midnight and on federal holidays, so plan around that window.
Bellows is many local families' favourite windward beach, and for good reason. The sand is soft and white, ironwood trees give real shade right behind it, and the water is a gentle, friendly shorebreak rather than a serious one.
That gentle shorebreak is the draw. It is small and playful, ideal for children learning to bodyboard and for first attempts at bodysurfing, without the punishing force you find at the famous expert breaks elsewhere on the island.
Here is the catch, and it is a real one. Bellows is part of an Air Force station, so it only opens to the public from Friday at noon until Sunday at midnight, plus federal holidays. On weekdays you need military access to get in.
When it is open, you get lifeguards, restrooms, showers and a long shady tree line, plus weekend camping by permit. It is one of the most pleasant family setups on the windward coast.
Who should skip it. Weekday visitors without military access simply cannot get in, so head next door to Waimanalo or down to Kailua for white sand on any day of the week.
Clubs on this beach
Bellows is a public weekend beach park with no daybed club on the sand, so we route you to the Oahu beaches where a club style day with loungers and table service exists.
No beach club on this beach
This is public sand with no daybed club on the beach itself. For a club style day with loungers and table service near Bellows Beach, we gather the options in the Oahu beach clubs directory.
Windward Oahu, near Waimanalo
Bellows Field Beach Park lies on the windward coast near Waimanalo, off Kalanianaole Highway, about thirty five to forty minutes from Waikiki by car.
The public gate opens Friday at noon and closes Sunday at midnight, with federal holidays included. Plan your visit inside that window or you will not get in.
During public hours you get a staffed lifeguard, restrooms and showers, plus camping by permit. There is no food on site, so bring supplies.
Photo: Annabelle Bronstein via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or table at a club within reach of Bellows Beach. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Bellows Beach
When is Bellows Beach open to the public?
Bellows opens to the general public from Friday at noon until Sunday at midnight, plus federal holidays. On weekdays it is restricted to military access only.
Is Bellows Beach good for families?
Yes, very. The sand is soft, the ironwood trees give shade and the shorebreak is gentle, which makes it one of the friendlier windward beaches for children when it is open.
Can you bodyboard at Bellows Beach?
Yes. The small, gentle shorebreak is ideal for beginners and children learning to bodyboard, without the heavy force of the expert breaks elsewhere on Oahu.
Can you camp at Bellows Beach?
Yes, weekend camping is available by permit during the public access window. Because of this the park can be busy on Saturdays, so arrive early for a good spot.
Where can I swim near Bellows on a weekday?
Since Bellows closes to the public on weekdays, head to neighbouring Waimanalo or to Kailua, both of which offer long white sand and calm water any day of the week.
