Honolulu, HI

My wife and I have made a few visits to Fort DeRussy Beach, on the west end of Waikiki (towards Ewa), and have always done something different each time we went. It’s an excellent beach to spend the day at. We found that the beach here is wider than on Waikiki Beach proper (i.e. the area in front of the Royal Hawaiian), and there is a protected area inside the reef offering calm and shallow water. There are also beach rentals on the sand for kayaks, floats, and aqua bikes.We didn’t eat anything while we were there, but snack food stands are also present, and we did notice for future reference that they sell beer which can be drank at umbrella tables in the sand.

One time we went snorkeling here, and it was good. We swam out across the deeper swimming area to the exposed rocks that mark the edge of the reef, where there are numerous fish and reef animals, including corals, sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

Another time we went to Fort DeRussy, we brought our kayak, and we put our snorkeling gear in the kayak and paddled out to the edge of the reef to have a look around underwater. We enjoyed that more than swimming out to the reef to snorkel. But make sure to keep an eye on your kayak if you do this—or take turns with your buddy going in the water. Also, you should not venture beyond the reef as there is large surf there. Unless, of course, you are an experienced surfer or boogie boarder and that’s what you’re looking for. For those of you who don’t have your own kayak, there is a kayak rental outfit right on the beach.

Even more fun was when we rented the aqua-bikes and peddled out to the reef with our snorkel stuff and used the aqua-trike as a mini-snorkel boat!

To get to Fort DeRussy beach, we walked through the park, where there are many trees affording shade, and lush green grass. We noticed that there is also an Army museum up here, with some old tanks and heavy guns on display out front, although we have never gone inside. There is also a path here that winds right along the beach, which is good if you have a stroller with you, or wheelchair, or just for easy walking along the shore without having to slog through the sand. Be sure to bring a camera or camcorder with you for some great shots. Also, remember to use sunscreen.

So, for a lovely beach in the Waikiki/Honolulu (south shore) area, that isn’t completely overcrowded all the time, give Fort DeRussy Beach a try!