Honolulu Travel Forum

1) Is Turtle Bay Resort area open to the public? Are you allowed to walk around there and go to their beach-like in Waikiki- without being a registered guest?

2) I can't find information concerning outrigger canoe rides in Waikiki. I'm looking for the locations, price- and the opinion of those of you who have done it!

Thank you,

Bill

Hi We were in Honolulu 2 weeks ago and took an excellent full day coach trip around the island, only $37. We stopped at Lani a kea beach and there were huge sea turtles on the beach, they come in each day about 1pm, you can gowithin 3 feet of the turtles, they just have a red plastic line around them requesting you do not go any closer, people everywhere and a very nice beach, just a few minutes from Waimea Bay. Hopefully this is the place you are writing about.
Good Luck,
Mike

Yes except you get a parking pass which if you buy something in the bar or restaurant you can get it validated otherwise it is $5.
The second is a little tougher as I think the beachboys are doing those however one group I think is called Star Tours or rentals.

Yes, Mikebb, Lanakai Beach is nice. But that's called "Turtle Beach". I'm talking about the "Turtle Bay Resort", which is farther north.

I couldn't find anything on the other group but I did find a phone number for the ones in front of the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach. 808-926-9889 hours are 8 am-5 pm

Thank you, Roger! Also, I just reread your other post. I now noticed that you said Turtle Bay Resort IS open to the public.

How is their beach-and what is there to do? We won't have to worry about a parking pass because we're taking the bus.

It has a reef a short ways out and my wife and sister-in-law went snorkeling said they didn't see much but the time of day could have more to do with that. The only place I saw that you weren't free to wonder around was the hotel itself but there is a small bar/restaurant out by the beach. I didn't see any kayaks around but I wasn't really looking for them either you may try calling the resort to find out if any equipment is available to nonguests.

It has a reef a short ways out and my wife and sister-in-law went snorkeling said they didn't see much but the time of day could have more to do with that. The only place I saw that you weren't free to wonder around was the hotel itself but there is a small bar/restaurant out by the beach. I didn't see any kayaks around but I wasn't really looking for them either you may try calling the resort to find out if any equipment is available to nonguests. One other thing I wouldn't miss the last bus and have to find out what their walkin rate is, Kulima Estates are right by the entrance and may have a better rate.

Since you're taking The Bus (I love The Bus), then you are right - no parking fee. Hawaii law prevents resorts and other landowner's (including million dollar homes) from restricting free access to Hawaii's beaches.

Most of the resorts and hotels are open to you walking around. The Hilton Village, for example, has the penguin exhibit and art galleries...all open to the public. But I digress. We snorkled at Turtle Bay (the resort) and never saw one turtle. I hear they hang out by the rocks where they munch on limu. I saw a few fish and not much reef if any. The beach is very pretty, and the cabana lounge chairs are nice :-)

You can also hike down the shore to beautiful deserted beaches, but the currents I hear are treacherous...so just wade or enjoy the walk.

One nice thing about Turble Bay is there is calm water for the little ones, and there's a rope in the water to designate the swimming area.

For better snorkeling: Three Tables on the North Shore (until the North Shore big surf comes with Hawaii's winter around mid October) and Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve year round (very small entrance fee).

Outrigger Canoe Surf Rides:

At Kuhio Beach (Waikiki is long a stretch of many beaches) near the Duke Kahanamoku statue, the beach boys offer canoe rides. The going rate in 2005 was $8 for three rides on a wave. Counting the two beach boys, there will be about five or six of you paddling. It’s a little work getting out to the wave, but the ride back is so worth it. This is one of the few places in the Hawaiian Islands that you will have this opportunity to surf in an outrigger.


Aloha

Cindy
www.CoconutRoads.com
"Taking you to the Heart of Hawaii"