Kaloko Beach

Kaloko Beach Park on the island of Oahu sits just north of Sandy Beach Park, but they couldn't be more dissimilar. Sandy Beach is known as a surfer's heaven and has an extremely dangerous reputation, while Kaloko Beach is a laid-back spot with small to medium sized waves, but the bottom is rocky near shore, so you won't see many surfers here. Or swimmers, either human or canine. This is a walking or sitting beach, pawrfect for chilling out and enjoying the furtastic view of the water, nearby Koko Crater, and the green, omnipresent Naupaka plants circling the beach. Even the rocks on the beach are barktiful in their starkness and black lava structure.

A pleasant attractions on this beach are the tidepools, where you and your fur-baby can satisfy your curiosity about crabs, anemones and other small sea creatures. With no shade near the beach, picnicking can be a steamy activity, but bring a beach umbrella along and you can comfortably share your lunch with your pooch while catching the ever-present Hawaiian breezes. No facilities or lifeguard means bringing everything you'll need for your picnic, plus lots of water and doggy waste bags. 

Doggoes are welcome anywhere on this beach, but be sure to keep them leashed.

Plenty of parking awaits just off the highway, but keep in mind that its surface is unpaved and there are no trees to provide shade. Cracking your windows is a good idea if you don't want an extremely hot ride home or back to your hotel. 

Kaloko Beach sits on a on a point of Koko Head, which features almost 360 degree views of Sandy Beach, Koko Crater and Kaloko Inlet. The beach is not to be confused with Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, which is on Hawaii's Big Island. 

This quirky beach is easy to miss if you're headed north on Highway 72 on your way to Sandy Beach or Makapuu Beach, which are well-known and pupular. The modest turnoff comes up without warning on the ocean side of the highway, so plan to slow down next time and make a visit to Kaloko to relax and enjoy the solitude.