Kawela Bay Is An Untouched Gem

My wife and I took the complete bus tour around Oahu for our 50th, but these seniors don’t remember passing by Kawela Bay. It’s probably due to the fact that Kawela Bay is one of the most secluded sandy beaches on the island. It is located near the famed Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of the island.

The Bay made major news recently as part of the movie Hunger Games – Catching Fire and a host of others were filmed there. Jennifer Lawrence might be the celebrity muscle of the “Hunger Games” sequel “Catching Fire,” but viewers soon find Oahu to be a superstar of the film.

Kawela Bay’s seclusion makes it an enviable spot for beach goers and the perfect place to get away from the crowds to enjoy a day of relaxation. The warm calm turquoise waters are free of currents and remains undisturbed by large winter waves because of a reef at the entrance of the bay. Surfboarding is big and this is a perfect place for senior travelers to swim, snorkel and scuba dive.

 Kawela Bay Draws Seniors

Kawela Bay is a perfect spot to unwind. Years ago, honu (turtles in Hawaiian) were often seen coming ashore to lay their eggs in the sand, hence the name Turtle Bay. The Bay is home to giant sea turtles that swim right along with you.

The unique banyan trees are nearby this beach on the property of the Resort. Senior visitors bathe in the calm water or just enjoy a peaceful stroll along the beach. Narrow and bordered by a tropical forest, the beach is populated with ironwood trees and a few coconut palms. Watch out for falling coconuts!

Here’s a super site that highlights Kawela Bay with a host of great photos. Senior travelers will find the Bay very picturesque and quiet. It is suggested that you park along the highway and walk through the trees to discover the Bay that is protected by a large reef keeping nearshore waters calm year-round and diffuses high waves during winter months.

 An Untouched Gem

Wikipedia has all the specs on the Bay including the 2010 census with a population of 330. Here’s a quickie view of the Bay and you’ll soon see why they call it an untouched gem on Oahu. If you know anything about Oahu’s North Shore, you know that beach goers, snorkelers and surfers all consider it a favorite.

On weekends and weekdays alike senior visitors will be hard pressed to find a parking spot at the most popular beaches. Now imagine a beach on North Shore where, on a Saturday, you can find no more than ten people lying in the sun.

Other recreational activities for seniors include golf, hiking, biking, horseback riding, windsurfing and sailing. Haleiwa Town is just a 15-minute drive from Kawela, and Honolulu is approximately 48 miles away. That’s Kawela Bay. Grab your flippers and check it out for yourself.  jeb