Ala Moana Beach is one of our favorite places to do long swim workouts. Because it’s a 2km route in the ocean that has pool like conditions since the inside lagoon is protected by an outer reef. Ala Moana Beach Park is a blue/green outside playground for athletes and tourists in the middle of Honululu. At Ala Moana Beach Park you will find people surfing, stand up paddling, canoeing, fishing, and doing any other fun activity you can do in a warm-calm tropical water. The park around the beach is surrounded by people running, playing tennis, soccer, volleyball, frisbee, yoga, or family and friends just relaxing at the beach having a barbecue, picnics, or watching the sunset. A friend of mine visiting the islands from Brasil once told me: “I could spend all day at Ala Moana Beach! There is so much to do out there!”
WHERE
Located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu – Hawaii – USA
DISTANCE & ROUTE
INFO ABOUT THIS SWIM ROUTE
- From the lifeguard tower (closest to Diamond Head side) to the very last orange flag is around 1km, there is also a flag on the 500m mark. The map above shows that the distance is a little bit shorter, but it’s a little mistake from my GPS watch.
- There are white buoys all the way to the last flag. Swimmers are supposed to stay on the side close to the beach and stand paddlers on the ocean side.
- The best time of the day to swim at Ala Moana Beach is around the low tide times and light trade winds. You can check the tides here.
- Stinging box jellyfish can appear between 8 to 10-days after the full moon. So avoid swimming during these days. You can check the Box Jellyfish Calendar here.
- The ocean bottom drops quickly, so novice swimmers should use caution.
- The beach has lifeguards on duty from 9am-5pm.
- Bathrooms and outside showers are available.
- Parking is plentiful and free, but it fills up quick on weekends and holidays.
OUR FAVORITE WORKOUT ON THIS BEACH
Swim all the way to the last flag and back but divide the workout in four 500m sessions.
1st 500m: warm up (to the flag in the middle)
rest 2 minutes
2nd 500m: swim tempo (all the way to the last flag, close to the wall)
rest 2 minutes
3dr 500m: swim strong back to the middle flag, trying to swim faster than the 2nd 500m
rest 2 minutes
4th 500m: alternating 25 strokes hard and 25 strokes drill all the way to the beach.
SHARING A FEW TIPS
- Bring you running shoes if you enjoy walking, jogging or running, because there are great running paths around the park. The whole loop around Ala Moana Beach park is almost 2.5 miles.
- On Memorial Day the Lantern Floating Hawaii event is held at Ala Moana Beach. This event is one of the most beautiful celebrations I have ever seen. I highly recommend watching this if you get a chance.
- The beach is across the street from Ala Moana Mall, Hawaii’s biggest and most famous place to shop. This mall is also known as being the biggest outdoor mall in the world.
some dreams are worth sharing
Mariane
