Oahu's Guarded Beaches . . .

THE EAST SHORE -- This coastline known as the Windward coast has lush tropical beach settings which are favorite locations for windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts.

With tradewinds, Northeast winds blowing 90 percent of the year, watch out for the Portuguese man-of-war (a stinging blue jellyfish); they can pose a problem for beach-goers.

Guarded beaches on O`ahu are posted with special signs by lifeguards when there are portuguese man-of-war swarming in the surrounding ocean. Observe these signs, stay out of the water, to avoid what can be a very painful, perhaps even deadly experience. If you are stung at a guarded beach see the lifeguards on duty as they can render minor first-aid, or, for more serious cases, call and radio for emergency medical evacuation or ambulance assistance.

From June through September there are incidents of stinging limu (i.e., seaweed) along beach front on the Mokapu Peninsula in Kaneohe Bay and Kailua Bay, especially at Kailua Beach Park . Lifeguards will post affected beaches; the State Health Department issues public warnings. Heed postings and warnings about it . . . the alternative is itching and burning skin for as long as twenty-four hours after exposure to it.

These are the most popular, guarded beaches on the East Shore:

HERE ARE SOME
BASIC OCEAN SAFETY TIPS:

• Swim in Lifeguarded Areas
• Never Swim Alone
• Don't Dive Into Unknown Water or Into Shallow Breaking Waves
• Ask a Lifeguard About Beach and Surf Conditions Before Swimming
• If You Are Unable to Swim Out of a Strong Current, Signal for Help
• Rely on Your Swimming Ability Rather Than a Flotation Device
• Look For, Read and Obey All Beach Safety Signs and Symbols
• If In Doubt, Just Stay Out!

Return to the Beach Hale (Home) Aloha Page. Or, use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour: North Shore, South Shore, and the West Shore.

Or, you can go to the Beach Directory for a listing of all the beaches covered in these pages.

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Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, a not for profit, professional association of Hawaii's lifeguards devoted to the advancement of lifesaving services and public education on beach and ocean safety.

Web Developer: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee. You can reach me by email by clicking here.
Last modified: 07-Mar-2005 03:18 PM

Source URI: http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/eshore.html

Aloha . . . Malama i ke kai!