On Oahu's EAST SHORE . . .

This is an excellent beach, some call it a "paradise," for body surfing, paipo and body boarding (as long as the boards have no skegs). Be sure to ask lifeguards about conditions during the Winter as the big surf and its resultant fierce shore break and undertow can often be very dangerous. Simply, the inexperienced should stay out of the water during big surf. Regardless of the season, swimmers at Makapu`u should be cautious at all times.

With tradewinds, Northeast winds blowing 90 percent of the year, watch out for the portuguese man-of-war (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. They can render minor first-aid, or, for more serious cases, call and radio for emergency medical evacuation or ambulance assistance.

Makapu`u Beach Park has the following in its beach and park areas:

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 Hale (Home) Aloha Page. You can also use the following links to continue your beach and ocean tour of O'ahu's North Shore, South Shore, East Shore, or West Shore.

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

Suggestions, comments and recommendations are welcomed. These pages are a project of the Hawai'ian 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.

Webmaster: This page is maintained by J. B. Lee. You can reach me by e-mail at: jblee@aloha.com. Last modified: 23-Feb-2003 10:16 AM HST

ALOHA . . . malama i ke kai!