Magic Island Lagoon
Ala Moana Beach Magic Island Lagoon
An extension of the Ala Moana Beach Park on the eastern front, Magic Island (officially called Aina Moana, Hawaiian for “land from the sea“) is a man-made artificial island and lagoon built in the early 1960s.
Originally planned to be a resort development, and later transformed into a part of the Ala Moana Regional Park following a public outcry, Magic Island and its lagoon forms a natural addition to the already popular Ala Moana Beach park.
BEST Oahu Tours for Your Splurge Dollars!
Family Fun Snorkel with Turtles 🐢 / Jurassic Tour 🦖 Thrilling Adventures Zipline / Parasailing 🪂 / Submarine Unique Cage-Diving with Sharks 🦈 Everyone! Circle Island Tour 🚐 / Luau 🌺
An idyllic, 47-acre peninsula (not really an island!) with a lagoon protected by man-made barriers, Magic Island Lagoon offers calm, sheltered waters excellent for swimming and snorkeling, especially for beginners and families with smaller kids.
This enormously popular Oahu circle island tour allows you to sit back and relax as a knowledgeable local takes you around the island! Visit the charming town of Haleiwa and stop at top sightseeing spots along the way. 🚐 🏖️ 🚐
The Magic Island Lagoon is home to many traditional Hawaiian events that bring locals and tourists together, principal among these are the July 4th Independence Day fireworks and the Shinnyo Lantern Floating Festival.
Planning a trip to Ala Moana Beach Park? Visit the Ala Moana Beach website for the complete rundown on every single detail!
And if you’re just starting to plan your visit to Oahu, check out the some of the top things to do in Oahu, many of which you absolutely don’t want to miss!
How to Get to Magic Island Lagoon
You can use “magic island lagoon honolulu hi 96815” for your GPS or Google maps.
Parking for Magic Island Lagoon is the same as that for the Ala Moana Beach Park.
Tried and tested: the top, 5-star rated, immensely popular Oahu experiences!
Best Things to Do at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach
Swimming and Snorkeling
Unlike the sometimes rougher surf of the nearby beaches like the Ala Moana Beach and Waikiki beaches, Magic Island’s lagoon is calm, protected by a rocky breakwater.
Novice swimmers and snorkelers including younger kids can enjoy this safer environment and focus on their exercise and spotting tons of beautiful tropical fish.
For many visitors, a first trip to Oahu is not complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor. This highly-rated half-day tour comes with guaranteed seats for the boat tour to the USS Arizona Memorial, which requires advance reservations. 🚤 🚤 🚤
Picnicking and Barbecuing
The 47 acres of the Magic Island Lagoon includes a substantial green park dotted with picnic areas and barbecue grills, a favorite among locals and tourists for a fun family beach day.
Jogging and Walking
Lining the park is a paved, well-maintained walkway where you’ll find people strolling or jogging, enjoying the beautiful ocean views and pleasant sea breeze.
Is snorkeling with sea turtles on your bucket list for Oahu? On this Turtle Canyon tour, you’ll likely share the warm waters with honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles), as well as schools of tropical fish. This is a super popular tour, so reserve your spots early! 🐢 🐢 🐢
Sunset Viewing
Sunsets in the tropics are colorful and the Hawaiian islands offer some of the most spectacular array of colors.
The Magic Island Lagoon is one of the best spots for viewing sunsets on Oahu, and you’ll find many nature photographers lining up along the beach and the walkway to capture the moment.
Cruise aboard a 50-foot catamaran and look for dolphins and turtles year round, plus whales in the winter. Look through magnifying portals in the glass bottom for fish and colorful coral! Leaves from Kewalo Basin Harbor in Waikiki, easy to access. ⛴️ 🌊 ⛴️
Yoga and Meditation
The peaceful Ala Moana Beach Park settings just a few blocks from the bustling Honolulu downtown area invites many city dwellers to partake in some quiet morning meditation or yoga or tai chi.
You can join a group or if you’re looking to challenge yourself consider yoga on a standup paddleboard in the calm open ocean waters of the lagoon!
✨ WAIKIKI EXPERIENCES YOU CANNOT MISS! ✨
— Go Parasailing above the scenic Waikiki coast 🪂
— Snorkel with green sea turtles at Turtle Canyon 🐢
— Go on a beginner scuba diving excursion (no certification needed!) 🤿