What Are the Best Ocean View Neighborhoods on Oahu?

Hawaii is surrounded by the pristine Pacific ocean whose translucent aqua marine waters glisten in the sun. Gaze off into the distance and you might sight a turtle coming up for air or whale breaching. Even further out, you can spot where the deep blue waters meet the horizon, a seemingly endless point that encapsulates observers.

 

Are you thinking about buying a home in Hawaii? If so, you might want to consider purchasing a home in a neighborhood that will offer you mesmerizing views of the beautiful blue ocean. Imagine waking up to views of the sunrise over the ocean or seeing the sun set behind the sea’s horizon. An oceanfront Hawaii home can be appealing for many home buyers.

 

While Oahu is surrounded by water, a few select Oahu neighborhoods boast expansive ocean views from residential homes. What are the best oceanview neighborhood on Oahu? The following seven neighborhoods are some of Oahu’s best ocean view neighborhoods, and Elaine Chow is an expert real estate agent in each of these neighborhoods.

 

 

Hawaii Loa ridge is a gated hillside community – with many homes offering 180-degree ocean views encompassing views of Diamond Head in the west to Koko Head in the east. Many of the 500 single-family homes in Hawaii Loa Ridge have multiple lanais and large windows to enjoy the beautiful Hawaii views. Some homes even have infinity pools overlooking the pristine Pacific water.

 

Hawaii Loa Ridge was first developed in the 1980s. Lot sizes are larger than the Oahu average, ranging from 8,000 to 30,000 square feet, and most of the homes are much larger than the Hawaii average as well, ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 square feet. Each home is custom designed, and there is a security guard who monitors the gate 24/7. 

 

Residents of Hawaii Loa Ridge will be able to enjoy tennis courts, a park with picnic tables, a private clubhouse, and a hiking trail. Within Hawaii Loa Ridge is another exclusive community, ‘The Pointe,’ which has around 40 homes protected within an additional security gate; residents of ‘The Pointe’ enjoy their own clubhouse and tennis courts. 

 

If you are looking for privacy, luxury, and expansive ocean views from the Honolulu hillside, Hawaii Loa Ridge might be the right neighborhood for you.

Kahala is a beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu between Diamond Head and the Waialae Golf Course. And living in Kahala offers a beach lifestyle in an upscale neighborhood – with easy access to all of Honolulu’s amenities as well as the Kahala Mall and the Kahala Hotel and Resort. About forty homes in Kahala are oceanfront properties, offering the ultimate ocean view along Kahala’s white sandy beaches.

 

Most Kahala homes are much larger than the average home on Oahu. Kahala homes have large lots, from 10,000 square feet to 1 acre, and strict zoning laws and a neighborhood association help to protect the spacious feel of the neighborhood and low building density. Home construction varies, with many modern newly built or remodeled homes along with some older homes that might interest investors or ambitious home buyers.

Kahala residents not only enjoy easy access to the beach through a number of public beach access points, but Kahala also has three quaint parks, some which are both people and dog friendly. Wide streets with minimal traffic offer opportunities for running or walking. There are also playgrounds and tennis courts available for Kahala residents to enjoy.

 

Kahala is a well-known Hawaii neighborhood, and with its expansive lots and proximity to the ocean, its reputation for being one of Oahu’s best oceanview neighborhoods holds true for many of its residents. Living in Kahala means enjoying a calm, quiet neighborhood and having an abundance of convenient options for living and playing.

Kahala Kua homeowners are guaranteed spectacular ocean views from a modern home built on a sloped lot. Kahala Kua is a newer Honolulu neighborhood, which began its development in the mid-1990s. Now there are about 110 single-family homes on larger lots ranging from 10,000 to 16,000 square feet.

 

Kahala Kua is a luxurious and private Oahu neighborhood. A secure gate encloses the neighborhood, and Kahala Kua homes must abide by design guidelines to ensure all homes have a modern, clean look as well as a protected ocean view.

 

Living in Kahala Kua offers some of the most breathtaking Oahu ocean views along with privacy and a sense of security. Kahala Kua homeowners wake up to views of the pristine Pacific ocean waters, and some homeowners will even gather a glimpse of other Hawaiian Islands on the horizon.

Between Diamond Head and Kahala lies the luxurious oceanfront neighborhood of Black Point. Consisting of 75 homes – most with spectacular ocean view – Black Point is a gated community known to be one of the most exclusive Oahu neighborhoods.

 

Homes in Black Point were built starting in the 1920s, and there are a range of single-family home options available. Some of the homes are modern and expansive, while a few others a quainter but still have luxury appeal and spectacular ocean views. The lot sizes range from 5,000 to 22,000 square feet.

If you live in Black Point, you will have access to a variety of surfing breaks and the famous salt water pool, which is a rectangular pool built on the edge of Black Point cliffs and can only be accessed past the gate along a narrow road. Black Point residents enjoy privacy, luxury, and some of the most dramatic ocean views below the Black Point slopes and out to the horizon.

Waialae Iki is one of Honolulu’s original luxury hillside neighborhoods. Homes in Waialae Iki overlook the prestigious and pristine Waialae Golf Course – and each home also has incredible ocean views out into the distance. 

 

Development of homes in Waialae Iki began in the 1960s, and various construction phases over the past decades have led to the 600 custom homes that now comprise the neighborhood. Waialae Iki’s main road if Laukahi Street. Homes sit on lots that range between 7,500 and 15,000 square feet – with a dozen exclusive homes at the pinnacle of the ridge that sit on one acre estate lots, which have known to be owned by celebrities. Waialae Iki V is an enclave within the neighborhood that starts midway up the Waialae Iki hillside, and it features its own 24/7 manned security gate, tennis courts, and a private club.

 

Waialae Iki is an upscale neighborhood offering amazing views and serenity. Parks and open spaces along with association rules restricting tree overgrowth and obstructing construction of homes ensure that people who buy a house in Waialae Iki continue to enjoy the stunning views and upscale appearance that the neighborhood is known for. 

Lanikai means ‘sea heaven’ in Hawaiian, and Lanikai residents will enjoy a heavenly feeling in this beautiful neighborhood. Lanikai is an exclusive Kailua neighborhood known for its beach with world-renowned soft white sand. It is a small neighborhood with only about 500 single-family homes. Around 100 of these homes are oceanfront, and others who are built atop the hillside have spectacular ocean views. 

 

Lanikai is an enclave with only one road bringing you to its entrance past Kailua Beach Park. The are many public beach access points and there is also a loop around the neighborhood enjoyed by both Lanikai residents and visitors who like to stroll along its path. 

Homes in Lanikai are typically on lots that average around 10,000 square feet, although there are a few homes sitting on smaller lots, and some homes sitting on lots that are upwards of two acres. Each home is custom built, with some newly built and other stills reminiscent of Lanikai’s early origins in the 1920s.

 

The ocean view from Lanikai is like no other place on Earth. Gaze past the soft white sand to the calm turquoise waters that are great for windsurfing and kayaking, and you will see the iconic twin Mokulua Islands, known as the “Mokes” by locals. Living in Lanikai provides both beauty and tranquility as well as endless ocean activity and beach lifestyle comfort.

Perhaps best known for having the largest outdoor mall in the United States, Ala Moana Shopping Center, or its beautiful and expansive park, Ala Moana Beach Park, the neighborhood of Ala Moana also offers a variety of upscale living options in exclusive condominiums, many which are planned to be constructed within the next few years.

The neighborhood of Ala Moana has access to all of Honolulu’s best amenities. Residents of Ala Moana can easily shop at internationally known stores, including Bloomingdale’s, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Coach, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, and more. It also has access to some of the south shore of Oahu’s best surfing breaks along with tennis courts, a yacht club, outdoor fitness equipment and more. Ala Moana has a variety of restaurants to chose from, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, local Hawaiian, and many other cuisines. 

 

Are you interested in living in Ala Moana? A number of great condominiums are available – and almost everyone offers spectacular ocean views and upscale amenities. Newer developments include One Ala Moana, Park Lane Ala Moana, and Kapiolani Residents. Very new developments include The Central Ala Moana, Azure Ala Moana, Sky Ala Moana West, and Mandarin Oriental Honolulu.

From hilltop estates to ocean side beach homes to upscale condos, Oahu has a variety of neighborhoods offering spectacular ocean views. Elaine Chow specializes in these neighborhoods and is honored to partner with clients to help them find a home with a view that will take their breath away.