Eva Beach is located on the west side of Oahu. It is about a 45-minute drive from Waikiki. Waikai, a recreational facility where visitors can enjoy water sports, will open in 2023 within the Hokalei Resort here and has become a hot topic.
Since its opening, the centerpiece of the resort has been Hawaii’s first surfing experience using artificial waves. In addition, visitors can enjoy water activities such as stand-up paddle, kayaking, and foot paddle boats in the lagoon, which boasts an area the size of five Tokyo Domes. There is also a wide variety of restaurants, including one by a Michelin-starred chef, and it was selected as one of the top five attractions in the U.S. in 2023. The newest water athletic attraction, Waikai Aquaventure, was launched here last month.
Since we are here, let’s go around the whole area. The surfing pool is 30 meters wide, and the waves can be adjusted from 60 cm to 1.8 m high, with waves scheduled according to the time of day. So everyone from beginners to advanced surfers can experience surfing on waves that suit them. Even if you fall off your surfboard, they are able to push you back to a safe area.
This facility was built by Haseko, and I thought it was beautifully and orderly down to the smallest detail.
On the ocean side, we could see the attraction we were about to reach. It is a lagoon, but also has a sandy beach and an ocean-like image. There are cabanas overlooking this scenery.
Now, let’s go to the Aquaventure, a newly-introduced water athletic facility. It floats on a calm lagoon, unaffected by outside waves. The floats are colorful and remind me of the idol swimming contests that used to be held in the Showa period (old?), and I was quite excited. It was quite exciting.
Aquaventure day passes are $35 for adults and $25 for children ages 4-13. Locals receive a $5 discount each. There is also a higher grade locker room near the lagoon, which is popular with those who want to relax in a cool, air-conditioned room.
Head past the sandy beach to the entrance of the water athletic complex.
To get to the starting gate, you have to enter the water to reach it, but don’t worry, it is only about knee deep for adults. Athletic activities include a main course with over 20 obstacles and a short course for children ages 4 to 6. Climbing, jumping, crossing bridges over water, sliding, and other activities are fun enough even for adults.
Although it was a weekday, the area is said to be crowded with local families on weekends. The reason for the popularity of this place is that it is a safe and fun place to play.
In addition to this, you can also play in a foot paddle boat (in Japan it is a swan, but here it is the Hawaiian state bird nene), boat, floating cabana on the water, kayak, or stand-up paddle (additional charge).
When I went there, I realized that the attraction of this facility is not only the water activities, but also the high quality of its products. The “Session” boutique had a collection of tasteful items.
In line with ocean life, the lineup of products is designed with sustainability in mind. The store offers men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, including originally designed T-shirts, swimwear, and sunglasses, all with a sense of style. There is also a wide selection of products by local artists.
There are four food and beverage facilities, ranging from a type that can be quickly purchased at the counter to a restaurant with an extensive lineup of wines and a pizza oven.
The Lookout Food & Drink offers a view of the surfing action from above while you dine.
The facility is well worth seeing and playing, and you can spend a whole day there, so I think it’s a good idea to go there as if you were taking an excursion from Waikiki.
There is also a lawn area and a farmer’s market every Thursday evening. A hotel is also scheduled to be built on a large site just beyond. Although it is a bit far from Waikiki, it may become an exciting area in the future. Remember to check the traffic information before heading there, as there can be traffic jams at certain times of the day. If you are worried about driving, there is a shuttle service from Waikiki, so take advantage of it.
© Source travel watch
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