Oahu’s Halona Beach Cove is also called Eternity Beach because it was the filming site for the iconic From Here to Eternity beach scene (more on that below).
After visiting Halona Beach Cove on a recent Oahu trip I can attest that it is indeed as romantic and picturesque in person as in the movies.
The small cove is one of my favorite Oahu hidden gems, and it is an easy place to stop on a roadtrip around the island.
If you’re trying to figure out how to visit this idyllic beach, or curious about why Hollywood movies keep being filmed here, keep reading! These topics and more are all covered in this Halona Beach Cove guide.
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Eternity Beach: Halona Beach Cove in Oahu, Hawaii
About Halona Beach Cove (Eternity Beach)
Halona Beach Cove (also called Eternity Beach) is a breathtaking tiny cove on the southeastern side of Oahu, Hawaii.
The beach was made famous because of its feature in the 1953 film From Here to Eternity, which won eight Academy Awards. You can watch of the iconic From Here to Eternity beach scene below and if you’ve been to Halona Beach Cove, you’ll instantly recognize it.
Halona Beach Cove has also been featured in other movies. It was the site of Henry (Adam Sandler) and Lucy’s (Drew Barrymore) first kiss in 50 First Dates, and it is where the mermaid scene in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides was filmed.
The beach is located right off of Kalaniana’ola Highway, directly next to the Halona Blowhole, which is a favorite stop on Oahu roadtrips.
Although Eternity Beach is so easy to access, few people actually spend more than a few minutes here, which is a shame, since the beach is so gorgeous and has several hidden gems: a sea cave and a lava tube!
How to get to Halona Beach Cove, Oahu
Halona Beach Cove is about 30-minutes away from Waikiki, Honolulu. The most direct way to reach the beach is to drive east out of Honolulu on Highway 1 until it becomes Kalaniana’ola Highway. You follow the highway for 20+ minutes until you pass Hanauma Bay and Koko Head in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood.
On the right side of the road you’ll see the parking lot of the Halona Blowhole Lookout. Park there and then you can walk down to the small Halona cove, directly south of the parking lot.
Things to do at Halona Beach Cove
There is more to do at Halona Beach Cove than what meets the eye!
Namely, there are several hidden formations within the volcanic rock that are worth exploring. You can find a small sea cave on the southern part of the beach. You can also find a large, long lava tube that you can walk through.
Other than exploring these enchanting caves, you can sunbathe and swim (with the right conditions) at Halona Beach Cove. This beach is also a great place to take photos, whether you’re a photographer or you want to hire a local photographer to capture some special memories here.
Whether you explore the sea caves, swim, or do other things at Halona Beach, be aware that there is no lifeguard on duty, and the conditions can change rapidly. Only enter the water if you are fully confident in your abilities to swim in the ocean.
What to bring on a day trip to Eternity Beach, Oahu
Since there are no facilities (bathrooms, vendors, etc) at Halona Cove, you’ll need to pack everything you need before heading to the beach. I recommend making sure you bring the following items:
★ Sand resistant beach towel or blanket
★ Bathing suit
★ Sun protectant shirt
★ Reef-safe sunscreen
★ Water shoes
★ Drinking water
★ Snacks
Tours that stop at Halona Beach Cove
If you’re looking for a tour that includes a stop at Eternity Beach, you’re in luck! I’ve complied a list of all the tours that stop here. But keep in mind, these tours technically stop for the Halona Blowhole, which is right next to the beach. You’ll be able to take photos of Eternity Beach, but you likely won’t be able to go down and spend any time at the beach. Click here to view all of the tour options.
Things to do near Halona Beach Cove
There are plenty of other things to do on Oahu’s southeastern side near Halona Beach Cove.
If you’re visiting Halona Beach Cove from Honolulu, I recommend driving along Kalaniana’ola Highway and stopping at the following stops along the way:
★ Diamond Head State Monument: Oahu’s most iconic site is right along the way as you’re leaving Honolulu
★ China Walls: Stop at one of Oahu’s best cliff jumping spots—read my full guide to the China Walls here.
★ Koko Head: Hike straight up a crater if you dare! Koko Head is just a few minutes away from Halona Cove.
★ Hanauma Bay: This nature preserve is the most popular place to visit on side of the island. It is a great place for snorkeling, but be aware that reservations are required and you have to wait through 30+ minutes of lines and presentations before heading to the beach.
★ Halona Blowhole: You’ll see this blowhole right next to Eternity Beach!
You can also easily continue up north from the Halona Beach Cove toward Kailua and Kaneohe, which are home to some of the best places to visit on Oahu. Consider visiting these places in the area:
★ Lanikai Beach: Oahu’s most beautiful beach, with golden sand, incredible snorkeling, and the two “twin islands” just off the shore.
★ Lanikai Pillbox Trail: My favorite Oahu hike to do at sunrise! A short, but challenging ridge hike overlooking Lanikai Beach, Kailua, and the mountains. Read my full guide to this hike here.
★ Eat and shop in Kailua: Kailua is a charming town with plenty of cute shops and great dining options.
★ Byodo-In Temple: Wander the grounds of Oahu’s Japanese temple. Read about how to visit on my Byodo In Temple guide.
Halona Beach Cove, Hawaii FAQS
Is Halona Beach Cove the From Here to Eternity Beach?
Yes, Halona Beach Cove, also called Eternity Beach, was the filming site for From Here to Eternity movie.
Is Halona Beach Cove free to visit?
Yes, Halona Beach Cove is free to visit.
Is there parking at Halona Beach Cove?
Yes, you can park directly at the Halona Blowhole parking lot and then walk down to Halona Beach Cove.
Other Oahu, Hawaii Travel Guides
★ 21 Oahu Hidden Gems to Explore Off the Beaten Path
★ The Ultimate Hawaii Packing List for Females
★ How to Visit the Mermaid Caves in Oahu
★ Oahu Byodo-In Temple Travel Guide
★ 21 Fun Things to do in Kailua, Oahu (And Nearby!)
★ How to Visit the China Walls in Oahu
★ What to Know BEFORE Swimming with Sharks in Oahu
★ How to Spend One Perfect Day on Oahu’s North Shore
★ Hiking the Lanikai Pillbox Trail at Sunrise
★ 5 Best Oahu Shark Dive Tours: Cage Dives + Freediving
Essential Hawaii Resources
Traveleing to Hawaii soon? There are a lot of travel companies out there, but some are better than others. After five unforgettable trips to Hawaii, here are some of my favorite websites and resources for planning once-in-a-lifetime vacations.
🎒 Hawaii packing list: Check out my complete Hawaii packing list to make sure you have everything you need for your Aloha adventure!
🚠 Tours + Activities: Viator (owned by Trip Advisor) is the best site for comparing and booking experiences with local tour operators.
🚗 Car Rentals: Use DiscoverCars, a highly-rated platform for comparing and booking rental cars around the world.
🗺️ Hotels + Vacation Rentals: I always use this site for for hotels. They have an easy-to-use platform and great rewards. When I’m looking for a vacation rental, I compare Vrbo and Airbnb.
🛬 Airport Lounge Pass: One membership with Priority Pass grants you access to over 1300 lounges in nearly every country (trust me, it’s a game changer!) And the lounges in Hawaii airports are pretty sweet!
📱 Easy phone plans abroad: If you’re not American, you’ll want to get phone coverage in Hawaii. I use this company to get an eSIM for phone coverage while traveling—without getting a SIM card or canceling your existing plan (unless you want to!)
💪 Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is an essential for any trip! I use SafetyWing, which has affordable rates and coverage for many adventure sports.
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