How to Visit Halona Beach Cove (Eternity Beach)

Tucked between jagged cliff sides, Halona Beach Cove (also called Eternity Beach and Cockroach Cove) is one of Oahu’s smallest and most romantic beaches. It’s also one of the few places in Hawaii where you can walk right through a lava lube!

I’ve visited this charming little beach on both of my two Oahu trips in the past year, and I’m sharing everything you need to know about it in this guide. Read on for a little background on Halona Beach’s appearances in several Hollywood films, plus tips for an enjoyable (and safe) visit.

Halona Beach Cove, a scenic beach surrounded by rocky cliffs with clear blue water and a sandy shore. Several people are enjoying the beach, and patches of greenery dot the sandy and rocky terrain under a partly cloudy sky.

View of a Halona Beach Cove through a lava tube. A group of people are wading in the waves on the sandy shore. The ocean is visible beyond the rocky landscape under a clear blue sky.

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Visiting Oahu’s Halona Beach Cove

From Here to Eternity Beach with turquoise waters nestled between rocky cliffs. Several people are swimming and exploring the shoreline. The sky is partly cloudy, adding to the serene atmosphere of the coastal landscape.

About Halona Beach Cove

Halona Beach Cove is located right off the Kalaniana’ola Highway in southeastern Oahu. The beach shares a parking lot with the Halona Blowhole, which is a favorite stop on Oahu island circle tours.

Most people jump out of their cars and head straight to the blowhole, waiting for a big surge in the ocean to spray water in the air. Then they get back in their cars and keep driving. Little do they know they’re missing an Oahu hidden gem just steps away!

So why visit Halona Beach Cove when it’s such a small, crowded beach with such powerful waves? Well, there are few places in the world where you can walk right through a lava tube — and Halona Cove is one of them! And while the cove isn’t the best place for swimming, it is an undeniably beautiful place to explore for a bit during a road trip along this side of the island.

Halona Beach Cove in the Movies

Halona Beach Cove is also called Eternity Beach 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.

Since then, several other Hollywood movies have been filmed at this little beach. 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.

Also See: What to Wear in Hawaii: Fun and Practical Aloha Inspired Outfit Ideas

How to get to Halona Beach Cove, Oahu

Halona Beach Cove is about 30 minutes away from Waikiki, Honolulu. If you’re staying at a hotel on the North Shore of Oahu (my favorite area), expect to drive for at least an hour. If you’re coming from Kailua, it’ll be a 20 minute drive.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your GPS may have you drive either north or south along the Kalaniana’ola Highway. The pull-offs come up quickly, so drive with caution.

When you see the parking lot for the Halona Blowhole Lookout, turn in and park! From there, walk down to the small cove southwest of the parking lot. The pathway is right by the edge of the highway.

Oahu tip: If you’re planning on exploring Oahu by car, be sure to get my free Oahu Google map saved on your phone! I have Halona Beach Cove and 63+ other incredible beaches, lookouts, hikes, restaurants, and lesser known spots pinned for you!

🌺 Visit Halona Beach Cove Without a Car ✨

There are tons of guided day trips from Honolulu that take you to the Halona Blowhole, which is the exact same pull off for the beach. If you go on a group tour you won’t have any control over how much time you have to explore, but private tours will give you plenty of flexibility. Click here to view all of the tour options.

Things to do at Halona Beach Cove

There is more to do at Halona Beach Cove than what meets the eye!

Of course, you must find the hidden lava tube! It’s tucked away under the cliffs beneath the highway and isn’t too hard to find.

There is also a little sea cave right by where the waves hit the sand. Be cautious when looking for the cave or wading in the water as the waves can be very powerful.

In fact, I would definitely advise against getting in the water at Halona Beach Cove. There is no lifeguard on duty and it is right next to Sandy Beach, which is considered to be the most dangerous beach in Hawaii because of the massive powerful waves on this part of the island.

Whether you decide to get in the water or not, I recommend skimming Hawaii’s official ocean safety guide before your trip!

Also See: 7 Breathtaking Places on Oahu That Feel Like Jurassic Park

Oahu's Halona Beach Cove, a sandy and rocky beach with blue water and blue sky above. — *A look at Halona Beach Cove from the road above (that’s where you’ll get the best photos!)*

More Things to do Nearby Eternity Beach

There are plenty of other things to do on Oahu’s southeastern side near Halona Beach Cove.

🤿 Hanauma Bay: One of ther most popular places for snorkeling on Oahu, and it’s only a few minutes away from Halona Cove. Reservations are required and you have to wait through 30+ minutes of lines and presentations before heading to the beach.

🥾 Koko Crater Hike: Climb straight up a crater along abandoned railway tracks. It’s one of the best Oahu hikes under 2 miles, but it’s quite a physical challenge. The views at the top make it worth it.

☕️ Island Brew Coffee: Coffee with a VIEW! This coffeeshop is situated right beside gatorade-blue water in the Hawaii Kai neighborhood with a view of Koko Head. Stop here for a drink on your way to (or from Halona Cove).

👙 China Walls: A popular cliff jumping spot is a great place to watch the sunset. But be very careful here — I saw a girl who was standing on the cliff get swept into the ocean and bashed on the rocks. More details in my China Walls guide.

If you drive further toward Kailua and Kaneohe, be sure to check out the Byodo In Temple, Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Lanikai Beach, and downtown Kailua. I also recommends hiking the Lanikai Pillbox trail at sunrise if you can!

Finally, grab my free Oahu Google Map so you can see all my favorite beaches, restaurants hikes, botanical gardens, restaurants, beaches, and other Oahu gems on-the-go!

Thanks for reading!

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