If you want to surf the waves of Oahu without the crowds that flock to the North Shore surf spots, head to Yokohama Bay on Oahu’s most northern leeward part. Also known as Keawaula Beach or Puau Beach, Yokohama Bay is a hidden Hawaiian treat for surfers, sunbathers, and nature lovers located near Kaena Point on the Waianaie coastline at the end of the Farrington Highway. The bay offers a crescent-shaped bay of white sand against a backdrop of rugged Pali cliffs. Characterized by breezes from the trade winds and hot sunny days, Yokohama Bay is truly a beach paradise that development has left untouched.

The bay offers clear waters ideal for snorkeling, diving, shore fishing, picnicking, collecting shells, swimming, and sunbathing. To enjoy Yokohama in this way, it is best to visit Yokohama Bay during the summer months, when the ocean is calm.

In winter, the swell reaches 20 feet. Surfers and bodyboarders take to the waves here. High waves, strong currents, and strong shore breaks turn into Yokohama Bay. Surfers also have to deal with the wind here, which can sometimes blow erratically and unpredictably. Some days, the wind will blow offshore, while on other days, the wind will blow ashore for half an hour, then change ashore for another fraction of an hour, and then recede out to sea again.

During the high swell months, non-professional surfers should stay on shore and watch the excitement of the waves and the surfers tackling the waves of Yokohama; high winter waves are extremely dangerous.

Services and amenities: lifeguards and restrooms at the park entrance, no bus service, no facilities

Unique things:

• The bay is the last beach on Farrington Highway.
• It is also the last stretch of sandy shoreline on the Sotavento coast.
• It is part of Kaena Point State Park,
• The bay is also known as Keawaula Beach or Puau Beach, but the locals on the west side who frequent the beach the most prefer to call it Yokohama Bay — after the name of the city (Yokohama, Japan) where the Japanese immigrant who lived and fished in the coast was coming.
• It is near Kaena Point, which is the “leap” of souls to the spirit world according to legend.