Oʻahu

SWIMMER COURSE OVERVIEW

Start/Finish Location:

Kaimana Beach (San Souci Beach), Honolulu, HI

Total Distance: 10 kilometers (approx. 6.2 miles)

Format: Open-water loop swim (start and finish at the beach)

Direction: Clockwise or counterclockwise – swimmer's choice

NAVIGATION & COURSE DETAILS

1. START

 Begin your swim onshore at Kaimana Beach.  Swim straight out through the Kaimana Channel, staying between the groin and breakwater.  You will pass the windsock/flag marker, located about 200 yards offshore slightly to your left.

2. TURN DIRECTION (CHOOSE YOUR LOOP)

 Once past the windsock, swimmers may choose to turn LEFT (counterclockwise) or RIGHT (clockwise) to begin the loop.  The swim course links the outer buoys off Diamond Head and the Ala Wai outer channel marker, forming a wide arc around the southern edge of Waikiki.

3. OUTER COURSE & OFFSHORE CROSSING

 The line between the outer buoys forms the bulk of the 10K course and is best swum as a straight line.  This will take swimmers progressively offshore, reaching distances of over a mile from shore at the midpoint of the crossing.  Due to the long distance between the Diamond Head buoy and the Ala Wai channel buoy, it is not possible to sight the opposite buoy across the full span.  Plan your navigation carefully and use visual references such as Diamond Head, Magic Island, or accompanying escort craft.  Caution is advised due to regular boat traffic in the area, including outrigger canoes, sailing. vessels, and tour boats.

4. RETURN TO SHORE

 Upon completing the loop, return through the Kaimana Channel and land back on Kaimana Beach where you started.

SAFETY REMINDERS

 Open water swimming is an inherently dangerous sport.  Swimmers should only attempt this course with an experienced escort, such as a kayak or paddleboard guide.  Always choose a route and ocean conditions that match your fitness and experience level.  Be aware of ocean currents, swell, and wind, which may change rapidly.  You swim this course entirely at your own risk.

BACKGROUND

The Waikiki Grand 10 was pioneered by members of HOW to expand long-distance open-water swimming options within the scenic and challenging waters off Waikiki.

Distance: 10 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members as a way to expand options for challenging swims in Waikiki.  Swimmers turn left at the flag, swim to Black Point, and return to Kaimana keeping the flag on their right shoulder.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  Dropping=flows Diamond Head; Rising=flows Ewa.  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds that can be very strong near Diamond Head and/or late morning.

Logistics:

Kaimana Beach is very accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks and begins at the start of the famous annual Waikiki Rough Water Swim.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 11 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members as part of a half marathon swim half marathon run.  Originally swimmers completed 7km in the Ala Moana basin before exiting by Magic Island and heading to Kahala.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  Dropping=flows Diamond Head; Rising=flows Ewa.  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds that can be very strong near Diamond Head and/or late morning.

Logistics:

Ala Moana and Kahala beaches are very accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.  Kayakers can also face tough conditions paddling into the winds.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks and begins at the Ewa end of Ala Moana Beach Park.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start when exiting Ala Moana and at the finish with that at Kahala often much larger.  Swimmers are far from shore for most of the swim and cross one harbor.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 12.25 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members as a way to expand options for challenging swims in Waikiki and probably should not be reattempted for reasons stated below.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  Dropping=flows Diamond Head; Rising=flows Ewa.  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Sand Island beach is very accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  There is a shooting range west of Pearl Harbor.  Swimmers are not allowed to swim past the shooting range when it is open and must adhere to published rules available from the US military.  There is also significant boat traffic.  Nuclear submarines are also known  to transit through the swim course near Pearl Harbor.  The schedule of these arrivals and departures is not available to the public.

Distance: 12+ kilometers 

Background:  Looking for a place to log in distance?  This is an entry level open water swim.  HOW documents any distance that can be verified at or above 12 kilometers.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  almost neglible effect on swimmers due to the reef.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds

Logistics:

Ala Moana Beach Park is very accessible by any means of transportation.  Motorized craft are not allowed.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  The observer can stay on land.

Distance: 10.61 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  Dropping=flows Diamond Head; Rising=flows Ewa.  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Expect unpredictable currents when rounding the point.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds that can be very strong near the point.

Logistics:

Kalaeloa Airport and Koʻolina Lagoons are very accessible by any means of transportation. 

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start and at the finish.  Swimmers are far from shore for most of the swim and cross one harbor.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 11.65 kilometers

This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds that are usually reduced in strength by the nearby mountain range.

Logistics:

Depot Beach Park and Lahilahi Point are very accessible by any means of transportation. 

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start and at the finish.  Swimmers are far from shore for most of the swim and cross one harbor.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 11 kilometers

This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds that are usually reduced in strength by the nearby mountain range.

Logistics:

Lahilahi Point and Yokohama Bay are very accessible by any means of transportation. 

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start and at the finish.  Swimmers are far from shore for most of the swim.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 11.08 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides: It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Yokohama Bay and Mokuleia beaches are accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.  Rugged terrain and difficult conditions make professional escort services a must for this very difficult and rarely attempted swim.

Distance: 11 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Moluleia and Waialua beaches are accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks. Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.

Distance: 12.25 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Waialua and Sunset Beaches are accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start and finish.  This swim spans across the 5 swims of the famous annual North Shore Swim Series and crosses Haleiwa Harbor.

Distance: 10.5 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.  Generally the reef is shallow for most of the swim thus the swimmer needs to take an outside line far from shore.

Distance: 10.5 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first ever complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Kualoa and Pyramid Rock beaches are accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.  Military base access is required for Pyramid Rock Beach.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks.  Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.  US Marine Corp base access is necessary to complete this swim.

Distance: 12 kilometers

Background:  This swim was pioneered by HOW members during the first complete island circumnavigation by swimming in Hawaiʻi.

What to expect: 

Temperature: 70s any month

Tides:  It is highly advised to plan this swim around the tide cycle.  Check here.

Weather:

Predominantly easterly winds 

Logistics:

Kailua and Makapuʻu beaches are accessible by any means of transportation.  If using an escort boat there are nearby harbors.

Swimmer notes:

This swim has ample parking and sandy beach access from which to launch swimmers and kayaks. Expect high winds, big water, and dangerous wildlife.  Generally shorebreak can be expected at both the start and finish with that at Makapu'u often larger.  Swimmers are far from shore for most of the swim.