Ocean Safety Links and Information for Locals and Visitors alike

Swimmers can be overconfident swimming in the ocean when visiting Hawaii.  For more info on Hawaiian beach safety (covers all islands), check the new UH website.  Oahu's lifeguard page is an excellent source of beach safety and information for Oahu's beaches.  For info on Maui Beaches, see the Maui County Ocean Safety website and check their brochure. More beach safety can be found on this Kaua'i site, too.

USA Swimming has an Open Water page.

There are many pools around the islands too in addition to hotel pools.  Most Counties (islands) have County Pools open (and free) to the public.  For information on these pools check the following links.  And be sure to check out our masters clubs during your visit ... we welcome visitors.

WARNING ... Ocean conditions can be dangerous - even deadly.  Even the best swimmers can and have drowned, break their neck in surf, get slammed into coral or rocks, get caught in a RIP CURRENT, or just a fast sideshore current. "IF IN DOUBT, DON'T GO OUT."
  • It's best to swim at a guarded beach (Check the local maps above.  You are encouraged to check with lifeguards about local ocean conditions before going in.  All Ocean Safety programs with the counties on each island in Hawaii are USLA certified.
  • You should never swim alone - anywhere.
  • Don't swim in murky water.  You can't see what's there (rocks & creatures), but the creatures can see you.
  • Avoid swimming in the ocean at dawn and dusk.  (Many ocean animals feed then since visibility is limited when the sun is low).
  • Beware of current ocean conditions.  The beach and ocean is different every day.  If you insist on going out in unfamiliar waters with no lifeguard, ask a local about the local conditions.
  • Watch, ask around, and beware of ocean currents.  The fastest swimmers in the world can't beat many rip currents. 
  • Learn the standardized Ocean Hazard Signs (See Oahu's OSO (lifeguard) page or the Maui OSO Handout)
  • Man-o-war & Jellyfish can be there anytime, but are more common when winds shift.  Box Jellyfish (REALLY NASTY STINGS) are common 10 days after the full moon +/- a day or so (ESP IN WAIKIKI).
  • Standing on rock outcroppings is dangerous.  Large waves can wash you into rocky rough waters with no way to climb out.  Visitors die every year watching the beautiful waves too close.

Channel Crossings


One type of swimming accomplishment unique to Hawaii is Channel Crossings.   You can find them posted on Hawaii Swim Clubs’ webpage along with the rules.  Each channel has a separate page starting with the Kaiwi Channel .  Of course there’s the Maui Channel Swim Relay Race across the Au'Au from Lanai to Maui which has solo swimmers each year.

It was Keith Arakaki (HSC webmaster) who first expressed interest in listing Hawaiian Channels Swim crossings on his website, there was no interest in channel swimming except to the aficionado.  He helped publicize channel swimming to the broader swim public.  The recent growth in interest and activity in Hawaiian Channel swimming is due to the exposure received from his website, with recent crossings being made by swimmers from Hawaii, mainland, and international locales.  We're greatly indebted to the efforts he made to develop the channel swim site and the effort he continues to expend to keep the records current.