Alligator Rock Beach - Beaches On Oahu Haleiwa, Hawaii

Alligator Rock Beach is named for a set of large rocks in the water that, when viewed from certain angles at least, look like a huge alligator. Which I guess means it also looks like a huge crocodile so we're not sure how alligator won out.

And there you have the Alligator Rock

This could be a pretty nice beach to hang out on because it offers clear, blue waters and is often empty (at least during the week) but the shoreline is pretty rocky in many spots so getting in and out isn't always easy. When things are calm, there can be some fun and easy snorkeling near the big rocks as fish like to hang out there.

There is a tiny little protected area between the actual alligator rock and the beach so you get a super shallow little area where small kids could play when the ocean is calm.

Note that there are no facilities here. Getting here is easy, see our map pinpoint for exact location. The parking area is fairly small and located right along the Kamehameha Highway at the southwest end of the beach. That has a short dirt trail to take you down to the beach, head to your right for the actual Alligator Rock that the beach is named after.