Top 10 Oahu Beaches For The BEST Pet Photos

HAWAII

June 22, 2022

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The beach makes the perfect natural backdrop for photos. Especially photos of your pet. And Oahu beaches are the absolute best! Whether your pictures are candid shots, running through the waves, or posed portraits next to a palm tree, with the right composition, your photos are sure to be absolutely stunning on any Oahu beach.

Of course, when getting pet photos, you need to think about more than the background. When you’re trying to decide on a location, there are a few other things to think about. Safety should be your first consideration when finding the right beach for pet photos. Crowds should be minimal so your pet doesn’t get distracted or overwhelmed. You also want to think about the terrain. Will your dog be comfortable and safe walking on rocks or rough sand pebbles?

And really, there’s no shortage of gorgeous beaches on Oahu. Some of them are great for photos of shy pets who don’t like crowds… and others are perfect for pets with big personalities. There’s a perfect location for everyone, and to help you find the right one for you, I’ve put together 6 beaches that will get you the BEST pet photos.  

The Best Beaches on Oahu For Pet Photos

Kualoa Beach

Kualoa Beach dog photoshoot on Oahu best of Oahu beaches

This beach is absolutely iconic, and perfect for pictures. You have the island of Mokolii in view on one side and the Koolau mountains on the other! And of course, a beautiful stretch of beach. Despite its popularity, there are rarely large crowds at this beach. This makes it a great location for shy dogs and dogs who get distracted easily. There are endless possibilities for beautiful pet photos at Kualoa beach.

Kuliouou Beach

Kuliouou Beach dog running in ocean dog photography by Keri Nakahashi Photography, best of Oahu beaches

This is a spacious beach with a beautiful view. It has a long beach but also a beautiful grassy area, so it provides a lot of variety in photos. Make sure to time your photoshoot around low tide. When the tide is high, the water can be waist-high, making it difficult for dogs to stand. Wanting to make a day of your pet’s photo shoot? This is the place! It’s a great place to picnic and relax. And don’t forget to check out the Paiko Lagoon nearby!

Kailua Beach

White sands and turquoise water? Check and check! This is a calm beach, so it’s great for dogs who like to dip their toes in the water. This beach is a great spot for a sunrise photoshoot. It’s also a favorite for underwater and over-under photos. This is a popular windsurfing destination, so we may just catch a windsurfer in the background of your photos. This really adds to the fun, beachy aesthetic.

More of Our Favorites

Mokuleʻia Beach

With a mixture of rocky shoreline and the classic stretch of white sand, Mokuleʻia Beach has a lot to offer! For how much beach there is, this is a pretty quiet place for a photo shoot. And is a wonderful choice for a dog needing a calmer environment. In fact, this is Keri Nakahashi Photography’s favorite beach on the north shore for sunset because of how few tourists it attracts! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for sea turtles during your shoot!

Duke Kahanamoku Beach

Duke Kahanamoku pet photography session, best of Oahu beaches

Also known as Fort DeRussy Beach, Duke Kahanamoku Beach has previously been named the top beach in the world. So as you can imagine, this is a popular destination amongst locals and tourists alike. It’s best to visit in the morning, before the crowds arrive. In order to give some beachgoers some space from sandy, wet dogs, there are restrictions on where your dog can do. But if you can swing it, this is a beautiful beach with a nice view of Diamond Head in the background!

Diamond Head Beach

Dogs are only allowed in certain areas at Diamond Head Beach, but don’t let that discourage you. There are still plenty of photo opportunities here. What puts Diamond Head beach on this list is the fact that it doesn’t get as crowded as other Honolulu beaches… which makes it a perfect location for pets that get overwhelmed or distracted by activity. 

Waialae Beach 

Waialae Beach dog photography by Keri Nakahashi Photography, best of Oahu beaches

Dogs are allowed in areas below the high-tide line of this beach, which gives you the opportunity to get some really creative photos. What makes this beach fabulous for pictures is the setting. Waialae Beach looks like a classic postcard of Hawaii! This environment is perfect for the dog with personality plus. One drawback is this beach is popular and gets crowded pretty quickly, which won’t work for some dogs. Planning an earlier or later session can help you avoid the crowds… and maybe even get some beautiful sunset shots. 

Ready For More?

Pounder’s Beach

If what you really want are pictures of your dog in the sand and the surf, then Pounder’s Beach is the perfect place for this. Pounder’s Beach attracts a lot of surfers because of the waves, but the water is quieter toward the North end of the beach. This area, called “Bathtub Beach”, is a safer location for photo ops of your dog in the water. The surrounding reef helps to break up the incoming waves.

Alan Davis Beach

Take a short 0.5 mile walk from the parking lot, and arrive at a beautiful swimming cove. This is a great spot because it’s secluded and has calm water. Plus, the shoreline is absolutely stunning and makes for some amazing photos!

Maili Beach

Looking for the perfect sunset shot? Maili Beach has a great view as you take in the Waianae mountain range and the picturesque palm trees. There’s a grassy lawn area as well, so you have some options. This beach can get crowded over the weekends, so a weekday photoshoot is recommended!

There you have it! Thinking about scheduling a beach photo shoot for your dog? Take a look at my portfolio for some great inspiration. You’ll find photos from a variety of amazing Oahu locations.

When you’re ready, book Keri Nakahashi Photography to capture your dog’s personality on a beautiful Oahu beach! There are so many wonderful beach locations to choose from near Honolulu, and my job is to help you select the perfect one!

  1. […] are dog-friendly restaurants, beaches, and even more things that you can get out and experience with your dog here in Honolulu. Whether […]

  2. […] your dog to a day at the beach and a picnic with friends. Honolulu has numerous dog-friendly beaches where you can take your dog with a few of his pals. Make sure, when you choose a beach, to pay […]

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a Honolulu based dog photographer for those obsessed with their furbaby. Here youʻll find all things dogs + Hawaii - photography tips, top dog-friendly spots, client sessions, and more!

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a Honolulu based dog photographer for those obsessed with their furbaby. Here youʻll find all things dogs + Hawaii - photography tips, top dog-friendly spots, client sessions, and more!

I'm Keri.

Hey!

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