Choosing A Beach

The information on hawaiibeachsafety.com is intended to assist you in making an aware and informed decision in choosing a beach destination appropriate to your personal ocean skill level. While various publications, tourism promotional materials, or other sources of information may favorably describe particular beaches, this does not mean that the beach is right for you.

You must use your own best personal judgment to determine whether a particular beach is appropriate for you and your ocean skill level. Regardless of your skill level, you are strongly encouraged to observe the following beach safety basics:

  • CHOOSE ONLY LIFEGUARDED BEACHES
  • NEVER SWIM ALONE
  • DON’T DIVE INTO UNKNOWN WATER OR INTO SHALLOW BREAKING WAVES
  • PRIOR TO ENTERING THE WATER, ASK A LIFEGUARD ABOUT BEACH AND SURF CONDITIONS AND ANY PROBLEMS OR HAZARDS
  • IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO SWIM OUT OF A STRONG CURRENT, SIGNAL FOR HELP
  • RELY ON YOUR SWIMMING ABILITY RATHER THAN ANY FLOTATION DEVICE
  • LOOK FOR, READ, AND OBEY ALL BEACH SAFETY SIGNS AND SYMBOLS
  • IF IN DOUBT, JUST STAY OUT! IT IS FAR BETTER TO RECOGNIZE THAT A BEACH IS TOO DANGEROUS RATHER THAN ATTEMPT TO ENTER THE OCEAN AND RISK INJURY OR DEATH.

Since beach conditions may change quickly, actual conditions at the beach may be significantly different from those reflected on this website. The University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the City and County of Honolulu, the County of Hawaii, the County of Kauai, the County of Maui, the Hawaii State Department of Health, and the Hawaii Tourism Authority and their respective departments, agencies, officers, directors, employees, agents and attorneys shall not be liable, without limitation, for any and all actions, causes of action, claims, judgments, attorneys' costs, and/or liens arising out of, or in any way connected to any use or misuse of the information on hawaiibeachsafety.com.

Other Uses of Data and Products

Every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information, however actual conditions may be different than the conditions reported here.

The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of this data. The School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST), the City and County of Honolulu, and the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, are providing this data "as is," and disclaim any and all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will the University of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association or any of its' offices or employees be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.

Hyperlinks

Any reference from the Web server service to any non-government entity, product, service or information does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the University of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association or any of its' offices or employees. We are not responsible for the contents of any "off-site" web pages referenced from our site.