Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Electric Beach, at Kahe Point off Farrington Highway in Kapolei, on the leeward coast of Oahu, Hawaii, is a rocky snorkeling and diving site about 25 miles west of Waikiki. It sits beside the Kahe Power Plant, whose cooling-water outflow pipes discharge warm water into the ocean just offshore. The warm water attracts a dense gathering of reef fish and green sea turtles, and the location is considered one of the best places on Oahu for wildlife viewing in the water. The shore is not a sandy beach: entry is across rock and a small ledge, with a patch of sand and coral rubble, and the water is clear but can be surgy. Conditions vary with the swell, and the leeward coast is calmest from May to September, when the water is typically clear and gentle; winter swell can make entry hazardous and close the site to snorkeling. The atmosphere is informal and focused on the water: snorkelers, divers, and a few sunbathers, with a rugged coastal feel and a power plant in the background. There are no lifeguards and few facilities. Visitors should expect no restrooms, showers, or food, and a small free parking lot that fills up on weekends. Access is by car along Farrington Highway, and parking is roadside and in a modest lot, so arriving early helps. Because there are no lifeguards, experience and caution are important; currents can pull, and the rocky entry is slippery. Snorkelers should stay near the outflow area, keep a safe distance from sea turtles, and avoid touching marine life, which is protected by law. Sunsets from the point are scenic, and visitors often pair the stop with the Ko Olina Lagoons nearby.