Magic Island (Aina Moana)

Magic Island, officially Aina Moana State Recreation Area, is a man-made peninsula at the western end of Ala Moana Beach Park at 1201 Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, on Oahu, Hawaii. The peninsula curls around a small, sheltered lagoon with a narrow strip of golden sand, and the water inside is calm, shallow, and a clear green-blue, which makes it one of the gentlest swimming spots in the city. The beach is short compared with the main park beach, and exposure is low because the lagoon is protected from wind and swell by the peninsula and the reef. The setting is more scenic than sporty: a paved walking and jogging path loops the point, shaded by trees, with views back toward Waikiki and Diamond Head and out toward the open ocean. Sunset is the signature moment, when the sky turns orange over the water and locals gather to watch. The atmosphere is relaxed and mostly local, with families, couples, joggers and outrigger canoe paddlers. Amenities include a lifeguard, restrooms and showers, and the walking path, with grass and trees for shade. There are no concessions on the peninsula, but the Ala Moana Center is a short walk from the park entrance and offers many restaurants and shops. Access is through the same park as Ala Moana Beach Park: visitors can park for free in the park lots, which fill on weekends, or walk from the shopping centre; TheBus Routes 8 and 20 serve the area. Magic Island is also a good vantage point for the Friday evening fireworks display from the Hilton Hawaiian Village, which are visible across the water. The lagoon is popular for beginner stand-up paddleboarding, and the calm water suits small children, while the surrounding point also draws anglers.