Picking a Beach
The Hawaiian Islands have hundreds of miles of beaches. Some, such as Waikiki, might require that you step around a sea of tanning bodies to traverse the shore, while others are empty for miles. Relaxing on the beach is one thing, but not all beaches are suitable for swimming. In fact, a good number of Hawaii's beautiful beaches can be quite hazardous. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while visiting a beach:
Not all beaches have lifeguards. If you want to swim and frolic in the ocean, you might want to stick to those that do. Find the lifeguard station, and make sure someone is operating it. Stay in view of the tower while in the water.
It's best not to go swimming alone. Even on beaches with lifeguards, there might be lots of folks in the water. If you run into a problem, your swimming or shore companion can help signal for assistance.
Ask the lifeguards for current conditions, and obey any posted signs. If the beach is closed or posted as hazardous, trust that there is a real reason behind the prohibition.
Know your abilities. If you're not a strong swimmer, you might want to stay close to shore. The same applies to surfers, boogie-boarders, and so forth. If you venture out into waves beyond your ability, you might wish you hadn't. If you're using a boogie board or some other floatation device, consider your ability to swim should it get away from you.
Common sense will tell you that it's not a wise idea to swim while under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Weakened motor skills and poor decision-making can lead to disaster.
And it can never be said enough: Keep your eyes on your children at all times, in and out of the water!
TRAVEL TIP
Be careful if there are surfers, boogie-boarders, body-surfers, canoes, boats, or other moving objects in the water. If they don't see you or lose control, they might hit or run over you.
