Everything You Need to Know About Kawela Bay
Kawela Bay is our top North Shore wedding location. For couples staying on the North Shore, the drive to many of our other Oahu wedding locations is a bit far. Considering the proximity to Turtle Bay and other North Shore accommodations, Kawela Bay is a great choice. Although we have descriptions and photos of all our wedding locations, we wanted to share more details that may help you choose the perfect beach for the big day!
As you can see in the Kawela Bay photo gallery, this location features soft sand, calm blue water, and one of Hawaii’s most amazing Banyan trees.
Combining the beach and forest gives couples a “two-in-one-location” photo opportunity.
We like to say there aren’t “pros” or “cons” to any location, as it’s up to you to decide what you like, but for couples wanting a beach wedding or vow renewal on Oahu’s North Shore, Kawela Bay is a great choice.
Ceremony Considerations
Unless requested otherwise, the Hawaiian wedding ceremony is held in the sand and followed by a photo/video session on both the beach and forest.
Unfortunately, arch or chair setups are not doable at North Shore locations.
Note: As with all of our locations, we need to obtain specific permits for structural setups that make us legally liable, so you cannot contract another vendor or bring your own setup. If a setup is important to you, we recommend Magic Island. Although it’s a long drive, it’s perfect for larger groups.
Photo Considerations
Kawela Bay offers both beach and forest photo opportunities. With one of the most amazing Banyan trees on the island, the forest is a highlight for many couples, along with the magical tunnel seen in the photo above.
Most couples choose a ceremony later in the day to take advantage of the soft light. It’s a beautiful sunset location, but ceremonies can be held at any time of day. One note to be aware of is that scheduling too late in the day will decrease the light in the forest, so we always try to ensure you don’t start the ceremony too late. On the other hand, ceremonies in the early morning may cause a strong backlight due to the trees blocking out the sun.
Kawela Bay does have its share of iconic features. Along with the amazing forest, this is a common area where beautiful sea turtles are seen. We must always enjoy them from a distance for their protection.
Logistic Considerations
Most of our couples stay in the Waikiki area, so logistics is something to consider. If you are staying on the North Shore, it’s a great location, but if you’re traveling up from the Honolulu area, it’s a considerable distance and does require an additional travel fee per vendor of $125 and additional limo fees if applicable (2024 prices).
This location can accommodate up to 30 based on the state’s beach permit, but it is a relatively small beach, so we’d recommend it for groups of 15. Please remember we do not offer chairs or arches on the North Shore.
While getting everyone out there may require some planning, the path is flat, and the beach is only about five minutes from the parking.
For parking, there is street parking on both sides of the road. Please do not leave valuables in your car!
The trees are unique and magical, perfect for photo memories.
We highly recommend flat footwear. A barefoot beach ceremony is a comfortable option once you get to the soft sand, but make sure you have suitable footwear to navigate the walk through the forest.
What more do you need? 🙂
So, is Kawela Bay the right wedding location for you?
We love it! It’s a great wedding spot for our couples on the North Shore. And if you don’t decide to have your ceremony here, it’s worth it to stop by and see the trees and look for turtles 😉
Now that you have the insider scoop, you can decide more easily if it’s the right beach for you.
If you’re still unsure, give us a call! We’d be happy to discuss more details, answer any questions, or help you compare the locations.
