Honu Lagoon: What to Know About Ko Olina's Second Lagoon

If you stay at Beach Villas at Ko Olina, Honu Lagoon is your front yard. It is the second of Ko Olina's four lagoons, and the Ocean and Beach Towers sit steps from its beach. Here is what to know before your first morning on the sand.

Four lagoons, one shoreline

Ko Olina has four lagoons along its shoreline: Koholā, Honu, Naiʻa and Ulua. Ko Olina numbers them in order along the shore (Koholā has two lots, 1A and 1B), and Honu is Lagoon 2. Large rock barriers shield the lagoons from high surf, which is why the water inside is usually calm. Some visitors even find it too calm for most water sports, so think of the lagoons as a place to swim, float and relax rather than surf.

A paved seaside path, more than a mile and a half long, connects all four lagoons. From Honu Lagoon you can walk to the others in the cool of the morning or at sunset, and come back to your villa without getting in the car.

The lawn and the beach

At Beach Villas, the Honu Lagoon lawn and beach are shared by every guest, along with two pools, three spas, a fitness center with steam rooms, the beach bar and grill and the barbecues. That makes the lagoon an easy gathering spot for families and groups: one part of the group can be in the water while another stays on the lawn, and everyone can gather again in the evening.

As the developer laid the towers out, stacks 09 and 10 are on the end facing the lagoon, even-numbered stacks face west toward the sunset, and odd-numbered stacks face east over the pool and the sunrise. If a lagoon or sunset view matters to you, ask the villa's host which way the villa faces.

Swim smart

The calm water is a big part of the appeal, but a few things are worth knowing:

• There are no lifeguards on duty at the lagoons. Guests swim at their own risk, so keep an eye on children and on each other.
• Currents can be strong near the openings between the rock barriers. Keep away from the openings, especially with young swimmers.
• Fishing, netting, crabbing and spearfishing are not allowed in the lagoons.
• Non-reef-safe sunscreen is not allowed. Pack a reef-safe one before you go.

Public access and parking

The public may walk to and from the lagoon beaches. Ko Olina also offers daily public parking in designated areas from sunrise to sunset, first come, first served. Staying at a villa next to the lagoon means you simply walk down from your building.

Planning your lagoon days

Every stay at Beach Villas is 6 nights or more, which leaves plenty of time to learn the lagoon's rhythms: an early swim in the calm water, a long walk along the path, and a slow evening on the lawn. The villas have 2 or 3 bedrooms, and groups can book several villas side by side for up to 150 guests.

Ready to wake up next to Honu Lagoon? See which villas are open for your dates at https://beachvillasatkapolei.com/ko-olina-villas. Planning for 9 or more guests? Start at https://beachvillasatkapolei.com/groups.html.