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If you travel to Oahu, you might notice the large military presence on the island. On our last visit, we went to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
We had a nice time touring the area and hanging out. Whether you’re military or not, you might be curious about what it looks like.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some of our personal photos. The ocean views are some of the most beautiful around!
Getting There
From Waikiki, we took the H-3 to the Keneohe area, which took about 40 minutes. After running some errands, we headed over to the base.
It’s located on the Mokapu Peninsula, which is between Kaneohe and Kailua. So, we were a few minutes away.
Visiting Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Here’s the part of my blog post where I usually give info on visiting times, tickets, etc.
Well, this is going to be different. Note that you must have base access to enter this area, and I came as a visitor.
Now, I’m from a family with many military members, but I myself am a civilian. So, don’t drive up there expecting to get in unless you have clearance.
Base History
At one time, this base was known as Naval Airstation Kaneohe Bay and Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.
In 1918, the entire Mokapu Peninsula was designated for military use. It also contains some of Hawaii’s conservation land, including Ulupau Crater.
Throughout time, the area was comprised of the army, navy, and Marines. Fast forward to the 1990s, and it became an area of Marine installations.
Today, the Marine Corps occupies the base, which is almost 3,000 acres. But sailors, their families, and civilian employees live on this base as well.
Touring the Base
At first, we toured around by driving, and then we did some walking. Although I’ve been there, new things were happening.
For example, they were building a new school that I hadn’t seen last time. This is an area with many kids, so there were a few parks and fields to play youth sports.
They have many of the same things you’ll find at other military bases, including living areas, single-family homes, schools, walking paths, fitness centers, a medical center, and a chapel.
We passed a couple of Marine Marts, which are gas stations with a little convenience store. And buying gas is definitely cheaper on base.
We passed by a few McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants. They had some other types of food too, but those are the ones that stuck out to me.
And of course, there’s the Commissary, where you can buy groceries. The goods tend to be much cheaper there too.
Shopping at the MCX
My favorite thing to do on this base, and other bases, is to check out what they have at the PX. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s the Post Exchange, which is basically a department store.
By the way, the Marines call theirs the MCX, which is the Marine Corps Exchange.
Military members like to shop here because it’s tax-free, and generally, things are cheaper. However, I was looking a swimsuits and they weren’t all as cheap as I thought they’d be.
This one reminds me of Target, Sears, and Walmart. Basically, they have clothes, snacks, home goods, and electronics. They also have military supplies such as uniforms, bags, and more.
I was tempted to buy a travel bag to bring back home, but didn’t want to lug it back on this trip.
Oh, and one more thing, on many occasions when I’ve been here in the past, a man was selling enlarged photos of Oahu outside this PX.
He said he takes them himself, and they’re huge ones that you could hang in your house. Anyway, he wasn’t there last time, but it seems like a lot of people I knew had bought one from his guy at some point!
North Beach Views
I’ve actually been to this base a few times to shop, but this was the first time we’ve actually spent some time at North Beach.
It’s one of the beaches on the Mokapu Peninsula and can be accessed right on base. This was the highlight of the visit.
We basically parked on the street and walked to the gate. Then we went down some stairs to get to the water.
Now, the beach has some sandy areas, but it’s not flat and busy like Waikiki. There are also a lot of rocky areas, but we found some people sitting out.
We also saw a few people surfing, and it looked like the ideal place for it. The great thing about the area is that it feels secluded.
Most of all, the views were strikingly beautiful as a light mist rose above us. The breeze was light and fresh, and I could feel the ocean’s dampness on my skin.
We also headed over to another area close to the landing pad and found people relaxing in their cars. A lady next to us smiled as she enjoyed the views in silence.
As the sun came down, we walked along the pier to find some boats docked. Some fishermen were wrapping up their day, perhaps with some fresh catches.
Then we joined other people on the pier watching a helicopter hovering over the water. It created ripples that danced in the distance.
What a surreal sight and a peaceful day.
Travel Notes
The next time I go, I think I’d like to spend more time at the beach. Although we saw a few people swimming and surfing, there wasn’t a lifeguard on duty. The waters seemed a bit rough, so it’s not for beginners.
This is a gorgeous place to take pictures, and I couldn’t stop snapping them!
I’ve also been to Bellows Beach, which is also on the peninsula. I believe they allow the public access at certain times, but don’t quote me.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Marine Corps Base Hawaii was a nice experience. It’s a place where you’ll find some of the most beautiful views without all the tourists.
If you have base access, you might want to check out North Beach. And if you happen to visit the other beaches on the peninsula, you’ll have to let me know what you thought.
More Travel Adventures
I have many other related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial is another place you may want to visit on the island.
- While in Keneohe, you might want to visit the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden.
- For more to see in the area, check out my post on Oahu.
- If you’re around Waikiki, check out my things to do over there.
- And for exploring outside of Waikiki, see my post on Honolulu.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures!
Originally published: November 6, 2025
