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If you visit Oahu, you might notice the large military presence on the island. Well, I’ve been to Marine Corps Base Hawaii a few times.
On one trip, I toured the area, hung out at North Beach, and saw beautiful ocean views! Whether you’re military or not, you might be curious about what it looks like.
I’ll share what to know when visiting, what to see and expect, and tips.
Getting to Marine Corps Base Hawaii
From Waikiki, I travel the H-3 to the Kaneohe area, which takes about 40 minutes.
The base is located on the Mokapu Peninsula, which is between Kaneohe and Kailua.
Visiting Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Before visiting, note that you must have base access to enter this area.
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
I rode around the base and then walked. 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.
You’ll find Marine Marts, which are gas stations with a little convenience store. And buying gas is definitely cheaper on base.
McDonald’s and other fast-food restaurants are on base. 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 base is to check out 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 at 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 I’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.
There’s street parking and an entrance at the gate. Stairs lead down 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 some people were sitting out.
A few people were 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 under a light mist. The breeze was light and fresh, and I could feel the ocean’s dampness on my skin.
In another area close to the landing pad, people were relaxing in their cars.
As the sun came down, boats were docked along the pier. Fishermen were wrapping up their day with some fresh catches.
People watched a helicopter hovering over the water. It created ripples that danced in the distance.
What a surreal sight and a peaceful day.
Travel Notes
At the beach, I saw a few people swimming and surfing, but 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 public access at certain times, but don’t quote me.
Overall
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. It’s worth stopping by and perhaps even taking a dip.
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