It’s safe to say that National Geographic magazine knows beauty when it sees it. The magazine, among others, consistently rates Lanikai Beach in its ranking of the Top 10 Beaches in the world. If you’d like your own piece of Oahu real estate that sits on or near Lanikai Beach read on.
Lanikai is an exclusive area within the town of Kailua, on the windward side of Oahu. Multi-million dollar estates, many with amazing ocean views, offer a refined Hawaiian lifestyle.
Lanikai residents that work in Honolulu make the half-hour commute to get to and from work. But, when you start your day with a view of the sunrise over Lanikai Beach, the commute is worth every minute.
Shopping is a snap when you live in Lanikai. Kailua is host to several shopping centers including Kailua Town Center, Kailua Shopping Center and Kailua Foodland Marketplace.
You won’t find 5-Star restaurants in Lanikai, but nearby Kailua has some lovely places to dine.
Lanikai’s children that aren’t enrolled in private school attend the area’s public schools. These include Lanikai Elementary and Kailua Elementary Kailua Middle School, and Kailua High.
Recreational activities abound in the area around Lanikai. Golfers love the Olomana Golf Links and the gorgeous Pali Golf Course. The back tees at Ko’olau Golf Course are challenging, with a slope rating of 152. Perhaps this is why the USGA rates Ko’olau as one of the most difficult in the country.
Lanikai, known for it’s half-mile long, pristine white beach, provides residents with plenty of sandy fun. The reef keeps the water calm so it’s a great place for the kids to swim. In the distance, the two small islands, “the mokes” to locals, offer sanctuary to seabirds. Lanikai waters are home to green sea turtles, just off the break line.
If Lanikai is calling your name, it’s time to do some house hunting in the area. You’ll find a wide variety of housing styles, from beach cottages to multi-million dollar estates. Some are quite old – built in the 1920s and 30s.
The 2011 median sales price of a home in Kailua is $777,500, which is up 2.3 percent from 2010. Homes in the Lanikai area of town, however, go for quite a bit more. If you want to live on the beach, plan on spending well over a million dollars and up over $10 million. Current listings range in price from $1,195,000 to $10,800,000.
Although Lanikai real estate is pricey, the homes are snatched up quickly, usually in a little over a month.
