Best Beaches for Family Photos Near Aulani

Booking a stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort and hoping to capture your trip with beautiful photos? As an Aulani family photographer, Ko’Olina is one of my very favorite areas on Oahu to shoot. An Aulani family session is the perfect way to capture stunning, professional memories of your Hawaii vacation — relaxed, fun, stress-free, and full of Aloha spirit! 📸 Below I’ll share the best beaches for your session, answer the questions I get asked most, and give you a few honest local tips. 🌺

Sunrise family session at the Ko’Olina secret beach, just steps from Aulani

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we take photos right on the Ko’Olina lagoons in front of Aulani?
This is the question I get most! Unfortunately, no — the calm, picture-perfect Ko’Olina lagoons are man-made water features owned by Ko’Olina, so professional photography sessions aren’t permitted there. But not to worry! There are two beautiful natural beaches nearby where I love to photograph families, and honestly, they photograph even better as you can see in the images.

What’s the best time of day for Aulani family photos?
Sunrise, hands down! The light is soft and golden, the beaches are quiet, and it’s cooler and calmer for the kids. If you’re traveling from the mainland, the time change actually works in your favor — you’ll naturally be up early those first few days, which is the perfect window for a session before your day begins.

Can we do sunset photos instead?
I completely understand — sunset is dreamy, and families ask about it all the time! Here’s my honest take: sunset photos are possible at Aulani, but I don’t usually recommend them here, because the Ko’Olina beaches get quite crowded in the evenings. If you have a large group especially, sunrise is the better choice so you don’t have to wait your turn for photos — you’ll have the beach to yourselves with soft, calm light. If your heart is set on sunset, we do have an option: we can head to a larger, more secluded beach about 40 minutes away, where there’s more room (and lucky for us, there’s no traffic heading that direction at sunset!). That said, sunrise is almost always the better option overall — mornings here are peaceful and empty, whereas driving to a different beach in the morning means fighting traffic. So for the smoothest, most beautiful session, sunrise wins every time- trust me.

Where do you photograph families near Aulani?
My two favorite spots are Paradise Cove and the “Secret Beach” tucked behind the Four Seasons — both just a short distance from Aulani, the Four Seasons, and the Marriott. More on each below!

How many photos will we get, and when?
Each package includes a set number of professionally retouched images delivered in a private online gallery, ready within about 30 days of your session. Please click here for more information on investment options.

How far in advance should we book?
As early as you can! Sessions fill up quickly, especially in summer and around the holidays. Once your Aulani trip dates are set, reach out to secure your preferred sunrise slot.

A Quick Note on Weather 🌤️

Here’s a little local secret: Ko’Olina is one of the driest, least windy areas on the entire island — even on windier days, it stays relatively calm here, and there are some nice shady spots too. That makes it one of the most reliable spots on Oahu for a smooth, comfortable family session. And if a quick passing shower does roll through, don’t worry — I always keep umbrellas on hand until it passes, and we can adjust as needed.

The Best Beaches for Aulani Family Photos

1. Paradise Cove

A little further from Aulani, Paradise Cove is the first public beach you’ll reach as you enter Ko’Olina — a beautiful, more secluded stretch that’s lovely for family sessions.

Why families love it:

• A gorgeous palm-lined backdrop with beautiful sunset views
• Quieter and more private than the busy lagoon areas
• A natural setting that feels a world away from the resort bustle

A few honest things to know:

• It’s a popular sunrise and sunset spot for photographers, so timing helps us find that calm, empty-beach feeling
• There’s limited shade just after sunrise, so we’ll plan around the light
• The parking lot is on the smaller side — arriving early is the move

2. Secret Beach

True to its name, Secret Beach is a hidden gem tucked behind the Four Seasons, just a short walk from Aulani. With beautiful rocks, tidepools and ocean views, it’s one of my favorite spots for an Aulani family session — serene and intimate, especially in soft morning light.

Why families love it:

• Beautiful and convenient — within walking distance of Aulani, the Four Seasons, and the Marriott
• Pretty tide pools! Also, when there are waves at this location its just stunning
• Free parking if you arrive early enough – easy parking also available across the street at the shopping center
• Rocks, and palm trees that make for gorgeous, dynamic backdrops
• View of west side mountains at certain angles

A few honest things to know:

• It can be tricky to find without a little local guidance — don’t worry, I’ll help you get there with a you tube video that I created for my clients
• It’s a smaller space, but mornings are typically great and not as crowded as sunset!
• It’s open ocean, not a calm lagoon — beautiful to photograph, but not a swimming beach, so we keep little ones close
• Wildlife sometimes visits! There are a few Hawaiian monk seals that visit often. These are protected animals, so we always keep a respectful distance — at least 50 feet (3 parking spaces), and 150 feet from a mother and her pup — and never approach. They’re faster than they look and will bite if crowded, so we simply let them be.

What to Wear 👗

Once you book, I’ll send a full styling guide to make this easy — but in general, soft, coordinating (not matching) tones with light muted colors like mauve, sage, dusty blue, paired with earth tones photograph beautifully against this cove near Aulani. Flowy dresses and skirts are always lovely for moms and daughters- the flowier the better! I’m always happy to give outfit feedback before your session!

Ready to Book Your Aulani Family Session?

I’d love to capture your family’s unforgettable Oahu vacation! 📩 Contact Marissa HB Photography today via email (marissa.hbphoto@gmail.com), by CLICKING HERE, or by commenting on this post to secure your session. And follow along on Instagram @marissahb_photography for more recent work. (Personally? I love Secret Beach at sunrise. 🌅)

“Found Marissa on Instagram while searching for a photographer for our trip to Oahu (near Aulani at Ko’olina) and fell in love with her work. Booking was simple and our session was effortless. She was also great with our toddler, which is a plus for us! Our photos are amazing and I couldn’t recommend her as a photographer more!”

— [Lauren W., Orlando, FL]

About Marissa: I’m a Native Hawaiian photographer, born and raised right here on Oahu. For over 9.5 years, I’ve had the joy of capturing families on vacation all across the island — helping visiting families feel relaxed, guided, and taken care of from the first email to the final gallery. Photographing clients at Ko’Olina and the beaches near Aulani, The Four Seasons and the Marriott at Ko’olina is one of my very favorite things to do as its just a stunning location, and I’d love to help your family remember your trip for years to come as well!