Hike the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
Honolulu, Hawaii
Details
Distance
2.5 miles
Elevation Gain
708 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Kelly Drake
Hike to views of the historical lighthouse overlooking the beautiful west side. This is also great exercise if you're looking to stretch your legs before exploring more of the island. Fun bodysurfing and beach day at Makapu'u Beach. A photographers dream, with ocean and earth landscapes, and amazing sunrises and sunsets.
If you're looking to get moving and get your heart rate up or want a place to snap great photos, start with hiking to Makapu’u Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1909 on a 600-ft cliff, which overlooks Makapu’u beach. The hike is more of an uphill walk and can be done in sandals unless you’re looking to run it. If you’re hiking it, it’s about an hour round-trip at an easy pace.
Once you’ve made it back down to your car, drive north to Makapu’u beach, stake out your spot, throw your fins on, and get in the water. Makapu’u is a fun spot for bodysurfing and gets fairly consistent wind swell. If you’re not a great swimmer, it’s best to enjoy from the beach and break out the spam musubi. If you want to pick up some food to bring with you to the beach, head up 72 to Waimanalo and hit up Sweet Home Waimanalo for some BBQ.
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Reviews
Good solid hike, but there are many others on Oahu I'd rather do again. Fun if you like lighthouses
5.0
Fun hike on the east side of Oahu. The beginning of the trail is paved and there is a great lighthouse reward at the end of the hike!
5.0
Get there for sunrise and you won't be disappointed! Skip the crowds too!
5.0
This hike is beautiful. But disappointing that its a pavement pathway. Worth the hike.
4.0
This Was A Really Easy Hike. If You're Taking Kids, This Might Be A Good Place To Start. The Best Part Of The Trip Is Off Trail Where My Wife And I Found Tide Pools To Take A Swim. Without The Tide Pools The View At The Top Is Great. It's All Paved Road With No Restroom.
3.0
The current at this beach is strong so inexperienced swimmers are best off hanging out on the beach or doing the hike.
It can get really hot here in the summer, but winter whale watching was rewarding.
Prevailing trade winds, can, on occasion, blow swarms of Portuguese Man-of-War to shore. A simple check before swimming is to check the waterline, if you spot a bunch of blue bubbles across the tide line, you should reconsider going out. *Also Makapu'u features some extreme under tows and rip currents that can challenge even the most advanced bodysurfers and swimmers, unless you've been swimming here your entire life, it would be highly recommended to check in with the lifeguard.
The trail can get a little hot & a little crowded, so I prefer to go early in the morning. Also, you can drop off of the main path & hike down to some tide pools that are big enough to swim in (tide permitting, of course).
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
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Koko Head Botanical Garden
Bodysurfing at Sandy Beach
Koko Crater Arch via Halona Blowhole Lookout
Halona Cove
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