The hike to Makapuu tide pools is only
2.19 miles
. It's including the scramble down to the tide pool. However, you will need to take your time and watch where you're going on the way down the pools.
How long does Makapuu hike take?
The Makapuu Lighthouse hike will take you
about 30 minutes
to reach the top. Within a few switchbacks, you'll find some great viewing spots early on and along the way. Take time to enjoy the beautiful coastal views towards Koko Head as you start your climb.
How long is the walk to Makapuu Lighthouse?
Explore this
2.5-mile
out-and-back trail near Waimānalo, Oahu. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 11 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Are the Makapuu tide pools safe?
The public is urged to stay out of the water at the tide pools below Makapuu lighthouse, as large waves can break and sweep over rocks flooding the tides pools
. The strong returning surge is also dangerous, pulling the water back over the sharp rocks and out to sea.
How do you get to Makapuu Beach?
By Car from Waikiki:
Follow the H-1 through the residences, around the Koko Head Crater, pass Sandy Beach and up towards Makapu'u Point
. When you reach the top, take a moment to check out the beautiful views before heading down to the Makapuu beach parking lot.
How do I get to Makapuu Lighthouse by bus?
When coming from Waikiki, you'll pass the entrance to the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail if you get off at the Sea Life Park bus stop
. This bus stop is a few minutes closer when walking than the Hawaii Kai golf course. It's also the more scenic walking route!
What time does Makapuu close?
The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail opens shortly before sunrise and closes
around sunset
every day, but the path's parking lot (which is by the trailhead just off of Kalanianaole Highway) is only open from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., so visitors who plan on watching the sun rise should park on the side of the main road.
How long is the pillbox hike?
The Lanikai Pillbox hike is
a little over 1 mile
in length each way and takes around 20-30 minutes each way depending on your skill level. It's one of the best hikes on Oahu if you are looking for something quick and easy.
Can you get to the Makapuu Lighthouse?
By Car. The park and beginning of the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail are located at
Highway 72 of Kalanianaole Highway
. It is located at the South-east point of Oahu. Your trip will take about 45 minutes from Waikiki by car.
Is Stairway to Heaven in Hawaii Open?
Hawaii's famous Haiku Stairs, known as the “Stairway to Heaven,”
will be removed due to illegal trespassing and injuries at the site that have led to hefty costs
. The stairs, built by the U.S. Navy in the 1940s, are now known to lead the best views in Hawaii, despite being closed to the public for over 30 years.
How long does it take to climb Diamond Head Hawaii?
Trail Length 1.6 miles (round trip) | Time 2 hours | Activity Pedestrian | Difficulty Moderate | Terrain Hot, Dry, Slopes |
---|
Is Makapuu Lighthouse free?
There is no cost to park or hike up to the lighthouse
.
Is Makapuu safe?
Makapuu Beach is rated in a state study as Oahu's most dangerous beach
. The five-year study by the Department of Health shows Makapuu with an annual rate of 91 rescues for every 100-thousand people in the water. This is the highest rate among Oahu's 19 beaches. Nearby Sandy Beach had the second highest with 82.
How do you get to hike Maunawili Falls?
Best Hiking Trails on Oahu
It's about 40 minutes from Waikiki.
Follow Maunawili Road until you reach the residential neighborhood where a small sign marks the trail
. The only parking is on the neighborhood streets. It is a two-mile hike but takes a good two hours or so to reach the waterfall.
What is in a tide pool?
While these small basins at the ocean's edge typically range from mere inches to a few feet deep and a few feet across, they are packed with sturdy sea life such as
snails, barnacles, mussels, anemones, urchins, sea stars, crustaceans, seaweed, and small fish
.
When can you surf at Makapuu?
Winter tends to be best overall, but there is surf year-round
due to easterly tradeswell exposure. Open exposure to the northerly swells in winter, and winter will also bring offshore wind events.
Can you swim at Makapuu Beach?
Makapu'u Bay Beach Activities and Attractions. Swimming:
We only recommend swimming at Makapu'u Beach for powerful swimmers
. Be prepared to fight some strong waves to stay afloat. Visit the Makapu'u Tidepools: Waves cover these tidepools (rough lava holes) during the high tides.
Does Makapuu Beach have bathrooms?
Makapu'u Beach, a pocket of sand about l,000 feet long, is bordered by the high sea cliffs of Makapu'u Point and a point of lava rock that
houses its showers and restrooms
.
Are there bathrooms at Makapuu Lighthouse hike?
Makapu'u is a nice hike for visitors: beautiful views, paved trail, and an incline that lets you know you're working out (but is it too difficult). Distance is about 2.5 miles roundtrip. Only downsides are lack of a toilet and limited parking.
What islands can you see from Makapuu?
This moderately easy hike pays off with breathtaking views of the indigo ocean and Oahu's eastern, or Windward Coast. You can even see the island of Molokai in the distance. Two other smaller islands, Manana (the larger of the two, also known as Rabbit Island) and Kaohikaipu are also visible just offshore.
Can you walk on Kalanianaole Highway?
Kalanianaole Highway is a particularly dangerous road for pedestrians
. The speed limit is 35 mph, but it is also an extension of the H-1 freeway and some of the 80,000 motorists who drive through the residential neighborhoods there each day treat it more like a racetrack.
Can you hike Makapuu lighthouse at night?
Since there was still plenty of color, we decided to take a trek all the way to the “summit”. There was just enough light left to illuminate some of the islands off Makapu'u and the Windward Coast. The colors began to fade to black and
we were officially night hiking
!
Can you hike Stairway to Heaven Oahu?
Stairway to Heaven on Oahu is one of those rare attractions
! Also known as the Haiku Stairs, “Stairway to Heaven” refers to a 4,000-foot long hiking trail consisting of 3,922 stairs.
Is Makapuu Lighthouse Trail Hard?
The Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail is
not hard to find
. It is located off of Kalanianaole Highway (Hwy. 72). From Honolulu, take the H1 freeway east until it becomes Highway 72.
What is the hardest hike on Oahu?
If you're looking for a hard hike on Oahu, look no further than
Koko Crater Trail
. This steep climb consists of 1,000+ steps along an abandoned railroad track that runs to the top of Koko Crater. It's a challenging hike that will challenge not only your leg strength but your will as well.
How difficult is the pillbox hike?
How hard is the Lanikai Pillbox Hike? The Lanikai Pillbox Hike is considered an
easy-moderate hike
. However, parts of the hike can be a bit steep, especially at the start of the trail. Depending on who you ask, some might rate this trail as easy and some as moderate.
Why is it called pillbox hike?
The two famed “pillboxes” on the trail are misnamed. In military terms,
a pillbox means a defensive site such as a machine gun pillbox
. The two concrete structures on Ka'iwa Ridge were built to be observation stations, not sites for defensive armaments.