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    Makua Beach

    4.8 (39 reviews)

    Makua Beach Photos

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    Tide pools everywhere!
    Nini J.

    What a hidden gem, away from all the tourist! Although there are no public restrooms (do be prepared to change in your car), there were so many tide pools to explore, a cave and a little sea cliff to jump off of. Pro tip: Bring water shoes if you have them to protect your feet!

    Left part is the small cave, the right is a bigger rock people can jump off of, and in the middle are little tide pools
    Kira K.

    Beach day and my husband and I were looking for a calm beach (think calm like ala Moana it ko'olina lol). After reading yelp, we decided to come here. Unfortunately, the closer parking lot was fenced so we had to park in the dirt lot by the main road and had to walk inside and climb down a little bit (not a problem .. but being pregnant and in my third trimester, I wasn't too thrilled lol) When we got down to the beach, I loved the view and how sandy it was. We set up our stuff to the far left of the beach by the small cave and rock people jump off of. I'm not sure if we went at a bad time, but the water was not calm and there were waves where my friends got knocked over, so I chose not to go in (I'm not a strong swimmer). I do like how near the big rock, there are little tide pools (of which some are deep), and a calmer area near the rock where the waves aren't as rough. Also, inside the water, it was pleasantly sandy in the bottom and not rocky. Despite not being calm like I anticipated, it was still a beautiful beach and not too crowded. FYI though, there's no bathrooms.

    Gwen B.

    Very exclusive beach experience. Not crowded at all. Beautiful blue water and sand for days! Enter at your own risk as the waves are intense and get pretty high. You have to look for a calm location to enter at or know how to swim and ride the waves with your body without getting seriously injured. Large rocks and small boulders are in the water and some the rocks become dislodged and toss back and forth in the waves. Not for small kids at all. Do not leave valuables in your cars as it is a high theft area. Absolutely beautiful, and scenic tour but not for small children. A portion of Jurassic Park was taped along this coastal beach.

    Beautiful beach, this was on a cloudy/rainy day
    Jenna S.

    AKA pray for sets/sex. I love this beach, the water is always nice and it's never too crowded. There is a rock you can snorkel and swim around, and a cool little cave to explore (on low tide). To the left of the parking and rock there are also cool tide pools you can lounge in. These pictures are during high tide. I wouldn't recommend this beach for kids unless they are strong swimmers. During the morning a lot of tour boats anchor off this beach (very close to shore) to snorkel and bother dolphins. The ocean here is very pristine and beautiful. Please take your trash when you leave. I always park where I can see my car and I would never come here alone. Just be respectful and cautious when exploring. It's beautiful!

    Nancy H.

    This is one of my favorite beaches on the island. There is a large gravel lot, so parking has always been easy. Closest to the parking lot there are beautiful little tide pools and a great area for snorkeling (when the water is calm). There are often large waves here, but when there aren't, it's a real treat to snorkel here. There are often turtles and you can hear the whales and dolphins as you swim around. Lots of big, colorful fish. There is tons of room on this beach and it tends to be less crowded, because it isn't known to be a tourist spot. Usually lots of people that live on island. You also get wonderful views of the mountains on the far side of the beach.

    On the map
    Dave B.

    Soooo beautiful!!! Sometimes the spinner dolphins are here. Great snorkeling, and today I happen to see a sting ray and get pictures. The water was perfect today, so clear with mild rolling waves. Came here with my family and the neighbors, 4 adults and 3 kids. Everyone had a great time.

    Jessica S.

    A beautiful beach that doesn't seem to get as polluted with tourists as others. We came mid afternoon and we had a wonderful time. We saw dolphins in the distance while we were here. The waves are great for surfing and boogie boarding. Bring snacks and an umbrella and enjoy the beach.

    Pics with friends
    Micah G.

    Not the best beach to go to if you're on the island, but definitely something worth checking out. Came here because one of my friends who visited Hawaii before said they liked it. I will say it is a bit scary just because it can get wavy and I'm not one to swim in beaches like that. However, it is pretty nice once you get in the water. There was a lot of kids with their boogie boards so that's something to consider when coming here. Next time I'd definitely bring mine just to float around or catch some mini waves and wash up on shore. Parking can be a little tricky. We had to wait a little bit just because there was none. Also, it's off road parking but is designated like if you know it's for that beach then you'd know to park there. But if you didn't, you wouldn't think that's what it's for. After we parked, you can enter this gate area to walk down to the beach but you'd have to walk down the rock wall. There's a walkway so no climbing. But still, be careful. Bring slippers or something lol. I like these west side beaches! They're really pretty and with good company, it's worth the drive.

    Janice W.

    There is shade at the very back. You can find shade underneath a few trees but be careful because there are thorns in this area. There is a little cave beside the ocean you can go into to explore, A tide pool area for the little ones so that they can be enclosed safely, and a small cliff to dive off of. The currents are not calm, so if you're not a strong swimmer, going deeper into the water is not recommended. Great beach!

    Jane A.

    Aka Pray for Sex Beach I like how yelp doesn't map it to the correct location. Good, keep the real Makua Beach a hidden gem. But if you read this your gonna pass through Waianae, pass the tent camp communities, and your gonna question "I don't think I should be here" because if you aren't a local you probably shouldn't. But if you can go through all that you will find beautiful beaches in under developed areas. Explore HI and discover humble beauty. Enough adventures... time to get lei'd.

    Ken S.

    Used to be I was scared to come out this way, but I hang with my friends now and all is solid. Quite a few tourists these days here. Mostly sand beach way toward the end the military reservation. Good vibes today! Caught a few small barrels.

    Just jump in to experience it!!!

    ***Pre/During COVID-19 Visit*** BEAUTIFUL beach!!!!! You gotta drive all the way to the other side of the island to Waianae to experience this place. It is totally worth it though. I've gone three times and a had a good time all three times. I definitely can't wait to go again. Parking can be a challenge here. There isn't necessarily a designated parking spot as you just park right on the side of the road. Please make sure you lock your vehicle and take your valuables. High theft area. Also, there are no restrooms here and no shower facilities. Handle your business before you go. The beach is nice and the waters are so calm. I love being here, especially during a super HOT day! The water will cool you off for sure. BEST part, not a lot of people go here and know about this place. It's really a hidden gem IMO. Sometimes you'll even see turtles swimming. The next time you come here or if you're planning on visiting, bring your cooler!!! You'll get thirsty no doubt. Mahalo!!!

    Tide pool fun
    Wanda E.

    This beach is absolutely stunning and great for and adult chill sesh or bringing the kids to play in the tide pools . There are also dolphin sighting on most days. There seems to be on most days only a couple people on the beach that stretches for miles. Some days are good for paddle boarding and snorkeling too. My 6 year old however loves to play in the shore breaks... truth be told I do too

    The mountains behind

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    4 years ago

    Beautiful beach worth the drive. The have dolphins swimming in the morning's. Go when it's low tide. Thx tide pools Are instagram spots

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    4 years ago

    Beautiful beach secluded from the busy beaches. Worth the drive. We had the beach mostly to ourselves with only another two small groups.

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    Review Highlights - Makua Beach

    This beach is absolutely stunning and great for and adult chill sesh or bringing the kids to play in the tide pools .

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    Pokai Bay Beach Park - Sunset.

    Pokai Bay Beach Park

    4.2(70 reviews)
    0.2 km

    Pokai Bay Beach Park is a nice little local park without a lot of tourists and a perfect place to…read morehobnob with locals. The beach is protected by a sea walk, so the water is a bit calmer than other beaches making it perfect for small children. The park has restrooms (although, they need some attention) and a small playground. My granddaughter spent a good hour playing on the playground. A lot of picnic tables are scattered throughout the park. Signs request no feeding of ferrel animals in the park. The highlight of the park for me is the presence of Ku'ilioloa Heiau historical Hawaiian ruins, which are protected within the park. The temple ruins are on a small peninsula at the center of the park. The ruins are maintained by the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. Fishing is a popular pastime in the park. Fishermen perch themselves on the seawall or on the volcanic rocks below the point to fish. The beach area is lovely with the mountains in the background and ocean in front. The park is a perfect place to watch the sunset. There is plenty of free parking at the entrance of the park.

    Nice little beach park with amazing 360-view. If you can't find parking at Ko Olina to enjoy the…read morebeaches at the resorts, this beach is about 8 miles more north, but it is worth the drive. The waters at this beach is a bit calm due to the sea walk. There are bathrooms here, but it isn't the nicest (typical public restrooms). If you walk just a few minutes away from the beach towards higher ground toward the cliffs, you get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. There are plenty of trees for shade and a grass to set up tents and BBQ. There are some homeless? by the parking lot, so always be careful about locking up your cars. The people who come are a mix of mainly locals and tourist. I went during the day, mid afternoon, and felt very safe. There were plenty of parking. Everyone was just enjoying themselves.

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    Pokai Bay Beach Park
    Pokai Bay Beach Park - Ku'ilioloa Heiau- rites performed at the site protected those who traveled by land and sea.

    Ku'ilioloa Heiau- rites performed at the site protected those who traveled by land and sea.

    Pokai Bay Beach Park - Restrooms and parking

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    Restrooms and parking

    Pu'u'ohulu Kai - City night view

    Pu'u'ohulu Kai

    4.7(153 reviews)
    0.9 km

    Very cool hike. Unexpected difficult hike I would guess 2 miles round trip with some steep…read moreclimbing. I wouldn't bring kids unless they experienced hikers and no small dogs. But very rewarding hike with a beautiful 360 view at the top. Bring extra water and snacks and can have a nice picnic at the top.

    This west side Pink Pillbox Trail isn't as famous as the east side's Lanikai Pillbox Trail, but…read moreit's only about a 15-minute drive from Aulani and way less crowded -- definitely a nice bonus. Just set your GPS to Puʻu O Hulu (Pink Pillbox) Trailhead, and you'll find plenty of street parking along that stretch. Still, I'd recommend parking closer to the entrance for safety because we noticed broken glass scattered on the ground further down the road, probably from past break-ins. We actually parked once, saw the glass right by our car, and quickly moved closer to the entrance instead. Right after we parked, it started raining. The forecast said it would last about 30 minutes, so we just waited it out in the car before starting our hike. The trailhead is right between a yellow "Falling Rocks" warning sign and a white "Speed Limit 25" sign on a utility pole. The hike starts with a steep incline, but overall it's not too hard and just a bit narrow at parts. There are three pillboxes total. It took us around 30 minutes to reach the first one at a relaxed pace, stopping for photos along the way. The first pillbox is painted in blue graffiti inside, and from there you can continue up to the famous pink one. When we got to the pink pillbox, there were surprisingly tons of flies swarming around the entrance for some reason, so we didn't stay too close. The wind was really strong up there -- strong enough that I had trouble keeping my balance! It looked like reaching the third pillbox would require climbing over quite a few rocks, so we decided to turn back instead. On the drive back, we passed Ulehawa Beach Park, where we saw a whole row of homeless encampments right by the ocean -- literally parked and camped along the beachfront. We even saw a few people running across the road and one guy riding his motorcycle the wrong way, yelling at drivers passing by. If that's a regular thing, really sad to see this.

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    Pu'u'ohulu Kai
    Pu'u'ohulu Kai
    Pu'u'ohulu Kai

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    Mauna Lahilahi

    Mauna Lahilahi

    4.6(23 reviews)
    3.4 km

    Now this was a fun and short hike! The older I get and the older age of the guests I take on hikes,…read morethe more interested I am in completing hikes that get straight to the point - the view! This hike falls in that category. Make your way to Makaha and park on a neighborhood street. Please be respectful of where and how you park to show respect to the locals living in the area. Please ensure to not leave any trash and if you see any, please pick it up and dispose of it properly. It's just a short 3-minute walk to the base of the little hike. I believe it took us 15-20 minutes to make it to the top. I felt comfortable enough to allow my 5 year old daughter hike on her own with my supervision. There were a couple challenging spots, but as long as you push through, you should be good. The view from the stop is absolutely stunning. Since the hike is on the makai side, you can capture a full 360 view around. P.S. Waianae/Makaha is synonymous with choke homeless people and Hawaiians. Please plan appropriately.

    SUPER short hike, but really breathtaking views! Came with a friend, and we hiked up about half the…read moremountain. She decided not to do the bit of "rock climbing" involved, and stayed behind with my dog. Still a very worthwhile view for just 10 minutes of work (or less). I went on, and while the rock climbing was very short, it is not for everyone. It is not extremely clear how to climb it (for someone without a lot of rock climbing experience aka me), but if you were to fall, the probably of it being fatal seems low. Gorgeous views to your left and right when you get to the top. Skip the "right fork". Just a little beach walk. We were done with both sides in less than an hour.

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    Mauna Lahilahi
    Mauna Lahilahi
    Mauna Lahilahi

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    Mermaid Caves

    Mermaid Caves

    4.1(16 reviews)
    9.2 km

    Very interesting- and scary. You have to climb down into the cave .a d you get into the water and…read moreswim your way out.. dangerous as f.... Don't ever go alone and make sure you have help getting out.. you better be a strong simmer.. this is not a joke and not for beginners.. there were people to help me out of the water . My first time - I did it and don't need to go back... it's not a bright idea and dangerous as can be.. just look with your eyes.. don't do it .

    Mermaid Caves is almost a secret place hidden in the middle of nowhere, right in front of a private…read moreproperty. I did the research before I go and even my friend who live in Hawaii never come to this cave. You have to find the entrance that is not noticeable. Luckily my friends and I met some local and they point it out for us. The hole to get down is very small and when I got there the water had coming up if you get there in the morning it should be better, and we can go deeper to the cave but in the afternoon, it is too dangerous to deal with the wave. Even that inside the cave is very beautiful with reflection of the sun and water to the ceiling of the cave. WARNING! you shouldn't go alone. It must be group of friends to go together for a safety purpose unless you can't clam up and someone can help you. Since I try to visit a site of nature, it is something need to be considered, some place and be dangerous and must have company to go with.

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    Mermaid Caves - # g r a t e f u l Bruce hensley  (Ohana Family ) Beach clean-up

    # g r a t e f u l Bruce hensley (Ohana Family ) Beach clean-up

    Mermaid Caves
    Mermaid Caves

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    Makua Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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