On the Hawaii Island of Oahu lies one of the coolest hikes in Hawaii: The hike to the Makapu’u Tide Pools. These tide pools lie right next to the ocean and are a fabulous place to stick your feet in the water or take a swim. It is a great free thing to do on Oahu and an easy place to spend the morning. Stop here as part of your road trip around the island or as part of a Hawaii itinerary. Hiking the Makapu’u Tide Pools will be the perfect way to start your morning.
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What are the Makapu’u Tide Pools?
The Makapu’u Tide Pools are cool tide pools that were formed out of black lava rock. It is not as well known as some of the other hikes on the island but definitely one of the coolest hikes on Oahu.
Hiking the Makapu’u Tide Pools Warning
Please keep in mind when hiking the Makapu’u tide pools that the current and waves can be unpredictable. Thus, the trail is not always open. Use a ton of caution if you choose to get in the tide pools as unexpected waves can come at any time. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and enter the tide pools at your own risk. Some of the pools are deeper than others.
Best time to Visit the Makapu’u Tide Pools
Hiking the Makapu’u tide pools is best completed earlier in the day as there is little to no shade on the trail. It is popular to watch the sunrise or set over the tide pools as well. It is also best to hike the Makapu’u Tide Pools at low tide. Also, make sure to check the weather before you go. You do not want to do this hike in bad weather. You can check the tides here.
Cost of Visiting the Makapu’u Tide Pools
It is free to hike to the Makapu’u Tide Pools. Just keep in mind that the trail is not the most maintained trail so be careful and do not hike or swim by yourself.
Where to Stay on Oahu
When visiting Oahu, I recommend staying close to Waikiki Beach in Honolulu. It is the most convenient area as well as has a ton of stuff within walking distance. It is also a great place to base yourself for day trips around the island. There are a ton of awesome hotels in the area such as the Hilton Resort. From there, it is easy to drive over to hike the Makapu’u Tide Pools.
How to get to the Makapu’u Tide Pools
To get to the Makapu’u Tide Pools from Waikiki, you will hop on the 1-east. Then get on the 72. You will get off on Makapu’u Lighthouse Road. This brings you to the parking lot for the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trailhead. There is usually plenty of parking in the lot and the side of the road. On busy days it can fill up, so keep that in mind when headed to the hike.
Hiking to the Makapu’u Tide Pools
The start to hiking the Makapu’u tide pools is not difficult to find. Once you have parked the car, you will want to start by taking the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. This is a paved trail that winds along the cliffside for 1.25 miles to reach the top where the lighthouse is. This is a less strenuous hike than the Makapu’u Tide Pools hike, so it is a good alternative for those not up for the challenge of the tide pools. In total, it gains 500 feet in elevation.
Note that along this path, there is little shade and no bathrooms. If you need a bathroom, make sure to use the ones at Makapuu Beach Park prior to the hike. These are located just past the Makapu’u parking lot. Also, the earlier in the day you complete the hike, the less hot and busy it will be.
To get to the Makapu’u Tide Pools, you will hike part of the lighthouse trail. Along the way, you can take in the views from several viewpoints. After the third lookout, look to the left of it and you will see a rocky small path that goes down the cliffside. You will also see the tide pools down by the water.
The path down to the tide pools is just under a mile long. It is rocky and uneven the entire way. This part of the hike will be the most difficult part. However, it was pretty easy to follow as there are a ton of white arrows marking the way. Just follow the direction of the arrows and you will find the best path to get down to the tide pools.
As you wind your way down the path, make sure to take in the views around you. You will be able to see the lighthouse eventually off to the left. In some cases, you may need to climb over and around rocks so it is best to keep your hands free.
Once at the bottom, you can hop around to visit the different tide pools. Make sure to be careful as many of the rocks are sharp, hot, and slippery. The pools closest to the ocean are the deepest, but for the most part, you can stand in all of them. Be careful of the waves coming in and be aware of your surroundings.
After spending as much time as you would like at the tide pools, take the one-mile hike back up to the viewpoint. Make sure to have plenty of water for the return trip. From here you can continue onward to the lighthouse, or head back down to the parking lot. Hiking the Makapu’u tide pools is such a fun way to start your day.
Tips for Hiking the Makapu’u Tide Pools
- Wear sturdy closed toed shoes.
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes.
- Bring water shoes, a hat, and lots of water.
- A waterproof camera if you want pictures in the water.
- Have snacks or a lunch if you plan on staying awhile.
- Put on lots of sunscreen as there is not a lot of shade.
- Have a backpack to carry everything as you will need your hands to scramble up and down the rocks.
If you have more time, make sure to spend time exploring the eastern side of Oahu. Nearby is the Halona Blowhole and several nice beaches. You could also visit the Sea Life Park Hawaii. Another fabulous nearby area is Kailua. Here you can find Island Snow, one of the best shave ice places on Oahu. The Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens are also nearby.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for each of the Hawaiian islands. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them. Click below for the Shaka Guide for each island.
Where to Stay on Oahu
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Oahu hotels here!
If visiting another island of Hawaii, plan to spend some time on the Big Island. There are also a ton of cheap things to do there such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. No matter what, there is a ton of fun to be had in Hawaii.
