Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
7.8Friend Score / 10#11 of 13 Parks & Outdoors in Honolulu
Known formakapuu lighthousehikingpaved trailwhale watching
A paved two-mile round-trip climb along sea cliffs to a lookout above the red-roofed 1909 Makapu'u Lighthouse — the easiest big-view hike on Oahu, free, and in winter (roughly November-April) a legitimate whale-watching perch. Gates open 7am; there's zero shade, so skip midday and bring water.
Key facts
| Hours | Daily 07:00–18:45 |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | TheBus routes along Kalanianaole Hwy toward Sea Life Park stop near the trailhead area; most visitors drive (free lot) |
| Time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours round trip |
| Best time to go | Early morning or the last hours before gate closing; November-April for humpback whales offshore |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.8/10- Value9.0
- iconic6.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level5.5
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility6.0
Frequently asked questions
- What are the trail hours at Makapu'u?
- Gates open at 7am daily and are locked in the evening — around 6:45pm in winter and extended to about 7:45pm from April through Labor Day. State Parks enforces this strictly; don't get locked in.
- Is the Makapu'u trail good for kids and strollers?
- One of the best on the island for exactly that — paved the whole way, no cliffside scrambling required if you stay on the road. Hats, sunscreen, and water for everyone; there's no shade and no water on the trail.
- Are the Makapu'u tide pools safe?
- The unofficial spur down to the tide pools is steep, loose rock, and people get hurt there when swells surge in — several rescues happen every year. If the ocean is anything but flat calm, admire from above.
- Can you see whales from the Makapu'u trail?
- In season, reliably — humpbacks winter in Hawaii roughly November through April, and this trail's cliffside lookouts are among the best free whale-watching spots on Oahu. Bring binoculars; there are interpretive signs at the viewpoints.
- Is Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail free?
- Yes — free entry and free parking in the paved lot off Kalanianaole Hwy, no reservations needed. The lot fills midday and weekends; overflow ends up along the highway.
- What can you see from the top of Makapu'u?
- The windward coast in full: Makapu'u Beach far below, Rabbit (Manana) and Kaohikaipu islands offshore, Waimanalo's coastline, and on clear days Molokai across the channel. Sunrise and moonrise here are locally famous.
- How hard is the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail?
- Easy-moderate: two miles round trip on a fully paved old service road, climbing about 500 feet at a steady grade. Strollers and steady walkers of most ages manage it — the sun is the only real difficulty.
- Can you go inside the Makapu'u Lighthouse?
- No — the 1909 lighthouse is an active Coast Guard facility, fenced off below the trail's summit lookouts. You get the classic view down onto its red roof, which is the photo everyone came for.
Nearby in Ask Honolulu
- Makapuu Beach ParkBeach1.31 km · 16 min walk
- Sandy Beach ParkBeach3.47 km · 43 min walk
- Halona Blowhole LookoutAttraction3.69 km · 46 min walk
- Koko Head Crater TrailAttraction5.05 km · 63 min walk
- Koko Crater Railway TrailPark5.05 km · 63 min walk
Where to stay near Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
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