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One of the highlights of visiting Oahu was when we did the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike. Along the way, we saw many breathtaking coastal views of Hawaii.
Along this path, the historic lighthouse stands against a backdrop of vivid blue ocean. You might even see seabirds and whales along this trail.
I’ll tell you about our experience, what to know and expect, and share some photos from our journey. You might want to check out this beautiful hike too!
Getting There
To get there, we took the HI-72 from Diamond Head. Yeah, we made the mistake of going here right after hiking the crater.
It took us 30 minutes to get there. We didn’t realize the lighthouse hike was challenging.
The drive from Diamond Head wasn’t too far. Plus, after exploring the crater, we were all in an adventurous mood. So, we just went for it.
The Makapu’u Lighthouse Hike
The trail is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. You don’t have to pay any fees, and parking is free.
The parking lot was full when we arrived. So, we parked up the road next to other vehicles.
The hike is 2 miles round-trip, with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. It’s a moderate hike, and we found places to rest along the way.
Although the trail is paved, it’s exposed. So, bring a hat or umbrella.
Starting the Hike
At high noon, the sun sat high in the clear blue sky. That Pacific heat beat down on us, so we re-sprayed with sunscreen.
On our way to the trailhead, we passed a man selling drinks from his truck. We stopped to admire his pet goat tied to a tree.
“You can pet him! He’s friendly!” he yelled.
And the cute furry one was excited to hang out in the shade while people passed by. We brought our own water, but you might see this guy if you didn’t bring any.
Viewing Koko Crater
The good thing about the hike to the summit is that it is short and paved. The challenging things are the heat, elevation, and wind.
At the beginning of the trail, it felt like a long road that disappeared into nowhere. We saw a lot of dry vegetation and black volcanic rocks.
As we kept walking, we stopped at each viewing point. First, we saw the coastline and Koko Crater.
This is a nearby inactive volcano and part of the Honolulu Volcanics. And that’s another hike you can do, but it’s even more difficult.
Walking in Elevation
As we walked along the path, the waves crashed along the shoreline. The wind picked up so much that I took off my hat.
Otherwise, it would have taken flight. Oh no!
With the elevation, I felt winded and regretted doing both hikes on the same day. You’ll gain 500 feet on this hike.
A lady with a child strapped to her back zoomed past us. The little girl smiled at us as we trudged along.
Whale Viewpoint
Before reaching the summit, we passed a viewpoint to see whales. However, when we went in October, it wasn’t the season to see them.
This was a great place to sit down and rest. The wind actually felt refreshing.
On our hike, we passed people on the side of the cliff. They had gone off the paved trail and were picnicking and hanging out.
According to the website, you’re supposed to stay on the trail. Plus, they were in a very steep area, and I’m sure the climb up was no joke.
The Makapu’u Light Station
Then we found the highlight of the hike. The historic beacon was nestled on a cliff overlooking the mighty Pacific Ocean.
The blue waters blended into the sky in the far distance. Despite the amazing view, lightkeepers had a challenging job.
The Makapu’u Light Station operated from 1909 to 1974. Although you can not access the lighthouse, you can see it from a distance.
We stopped at a viewpoint nearby. You can safely catch a glimpse of it there.
Reaching the Summit
We kept hiking to the summit to reach the railed viewpoint. A few people joined us as we enjoyed the beautiful views.
Here is where all the hard effort paid off. We saw the pretty Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline.
Look down to see the waters crashing against the shore. We stood there for a while as the wind whipped by.
Then we headed back. The trek downhill was much easier and faster!
Travel Notes
I’m not sure if they change the closing time in the winter and summer months. I’d be prepared to end the hike by sundown.
I can only imagine how beautiful it’d be during sunrise or sunset though. It was such a treat to visit and enjoy this place.
That being said, it wasn’t crowded at the top like when we hiked Diamond Head. Although the parking lot was full, we didn’t run into many people on the trail.
Final Thoughts
I’ll certainly do the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike again. But I learned my lesson, and next time I won’t do two hikes in one day.
Overall, it took a couple of hours, and we saw such amazing views. Maybe if we’re up to it, we’ll try the unpaved path next time!
More Travel Adventures
I have many more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- As I mentioned, we hiked Diamond Head Crater and I’ll give you the details.
- For more around Waikiki, I have a post on things to do.
- If you want to explore beyond Waikiki, I cover more in my Honolulu post.
- And for even more to see, check out my post on Oahu.
I’d love to hear all about your travel adventures!
Originally published: December 13, 2024
