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One of the highlights of visiting Oahu was when I did the Makapu’u Lighthouse hike. This trail has the most amazing ocean views!
There are many lookout points where you might see seabirds and even whales. And I saw the historic lighthouse standing against a backdrop of vivid blue waters.
I’ll share what to know when hiking, information about the trail, what to see and expect, and tips.
Getting to the Makapu’u Lighthouse Hike
To get there, I traveled the HI-72 from Diamond Head. I actually made the mistake of going here right after hiking the crater.
It took 30 minutes to get there from Diamond Head. It wasn’t too far, so why not?
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.
If the parking lot is full, you might have to park up on the side of the road.
The hike is 2 miles round-trip, with a gain of 500 feet in elevation. It’s a moderate hike with 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. The Pacific heat beat down, so I re-sprayed with sunscreen.
On the way to the trailhead, a man was selling drinks from his truck with a 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. I brought my 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. Dry vegetation dotted black volcanic rocks.
I stopped at each viewing point, taking in the fresh air. The first stop was 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
The waves crashed along the shoreline as I walked along the path. 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. The little girl smiled at me as I trudged along.
Whale Viewpoint
Before reaching the summit, there is a viewpoint to see whales. However, when I 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 the hike, I passed people sitting 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 I 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.
There is another viewpoint nearby where you can safely catch a glimpse of it.
Reaching the Summit
I kept hiking to the summit to reach the railed viewpoint. More people got to the top and enjoyed the beautiful views.
Here is where all the hard effort paid off. Seeing the pretty Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline was so worth it.
Look down to see the waters crashing against the shore. I stood there for a while as the wind whipped by.
When I 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 I hiked Diamond Head. Although the parking lot was full, there weren’t many people on the trail.
Overall
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 there were so many amazing views. That alone is worth all the effort!
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