Makaha Beach Park
Makaha Beach Park
4.5
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4.5
221 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
78
Average
16
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Roblaw
Lethbridge, Canada306 contributions
If you have a car, you have to get up to Makaha Beach.. beautiful beach, incredible snorkeling.. but, be prepared to see the difficult part of paradise on the way.
Hawaii, like much of the U.S., struggles with homelessness, and much of the homeless have been pushed from Waikiki up northwest.. and on the way to Makaha, you will see hundreds of tents on beaches where displaced people are making their way.. not soo much the paradise you see on postcards.. however, get yourself to Makaha beach.. great surf if you're into that, and the snorkeling was wonderful. We were there in January and the waves are strong and break big and hard, so you have to be careful.. but, move towards a red bouy, swim out (it's a bit of a trek) and you will not be disappointed.. I counted sea turtles, beautiful coral.. much superior to the Hanauma experience..
BIG CAVEAT! Do not bring valuables.. the economy is difficult for many, particularly in this area, and this translates into a high chance of theft.. we travelled up, left our top down, nothing in the jeep.. keep a credit card, debit card, and driver's licence in my board shorts pocket.. leaving towel, sunscreen, cheep sunglasses, t-shirt and hat on the beach.. and had a great time!
Hawaii, like much of the U.S., struggles with homelessness, and much of the homeless have been pushed from Waikiki up northwest.. and on the way to Makaha, you will see hundreds of tents on beaches where displaced people are making their way.. not soo much the paradise you see on postcards.. however, get yourself to Makaha beach.. great surf if you're into that, and the snorkeling was wonderful. We were there in January and the waves are strong and break big and hard, so you have to be careful.. but, move towards a red bouy, swim out (it's a bit of a trek) and you will not be disappointed.. I counted sea turtles, beautiful coral.. much superior to the Hanauma experience..
BIG CAVEAT! Do not bring valuables.. the economy is difficult for many, particularly in this area, and this translates into a high chance of theft.. we travelled up, left our top down, nothing in the jeep.. keep a credit card, debit card, and driver's licence in my board shorts pocket.. leaving towel, sunscreen, cheep sunglasses, t-shirt and hat on the beach.. and had a great time!
Written 21 March 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hipfan
Calgary16 contributions
Compared to one of the Waikiki beaches, Makaha is secluded! While on Oahu, I had the pleasure of jogging to this beach daily and it absolutely looks like a piece of paradise!
Note to all readers: this is FAR from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu...if you're going to this beach, it's usually frequented by locals and surfers; after all, this is the beach that plays host to Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic every March. During the winter months (December - March), there can be some absolutely killer waves (15+ feet) that will totally sweep away the novice swimmer. Also, you're likely to see Sea Turtles around this area due to the lack of people.
Warning: because there's not a lot of tourists around here, take extreme caution with your car: lock all car doors and avoid bringing valuables to the beach. It's relatively safe, but because there isn't the crowds, it's much easier for a thief to break in and not be noticed.
Would I recommend this beach? YES.
Would I recommend that someone drive the 40+ mins from Waikiki to bring their famly here? NO.
Because....this is truly a raw beach: sand and waves. It doesn't feature the amenities of more populated ones and unless they're looing for exactly that, they're likely to be disappointed.
Note to all readers: this is FAR from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu...if you're going to this beach, it's usually frequented by locals and surfers; after all, this is the beach that plays host to Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic every March. During the winter months (December - March), there can be some absolutely killer waves (15+ feet) that will totally sweep away the novice swimmer. Also, you're likely to see Sea Turtles around this area due to the lack of people.
Warning: because there's not a lot of tourists around here, take extreme caution with your car: lock all car doors and avoid bringing valuables to the beach. It's relatively safe, but because there isn't the crowds, it's much easier for a thief to break in and not be noticed.
Would I recommend this beach? YES.
Would I recommend that someone drive the 40+ mins from Waikiki to bring their famly here? NO.
Because....this is truly a raw beach: sand and waves. It doesn't feature the amenities of more populated ones and unless they're looing for exactly that, they're likely to be disappointed.
Written 22 October 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
takeahike66
San Francisco, CA174 contributions
July 2012 • Solo
This is a fairly large beach area, and is a local surfing area during the high surf season. During the summer months, this is an ideal place for snorkeling and scuba diving. You will see both snorkeling and diver boats about 200-250 yards off shores. This is a local beach, but for visitors who don’t want to take a tour boat to see the attractions, Makaha has easy access to the beach and water.
The two primary attractions for snorkers and divers at Makaha Beach are the ‘Turtle Cleaning Station’ and the ‘The cavern’. This is asnorkeler view of Makaha. To get to the ‘Turtle Station’ or ‘the Cavern’, you must be a real good swimmer and feel comfortable in deep water (20-30ft). Do not attempt if there are swells or heavy current. I went on a weekday (Friday afternoon), and there were less than 20 people on the beach, and maybe 6 or seven people in the water. I saw only one other snorkeler in the water. I wear a snorkel vest (bright yellow) which aid in floatation.
Location of the ‘Turtle cleaning Station’: From an overview map of Makaha Beach, you can see a large deep channel running out from the center of the beach to the ocean with flat lava reef on side. Looking out from the center lifeguard station, out about 150 yards to the left, there is a white buoy. Start out swimming to the white buoy marker from the life guard station. The first 50 yards from shore will be deep and sandy, then you will reach the lava reef, where the depth maybe around 15-20 feet deep. As you continue toward the buoy, you will reach the edge of the lava reef. Follow the edge of the reef on out for about 200 yds off shore. Continue to look for a large Mushroom dome (20 ft diameter) about 15-20 yds to the right of the edge of the reef. There you should see many turtles around this dome, being cleaned by fish. On this occasion, I saw two giant turtles, way over 6 feet in width, and several smaller turtles, which before I would have considered large (3 ft).
The ‘Cavern’ is located about 30-50 yds pass the ‘Turtle Station’.
On the way back in to the shore, a 3-ft turtle was seen just a few feet from the shore next to a swimmer.
Rinsing station and rest rooms are located across the street. There is a rinsing station next to the picnic table on the beach just behind the lifeguard station on the parking strip next to the highway.
The two primary attractions for snorkers and divers at Makaha Beach are the ‘Turtle Cleaning Station’ and the ‘The cavern’. This is asnorkeler view of Makaha. To get to the ‘Turtle Station’ or ‘the Cavern’, you must be a real good swimmer and feel comfortable in deep water (20-30ft). Do not attempt if there are swells or heavy current. I went on a weekday (Friday afternoon), and there were less than 20 people on the beach, and maybe 6 or seven people in the water. I saw only one other snorkeler in the water. I wear a snorkel vest (bright yellow) which aid in floatation.
Location of the ‘Turtle cleaning Station’: From an overview map of Makaha Beach, you can see a large deep channel running out from the center of the beach to the ocean with flat lava reef on side. Looking out from the center lifeguard station, out about 150 yards to the left, there is a white buoy. Start out swimming to the white buoy marker from the life guard station. The first 50 yards from shore will be deep and sandy, then you will reach the lava reef, where the depth maybe around 15-20 feet deep. As you continue toward the buoy, you will reach the edge of the lava reef. Follow the edge of the reef on out for about 200 yds off shore. Continue to look for a large Mushroom dome (20 ft diameter) about 15-20 yds to the right of the edge of the reef. There you should see many turtles around this dome, being cleaned by fish. On this occasion, I saw two giant turtles, way over 6 feet in width, and several smaller turtles, which before I would have considered large (3 ft).
The ‘Cavern’ is located about 30-50 yds pass the ‘Turtle Station’.
On the way back in to the shore, a 3-ft turtle was seen just a few feet from the shore next to a swimmer.
Rinsing station and rest rooms are located across the street. There is a rinsing station next to the picnic table on the beach just behind the lifeguard station on the parking strip next to the highway.
Written 18 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherryl C
Fallbrook, CA19 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
I would travel a bit further down.....there are many beaches for surfing and a nice little beach in Makaha between the Hawaiin Princess and the shorter towers next door....
Written 2 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Westside_Haoli
Waianae2 contributions
I love the people of Hawai'i, more so the small community of Wai'anae where you'll find Makaha Beach Park. The area is considered to have one of the highest concentration of native Hawaiians in the world, it is also a bedroom community, with most battling traffic in the morning and evening to and from work in Honolulu five days a week. Suffice to say when it comes to play, they play hard. You'll get a knucklehead every now and then that makes the place look bad, so travel safe and keep all valuables out of your car.
If you want to experience a legendary surf spot and beautiful beach, you'll be at the beginning of the road. Snorkeling should best be saved for Makua or Keawaula Bay (Yokohama Bay) 10 minutes away.
If you want to experience a legendary surf spot and beautiful beach, you'll be at the beginning of the road. Snorkeling should best be saved for Makua or Keawaula Bay (Yokohama Bay) 10 minutes away.
Written 26 April 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pupit
Santa Barbara, CA50 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
Spent an afternoon quietly enjoying the beach, we were un obtrusive and respectful, but obviously white and not Hawaiian.. sorry not super tan!! Sad to find a note on our car indicating Locals Only were welcome at this beach. Left a bad taste in my mouth. Didn't feel good about spending money on "their Island" or supporting their local economy. I also live in a tourist community and recognize the contribution and welcome visitors to my city- maybe anyone but Hawaiians now!
Written 30 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nitz5
Livermore, CA7 contributions
Dec 2011 • Solo
I lived in Hawaii in the early 70's - (token haole boy) used to camp out at Makaha, dive off the shelf for puka shells - punched em, strung em, & sold em in Waikiki - At the time, there were only about 5 of us doing this - myself, (Skip) Dave White, Dave Graham, Bob Schmidt, Russell Ouimet, & don't forget our best bud, local Ernie Udo! We used to camp under the trees for days at a time, and I went back in the winter of 2011, for the first time in 37 years, to find it's EXACTLY the same! When I eventually move back, that's the paradise I'm going for! Only two places that are paradise - (Lake Tahoe in the summer / West shore (the best shore!) of Oahu)
Written 30 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saskheat
Saskatoon, Canada1,553 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Check the surge conditions before you go to save on disappointment. This place is about an hour from Waikiki by car to the North West.
We went to go scuba diving mid Feb, but the surf was definitely up so scratch that idea. The waves were pounding in prohibiting snorkel or scuba activities from shore. You might have better luck on a calmer day or on a boat charter. If you need a scuba spot try Electric Beach 15 miles south of here.
This place is actually home of the Big Board Classic. We went thru that day and it was a complete Gong Show. It's definitely a locals beach.
There were full facilities, as well as a lifeguard. Nice secluded beach.
Don't miss the cave about 3 miles north of here at kaneana if you're in the area. Why not? You've come this far anyway.
Thanks for reading and if you found something in here useful , please click helpful below. Godspeed!
We went to go scuba diving mid Feb, but the surf was definitely up so scratch that idea. The waves were pounding in prohibiting snorkel or scuba activities from shore. You might have better luck on a calmer day or on a boat charter. If you need a scuba spot try Electric Beach 15 miles south of here.
This place is actually home of the Big Board Classic. We went thru that day and it was a complete Gong Show. It's definitely a locals beach.
There were full facilities, as well as a lifeguard. Nice secluded beach.
Don't miss the cave about 3 miles north of here at kaneana if you're in the area. Why not? You've come this far anyway.
Thanks for reading and if you found something in here useful , please click helpful below. Godspeed!
Written 17 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DeaconBrodie276
Calgary, Canada104 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
Everyone who has laid like a sardine on Waikiki Beach should take a trip to the Leeward Coast to see Oahu as the locals see and use it.
This beach is nothing short of spectacular. It is long, wide and except on week-ends it is virtually deserted. You can park right at the beach and then you have a 30 second walk to your towel.
The beach is great for surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, bobbling and snorkelling.
Treat the locals and the beach with respect and you will not have any problems here despite what people like to say about the Leeward Coast being unfriendly towards tourists.
It is a bit more crowed on week-ends, but still nothing like Waikiki and on week-ends there are usually local food vendors and board rentals available.
If you are going to try to surf Makaha, make sure that you are not a rookie. In the winter months they hold surf competitions here so the waves can get quite large and they are tricky to handle.
Even in the winter though, the center of the beach is usually relatively calm and the lifeguards are always more than happy to tell you where you should go in if you are unsure.
This beach is nothing short of spectacular. It is long, wide and except on week-ends it is virtually deserted. You can park right at the beach and then you have a 30 second walk to your towel.
The beach is great for surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, bobbling and snorkelling.
Treat the locals and the beach with respect and you will not have any problems here despite what people like to say about the Leeward Coast being unfriendly towards tourists.
It is a bit more crowed on week-ends, but still nothing like Waikiki and on week-ends there are usually local food vendors and board rentals available.
If you are going to try to surf Makaha, make sure that you are not a rookie. In the winter months they hold surf competitions here so the waves can get quite large and they are tricky to handle.
Even in the winter though, the center of the beach is usually relatively calm and the lifeguards are always more than happy to tell you where you should go in if you are unsure.
Written 23 November 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HungryHikerBoulder
Boulder38 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
Makaha Beach is wide and sandy with great snorkeling (including lots of sea turtles), a wave break that's surfable year-round, lots of room/peace & quiet, beautiful water, and two lifeguard shacks. Leeward locals are friendly if you are friendly to them. Snooty Oahu suburbanites and tourists who think that Hawaii = Waikiki just don't get out there. We've been there dozens of time. Everyone we've introduced to Makaha Beach has thanked us profusely. Oahu gets much drier the further west you go along the Leeward Coast, so during many of those days with intermittent rain in Honolulu are sunny in Makaha. For day-long vegetating with a beach chair and umbrella -- with occasional dips in the shoreline waves or snorkeling forays -- it can't be beat.
What you should know:
-- There's lots of roadside parking, but the sand can be deep. So front-wheel drive cars should be backed in.
-- The wide beach and sunny conditions can make for sand that might be hotter than you'd expect if you are a seasoned barefooter.
-- The middle of the beach is where to play in the waves because it's sandy underwater (no coral or urchins) and the currents are milder.
-- Summer waves are relatively calm, but there are days in winter when waves and/or currents are much stronger. The lifeguards will give you the skinny, but they leave at 5.
-- For an extended stay, we recommend the Makaha Valley Towers condos. The complex is a mile up the valley from the beach. Fabulous views, a comfortably heated pool and excellent security. Units are easy to find on the web. Inga's Realty manages several.
-- At most of the world's rural parks -- beach and otherwise -- locals commonly gather after dark. Time for everyone else to be gone.
What you should know:
-- There's lots of roadside parking, but the sand can be deep. So front-wheel drive cars should be backed in.
-- The wide beach and sunny conditions can make for sand that might be hotter than you'd expect if you are a seasoned barefooter.
-- The middle of the beach is where to play in the waves because it's sandy underwater (no coral or urchins) and the currents are milder.
-- Summer waves are relatively calm, but there are days in winter when waves and/or currents are much stronger. The lifeguards will give you the skinny, but they leave at 5.
-- For an extended stay, we recommend the Makaha Valley Towers condos. The complex is a mile up the valley from the beach. Fabulous views, a comfortably heated pool and excellent security. Units are easy to find on the web. Inga's Realty manages several.
-- At most of the world's rural parks -- beach and otherwise -- locals commonly gather after dark. Time for everyone else to be gone.
Written 17 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are jelly fish at different times of the moon cycle. The “fancy “ resort beaches post signs. This is only for a few days. I hope you can go back and enjoy the ocean without being stung.
Written 8 May 2018
As a resident (granted Kama Aina status by businesses, but recognizing I am not truly of the land here) ... we Haole have been warned to never go to certain places. Waianae being one. Is it as unfriendly as I've been warned? Or could I go there with kokua and aloha, and expect the same in return????
Written 4 October 2015
We were not mistreated or bothered while we were there, and we kept to ourselves at the far end of the beach, where it was not very crowded. I don't tend to think about or notice "colors or races" of people, but looking back I realize we were the only "white" people there, it was only disheartening to find a note on our car when we left saying "Locals Only", but we were not "damaged" in anyway by this note other than in spirit ... no aloha spirit there.
Written 4 October 2015
greenjeep1
Waynesboro, Pennsylvania
I am looking to have a family reunion the last Saturday in May 2015. I am interested in renting an area with a pavilion to accommodate setting up food stuff. I need an area that will accommodate probably 50-60 people. Is this possible and what do I need to do to reserve this are now? Mahalo for your assistance. Loo forward to hearing from you. Kim Wallace
Written 27 March 2015
Aloha Loo,
I think your best bet for the reunion site would be Maili beach park, it has a large grassy area as well as a beach, you will need to rent a pavilion/tent type thing, I am not sure of the restroom situation here, but perhaps others could help you with that question. Maili beach is frequently used for large parties and gatherings, but I don't know if you need a permit. The parking area is large enough to accommodate a large group too.
Gina.
Written 27 March 2015
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