Mermaid Caves
Mermaid Caves
3.5
About
Make your way across lava rocks (sturdy shoes are a must!) and through an open hole to reach the Mermaid Caves, a secret beach and underwater cave. These unique half-submerged caves are only accessible during low tide, and you'll need some upper body strength to pull yourself back out—or you can always bring a small ladder. Visiting will children is not recommended. While the caves can be accessed during high tide, this is ill-advised as it requires you to snorkel around the beach and past sharp, dangerous rocks. Visit the caves and other off-the-beaten-track gems in Hawaii, like Ka'ena Point State Park and Ko Olina Lagoons, on a private guided tour. – Tripadvisor
Duration: < 1 hour
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3.5
34 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
13
Average
2
Poor
2
Terrible
5
Erin S
Kailua, HI54 contributions
July 2020 • Family
As many have noted, be sure to wear rubber-sole water shoes, bring a ladder to get in and out of the cave and check tide reports to be sure you are visiting during low tide. We had a strong swimming man die rescuing a young child just a month ago near this cave.
Otherwise, it is a stunning natural wonder anyone living or visiting ought to see at least once.
The photos I’m sharing are true color, no filter.
Otherwise, it is a stunning natural wonder anyone living or visiting ought to see at least once.
The photos I’m sharing are true color, no filter.
Written 11 July 2020
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.
Juan O
Philadelphia, PA113 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
The best this about this location is that it’s free and also has some of the best natural beauty that you will see. If you’re brave to go into the cave you will not regret it as it was such a cool thing to do. Just make sure you trust yourself when going down because you will have to climb back up. So other than that have a great time in the cave and on the beach.
Written 16 December 2021
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.
ReviewGuyNoVI
Novi, MI2,405 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
Jacques Costeu never did find those mermaids at the bottom of the sea, Ana neither did we during our visit the “The Mermaid Caves”. These caves give you the sense that your going deep into the earth when your literally only 10-12 feet below the surface with massive holes to wave to people up top.
Getting down requires having good shoes not flip-flops and a little bit of contortioning. Anyone with a little upper body strength Will have no problem getting up and down.
Go early and make your way down when there are less people because it’s very crowded down the hole... and if your breathe walk into the water and climb back up the giant massive opening.
I even posted pics of the nearby park where to park your car, close to the restrooms.
Take good shoes and spend about and hour here taking in nature!
Getting down requires having good shoes not flip-flops and a little bit of contortioning. Anyone with a little upper body strength Will have no problem getting up and down.
Go early and make your way down when there are less people because it’s very crowded down the hole... and if your breathe walk into the water and climb back up the giant massive opening.
I even posted pics of the nearby park where to park your car, close to the restrooms.
Take good shoes and spend about and hour here taking in nature!
Written 30 April 2021
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.
Terry S
Beaver Falls, PA134 contributions
June 2022
Only during low tide…reminds me of Bowling Ball Beach in MendocinoCounty, CA (Low tide makes it visible and better to enjoy). Parking is off of Laumania Ave. West of Farrington Highway..then walk towards the ocean veer left and go BEHIND the houses, at approximately the 2nd house in you'll start seeing holes in the ground (good climbers can get in at some of these places). A local resident sometimes allows a ladder to be used (I'm not sure which one but it was there when I was), if not you may have a tough time getting into these caves.
Written 20 June 2022
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.
Esther A
15 contributions
July 2022 • Couples
The review with the aerial photo of the parking lot was SUPER helpful! Parked in that lot, walked to the beach, turn left on the rock side of the houses and like it said about two houses down there’s a portal to enter the caves. ONLY go at low tide. We wore sneakers and swim suits so we could take off shoes and get wet in the cave wave/splash. The best cave to go into has a little sandy beach with coral chunks. Beautiful!! We have two kids and we’re so glad we had them stay back bc it was tough to get in and out and tougher to walk on the lava rocks.
Written 1 July 2022
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.
whiskeysix
Honolulu, HI595 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Incredible sea cave but please use extreme caution:
1) Please watch the surf report for calm waters only.
2) Only go at LOW TIDE.
3) Wear water shoes, sandals, or waterproof shoes that will stay on your feet.
4) If the water looks even slightly rough, do not go in. You will get knocked around and the water can suck you out. Do not underestimate the currents in this area.
The caves are a quick walk, located near private property- you will see signs posted. There is an entry that may have large rocks stacked you can land your feet on, and another larger entry you can drop a ladder. We brought a 6 foot ladder and were with a person who is familiar with the cave.
When the tide is low you will see a beautiful coral beach to land/sit on.
Park in the lot for Kalanianole/Zablan Beach. Walk to the left of the bathrooms. Follow behind the houses. You will see a large hole in the ground and signs for private property posted. That is where you enter.
This place is one of those hidden gems and I feel lucky to have been able to see it. We spent the rest of the morning at the beach there and saw turtles and dolphins playing. Some of our group saw whales as well!
I saw some reviews claiming there was a lot of trash and homeless but we didn’t encounter any of that. Be sure though to not leave anything in plain sight in your vehicle at any location on this island. Nothing. I’m serious.
1) Please watch the surf report for calm waters only.
2) Only go at LOW TIDE.
3) Wear water shoes, sandals, or waterproof shoes that will stay on your feet.
4) If the water looks even slightly rough, do not go in. You will get knocked around and the water can suck you out. Do not underestimate the currents in this area.
The caves are a quick walk, located near private property- you will see signs posted. There is an entry that may have large rocks stacked you can land your feet on, and another larger entry you can drop a ladder. We brought a 6 foot ladder and were with a person who is familiar with the cave.
When the tide is low you will see a beautiful coral beach to land/sit on.
Park in the lot for Kalanianole/Zablan Beach. Walk to the left of the bathrooms. Follow behind the houses. You will see a large hole in the ground and signs for private property posted. That is where you enter.
This place is one of those hidden gems and I feel lucky to have been able to see it. We spent the rest of the morning at the beach there and saw turtles and dolphins playing. Some of our group saw whales as well!
I saw some reviews claiming there was a lot of trash and homeless but we didn’t encounter any of that. Be sure though to not leave anything in plain sight in your vehicle at any location on this island. Nothing. I’m serious.
Written 1 March 2024
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.
Carolina_Aloha
Honolulu, HI13 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Im a local, and I’m here just to let tourists know this is just a small hole in rock with a little beach like below. Nothing special, just a spot for young people to snap a picture for IG. Not sure why became so popular. I have go there a couple of times taking friends visiting from mainland exited about this place, dude is not what you think, is just a random spot, not a destination.
Written 30 March 2021
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.
Kyle W
1 contribution
Aug 2023 • Solo
Filthy. Trash everywhere, stray dogs digging through trash. Homeless people harassing you. So much garbage. I went at 6:30am. Maybe someone comes by and runs the homeless out and cleans the place up later in the day, but if you’re thinking of visiting in the morning: don’t.
Written 15 August 2023
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.
Dave Mendez
Houston, TX11 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Mermaid Cave was a nice, relaxing spot. Best time to go is at low tide so you can relax in the cave. It’s easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for but definitely worth the trip.
Written 20 March 2023
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.
Brendee23
Bendemeer, Australia138 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Stunning adjacent beach framed by the range. A short wander on the rock ledge (left). Near private property so be considerate. Plan for low tide as the entrance is a scramble and would be easy to get stuck.
Written 25 January 2023
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.
Is Mermaid Caves open right now?
Most of the beach parks are closed due to the COVID-19, but is it still open?
Written 11 April 2020
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