Hiking · East Oahu
Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail & Lookout
Two miles of paved switchbacks to one of the finest panoramas on the island. No gear required, and whale sightings from the summit in winter.
The Makapuʻu Lighthouse Trail is the most rewarding easy hike on Oahu. Two miles of paved switchbacks lead to a 600-foot summit with an unobstructed view of the southeastern coastline, the historic red-roofed lighthouse below, and on clear days, the outlines of Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi across the channel.
The trail is fully paved from the parking lot to the top, which means it works for most fitness levels and most footwear. There is no shade at any point, so bring water and sunscreen regardless of when you go. The trailhead parking lot on Highway 72 is free and usually fills by 8am on weekends. Plan accordingly, or check the other easy trails on Oahu for backup options.
Trail Quick Facts
What to Know Before You Go
Distance: 2 miles round trip. Elevation: approximately 500 feet. Surface: fully paved. Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours. Dogs: permitted on leash, though the paved surface heats significantly by mid-morning. Parking: free lot on Hwy 72, no reservation required. Whale watching season: November through May, with peak sightings in February and March.
Everything You Need to Know
The Trail to the Summit
The route begins at a gated paved road off Highway 72 and follows a series of gradual switchbacks up the eastern face of the headland. The gradient is steady but never punishing. At the top, a fenced lookout gives views in three directions: south to Makapuʻu Beach and the reef below, east to the offshore seabird sanctuaries on Manana (Rabbit Island) and Kaohikaipu, and north along the windward coastline. The lighthouse itself sits on a ledge below the summit and is not accessible to visitors, but the view of its red roof against the ocean is one of the better photos on the island.
Winter Humpback Season
Between November and May, North Pacific humpback whales migrate to Hawaiian waters to breed and calve. The summit of the Makapuʻu trail is one of the best free land-based vantage points on the island for spotting them. Bring binoculars if you have them. Look for spouts, breaching, and tail slaps in the channel between Oahu and Molokaʻi. Peak activity tends to fall in February and March. If you want a closer look from the water, the guided whale watching tours that run from Honolulu Harbor put you significantly closer to the action.
Extend the Morning
The Ka Iwi Coastline trail begins near the Makapuʻu parking area and runs up to three miles one way along dramatic sea cliffs. It is less crowded than the lighthouse trail, the views are just as good, and the terrain is easy enough in dry conditions to extend a flip-flop morning. The surface is packed dirt rather than paved, so skip it after rain. If you want to make a full outing of the southeastern coast, do Makapuʻu first while the parking lot is open, then continue north along the coastline afterward.
World-Class Bodysurfing Below
Makapuʻu Beach sits directly below the lighthouse trail and is one of the most famous bodysurfing spots on Oahu. The shorebreak here is powerful: it is not a calm swimming beach for casual visitors, but it is an excellent place to watch skilled bodysurfers and boogie boarders work some of the heaviest shore break on the island. Lifeguards are on duty. Sea Life Park, the island’s marine animal park, is located immediately adjacent and makes a natural second stop, particularly for families traveling with children.
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