Ka’ena Point Trail Hike

Easy hike and nice view of the ocean the whole time. You can also see the sea birds nesting. They are very big and pretty. There were also a few pillboxes that you could hike up this little hill.

Great little hike to see sunsets, big waves, whales, albatross, monk seals, and other wildlife! Takes about an hour or so each way and mostly in the sun, so plan accordingly.

This is a review for the Waialua side of the trail.
FINALLY did this hike this past weekend. We have been wanting to do this hike for awhile now but just never had the opportunity (or guts to do it) until this weekend. So glad I can scratch this off my list. I enjoyed the hike and its challenges and would definitely do it again.
We started at around 7am which was a really good thing in hindsight because this hike was HOT HOT HOT. We were lucky to have an overcast day vs. bright sun. No overgrowth or trees for shade so make sure you bring sunscreen, shades, a hat and plenty of water. We brought lots of snacks which was great because we needed an energy re-​boost on the way back. We wore athletic shoes but my daughter and her bf wore slippers (flip flops) so I guess it just depends on your comfort requirements. There are no public bathrooms — not even porta-​pottys in the parking lot so bring tissue and a zip lock for your rubbish — «leave no trace»! As tutu says, «always leave a place better than when you came», so consider doing what we did and collect rubbish on your way out! Its amazing how disrespectful people can be in wildlife preserve — I picked up a 7 – 11 coffee cup that still had wam coffee in it… really people?
Despite some disrespectful hikers, we had a great time exploring and observing nature in all its glory. We saw people riding bikes, hiking, fishing, and off-​roading. In fact, at times I kinda felt like a vehicle on a 4×4 trail. vrrrm vrrm! There is a lot to see and take pictures of but watch your step because the dirt road is full of ruts and rocks! On the way to the point, we stuck close to the shoreline, but on the way back we took the more popular trail. Note there are several trails that branch off from one another but they all seem to end at the same spot — the fence. The entire hike took us about 4 hours — would have been shorter if we didn’t explore or take a rest on the rocks at the point.
When you pass through the gate, don’t forget to scrub your shoes on the provided scrubby things you will find on both sides of the fence line — this is to eliminate the potential of transferring foreign bodies from your shoes. Sadly, we had to remind people to use them. And remember, do not bring your pets with you as there are no animals allowed in the park or in Ka’ena Point Natural Area Preserve (except service animals). Dogs have been particularly damaging to the natural area preserve, so as much as I wanted to bring my little Mia, she had to stay home this time.
We observed lots of sea birds, many albatross, and 2 seals. Seeing laysan albatross was especially exciting for me because I love birds and have never seen an albatross in person before. Albatross are a lot bigger than I expected and noisy! They make a clapping sound with their beaks that is pretty loud, in addition to moo-​ing or whinny-​ing noises which almost sound human-​like. The seals were soooo cute! It is so special to see one so close. One was snoozing on the sand by some bushes and the other was cruising in shallow water. Lots of people stopped to watch and everyone kept a respectful distance no matter how tempting it was to cuddle.
The hardest part of the hike for me was the sandy area at the end. Walking through deep sand can be very draining especially in such heat — but all the effort is worth seeing all the scenery, plants and animals. Make sure you stop by the «Hidden Beach» on the way, and be sure to stop by the two gulches (one of which is bigger than the other). This is not an easy hike but it is not super duper hard either. My activity tracker says we hiked 6 miles and it felt like it. While this hike was more grueling than I expected, it was a great challenge and I look forward to doing it again someday!

Kaena point, the farthest West Point of Our beautiful island of Oahu. I was drawn to this side from remembering the show Lost and parts of the beach filmed near here on North Shore. Today we ventured all the way to the tip. We parked at the last lot closest to the gate entrance on the north side. This hike can be done from either north shore or west side. I have known this area as the «Muddin» trails, where after it rains hard everyone takes their 4×4 out for a good ol’ rock crawl. It was bone dry today but I have seen it with huge puddles. The road was wide and uncovered. No shade to hide beneath, just you and the open ocean and mountains. It was a long walk over uneven ground before reaching the predator gates into the bird sanctuary. Entering the gates the trail becomes sand. I searched for the Monk seals but today the ocean was angry and none to be found. We did see some cute birds nesting. Make sure to stay on the path as to not disturb the animals. Reaching the tip you get a great split view of where north meets west. The pillbox had some cool paintings on the side but is full of empty alcohol bottles, (I’m sure from underage kids). Overall, easy walk just kinda long for my taste, roughly 6 miles total. I’d like to do this again but from the west next time and hopefully see the beloved seals.

Easy long hike. I recommend hiking the first part on the coastline (rocky area) and then hiking the way back on the dirt road. We did that on a hot day (in the middle of the way) and it took us 3 hours.
The view at the point was nice but I have other hikes that I like more that had much nicer views in my opinion.
Pack: Sunscreen and water
(You can also pack your swimsuit if you’d like to go for a swim. There are plenty of cool little spots where you can go for a dip on the coastline.)

this was rated beginner/​easy hike with no elevation gain. (also even though it’s a nono to hike alone… easily done alone).
hm. ok so I’m out of shape, a bit large like small whale, & older… so well this was a bit tough because even though it was raining everywhere else, it was hot hot hot here.
hint: sunscreen & 2 liter water. I don’t drink water in general but needed it here. had one random person hit me up for extra water & another for sunscreen. u guys lucky I am like macguyver prepared.

Ka’ena Point Trail leads to the most Western part of O’ahu.
I will also note, this seems like the longest, never ending trail just because of the elements on this trail. For one, bring a hat, lots of sunscreen and a lot of water. You will need it for sure. We started our hike very early in the morning for this reason and still were pretty much dragging ourselves to the vehicle by the end because of how hot it was.
The trail end that I started at was at the end of I93, it goes along side the Pacific Ocean and is not covered. I lied, the beginning might be, but that I thought lasted for about 5 minutes in. Regardless, lather your body in sunscreen. Along the way, to the left you will see waves crashing below you. Look extra careful and you might even see sea lions or giant turtles sunbathing on the rocks.
If you follow the dirt road about 2.5 miles in you will hit two sets of sliding doors, it’s here you will enter the Ka’ena Point Natural Area Reserve. Stay on the sanded path for this is a bird and wildlife nesting area. The point is very quaint with a lava shoreline and a path reaching around to the northern side of the trail, leading to the end of the Farrington Highway.
All in all, it made for a great early morning hike out. There was a storm rolling in, which made the waves insane. With every crash along the side of the rocks, there was a refreshing mist of water that came up and sprayed us. Which deemed to be really refreshing on the hike back.

It is at Western most part of O’ahu. Either getting there from Waianae through 93 highway, park at the Ka’ena state park or from Northshore side to Farrington Hwy to Mokuleia beach, pass Dillingham airfield. Park at the park entrance. If you have a 4 — wheel drive, you can obtain the permit from Hawaiian state park to drive inside of the park. You can actually drive on the way to the sanctuary.
On foot, it takes about 6 mile round trip. The hike is not bad, very rocky at the first mile, dirt road at the last 2 mile. It is very hot and absolutely no shade… so, that make the walk a bit harder than it is. There are many off roads to the shore with tide pools and sandy beaches.
Once you get to the gate to the sanctuary, get through the gate and fence, you will see albatross sanctuary. Albatross is not always here. Walking around ½ mile along the track, once you get to the graffiti pillbox and the observatory tower, you are at the monk seal sanctuary. The monk seals are good at camouflage… so pay attention at tide pool rocks.
On the other side of the pillbox, it is the famous Yokohama bay!
The hike is very quiet and beautiful! On weekends, there maybe more cars driving by but for the most part, it is relatively isolated… Most tourists never see this part!
— it is very hot though. Bring plenty of water… we drank almost 2 L per person.
— sun block, hat
— Bring snacks.
— No bathroom inside of the park. So use bathroom be for starting the hike.
— bring a good hiking shoes since the road is pretty rocky unless you like shiatsu foot massage!
— it seems to take forever to hike back though. Once you pass the off road A5, you are a n out ½ mile to the parking!
— it took us about 4 – 5 hours total including play time at tide pools and photo ops.

I very much enjoyed the hike on kaena point. My hubby had hiked here with his coworkers and ended up seeing some Hawaiian monk seals. Well that sealed it for me. I was determined to go far, and hike high just to see those cute creatures sleeping and resting on the beach. We drove about an hour from where we lived and parked our car near the restrooms. There are no places to grab something to eat so bring your hydro flask and snacks. The waves were high and surfers were on board. Families were out having picnics on the grass and some were sunbathing. We grabbed our gear and started to follow the trail upwards. Sweetie informed me that it’s about 5 miles round trip by foot. I told him anything to see those seals:) I would suggest a good pair of sneakers or hiking boots, because there are some narrow areas and you would need foot traction and grip on your feet. The views hiking there left me speechless. It’s So beautiful. We were getting close and I was getting tired. We reached the sand point and my sneakers were filled with pebbles and sand walking through it. Hubby was ahead of me encouraging me to keep moving. I then saw it… A Hawaiian monk seal swimming in the water. Oh he/​she was precious. He/​she came out of the water to lay on the sand and sleep. Oh my goodness that was darling. I wish I was filthy rich so I can buy an island and be able to see these creatures everyday. I took a video and a few pictures before we headed back down. I couldn’t stop thinking of them and hoping that a shark would not go near and then he would become a vegetarian. ;)
Well it was a lovely day and I would do this hike again.

I did this trail on a trip where I did a lot of hiking, and this was a highlight. You will probably want to integrate other North Shore activities into your day as it’s quite far from Honolulu for an out and back. The dirt trail itself isn’t very pretty until it begins to disintegrate, but the views of the mountains and the beach are really great. For any LOST fans, you should be able to identify some scenes filmed on the rocks or against the steep mountain backdrops in the earlier part of the trail.
It’s also farther than some might want to hike, three miles each way with little variation in scenery, but once you get out to the point, it does feel very special. The way the coasts and waves collide create a kind of a peaceful reflection zone as you make your way around the tower. I sat there for quite awhile just relaxing and enjoying my time alone (no other parties came by when I was there). The mix of white and black rocks with all the blue swirling in and out from the ocean is also a treat to take in.

I had never even heard of this if it wouldn’t have been for me scouring Unilocal to see about hikes in that area. We rented a car for the long holiday weekend (last weekend) so I wanted to so somewhere we wouldn’t normally go. The drive up there is long and I thought we had passed it but pretty much you keep driving till you literally cannot and the trail head starts. There is plenty of parking and with the beach right there, there were a ton of ppl so I wasn’t too worried about break ins. I feel like there’s prob a few ways to get to the point which is what confused me on Unilocal.Ppl saying walk the beach side, and ppl saying walk the trail side. We did the trail side. It’s rocky so shows with a good thick sole are prob preferred. I hiked in those vibram five fingers and coming back my feet hurt so bad. We didn’t even hike all the way to the tide pools. We got to the second slide gates and then found a secluded beach chilled for a bit then turned back. Next time I won’t be stupid and wear actually running shoes so we can hike all the way to the end!
It was hot so def wear a hat, reapply sunscreen when can and stay hydrated! Luckily we didn’t burn too bad!

The hike is beautiful as we walked along the shoreline we got carried away enjoying the tidepools the coves watching the fisherman the waves the turtles in the monk seals. There is a downside to this site in fact there’s two it’s so beautiful going out that you forget how far you’ve actually walked and because it’s hot like a mother! And you hiked further than you thought it feels like it takes forever to get back.
And now that the hike is over I recommend you drive to Bobs Pizza in order there cashew salad, because you deserve a beer and a treat after surviving the desert sun.

This is a very family friendly hike. My husband and I were a little reluctant to bringing our children (mostly just our 6 year old and 4 year old) on this hike because they’re not the most athletic kids but it was really easy for all of us. We actually saw a lot of families walking with younger children than ours, some even had strollers.
We started the walk from the North Shore. We went on a Sunday around 11AM and parking wasn’t a problem. There were quite a few people there but plenty of parking left.
There are NO bathrooms so make sure you use the bathroom before you go on this long hike. I read on other reviews that this was about a 5 mile hike roundtrip, but according to the MapMyRoute app, it was 6.7 miles roundtrip from the parking lot gates. We took our time walking and stopped to see the views so it took us about 50 minutes to walk there and 35 minutes to walk back.
I was kind of worried because I know it’s an uncovered hike but yesterday was a perfect cloudy day! I’m assuming it had been raining the previous day because there were a lot of puddles but it wasn’t a problem to just walk around them.
This was a really nice, easy hike with great views of the mountains and the ocean. At the end of the hike, there were a few monk seals resting on rocks. Definitely a treat to see them!
If bringing kids, I would suggest bringing snacks, water and toilet paper (just incase, especially with little girls).

This is a great, easy walk although fairly long at least if you’re coming from the north end. It’s a couple miles from where the paved road ends and the gated path begins. But it’s a beautiful walk the entire way. Mountains on one side, beautiful ocean and tide pools on the other. Take your time and enjoy it. We saw so many crabs in one of the tide pools. It’s really a stunning area.
You’ll eventually come to the nature preserve predator-​free fence. Inside you’ll find tons of big beautiful albatross. And near the point we were very fortunate to see three monk seals napping. It was a successful hike for sure. Please don’t disturb the wildlife. And don’t bring your dog. They are not allowed in the preserve area for obvious reasons. Respect the animals, we are very fortunate to be able to go and view them in their natural habitat. Stay 50 feet away and use your zoom lens on your camera.

Kaena point is the far western tip of the island, and it is one of my favorite places on the island because I can stand here and look out and see the rocks tapering away into the ocean, which is then visible as far as the eye can see left, right, and to the horizon. Large waves from the northern side crash against the point, and the current brings waves back around to crash against the point from the southern direction as well. Lots of weathered coral pieces and large lava rocks make up the point, along with the sandy marked pathways through the bird sanctuary. I regularly see monk seals sunning themselves here or playing in the water, whales spouting in the distance, and the albatrosses (especially) and other seabirds are easily visible in the nesting/​conservation area that surrounds Kaena Point. I expand on observations of the two hikes out below, but in general, the north side trail has much prettier, active ocean, while the south side trail has better views of the mountains in the distance — but both are great and take you to the same amazing place.
Hiking to the point from the northern side is a long way (2.5−3 miles, I think) on dirt and rock roads or along the sandy beach (which also has rocky areas to get around). It’s a long way with little to no shade — with mostly low shrubs and grasses around the trail, and being a good distance from the mountainside — but is well worth doing. The whole way on this side you have big waves crashing against the coastline and can frequently watch paragliders ride the updrafts from the mountainside.
Hiking to the point from the southern side is on a rougher, rockier dirt road, elevated above waves crashing on rocks below. There are lots of bees, wasps, and other buzzing things — many with pointy rear ends — especially around the standing patches of water in the road (which are seemingly pretty regular, based on the paths and tracks made by people walking or driving to get around the puddles). The trail is right up against the mountain here, unlike on the north side where the trail is on the wide open space between the mountain and the coast; however, the south side trail also lacks much shade. As you’re hiking with your back to the point, the view is absolutely beautiful of the mountains over the distance in numerous shades of green, looming over the very pretty coast. The waves on the south side are pretty, of course, but they aren’t nearly as active as the north side’s big, pounding waves (at least on the days I’ve been).

Wow, it’s been a long time since I was here last. The memory flood gates sprang wide open. I was taught how to use 4wd here. Witnessed many a truck get stuck in deep mud puddles and had to be pulled out. I used to shell hunt on the beach for hours and watch the centipedes come out in force at night when we camped. It was a sight to see, and very Sci-​Fi movieish.
The overall beauty of the area makes me want to set up a lawn chair and just watch the surf. Magnificent!
The kite surfers are taking advantage of the large waves and strong winds at Mokuleia Beach Park and lots of people are parachuting at Dillingham Airfield.
Anyone out there in Unilocalland got a 4wd and wanna take me out there again, I have a permit to drive beyond the stop sign! Holla back!

Great hike. I would say mediocre type, not too hard. Let’s just say IF you enjoy LONG WALKS by the BEACH, then this is the hike for you!
The entire hike was mostly a dirty road path with rocks here and there. So be careful and watch your steps for their is many possibilities of tripping and falling. Fortunately for me, that never happened :)
My suggestions is to bring your SUNSCREEN because their is NO SHADE at all! USE THE BATHROOM before coming here because the hike is at least 4 – 5 miles back and forth. Oh, and bring that H20 because trust me you are going to need it.
I really loved the views all around. Sounds of the waves clashing against the rocks and the misty view of the Waianae coast. At the END of the trail was the best part of the hike because you get see the Albatross birds flying overhead and nesting by the rocks, a pretty cool sight to see because they’re pretty huge, like eagles in Alaska! Lol just kidding maybe I over exaggerated on that one just a little. Oh and the MONK SEALS was another cool thing to see. They be loungin on the rocks near the tidepools livin the good Hawaiian life.
I would definitely do this hike again but next time it will probably be on a cloudy day because the bursting hot sun and heat made it a little less enjoyable. Well at least for me it did.

Whether you hike in from the west side or the north side, Kaena point is a beautiful adventure to be had on island!
West side:
Basically, to get to Kaena point, Waianae side, you drive as far as the road goes! You end up past Yokohama beach and park there. On the way down the path, you will be treated to amazing shoreline views along the rocky coast. About halfway to the sanctuary at the end of the trail, there is a cool rock arch on the left of the trail. It makes for a fun rest stop!
North side:
To get to this side of the trail, you drive towards Mokuleia beach and go until you reach a parking lot! If you have 4 wheel drive and a sturdy vehicle, you can actually go most of the way up the trail in it. However, watch out for hikers as there are a lot of them! On the trail on this side, you can stop at beaches (look for monk seals!), investigate tide pools and fish or dive.
The sanctuary at the end of both trails (where the two trails meet) is a haven for nesting albatross and endangered Hawaiian monk seals. You will know when you reach it because it is marked by a large fence. This is to keep dogs and other predators out of the area.
The sign for the trail in the west side says ‘no dogs’ but the trail is actually great for dogs until you get to the albatross reserve at the end of the hike. Dogs are not allowed in the sanctuary part and you can get quite a fine if DNLR sees you.
Monk seals are most often seen on the beach at the further most tip of Kaena point. Keep an eye out, because they camouflage well! PLEASE follow the law and do not approach these animals. They can be aggressive and they are very endangered. Respect the wildlife in Hawai’i!
You definitely need to bring sunscreen, because most of both of the trails is in full sun. As with all hikes in Hawai’i, wear supportive shoes, bring plenty of water and never hike alone! The trail can also get muddy so make sure you are prepared if it has been rainy recently.
Both sides of the hike are flat terrain but the trails are rocky and you can easily trip so watch your step. Although the trails are at least 3 – 4 miles round trip, it’s a good flat trail for beginners, families and groups!

Wear a hat, put on shades, slather on sunscreen & pack bottles of water as you take a long walk on a flat, dirt pathway. Don’t mind the direct sunlight & roars of wind; instead, revel in the stretch of rocky coastlines on one side & the mountainous terrain on the other.
The trail is relatively easy, until you get to eroded part of the path. At this point my boyfriend & I were perplexed with the decision of dropping down into the crumbling rocks or climbing the mountain, until an elderly couple showed us the way. The descend off the mountain brings you to the Ka’ena Point Natural Area Reserve gate & from here on out, it’s a sandy walk through a wire-​fenced maze to the tower. As a side note, warning & informational signs for the various seabirds & Hawaiian Monk Seals are posted throughout the reserve.
Once you reach the tower, there’s a 360 degree scenic view readily available for photo ops. The rocky shores & tide pools are in front view. Looking back, you can see the windmills of North Shore in the distance & Yokohama Beach fronting the Wai’anae mountains. We ventured off to the rocky, pebbled beach & as I waded in the waves crashing on the shore, I spotted a monk seal swimming towards me which disappeared into deeper waters before I could bust out my phone. I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing other monk seals basking in the sun, but I did see a black noddy in my path as we started heading back to the car.
Overall, this hot walk in the sun me a sunburnt girl who attained a new found appreciation for natural wildlife. It takes an hour an a half to get to the tower, total of three hours round trip give or take depending how on long you’re in the water at the end.

If you enjoy being out in the open air and want some sun, this is the place to be. I have come to this trail hike several times now and have pretty much enjoyed myself each time.
Here are some suggestions for a great hike:
1) Start early. Try to arrive here at about 7:00 am when it’s cool.
2) Hydrate yourself — — you’ll be needing water/​sports drink.
3) Bring snacks — — this is a fairly long hike (5+ miles roundtrip).
4) Wear loose clothing and comfortable COVERED shoes.
5) Put on a hat/​cap.
6) Apply sunscreen.
7) Travel with a buddy.
8) Be respectful of the natural wildlife here.
9) Tissue paper — — just in case if nature calls. No public restrooms once you leave the parking lot.
This Park opens from 4am and arrive early when there’s daylight. I noticed when the sun came out you could sure feel the heat. With the long distance this can be quite challenging. Make sure to bring sunscreen and drinks!
Parking is free but it seems that there are quite a few break ins so make sure to NOT leave any valuables in your car.
Because of the distance and being fully exposed to the sun, wear loose clothing (preferably Dri-​Fit wear) and covered shoes. To reach the end of the trail you’ll be walking in the sand and it’s not fun at all with sandals or slippers.
The scenery of this trail is AMAZING. Along the trail you’ll have the ocean on your left and will be tempted to take photos along the way. On a clear day it’ll be difficult to take a bad photo here! But because this trail is not even and quite rocky make sure to keep your eyes in the front to avoid any accident (s).
About ¾ down the trail you’ll reach the «predator proof» wired fence, which had a price tag of $ 290,000, to keep animals (dogs, cats, rats, mongeese, etc.) away from the Laysan Albatross and their chicks. You’ll see some traps along the gates to attempt to catch any predators that come near the gates. This past weekend I noticed several of them out there but empty. Also, when you go through the metal gates please make sure to close the gates properly.
At the end of the trail you will reach «The Tower», or known as the north coast guard tower. This «resting spot» is great to sit down and have a snack and hydrate yourself. Also, it’s a great time to empty your shoes with the sand accumulated!
I must be very lucky because each time I’ve been here I came across monk seals resting. Please be respectful and there are signs posted to remind you to keep your distance from the seals and albatross.
If you are willing to drive all the way to Waianae, this is a great hike. On a regular basis I tend to hike short trails that I can complete within 20 mins one-​way so this is a great change. Also for safety reasons and the long drive from town, bring a friend or 2 along to make this trail enjoyable.