Makapu’u Tidepools

Hiking down to these was so much easier then I expected and so much fun. Loved exploring the tide pools and taking lots of photos.
I look forward to going back when the surf has been higher and more of the pools have been washed out and filled with fresher water.

Great trail, especially when it’s sunny outside. Don’t miss checking out the Dragon’s Nose (the blow hole). Also, remember to bring a swim suit if you plan to get in the tide pools. Expect to park on the street and walk about 5 minutes if there is a lot of parking.

Finally decided to go to the tide pools and they did not disappoint. The ocean was calm so some of the pools had not received fresh ocean water but the one that was constantly being fed water was beautiful.
I was able to get some nice pictures and a lot of people were having a great time jumping in the water. Only let down was that the blow holes weren’t blowing haha.
Definitely coming back to this place.

WORTH IT!
I went down in flip flops with the thought that we would drive up and walk down to the tide pools. No. That’s wrong. You park, and have to walk uphill for about 15 – 20 min. After that, there is a lookout point off the trail with information about hump back whales and a couple of those binocular things to look out into the ocean. If you look down, you can see the pools and that’s where the trek down begins.
The trek down is no joke. Wear sneakers and hiking gear with your swimsuit underneath. I was that idiot wearing Havianas and a beach cover up. It took me at least 30 – 45 min to get down the mountain, but it would have been so much easier in normal shoes. The hike up is much better.
It’s fun at the bottom, but busy also. We went midday and I was still able enjoy the tide pools.

Trail begins next to the whale sign. Definitely wear sneakers for the hike down. I highly recommend water shoes for the pools so you don’t have to worry so much about the sharp rocks in the water. Keep an eye on those waves coming in, everything was calm until a rogue wave came and swept everyone along the sharp rocks, ouch! I noticed that the right side of the pools seemed to be the most protected from the waves if you wanna chill there. I brought a micro towel that I purchased off amazon. Super light weight, super compact. Bring some snacks, drinks and chill! Don’t forget a bag for your garbage. Totally worth the hike down.

Not sure why I didn’t realize this before, but you will have to climb down the side of a steep mountain to get to the actual tide pools, which are at the bottom of the mountain. Go up the cement path and turn right at one of the lookout points and start mentally preparing to climb down a steep mountain!
To be clear, you are not «hiking» down a mountain (aka this isn’t an easy breezy hike down a little hill). You’re basically climbing down rocks and little ledges down a STEEP mountain to get here. Will your hands be sore from holding onto rocks for stability? Yes. Was it worth the trek? Yes.
That being said, my friend and I climbed down the mountain in about 20 minutes and we were both in flip flops. It’s actually easier going back up the mountain than coming down. Plus, there’s other people going up and down so you feel safe knowing other people are risking death as well.
The tidepool water is refreshing, and the view is unbeatable. Even though there were a lot of other people trying to take the perfect Instagram pic, it didn’t feel overly crowded.

The hike down to the tidepool was sooo much fun!!! The opening to the trail from the pavement was kind of hidden. But it was right beside the lookout place halfway up to the mountain. The hike down and up was so much fun! The total hike down was around 20mins! Make sure you wear good shoes! Because the rocks were pretty sharp and sandy. You could kind of see the path on the way down there. And on the way up there were white arrows that you could follow!
Definitely worth it! It was like outdoor bouldering!

The tidepools are so clear and refreshing — but full of local kids instagramming! We stayed in the tidepools for about an hour before heading up. Very relaxing, especially if you get a pool to yourself.
I enjoyed the hike down, as it was an adventure. I was pretty nervous since you could easily fall to your death– but it was not a difficult hike as long as you were careful.

A friend and I decided to ambitiously take on two hikes this weekend and this was stop number one! Although this is not a very difficult hike per se, as other Unilocalers have noted, I would caution others that the way down/​up is very steep and rocky, so don’t underestimate this one.
With that said, my friend and I both thoroughly enjoyed this particular hike as it was relatively short and the payoff was great!
How to get there:
This is located off of the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. Be sure to try to come early to grab parking; there’s a small lot and you can parallel park along both sides of the road that leads up to the trail entrance. Head down the paved trail that will take you to the Lighthouse. I used to laugh about the fact that the trail is paved, but the walk can be a great warm-​up before you hit the tidepool trail; the incline is deceptively challenging. You’ll pass a couple of lookout spots, but you’re looking for the one that describes humpback whales. The sign /​lookout point will be on your right, with a small tidepool «trail» entrance will be right after it … and you’re on your way! For my friend and I, we made sure to take our time on the way down. You can kind of tell where there’s a path down, but as others have mentioned, look for white arrows. They’re more for those going back up, but they can help point you in the direction to go down too. If you can, try to zig-​zag down the slope as much as possible. It may take longer, but for us that was much safer. The terrain is mostly loose rocks and you will get dirty! :)
How long?
We walked along the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail for about 15 minutes and on the tidepool trail, despite taking our time, the way down probably took us between 15 – 20 minutes. We did stop to take some pictures and let some fearless children bound by us – seriously, they were like little antelopes — but it didn’t take that long for us to get down there.
Was it worth it?
Yaaaas! Totally worth it. We luckily got down there before a big crowd, so we were able to swim around in three of the larger tidepools and take a bunch of pictures. There is one to the far right that seemed to have more of the tide coming into it; just be careful of what the tide /​water conditions look like. My friend and I definitely enjoyed the calmer ones more towards the middle where you could wade around better. The water itself is beautiful. It is very cold and it was quite a shock when we first got in, but it also felt very refreshing after the hike down. After a while you get used to it. The water itself is also seemed saltier — floating around was super easy! Note: There’s also a blow hole off to the left.
What to bring:
So I noticed a lot of people don’t bring much stuff down, but if you are planning to stay for a bit, I would suggest the following.
–Small backpack: you can easily set this on the side in a dry spot
–Water: it can get pretty hot on the way up/​down and there are places to stop and take a rest. Better to stay hydrated than feel sick later so drink up!
–Sunscreen: put lots on before and throughout; there really is no shade around
–Hat: this will save your face from the (sun)burn!
–Sunglasses: same as above
–Towel: better if you have a lightweight one; the tidepools are cold and you’ll want to dry off before heading back up
–Sneakers: wear these! It helps to make navigating the rocky way down/​up much easier — I honestly don’t know how people make it down with just slippers
–Rubber slippers/​tabi: bring these to walk around in the tidepools — no one wants to step on a wana (sea urchin), or get cut on rocks/​coral. We were ok with rubber slippers, they did float off from time to time, but we made it work. If you have tabi or reef walkers, even better!
–Snorkel: if you have one, bring it so you can take a look underwater
–Snacks: again, if you’re planning to stay a while, bring a snack, bask in the sun and enjoy paradise. But please respect what’s around you and take your opala (trash) back with you.
–Camera: if you have a camera that’s waterproof, bring it – gotta capture all the water shots! My friend takes fabulous pictures using an Olympus brand one!
Overall, totally loved this one and would love coming back. Although it did get pretty crowded at one point, it was pretty relaxing and there was nothing too complicated or overly disappointing about this hike and our experience.

I came here and didn’t just hike the pavement, I walked down the cliff/​rocks to the tidepools. When walking down I recommend walking in a zig zag going down, it’ll be a lot easier.
There’s a blow hole when you get to the bottom, so cool!
This area is also a whale watching area so if your lucky enough like me they’ll come out and wave to you and jump in the air! It was a magnificent sight! As we applauded them and was yelling of joy they jumped out full body 3 times and waved. What a show!
The tidepool itself is amazing, I loved to float around in it and swim with the beautiful fishes. The water is soo clear that you can see all the fishes without using snorkel gear.
Watch out for big waves, it can get very strong and push you across the rocks, into the next tidepool behind it. I held onto a rock while the wave would hit. Just be careful. Too many people get hurt/​cut up here

The Love Story of the Goby & the Sea Snail
Written by Eric Robert…
First, as a young child, I always loved shows like National Geographic & Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom, in fact, I preferred RL giraffes and manatees over Kermit, Elmo, and other faux purple critters. This was well before the Animal Planet and the Dog Whisperer. I admired men like Jacques Cousteau and woman like Jane Goodall…
As I matured I imitated the likes of Jean-​Claude Van Damme, but even the Muscles from Brussles, could never replace the forever selfless Jacques-​Yves Cousteau — Admiring all the little things in life — the miracles of life…
«THE OFFICIAL» MAKAPU’U TIDEPOOLS
Many confuse «THE OFFICIAL» Makapu’u Tidepools with the other tidepools in the areas, from Sandy Beach to Baby Makapu’u, but in reality these are simply not the same. Now that I got that out of the way… To get to «THE OFFICIAL» Makapu’u Tidepools you must climb down a 200-​foot cliff. There’s just no way around this, so if you’re not doing this… You’re just not here! My friend, Victoria A., gives the actual directions to get here, and offers akamai (smart) advice how it might be wise not to bring young school aged children or those with health or endurance issues. Remember you’re climbing down a rocky cliff! Amara E. mentions precise info how to get to «THE OFFICIAL» Makapu’u Tidepools, too. Now some tips…
THE HARDEST BEGINNER HIKE EVAR: Two ways to get to the bottom; Hike down the rocky cliff or fall 200-​feet down! Now that I got your attention… Yes, death is a possibility, BUT if you follow the path and don’t act like a jackass, you’ll get to the bottom in about 15 – 20 minutes (this after 15 mins on the regular trail). It’s quick, yes, but I keep reminding the hazards of climbing down a cliff! Just use caution and take it slow…
YOUR BEST FRIENDS: Absolutely no shade anywhere, so expect to be hot, sweaty, and very thirsty in nanoseconds. I highly suggest bringing DRINKING WATER, SHOES (slippers doable like I’ve seen, but one slip and…), & SUN LOTION (no shade). The extra friends that might make it even more comfortable include; TOWEL, HAT, AND SNACKS.
So unlike the somewhat confusing reviews you may have read… I suggest reading those by Victoria A., Amara E., Paul C., and Nimai which gives you a true idea on this hike. It’s not a stroll to the shore. It’s a hike. It’s fast, but it takes caution to get down here. The reward is an amazing untouched shoreline of O’ahu… The sea creatures that call it home (please be gentle and respectful), the waves that crash the shoreline, the «crabs-​eye» view of the historic lighthouse, the tidepools, whale watching, etc. My favorite part is the «Dragon’s Nostrils», a natural occurrence of waves crashing into the lava tubes underneath until the pressure builds and spouts out of two blow holes, hence the cool medieval name! There’s a third blow hole that spouts even more water, so be aware of that one too;) Yes, I recommend…
«THE OFFICIAL» MAKAPU’U TIDEPOOLS
The Love Story of the Goby & the Sea Snail…
It’s basically a story of a symbiotic relationship of two different species of animals. They live together and in most relationships both benefit. For example, one might be a protector, and the other a cleaner. Sounds funny, but it’s true. I thought of using the heroic hermit crabs too, but they seemed to be more into a clique and just content sticking with their own kind on this day;) Other examples of amazing relationships can be a child with a pup or a kitten. The joy that pets and animals bring to human children & adults, cannot be measured in any textbook. It’s the knowing that life is so much better when we share the world with other creatures. It humbles you, it makes you appreciate the little things in life, it makes you know how amazing the universe is, ok, I’m starting to ramble, y’know just being alive…

It’s kind of a shame this place is so popular on the internet these days. We came here early on a week day by direction from my cousins. It was PACKED. It totally takes away from the whole experience when you have 50 – 60 other tourists trying to find their way down to the tide pools too. First, don’t do this hike if you are not comfortable with climbing and crawling down the steep rocks to get to the tide pools and don’t forget that after you go down you have to go back up. We got stuck behind a few people who were physically not in shape to perform this task which took away from our experience. We also came across TONS of garbage. I just don’t understand why people do things like that. Please take your garbage with you and if you see trash laying around do your part to keep the earth clean by taking it with you.
Once you get to the bottom there is one large pool that is good for multiple groups of people to hang out in. It’s about chest deep (I’m 5’2) and the waters are pretty warm even in December. This is where I must caution you. The tide pools are DANGEROUS! If the swell is high the waves will crash into the tide pool barrier and can come over the tide pools in a wave. This happened while we were visiting and we watch 4 people who were sitting on the rocks closest to the ocean get swept away and dragged across the rocks by one huge wave. Needless to say they were left cut up and bloody and left soon after. Even sitting at the very back of the tide pools, my husband and I were washed over by this one giant wave. So ALWAYS keep your eye on the ocean!
I do not recommend this for young children or people who are not physically able to climb up steep rock trails. I took off one star because this hike is much too popular now and is ruining the experience by the presence of excessive amounts of people and garbage and also for the danger factor.

It’s a hella of hike down and well worth it. Once you’re down there, Dragon’s nostrils are on your left. The tide pools are on the right. Absolutely gorgeous scenic photo opportunities.
Going back up is kinda tough if you’re out of shape, so take your time and be careful.
Follow the white faded arrows to lead you back up to the main road.

The Good:
+ secret beautiful tide pools
+ secret beautiful blow holes
+ amazing scenery for photo ops
+ awesome example of a local gem that not very many people know about
The Not So Good:
— the hike feels like you’re marching to Auschwitz. The tread down is harder than the tread up (I know it doesn’t make sense, but once you do it you’ll understand).
— waters may get really rough, so be careful of getting swept away during high tide
— rocks are really sharp you will definitely need covered shoes to make the hike down
— sharp rocks in the tidepool, so be careful
Bottom Line: A really tough hike for a beautiful tidepool. The hike is a little redundant too because you pretty much hike all the way up to the lighthouse, and then deviate all the way back down to sea level again. The path is not very well marked so you have to make your own path along the way.
PROTIP: The easiest way to access the hike is the veer off at the last lookout point before the lighthouse. There is a sign for ‘DANGER DURING HIGH TIDE’ which you will want to hop the rock fence there and begin the treck down.

Not an easy hike and don’t make the mistake of wearing slippers like I did! I was very fortunate that I didn’t slip or fall during this hike. It is very rocky, jagged and in certain areas, slippery. Also, don’t feel shame if you have to go slowly since it’s better to be cautious than to accidentally hurt yourself. You do want to wear/​bring sunscreen and a hat or else you’ll get sunburned, especially if you’re prone to burning (like me).
The hike down to the tide pools is worth it. It was fun to dip in, but the waves can be rough so be cautious.
And a reminder: Make sure you use the bathroom before doing this hike!

Dear Unilocal,thank you for helping me know what the locals know. This is without a doubt a Hawaiian treasure; maybe my favorite part of the recent voyage!
As you walk up lighthouse trail, there’s a sneaky spot to veer off to make the trek to the tide-​pools. The treachery level to get down there? Eh, maybe a 3 outta 5. I totally wouldn’t bring small kids or dogs on the adventure though. It’s a good 20 minute track to get down. Be careful of wobbly rocks!
Once you are down you’ll feel like you’re sabastion from the little mermaid. Why? I dunno. Maybe the waves crashing across the rocks make me think of that ‘part of your world’ scene.
Ok. So, obvi, the ‘nostrils’ are legit. I think there’s a dragon down there. Then, the tide pools are kickin’. Bring a snack down there and hangout on the rocks around or wade in the pools. If you do plan on going in the pools, wear water shoes! Sea urchins hurt. Also, don’t hangout too close to the ocean on the rocks… You could get knocked over by a massive wave. This happened to someone while we were there who was trying to take a record amount of insta photos. Her phone was swept up in the tide.
It’s just breathtaking. Just do it.

Another short easy hike (30 minutes round trip) off the Makapuu Light house trail brings you to the tide pools. It’s flat dusty walking all the way and once you reach the tide pools, the slippery lava rocks can be tricky to navigate.
We saw crabs, tiny fish and itty bitty seashells … And a bunch of folks fishing off the rocks though how they got out that far I can only imagine, ouch!
Sand seems coarser here but it’s a nice beach to walk the dogs (saw a lot of dogs enjoying a salty dip in the ocean) and enjoy the sight of frothy waves rolling in.

What a hike! Please keep in mind although I consider myself fit, I’m from Florida where it’s flat, so we found this hike very challenging & dangerous. So please take this hike with the utmost care. I thought at one point we might have to call rescue to help us get off the side of the cliff (exaggerating a bit or maybe not. lol.)! If it weren’t for the mere danger of the trail I would have given it 5 stars because of the epic views!
At the beginning of the hike it seemed like it would be easy but then you’ll hit a big jagged rock & have no clue how you’re going to get down from that and that’s when the «What was I thinking» will hit you. Atleast that’s how it was for me. I was reading some of the other reviews on here that mentioned there has been parents seen trying to climb down with their infants with a baby strap. That is just insane!
The hike begins beyond where the whale sign info is at on the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. If you see little ants below the cliff those are the people swimming in the tidepools! Follow the white arrows and do not try going a different path. They are there for the easiest path possible.
One tip that I wish I would’ve have gotten was to bring a pair of gloves. My hands were almost raw using them for most of the hike down because there is so much loose rocks and spaces between the big rocks and some of them are sharp and porous that especially if you’re short you’ll bascially have to scoot down on your butt and hands or risk stumbling down & quite possibly seriously injuring yourself or worse.
The hike on the way up was much, much easier & quicker. My 15 year old daughter who is a human monkey had a blast climbing back up & we couldn’t keep up with her. I would only recommend coming to this hike with older kids atleast 13 and up and who are athletic.
I can’t say that I’d do this hike again but we did feel quite accomplished after finishing it. The most rewarding part of the trail was swimming in the tidepools. It was very refreshing. Also, I wished I had some sort of swim shoe. There was a ton of algae and barnacles that you really have to be careful climbing in and out of the pools. We went during low tide so the pool was not deep enough to jump right in. I would imagine you could just jump in during high tide but then you’ll have to be even more cautious of the waves crashing into the pools & being swept away.
If you’re the adventurous type this hike was made for you! Aloha!

This hike may not be for everyone. For the experienced hiker this may bore you a bit and perhaps for the novice hiker, this would be an adventure in itself to hike down the face of a mountain to wonderful, cool tidepools. It is not advisable (IMHO) to bring school aged or toddler children on this hike.
To get there:
–Park as if you are going up to the Makapu’u Lighthouse
–Hike up towards Makapu’u Lighthouse but as soon as you get to the info signage
about whales (hike up to this point is completely paved).
— Hike begins beyond the sign.
The actual hike down consists of carefully navigating your way down jagged rocks and ledges all awhile staying balanced and eyeing what you are holding onto. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone squeamish of heights and anyone with coordination or balancing issues. Always be sure that what you are going to step on is solid and not going to crumble under your weight. There are WHITE ARROWS that will direct you which direction to go. There is absolutely no shade so be sure to lather up on skin protection and perhaps wear a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes on the way back up. Trust the arrows and don’t venture on your own if you’ve never done this trail before.
I cannot stress enough that one bad misstep could lead to some serious injuries! I tend to err of the side of safety first and will always be overcautious and responsible in reviewing hikes I’ve done.
The tidepools are absolutely refreshing and cold! But then again, scaling down the mountainside is pure heat and having that fresh seawater hit your skin is shocking at first but then your body acclimates to it and you’ll wish you’d stayed longer once you begin your trek back up. As usual, never turn your back on the ocean and always be aware of the waves. The water is unbelievably crystal clear and the tidepools vary in depth and sizes.
Hiking down I was able to pack a pair of water shoes so those came in really handy when it came to getting into the water. The rocks are extremely sharp and I can’t imagine scaling the mountain back up with a bleeding foot or toe. Words do not suffice to describe the feeling of pure joy of being in complete natural beauty. Truly, I am blessed to call Hawaii home.
Hiking up the mountain was easier (IMHO). Again, follow the arrows and make sure your footholds are solid and that what you are holding onto is equally solid and not crumbly. Again, stressing to trust the arrows and follow that route versus creating your own (you just might end up at a «dead end» with no safe footings or holds).
Overall a fun trail if you like a tinge of danger mixed with adventure. This isn’t for children or anyone carrying a baby. I wouldn’t recommend this to novice hikers either — it takes a bit of stamina to complete the hike down and up.

What more could you ask for? Hawaii + beautiful beach= paradise! This is a beautiful place to see the blue waves crash against the rocks. If you’re daring enough you can take the steep climb down to the tide pools. It’s a long steep hike down, so just be aware (wear proper shoes).
On the way down, you may see some daredevil cliff divers. The water was nice, we didn’t see a lot of fish though.
Enjoy this natural wonder!
Cheers!