Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: 5 Things To Know Before You Hike

The Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is known as one of the easiest hikes on Oahu, but is it really? Located on the southeastern tip of the island along the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, this trail leads to one of the cutest little lighthouses I’ve ever seen!

Even though it was built in 1909, the lighthouse is still in use today. Despite standing only 46 feet tall, its focal height is 420 feet because of its location on a huge cliff.

Its small size doesn’t deter it from packing a big punch. The Makapu’u Point Lighthouse has the biggest lens of any lighthouse in the U.S. The lens is over 12 feet tall and contains thousands of prisms that shine light for 19 miles!

There are 6 lighthouses on Oahu, and this is one of my favorites!

The trail to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse is known as one of the easiest hikes on Oahu. However, there are a few things to know before you go.

Is It Really Easy?

The 2-mile round-trip hike is completely paved, and it is always busy! We saw folks of all ages and sizes out on this hike. And though it is known as one of the easiest hikes on the island, the constant incline is exhausting.

At least for out-of-shape hikers like me.

I would label this hike as ‘moderately easy’. The path is completely paved, so there are no rock scrambles or muddy, slippery hills to slip and fall on. However, I had to stop and catch my breath several times on the way up. For people with knee issues, this hike can be incredibly painful.

Also, the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail has very little shade. So, wear sunscreen and bring water. (Apparently, a dog died from heat exhaustion on this trail in September 2023. So, if you’re bringing pets, bring extra water for them!)

Although what the trail lacks in shade, it makes up for in wind. It was extremely windy during our hike, and we didn’t get too hot at all. This is a great hike to do in the winter months!

You Can’t Go to the Lighthouse

Another misconception about the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail is that you can go to the lighthouse. However, this lighthouse is still in use, run (remotely) by the U.S. Coast Guard. Thus, it is fenced off and not open to the public.

You can see the lighthouse from 2 different viewing platforms, but you can’t go up to it or go inside it.

There is a small, unpaved trail that gets closer to the lighthouse. And I’ve seen some up-close shots of the lighthouse online that must have been taken from this path. However, this trail was closed when we were there (February 2024) due to erosion that had washed away the fence. Who knows when or if it will reopen?

Honestly, I enjoyed the views of the coastline more than the views of the lighthouse. So, don’t let this deter you from going on this hike. It’s still worth it!

The Tide Pools

You can find all kinds of blog posts that tell you how to get to the tide pools at the base of the cliffs on this hike. However, the trail and the tide pools are closed to the public and there are signs there stating that fact.

There have been several severe injuries and deaths at these tide pools in recent years. In 2016 a man and his 6-year-old daughter were swept out to sea and died while visiting the pools. A 21-year-old woman met that same tragic fate in 2021. In 2023, a 33-year-old man was rescued by helicopter after falling and injuring himself on the trail down to the tide pools.

“We’ve had countless numbers of incidents (at Makapu’u tide pools) over the years. Patients getting swept off. A lot of drownings.”

Honolulu Ocean Safety Lt. Makena Hart

We chose not to go to the tide pools and I can’t, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone. Several other tide pools on the island are safer to visit. Why take the risk here?

(The trail to the tide pools is beside the whale watching area with the binoculars.)

Pele’s Chair

The lighthouse isn’t the only attraction at this location. While you’re here, take the time to check out Pele’s Chair.

Pele’s Chair is a rock formation that resembles a chair from a distance. The closer you get to the formation, the harder it is to make out the chair shape.

According to Hawaiian legends, Pele is the volcano goddess that created the Hawaiian Islands. This giant chair made of lava rocks is said to be hers. Legend says that this is where Pele sat after she finished her work on Oahu before heading to the other islands.

You can get to Pele’s Chair from the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail parking lot. Instead of taking the paved trail to the lighthouse on the left, take the dirt trail on the right to go down to the beach. It’s a flat, easy trail, and you’ll see lots of cool plants along the way!

It was late by the time we finished the lighthouse trail, so we didn’t go down to see Pele’s Chair. But we’ll definitely be checking it out next time we’re on that side of the island.

Alan Davis Beach

What better way to end a hot hike than with a swim? We didn’t come prepared to swim the day we did the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. However, Alan Davis Beach is a great place to relax after that long uphill walk.

Depending on the tide, you can also cliff jump. According to several different blogs, there were boards sticking out from the rocks that people used to jump from. However, those have been gone since 2022. Locals still jump from the rocks when the tide is high enough, but as a scaredy cat, that’s not something I’m interested in.

We didn’t go down to the beach on this trip, but I hope to go back and check it out soon!

As you can tell, there is more to the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail than just the lighthouse.

This was one of the first hikes we’ve done on the island. Not only do I want to come back to see Pele’s Chair and Alan Davis Beach, but it has me ready to do more hikes! It also made me want to explore more of the windward side of the island.

I’ll never forget the beautiful views on this trail!