Tour Highlights

Leave the city behind as you climb a panoramic coastal ridge overlooking Makapuʻu Lighthouse, Rabbit Island, and endless blue ocean for one of the most striking viewpoints on Oʻahu. With shuttle service and a smooth paved trail, it’s a stunning, no-stress way to explore the island’s volcanic coastline.

Travel from Waikīkī to the scenic sea cliffs of East Oʻahu
Walk a paved 2-mile ridge trail with nonstop ocean and mountain views
Look out over Makapuʻu Lighthouse, Rabbit Island, and the Kaiwi Channel
Spot humpback whales from November to April
Visit the Halona Blowhole for roaring surf and sky-high spray

Quick Local Tip: About a third of the way up, look makai (toward the ocean) and down the steep cliff for the small cluster of tide pools far below. If the sun hits just right, you’ll see them flash bright turquoise, a favorite sight locals pause for even if they’ve hiked this trail dozens of times.

What to Expect

Your adventure begins with a shuttle pick up service directly from your Waikiki Hotel. You are then driven out of the city to the sea cliff lined coastline of South Oahu. This scenic coastline is unlike any other view on Oahu and exhibits the powerful volcanic history of Hawaii. The unique way in which wind and water eroded this coastline is awe-inspiring. Your first stop of the tour will be at the famous Hanauma Bay Lookout where you can take pictures from above the bay, and use the restroom.

Once at the Makapuu Lighthouse trailhead, you will begin your hike as you ascend the friendly paved trail. The views of the undeveloped coastline featuring tide pools, lagoons, beaches, and the ancient Koko Crater are instantaneous . Once you switchback the Pacific Ocean stretches as far as the eye can see, and on a clear day you will be greeted with views of the distant islands of Molokai and Lanai.

The trail ends at a scenic viewing platform perched 500 feet above sea level, offering a panoramic sweep of East Oʻahu’s coastline. From here, you’ll overlook the iconic Makapuʻu Lighthouse, built in the early 1900s after a series of shipwrecks. The lighthouse was designed to safely guide vessels through the Kaiwi Channel and houses the largest lens ever used in a U.S. lighthouse, a 12-ton hyperradiant lens crafted in Paris and once displayed at the Chicago World’s Fair. Below, the clear waters reveal tropical reefs along Makapuʻu Beach, and offshore, Rabbit Island rises dramatically from the ocean, making this one of the most photo-worthy spots on the island.

From November until April, keep an eye out for the humpback whales, this is one of the best whale watch places on Oahu. The total distance is 2 miles round trip, 500ft of elevation and takes an average of 1.5 hours. After the hike, we take you to a 15-minute stop at beautiful Halona Blowhole, where you can watch the waves crash into the rocks and spray water up to 50 feet in the air!

Includes

Round trip transportation from Waikiki
Moderate paved 2 miles roundtrip self-guided hike
Sightseeing stop at Halona Blowhole
Complimentary bottle of water

Restrictions

We do not recommend this hike for ages older than 65
Not recommended for children under 3 and people with disabilities
Not recommended for persons with heart, neck, back, or joint problems
Please wearcomfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen
Drink lots of water
This hike is suitable for children

Duration

4 hours

Address

Pick up from all major Waikiki Hotels and Resorts included.

Reviews

Karim

Verified Purchase

Matthew was very knowledgeable about the island and shared his knowledge with us. He was friendly and polite. When we booked the shuttle we were not expecting a tour guide. We would highly recommend this tour to other visitors. Mahalo for making our lighthouse hike extra special.