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Makua Beach (Mākua)

Popular camping beach brimming with marine life

The Beach

Looking for a secluded beach far away from the city scene? Makua Beach is as far away from the city you’ll most likely get. It’s located to the front of the Waianae Mountain Range and Makua Valley, and its white sands stretch around one-mile long.

For most of the year you’re likely to see very little tourist traffic here as it’s not well known among tourists and is a few miles past the closest town of Makaha. This makes for an excellent spot to escape from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and discover what untouched Hawaii looks like. Since Makua is so sequestered it can be a perfect place to camp for the evening, with this being said it is best to be cautious about your belongings as thievery has been reported in this area.

Taking an adventure to this practically out of reach beach is well worth the journey. In the winter months you can come here to view big wave surfers barreling and gliding mammoth waves. You also can take advantage of the bodyboarding conditions that Makua provides, as well as the great catches you’ll find if you’re someone who enjoys fishing. For those wanting to swim here we recommend staying close to the shoreline to avoid where the ocean floor drops off.

It’s also one of the premier beaches on Oahu to see marine life. Without the buzzing and splashing that’s so common at many beaches on the island, the marine life thrives relatively undisturbed. From sea turtles to monks seals there’s plenty of extra-human activity at Makua. If you’re lucky you’ll see pods of wild dolphins swimming near the shore. This activity makes Makua a favorite for divers and snorkelers.

Nearby Makua Beach

Excited to discover more of Makua Beach’s surrounding region? We recommend grabbing your hiking gear and exploring the Turtle Rock. It’s a short hike that leads to gorgeous ocean views on Oahu’s southwestern side. Try hiking up to Kaena Point to see all of the indigenous flora and fauna protected by the nature reserve. For those wanting to stay within close distance of Makua Beach, we recommend exploring your options at either the Hawaiian Princess Resort or the Makaha Resort. If you’re interested in staying at one of the other nearby resorts on the western side of the island, they offer their visitors an excellent spa service and an eighteen hole golf course that is ranked as one of the nations top courses. Check them out here – Four Seasons Ko Olina Resort and Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa.

Looking for a local restaurant nearby? For a healthier option, The Beach House by 604 is your go to choice for fresh food and wonderful views of the ocean. There’s also the Spinners Cafe whose cozy, welcoming environment offers traditional breakfast to empower you for that long day of exploring Oahu. If you’re searching for a place to catch some delicious seafood and refreshing drinks, look no further, Da Crawfish and Crab Shack has a wide variety of options to choose from.

Makua Beach Parking

At Makua Beach Park there’s parking along the road. There are no options for taking a bus to this area.

Makua Beach Activities

  • Surfing
  • Snorkeling
  • Bodyboarding
  • Fishing
  • Sunbathing
  • Swimming

Food Options Nearby

  • The Beach House by 604 (dine in/order to go)
  • Spinners Cafe (dine in/order to go)
  • Da Crawfish and Crab Shack (dine in/order to go)
  • Kaʻahaʻaina Café (dine in/order to go)
  • Kahumana Organic Farms & Cafe (dine in/order to go)
  • Aloha Poke (dine in/order to go)
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