Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
you have to park and walk. Either follow the service road or follow the coastline from
Mahaiʻula Beach (a much nicer route, but suspect to the tides) and aim for the abandoned
red houses. A rougher but more reliable route is a mile-long trail that parallels the coast.
Beware: there's stretches of nothing but nasty
ʻaʻa
. You don't want to walk this path in
sandals.
After the broiling hike, it's shocking to emerge at a series of idyllic, scalloped bays
with almost-glowing velvety white sand. If it's midweek, you might be the only one here.
The north cove is sandier and gentler, while the southern beach is unofficially a nude
sunbathing spot; don't be shocked if you see folks in their birthday suits. Swimming is
splendid, but the surf can get rough and there are rocks in the water. Bodyboarding and
snorkeling are also attractive, and sea turtles sightings are common. Some like to rinse
off in a brackish pond behind the southernmost cove. There is no official camping, but
locals often do; they don't always appreciate out-of-town tenters.
Makoleʻa Beach
BEACH
MAP
At the road junction, you can drive south to Makoleʻa Beach, but this section of road is
definitely 4WD only; in fact, it's wise to park the 4WD after 900m, where coral marks
the path to the ocean. You won't get lost walking: either follow the road or follow the
coastline from Mahaiʻula Beach and make for the lone tree.
Makoleʻa lacks shade and is too rocky for good swimming, this black-sand beach is
most popular with local fisherman, but its beauty rewards those who make the effort.
Maniniʻowali Beach (Kua Bay)
BEACH
MAP
(
9am-7pm)
Welcome to another vision of paradise: a crescent-shaped white-sand
beach with perfect, sparkling turquoise waters that provides for first-rate swimming and
bodyboarding (especially in winter), and even pretty decent snorkeling when waters are
calm. But unlike Makalawena, a paved road leads right up to it. Thus Maniniʻowali
draws major crowds, especially on weekends.
Arrive late and cars will be parked a half mile up the road. That's reason aplenty for
locals to continue grumbling about the easy access the paved road provides. The parking
area has bathrooms and showers.
To get here, take the paved road between mile markers 88 and 89 (north of the main
Kekaha Kai entrance). Hikers will enjoy the scenic coastal trail from here to Kukio
Beach.
