![tidal pools makapuus tidal pools makapuus](https://i1.wp.com/www.tastyislandhawaii.com/images15/makapuu_point/mplht_tide_pools_wcrash.jpg)
Or just wing it, you really can’t have a bad time here. Check the surf report and see how rough the waves are to figure out what kind of day you’re going to have. If you go any other month, this spot looks completely different.
![tidal pools makapuus tidal pools makapuus](https://thatadventurelife.com/wp-content/gallery/makapuu-tidepools-the-second-part-trail/DSC04482-Edit.jpg)
Don’t go down there thinking you’re going to swim all day, it’s more of a sightseeing adventure. If you’re visiting from December – February/March, you can expect this experience. The water was especially rough that day which was a nice surprise.
![tidal pools makapuus tidal pools makapuus](https://i.redd.it/tw4pv408jbs21.jpg)
The main attraction is this massive blowhole that shoots like a geyser every time a large wave goes underneath (every 10 seconds). In the winter, the tide is violent and provides a much different experience. In the summer when the tide is calm, the pools are still and made for lounging. Beginning of the hike Halfway down Mostly down We made it The Blowhole There’s not really a defined trail, just walk/climb where you feel comfortable until you get to the bottom. Like most of the best hikes in Hawaii, in order to get to the Makapu’u tidepools wait until you see a sign that says “DON’T HIKE HERE” then walk right past it and climb down the rocks. Unfortunately, there are no bikes on the top so you can ride down (yet, I’m working on it) but the trail is minimal difficulty and takes about 45 minutes to get to the lighthouse. There’s a MASSIVE freshly paved trail that takes you all the way from the parking lot to the lighthouse. Walking up the trail and down the rocksĪs far as difficulty goes, hikes don’t get much easier than this.
TIDAL POOLS MAKAPUUS HOW TO
Parking is horrendous here so look for street parking instead of journeying down the hill to the parking lot and waiting for all the Japanese tourists to figure out how to park a car (they never will). Then ride that bitch all the way past Hanauma Bay and Sandy’s beach until the road curves left and you see the parking lot down on the right. Take H1 east until it turns into Kalanianaole highway (don’t try to say it out loud, I’ve lived here for 4 years and I still can’t). Depending on what month you go, you either get a laidback swimming experience or witness the sheer force of nature. This is the ultimate half-day activity if you’re visiting or out of ideas on a Saturday morning. It’s fun, it’s easy to get to, and you get some of the best views driving around the east side of the island. Makapu’u Tidepools is my “go-to” when I have nothing to do on Oahu.