Alan Davis Beach: Hike to Kaiwi Shoreline Trail Plus Some Cliff Jumping
If you’re looking for a secluded beach in Oahu, Hawaii with a fantastic cliff jump, look no further than Alan Davis Beach.
This hidden gem is located on the southern side of Makapu’u on the windward side of Oahu. It’s a beautiful place to visit for the day and relax on the beach.
There are also some great hiking trails nearby that will take you to some amazing coastline views.
Alan Davis Beach truly feels like paradise. If you want to get away from all the tourists at Waikiki Beach and enjoy a day filled with adventure at a beautiful cove, then head over to Alan Davis Beach!
This post will tell you all about it, what you can do there, where to park, and more.
Before we begin, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Alan Davis Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Kaiwi Shoreline Trail (the trail to Alan Davis Beach)?
The Kaiwa Shoreline Trail is 1.2 miles long (round trip) and shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to complete.
What are some of the best times to go cliff jumping at Alan Davis Beach?
To get the most out of your experience, I would recommend going during high tide because it can be dangerous if you go when the tide is low. Also, try to go during the week to avoid crowds.
Now that we have answered some FAQs let’s dive into the article.
Alan Davis Beach History
Alan Davis was the former Campbell Estate head trustee who established a 3,000-acre cattle ranch here in 1932. He named the cattle Ranch Wawamalu Ranch, and he lived there until 1946.
In 1946, a colossal tsunami hit land and destroyed the entire village of Wawamalu, including the cattle ranch that was established by Mr. Davis.
Alan Davis Beach is officially known as “Ka’Iwi Scenic Shoreline,” but most people know it as Alan Davis Beach.
The Trail to Alan Davis Beach (Kaiwi Shoreline Trail)
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.2 Miles (round trip)
Elevation Gain: 160ft
Route Type: Out & Back
How Long Does it Take: 10 minutes (one way)
Highlights of the Trail: Alan Davis Beach and cliff jumping
The hike to Alan Davis Beach is very short and is suitable for all skill levels.
The trail is rocky so wear proper shoes to protect your feet. Also, the beach close to the shore is rocky as well, so be sure to bring water shoes.
See also: The Best Snorkeling Shoes Guide
There isn’t much shade on this hike, so remember to bring lots of water and sunscreen or a snorkeling shirt because it can get pretty hot.
The Kaiwa Shoreline Trail shares the same parking lot as the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail, making it very convenient to do both hikes in one day.
You will need to take the trail from the parking lot that leads to the marsh area towards the beach. The paved hike up the hill will lead you to the Makapu’u Point Lighthouse.
It should take you about 10 minutes to get to the beach. You should be able to see the fork on the trail; go right and head towards the sand.
If you go left, it will lead you to the rocky shoreline where you can cliff jump.
Alan Davis Beach Cliff Jump
The main highlight of the trail will be the cliff jump, which can be found once you get to the beach. There are other things to do at the beach, but cliff jumping is the main attraction here.
Be sure to assess the weather and your personal fitness level before deciding to cliff jump. It’s usually best to do so during high tide since the water is relatively shallow.
There used to be multiple wooden boards wedged into the rock to create diving boards however, when we went in February 2022, the boards were not there anymore. People were jumping from the rocks directly.
As always, be sure to exercise caution at all times.
Be advised that this is a popular diving spot amongst locals. If you are looking for seclusion, try to come here during the week instead of the weekends.
Most locals, including young school-age kids, usually flock here on the weekends.
Alan Davis Beach Snorkeling
If you’re more interested in snorkeling instead of cliff jumping, it’s possible to snorkel at Alan Davis Beach but I wouldn’t recommend it as one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu.
The water here isn’t the clearest, but if you’re already in the area, you might as well try to snorkel here.
Check out the above article to learn more about the best places to snorkel in Oahu. Some are only a few minutes away (like Hanauma Bay) from Alan Davis Beach.
What to Bring to the Beach
Water: Bring enough water to stay hydrated. It can get pretty hot here, so make sure you are prepared.
Snacks: Bring some snacks to have a little picnic by the beach. Depending on how much time you plan to spend here, you might even need to pack a cooler.
Sun Hat: This is important to protect your head/face from the sun and to keep you cool.
Reef Safe Sunscreen: It’s essential to protect your skin from getting too much sun exposure because chances are you will be spending some time here basking in the Hawaiian sun.
Snorkel Gear: Make sure to bring your gear if you plan on testing out the snorkeling here.
Weather at Alan Davis Beach
The water is relatively safe to swim in, but it’s always best practice to check the tide and weather before going.
This website is an excellent resource to use for checking the weather, tides, water temperature, etc.
Things to Do Near Alan Davis Beach
There is so much to do on the windward side of Oahu that it’s hards to choose. Below are a few of our favorite things to do while on Oahu:
Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: As mentioned before, Alan Davis Beach shares the same parking lot as the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. This is one of the easiest hikes to do in Oahu and one of Oahu’s best hikes. Be sure to do them both if you have time!
Hike down to Makapu’u Tide Pools: The hike from Alan Davis to the tide pools should be about 35 minutes. The tide pools can be dangerous, so be careful and do not underestimate the power of the ocean.
Spend the day at Makapu’u Beach: If you’re looking for a nice and relaxing day to unwind, then head over to Makapu’u Beach. It’s a great place to bring out your inner beach bum and relax in the sun.
Hanauma Bay: If you want a day filled with watersports and snorkeling, then I recommend going to Hanauma Bay. It’s one of the best places on Oahu to go snorkeling. It’s only a 9-minute drive from Alan Davis Beach.
Hike Koko Head: If you’re looking for a challenging hike, head over to Koko Head to burn off some steam. If you love watching sunrises, Koko Head is one of the best sunrise hikes in Oahu.
Get shave ice: Visit one of Oahu’s best spots to get shave ice and reward yourself after a busy day at the beach.
The Wrap Up
Alan Davis Beach is a beautiful and secluded beach that is perfect for cliff jumping or relaxing on the beach with your family.
If you’re looking to take in the beauty of Oahu while also enjoying some adrenaline-pumping fun, this might just be your spot!
Mahalo for reading our post! Until next time, Aloha, and enjoy your time at the beach!
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