Ka’ena Point Hike: A Guide to Hiking This Beautiful Coastal Trail
If you’re looking for an amazing hiking experience in Oahu, look no further than the Kaena Point Trail!
Officially spelled with an apostrophe (Ka’ena), this trail is perfect for hikers of all levels–it’s one of the easiest hikes on Oahu and ranked as one of the best hikes on Oahu as well.
You’ll absolutely love the incredible contrasts on this hike. The green, jagged Waianae mountains flow down to a relatively flat, coastal area complete with a brownish-gray ancient path with large and small rocks alike.
The addition of lush patches of coastal vegetation also adds to the juxtaposition. Finally, you have the rocky coastline with sections of peaceful beaches along the way.
Ready to explore?! Keep reading for the full breakdown below.
Kaena Point Trail Information
Difficulty: Easy
Distances:
- Southern Entrance (Waianae side; from the end of Yokohama Bay leeward): 5.6 miles to the point and back
- Northern Entrance (Mokuleia side; from parking near Farrington Hwy): 5 miles to the point and back
Elevation Gain: Mostly flat
Route Type: Out & back
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
Highlights of the Trail: Gorgeous sunset views, ocean views, Waianae Mountain Range, wildlife
Terrain: Dirt, sand, and rocks
Pro Tip: Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water, because you’ll need it on this hike! Due to the lack of shade along this hike, a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses are also great ideas.
How to get to the Ka’ena Point Trail
You have two options to hike this trail.
You can either start from the end of Yokohama Bay on Oahu’s leeward side, or from the Mokuleia coastline on the North Shore.
We did this hike from the Mokuleia side since we were already spending the day on the North Shore of Oahu. We will definitely go back to hike from the Yokohama Bay side soon and update the post with our personal experience.
This article will mainly share our experience hiking from the Mokuleia coastline.
The hike from Yokohama Bay is similar, but with minor differences in views.
Based on our own experience and photos/videos we have seen, both sides are amazing and you can’t go wrong with choosing either option.
Ka’ena Point Trailhead Map
Kaena Point Trail Directions (Northern/Mokuleia Side)
If you are coming from the Honolulu/Waikiki area, the drive will take about 1 hour. Use the link for printable directions via Google Maps.
Kaena Point Trail Parking (Northern/Mokuleia Side)
There is parking available at the end of the road right before the start of the trail.
Compared to other trails in Oahu, this trail doesn’t get as crowded, so you shouldn’t have any issues finding parking.
We started the hike around 3:30 pm and plenty of parking spots were available.
Also, do not leave any valuables in your car, as break-ins have been reported in the area.
Hiking the Kaena Point Trail From the North (Mokuleia Side)
One of our favorite things about this trail—apart from the astonishing views—is that it’s basically flat all the way!
The moment you start hiking you will realize how easy the trail is compared to some other hikes in Oahu, such as the Olomana Trail or the Kuliouou Ridge Trail.
To us, this was a huge relief, as we had just got done hiking some waterfall hikes in Oahu and some of the hardest hikes on the island.
As you start the trail, you will immediately be greeted with gorgeous ocean views and amazing mountain views on the opposite side.
The hike is pretty much a straight shot to the end. You can either hike close to the coast or hike the dirt/rocky path.
We did both but started with the coastal hike because we were eager to spot monk seals. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot any on this day, but we are happy to report that we saw many in Hawaii!
SEE ALSO: 25 Best Beaches in Hawaii For A Spectacular Trip
We kept switching from hiking the coastal trail to the dirt road to take a break from the sand.
We always find hiking on the sand a little harder, and it takes longer than the typical hiking path.
Hiking on the normal path helped us move a little faster since this trail is long and can take some time to complete.
Getting Closer to the Point
As you get closer towards the end of the trail, you will eventually get to the bird-nesting area.
This tends to throw some people off as the gate looks closed, and it almost makes you feel like you are trespassing if you go inside.
However, you can go in, and you definitely should if you want the full experience. Make sure the gate closes behind you after you enter. This keeps mongeese—an invasive species—out of this protected area.
This area has bait stations that contain diphacinone rodenticide for controlling rodents. As always, use common sense and do not touch the bait stations.
Also, do not disturb the wildlife. This is a sanctuary for them!
Take your time and enjoy the peaceful environment here. The birds are so cute and a spectacular experience to watch. The albatrosses flew right over our heads and in close proximity!
Be advised that you might see people cleaning up this area to help keep it tidy and comfortable for the birds. Be respectful and do not disturb them.
Also, make sure to stay on the trail. There are parts with ropes blocking off sections where the seabirds nest.
As you continue the hike, you will get to this amazing pillbox (pictured below). This can be a great spot to stop at and enjoy the wonderful views from the pillbox.