35 minutes from Ko Olina Beach Villas, Makua Beach is one of the most secluded spots on Oahu. This undeveloped and never crowded white-sand beach is backed by the Waianae Mountain Range.
Most Oahu visitors never see this beach, because no tour buses go here. After the small town of Makaha, the development soon ends, there aren’t any other buildings, and the road narrows. This is quite a remote beach. There are no toilets, food trucks, or buildings. There are trash cans and spots to park on the side of the road. That’s one of the reasons this beach is so special. It still feels wild and free. Make sure to bring enough food, water, and gear for your time at the beach from towns you pass along the way.
From November to April, there is some excellent surf on this side of the island, perfect for expert surfers. Unlike many Oahu beaches, Makua Beach is not protected by an offshore reef, so the waves can get really high and the currents strong. The ocean bottom drops off quickly here, so swimmers should stay close to the shore. Fishing and bodyboarding are popular activities on calmer days. There are no lifeguards or facilities here.
The sand on Makua stretches for about half a mile. You can explore this beach by taking a walk. Along the beach, you’ll find tide pools, beach breaks to surf or bodyboard, and you may also encounter some wildlife along the way.
In the morning, be on the lookout for the dolphins that swim a few hundred yards off the shore. Besides dolphins, you may also see sea turtles and whales breaching in the distance (during the winter season). Be sure to carry your binoculars.
From Ko Olina Beach Villas, follow signs for Waianae and merge onto HI-93 W (Farrington Hwy). Take HI-93 for 15.9 miles. There will be signs for Makua Beach. You will notice a gate on the left-hand side of the road. Drive through the gate and onto the dirt road that parallels the beach. There are many pull offs along the road, so choose a parking spot wisely and head out onto Makua Beach.
