Makapuu Beach Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 7, 2025
Makapuu Beach Park is a beautiful and popular beach located on the eastern coast of Oahu, Hawaii.
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Summary
The park offers stunning views of the ocean, offshore islands, and impressive rock formations. Visitors can enjoy swimming, lounging on the beach, surfing, hiking, and exploring the tide pools.
One of the most popular attractions in Makapuu Beach Park is the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail. This hike is a moderate 2.5-mile round trip trek that offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the lighthouse. The trail is paved and well-maintained, making it accessible for most visitors.
Another point of interest in the area is the Makapuu Lookout. This scenic viewpoint provides panoramic views of the coastline and is a great spot for taking photos.
One interesting fact about Makapuu Beach Park is that it is a popular nesting site for the Hawaiian Monk Seal. Visitors are encouraged to keep a safe distance from these endangered animals to avoid disturbing them.
The best time to visit Makapuu Beach Park is during the summer months (June-August) when the weather is warm and the ocean is calm. However, the park is open year-round and offers plenty of activities and attractions for visitors to enjoy.
Overall, Makapuu Beach Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Oahu. With its stunning scenery, hiking trails, and beautiful beaches, it's easy to see why this park is so popular among locals and tourists alike.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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