Need to know
Area
Near Waianae
Description
This is where you go to get away from the crowds and just relax. Mākua Beach (aka Tunnels Beach) is one of the most beautiful and most secluded beaches in Oahu. The Mākua Valley and Mountains in the background make it look like a postcard. (The locals call it “Pray for Sex” beach. First it was “Pray for Sets” meaning good waves for surfing, but it morphed over time.)
Insanely clear blue water makes it a great swimming and snorkeling spot during the calmer summer months. There are a couple tide pools to explore too. There’s a good chance you’ll see Hawaiian Sea Turtles, schools of fish and sometimes even dolphins.
During the winter, expert surfers take advantage of the larger waves. If you’re lucky, you may see whales breaching in the distance during the winter too.
Most tourists have never even heard of this beach. That’s partly because of its remote location. It’s about a 1.5 hour drive from Waikiki — almost the furthest you can drive up the west side of the island. Luckily, the drive is a pretty one. [Tip: since this is a trek, be sure to check the beach conditions before you go.]
Address
Here’s a pin for the small shaded gravel parking lot on the north end of the beach. It’ll be on your left hand side.
Tip: Highly recommend downloading the Google Map for offline use before you go. Here’s how you do that…
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Make sure you’re connected to the internet and not in incognito mode.
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Open the Google Maps app.
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Type “Oahu” into the search.
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Tap the white portion below the map where it says “Oahu.”
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In the top right corner, click the 3 horizontal dots.
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Tap “Select offline map.”
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Tap “Download.”
Price
Free
Nearby
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Ka'aha'aina Cafe — 22 min drive
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Pink Pillbox Hike (Maili Pillbox) — 25 min drive
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Mermaid Caves — 30 min drive
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Four Seasons Resort Ko Olina — 33 min drive
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Aulani, A Disney Resort — 35 min drive
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Waikiki — 1 hr 10 min drive
Most tourists don’t know it even exists. See dolphins, turtles, and schools of fish. A bit of a trek to get there, but crystal clear water looks like a postcard.
Mākua Beach
BEACH
Good to know
PHOTOS
PACKING LIST
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Food and Drinks. There’s nothing nearby, so pack snacks and an insulated water bottle.
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Snorkel Gear and Anti Fog Wipes during the summer.
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Binoculars if you have them. In the mornings you might see spinner dolphins and from Dec - Apr you may be lucky enough to spot whales.
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A Waterproof Dry Bag is handy so you don’t have to leave your belongings on the beach or in your car. If you’ve only got your keys and ID, these Waterproof ID Badge Holders can be easily clipped onto your swimsuit.
AMENITIES + PERKS
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There’s a small gravel parking lot at the north end of the beach.
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No lifeguards.
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No restrooms.
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No facilities.
TIPS + TRICKS
Safety
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The current here can get strong and waves grow big because there’s no reef to slow it down. The water is calmest during the summer months and can get rough during the winter (Nov - Apr). Even during the summer, swimming is best left to strong swimmers here.
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This is a remote spot and quite a drive, so check the water conditions before you go to make sure it’s not too dangerous for swimming or snorkeling before you head out.
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Keep in mind that the ocean floor drops off just a little ways beyond the shore.
General Tips
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Where to park. Here’s a pin for the small shaded gravel parking lot on the north end of the beach. It’ll be on your left hand side.
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Highly recommend downloading the Google Map for offline use before you go. Here’s how you do that…
-
Make sure you’re connected to the internet and not in incognito mode.
-
Open the Google Maps app.
-
Type “Oahu” into the search.
-
Tap the white portion below the map where it says “Oahu.”
-
In the top right corner, click the 3 horizontal dots.
-
Tap “Select offline map.”
-
Tap “Download.”
-
Don’t leave any valuables in your car. Ideally don’t leave any belongings visible in your car. Instead, put them in your trunk or leave them behind.
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This is a great place to snorkel during the summer. The water is crystal clear. It’s very common to see schools of fish and turtles within 100 yards of the shore.
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There are a few tide pools and a small cave that fills up with water. They’re to the left of the big boulder by the parking lot. Some of them are deep enough to sit in.
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Nov - Apr is when you’ll see expert surfers because the waves get really high this time of year.
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Being on the west side of the island, the sunsets are beautiful here.
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Don’t leave any trash behind when you leave.
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This side of the island tends to be hotter and drier than the rest of the island.
Wildlife
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Early mornings are the best time to spot the pod of spinner dolphins — especially in the colder months from Nov - Apr.
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During the winter, you may spot whales breaching. Feb and Mar are the best months to see whales in Oahu.
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If you’re hoping to see dolphins or whales, binoculars will come in handy.
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It’s illegal to touch a turtle in Hawaii. Be sure to give them some space.
KID STUFF
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This can be a nice beach for kids during the summer months when the current is calmer.
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When the surf is low, the tide pools are a fun area to splash and explore.
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Keep in mind that there’s no lifeguard, restrooms, or other facilities.
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Be sure to check the beach conditions before you go, stick to low tide, and don’t venture too far into the ocean.
DID YOU KNOW?
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Hawaiians believe man was first created in the Mākua Valley. The word “Mākua” actually means “parent” in the Hawaiian language. It’s also believed to be where spirits enter the afterlife.
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Mākua Beach is also called “Pray for Sex Beach.” Surfers used to “pray for sets” meaning pray for good waves. Over time that morphed into “pray for sex” which was eventually painted on top of a bolder near the parking lot as “pray 4 sex.” (It’s worn away over the years.) So now most locals call it Pray for Sex Beach.
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This is the 2nd to last beach before the road ends on the Leeward Coast.
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Mākua Beach is a part of the Ka’ena Point State Park.
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In the late 1700s, Mākua Beach was an important canoe-landing site for people traveling from Waianae to Waialua.
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The U.S. Military trains in the Mākua Valley, behind the beach.
Last Updated 10 / 18 / 21
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