Makaha Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB)/Bianca Photography
Photo provided by Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB)/Takahiro Masuda
Photo provided by Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB)/Bianca Photography
Photo provided by Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB)/Takahiro Masuda
Photo provided by Oahu Visitors Bureau (OVB)/Bianca Photography

Surf's up at the birthplace of Hawaii's big-wave surfing, an attractive half-moon beach known for its surfing, swimming and bodyboarding opportunities.

With huge swells during the winter, Makaha is one of the most popular surfing spots on O’ahu. During the winter the waves can get up to 25 feet (7.5 meters) or more. If you are in Makaha at this time of year and are not a surfer, visit the beach anyway and enjoy the thrilling action from your beach towel.

Don’t miss Buffalo's Big Board Surfing competition in February where surfers ride on huge, old-style surfboards and canoes. Other events include tandem surfing and team bodyboarding. Makaha has a prominent place in surfing history. In 1954, the world's first international surf competition, the Makaha International Surfing Championship, was staged here.

Surfers aren’t the only ones who can enjoy this 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) long half-moon sandy expanse. The warmer months bring calm waters suitable for swimming, snorkeling and bodyboarding, making it popular with families. Go for walks along the shore and sunbathe the beach is wide so there is a lot of space to spread out. Although the ocean is a lot calmer in the summer, it’s a good idea to check with the lifeguard about ocean conditions before you go in.

Makaha Beach is on one of the hottest and driest parts of O’ahu. Bring an umbrella with you as there isn’t a lot of shade, and pack plenty of water and sunscreen. Situated on the west side of the island the beach can be buffeted by strong winds from April to October.

Among the facilities are restrooms, showers and a few picnic tables. The nearest restaurants and bars are in the town of Makaha that borders the beach. Makaha is situated 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of Honolulu. Parking at the beach is free. If you don’t have a car use the regular bus service from Honolulu.

Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach

Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach

3.5 out of 5
84-1021 Lahilahi St, Waianae, HI
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Waianae. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Papaoneone Beach and Aki's Beach are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (70 reviews)
"We absolutely love that place ! Specially being luck of getting a ground floor unit ( number 102)! We were steps from the beach, with our feet in the sand !!!!! The beach is calm , beautiful and quiet ! Like a private beach ! I would definitely staying there again ! We were a group of 5 and slept ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug. 2025

Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach
Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha

Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha

Waianae
Book a stay at this beach condo in Waianae. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a water park. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (132 reviews)
perfect for us
"we are boring people who just like a quiet beach without all the tourist thrills and frills. we loved the unit and the beach! yes, this community has a lot of homeless! if that is something that you are not accustomed to seeing or that makes you nervous, choose another location."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha
Beach Front Condo - Makaha

Beach Front Condo - Makaha

Waianae
Book a stay at this beach apartment in Waianae. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and 2 outdoor pickleball courts. Popular attractions Papaoneone Beach and Aki's ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
First time
"We stayed at 3 different locations and this one was our favorite one. The room was amazing and the waves were so much fun."

Reviewed on 1 Aug. 2025

Beach Front Condo - Makaha
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach

Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach

3.5 out of 5
84-1021 Lahilahi St, Waianae, HI
Stay at this 3.5-star beach condo in Waianae. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Papaoneone Beach and Aki's Beach are located ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (70 reviews)
"We absolutely love that place ! Specially being luck of getting a ground floor unit ( number 102)! We were steps from the beach, with our feet in the sand !!!!! The beach is calm , beautiful and quiet ! Like a private beach ! I would definitely staying there again ! We were a group of 5 and slept ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug. 2025

Hawaiian Princess at Makaha Beach
Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha

Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha

Waianae
Book a stay at this beach condo in Waianae. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a water park. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (132 reviews)
perfect for us
"we are boring people who just like a quiet beach without all the tourist thrills and frills. we loved the unit and the beach! yes, this community has a lot of homeless! if that is something that you are not accustomed to seeing or that makes you nervous, choose another location."

Reviewed on 27 Jul. 2025

Cozy Beach front condo in Makaha
Charming Studio Apartment with Cold AC in fabulous Makaha

Charming Studio Apartment with Cold AC in fabulous Makaha

Waianae
Stay at this apartment in Waianae. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Makaha Valley Golf Club and Kane'aki Heiau are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Absolutely loved our visit to Makaha Valley. Far enough away from tourists and close enough to anything you need during your stay. All the staff here were amazing! The only thing we could say was a down side was that the laundry room wasn’t working. Other than that, everything was perfect."

Reviewed on 3 Aug. 2025

Charming Studio Apartment with Cold AC in fabulous Makaha
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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