Paddling Routes on Oahu: Kailua Beach to the Mokulua Islands

BASIC INFORMATION

• Route: Kailua Beach to the Mokulua Islands
• Where: Kailua, Hawaii
• Distance: 4 miles
• Time: 3 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate
• More Information: Paddling Hawaii

Google Earth Map of the Route

DIRECTIONS

The easiest way to get to Kailua Beach Park from Honolulu is to take the Pali Highway (Highway 61) east over the Ko’olau Range.  Once over the mountains, continue on the Pali Highway all the way to the city of Kailua.  Once in Kailua continue to stay straight on the highway which is now called Kailua Raod until it ends at a T-intersection.  At the T-intersection take a right on to Kaleheo Avenue.  Drive straight through a traffic circle and then over a bridge.  Immediately after the bridge, Kailua Beach Park is visible on the left.

PARKING

Parking at Kailua Beach can be challenging on the weekends and nearly impossible during holidays.  If visiting during these times get to the beach early.  However, weekdays are very different where I have never had a problem finding a place to park during anytime of the day.

HAWAIIAN MEANING

According to the book, “Place Names of Hawaii” the word “Mokulua” translates to “the two islands”.

NARRATIVE

I have done a number of kayak trips around the Hawaiian island of Oahu, but my favorite is the paddle from Kailua Beach over to the Mokulua Islands:

This kayak trip begins at the beautiful Kailua Beach on Oahu’s Windward Coast.  Considering how hot it can get during the day I started this long paddle early in the morning at 7:00 AM.  Most other kayakers I see during the day tend to leave at about 10:00 when it can be quite hot.  As I pushed off from Kailua Beach the conditions were nearly perfect as I headed towards the Mokulua Islands in the distance:

The first part of the kayak trip required me to paddle towards the posh neighborhood of Lanikai:

Lanikai has some of the most exclusive and thus most expensive real estate in all of Hawaii:

Opposite of me from Lanikai I could see the small islet called Flat Island:

A kayak trip over to Flat Island makes for a great beginner level paddle that I recommend:

Paddling Routes on Oahu: Kailua Beach to Popoi’a Island (Flat Island)

As I paddled out I did take some time to look behind me and take in the views of Kailua Beach as well:

As I paddled further away from Oahu I had a nice view of Ka’iwa Ridge that towers over Lanikai:

The Kaiwa Ridge is also home to the very popular Pillbox Trail hike:

Best Hikes On Oahu: The Pillbox Trail (Ka’iwa Ridge)

The bunker located on the summit of the Pillbox Trail is a great place to take in sunset views of the Mokulua Islands:

The Kailua and Lanikai Beach areas are also popular locations each morning for parachute surfing:

As I paddled towards the Mokulua Islands, to the south, I could see all the way towards Makapu’u Point:

Makupu’u Point is home to another extremely popular Oahu hike, the Makupu’u Lighthouse Trail:

Best Hikes On Oahu: Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail (Makapu’u Point Variation)

However, my best view was directly in front me of the Mokulua Islands.  I could even see beyond the islands, the Hawaiian Island of Molokai in the distance:

Kayakers are only allowed to land on the left most island called Mokulua Nui.  This is because it has a safe beach to land on compared to the other islet that has no beach:

The waves at times can be tricky when approaching the beach on Mokulua Nui, but fortunately the waves gave me no issues on the final paddle in towards the beach:

After landing I pulled my kayak a good distance away from the beach to avoid it getting swept away by any large wave:

Here is a wide angle view of this beautiful beach:

Near the beach there is a large sign warning visitors to stay along the shoreline because the islet is a protected state wildlife sanctuary:

Here is a closer look at the sign:

There are even more signs posted warning about the nests in the ground that are home to nesting shearwater birds:

Holes where the nests for the shearwater birds are at can be seen all over the island:

For people that had not yet understood that this was a wildlife sanctuary, there was yet another sign posted letting people know about the birds an other animals that can be seen around the island:

There is another large sign posted at the beach further encouraging people to protect the Mokulua Islands:

When I arrived on the islet there was only one other there person there that had paddled over on a paddleboard:

He was swimming out in the water for a short time before paddling away and leaving the island all to myself:

Here is another awesome wide angle view of the beach looking back towards the Oahu shoreline:

The views from the beach looking back towards Oahu were incredible.  Here is the view looking back towards Lanikai and the Kaiwa Ridge:

Views of the Ko’olau Range were just stunning the morning I paddled out to Mokulua Nui:

It was clear enough out that I could see the summit of where the Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail ends:

I could also see the part of the summit ridge where both the Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail and Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail ends:

I could also see where the Lanipo Trail ends:

The Olomana Peaks could be seen hiding behind Kaiwa Ridge:

The large ridgeline mass capped by the 2,820 foot Puu Keahi a Kahoe was easily visible from the beach.  This ridge is where the infamous Haiku Stairs leads to:

Here is the view looking back towards Kailua Beach where I started my paddle from:

Way out in the distance I could see the impressive peak Pu’u Kanehoalani located in the Kualoa area of Oahu:

Here is a panorama view of the Ko’olau Range from the beach on Mokulua Nui:

Here is the view looking across Kaneohe Bay towards Marine Corps Base Hawaii located on the Mokapu Peninsula:

The Mokapu Peninsula ends with the extinct Ulupa’u Crater:

Here is one final view from the beach of the southern Mokulua Island:

ln total I spent about three hours on the island hiking around it and exploring before beginning my paddle back to Kailua Beach.  The Mokulua Islands looked quite stunning as I paddled away from them:

The Mokulua Islands seemed to become even more picturesque the further away I got from them:

As I paddled back to Oahu I had stunning views of the Ko’olau Range to enjoy:

I found the paddle back to be quite challenging due to the tide pushing me away and the slight wind that was blowing directly at me.  It turned out to be a lot of work to paddle against the elements.  Every time I stopped, my kayak began to move in the opposite direction out to sea.  I decided to paddle directly towards Lanikai, instead of Kailua Beach in the hope that I could get a windbreak from the Ka’iwa Ridgeline above the neighborhood:

It did help because it did become easier to paddle nearer to the shore:

From Lanikai I then paddled my way between the shore and Flat Island again:

I next saw Kailua Beach in front of me:

It took a lot of effort again due to the wind and tide picking up off Kailua Beach, but I made it back to the beach with no issues:

Here is a panorama view of the beautiful white sands of Kailua Beach:

Conclusion

Due to the beautiful waters, great views, and a stunning beach; the paddle out to the Mokulua Islands is my favorite kayak trip on Oahu.  I do recommend that paddlers have at least a moderate level of experience before attempting this kayak trip.  That is because the paddle is about 4-miles roundtrip and can feel much further if fighting against the wind and tide during the paddle back to Kailua Beach.  Also keep in mind it can be very hot out during the day, so proper hydration is extremely important. I recommend also bringing snacks as well for anyone planning to explore Mokulua Nui on foot.  This is truly a kayak trip on Oahu that should not be missed.

Disclaimer:  On-Walkabout is a website about outdoor activities that is not affiliated with any state or national government.  The articles on this website are for informational purposes only and to inspire others to get outside.  The activity descriptions are given to showcase the beauty and fun of experiencing the outdoors.  The writer of On-Walkabout is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, rescues, legal issues, or loss of life by anyone attempting the activities listed on this website.  Outdoor activities can be dangerous which is why it is the responsibility of the reader to use common sense and understand their own abilities before attempting an outdoor activity inspired by this website.  Most importantly parents need to understand the ability of their children before attempting an outdoor activity.  Just because my young children completed a hike mentioned on this site does not mean your children can as well.  Be safe and I hope this website inspires others to go and enjoy the outdoors as much as I do.  

YOU CAN FIND MORE GREAT HIKES AT THE OAHU REGIONAL TRAIL FINDER:

Note: Further information about hiking on Oahu can be found in the below book: