“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail…” – Ralph Emerson

 

Living in Hawaii, all you want to do is go to the beach. But if you live in town, you don’t always want to drive 20 to 30 minutes to get to the best locations.

Especially before I bought my moped, I found myself constantly battling over whether I wanted to really go to the beach because the closest and most convenient by bus was Waikiki.

Not too long ago, I strolled upon a beach between Waikiki and Diamond Head that solved my dilemma. It’s called Makalei Beach Park, and here are three reasons why you too should visit.

1. Makalei is a Popular Surf Spot Among the Locals.

Whether you’re a surfer looking for a nice wave, or you are wanting to watch some local shredders, Makalei is a great option for you.

Common breaks that can be reached by Makalei are Suicides, Graveyards, Rice Bowls and Tongs.

Tongs is a more mellow wave which is great for everyone. Rice Bowls, on the other hand, is considered the pipeline of the south shore with the some of cleanest barrels in the south.

2. Makalei Offers a Break from the Crowds of Waikiki.

 Makalei Beach Park is located by the southwest bottom of Diamond Head. It’s in between Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head Beach. The beach portion of Makalei can’t actually be seen from the street.

There’s always a time and place for Waikiki, but typically I try to avoid the places where there are swarms of tourists.

Makalei is a narrow strip of beach. One thing to note is it’s not the best location to swim. There is a reef located on the bottom near the shore similar to Diamond Head Beach. This place is great if you’re looking to hang out on the sand, get a tan, and just take a dip into the water.

I love to take my kindle here to relax, unwind, and enjoy the ocean breeze. It’s very quiet and peaceful due to low volume of traffic at this beach.

3. Makalei is Great For Watching the Sunset.

Just the other day, I drove to Makalei on my moped to get some footage for sunset. Makalei is a beach park, so there is a picnic table and palm trees for a hammock to enjoy the sunset.

If you’re interested in using a tripod, Makalei has a great area to setup for shooting. I used my Joby tripod to capture a sunset timelapse, but you can easily use a regular one instead.

Overall, the beach offers a great view to watch the sun light up the sky during golden hour. Overall it’s a great, secluded beach that offers great surf and an escape from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki.

If you want to stay up to date, be sure to subscribe below!