Laukinui Beach

Located in the small town of Makaha located along the Pacific coast at the foot of Mt. Ka'ala in the Wai’anae Mountain Range, Laukinui Beach – also called Aki’s Beach and Aki’s Cove – is a small beach with light brown sand and a nearby rocky shoreline. 

Laukinui Beach does not have lifeguards or any other amenities, so please plan accordingly. 

Laukinui Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, beachcombing, tidepooling, fishing, swimming, surfing, kitesurfing, tidepooling, windsurfing, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, jet-skiing, water-skiing, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, surf-skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching.

This beach is ideal for beginner swimmers, snorkelers, and paddle boarders because the water here usually has manageable waves.  If you are planning to swim, surf, snorkel, or kayak here, we recommend being careful because the water here is known to have unpredictable rip currents and dangerous waves.  In addition, the rocky shoreline nearby can also cause injuries.

This beach is also ideal for visitors looking for a quieter beach experience because it mostly sees fewer visitors as compared to other nearby Waianae beach areas.

Laukinui Beach does not offer wheelchair access to visitors with disabilities.

Getting to Laukinui Beach is easy – from Hawaii Route 93, you need to turn towards Upena Street.  The small access trail to Laukinui Beach is located between two houses along Upena Street.  There are multiple free street parking spaces near this beach.  Please be careful while parking near this beach and avoid leaving any valuables in your car because burglaries have been known to occur here. 

We recommend visiting this beach early because this beach can get crowded on rare occasions.

Laukinui Beach is known to be a favorite gathering site of Hawaiian green sea turtles and you can see many turtles while visiting this beach – watching turtles at Laukinui Beach is one of the many fun things to do in Waianae.

There are many attractions near Laukinui Beach.  Puu O Hulu Trail – also called the Maili Pillbox Hike and Pink Pillbox Hike – is a hiking trail that offers an amazing way to explore the rugged Oahu landscape – this hiking trail also leads to multiple World War Two-era concrete bunkers that are locally called “Pillboxes.”  Ka’ena Point State Park is a state park that has multiple beaches including Makua BeachandKeawa'ula Beach and it offers many fun activities including hiking, sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, boating, jet-skiing, surf-skiing, kayaking, canoeing, and wildlife watching.  This state park offers interesting insights into the local landscape and biodiversity.  Kaneana Cave is an interesting natural cave that is 450 feet deep and 150,000 years old.  This cave has been carved through erosion by the Pacific Ocean’s waves – in addition, this cave is a prominent part of Hawaiian mythology and it was believed by the Ancient Hawaiians to be the site where mankind was born.  Mt. Kaala Trail is a long, strenuous, and considerably unsafe hiking trail that will lead you to the peak of Mt. Kaala, which is one of the highest mountain peaks in Oahu.  Mt. Kaala’s peak offers amazing views of Oahu during clear weather.  If you are looking for another attraction near the beach, Makaha Valley Country Club is a club that has a beautiful 18-hole golf course.  This course was designed by William F. Bell and it offers a fun golfing experience.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Laukinui Beach.  Coquito’s Latin Cuisine offers many amazing Latin American-inspired dishes including Argentinian steak, mofongo, and Cuban dishes.  The Beach House by 604 is a waterfront restaurant that offers fusion cuisine with mainland American and local Hawaiian culinary influences including seafood, pastas, pizza, pork dishes, burgers, and sandwiches.  Golden House Chinese Cuisine serves excellent Asian-style dishes including gau gee, wonton, noodles, Asian-style seafood, and chow fun.  Countryside Cafe (Waianae Location) serves amazing dishes for breakfast and lunch including sandwiches, seafood, pancakes, and Asian-style dishes.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby restaurant, Barbecue Kai offers delicious sandwiches, burgers, lunch platters, steaks, poultry dishes, pork dishes, Asian dishes, and seafood.     

If you are looking for a hotel near Laukinui Beach, there are many great nearby options within a 30-minute drive.  The 5-Star Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina offers many amenities including multiple restaurants, a private beach area, a fitness center, kids’ clubs, and a spa.  The hotel also offers many fun activities including yoga classes and watersports.  The 4.5-Star Aulani – also called Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa –  is another upscale hotel that offers many amenities including multiple pools, a spa, and 10 bars and restaurants – the hotel also offers kids’ entertainment performances, movie nights, and pool parties and breakfasts with Disney characters including Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy.  Another upscale hotel is the 4-Star Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club that offers many amenities including three pools, seven hot tubs, a private beach area, a sauna, a spa, a fitness center with complimentary fitness classes, two restaurants, and a bar.  A more affordable hotel is the 3-Star Residence Inn by Marriott Oahu Kapolei that offers many amenities including a restaurant, a convenience store, a pool, and a barbecue area.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, Hawaiian Princess at Makaha offers many amenities including barbecues, a hot tub, a recreation room, tennis courts, and an outdoor pool.