Awalua Beach
Lanai City, HI
Awalua Beach sits further along Lanai's remote north shore than most visitors bother to go, reached by its own dirt road branching off near Keahiakawelo rather than the route to the island's famous shipwreck. A second wreck, the navy oiler YO-21, rests here too, quieter and far less visited than the one everyone photographs closer to town.
The second shipwreck is a genuine draw for anyone who's already done the main Kaiolohia trip, but the restricted road access and complete lack of facilities keep it firmly in rarely visited territory even by island standards.
How we score beachesDon't confuse this with the main Shipwreck Beach trail. Awalua Road is a separate turnoff near Garden of the Gods, and rental Jeep agreements typically rule it out entirely, so check with a local outfitter if this is the plan.
No lot exists. A dirt road named Awalua branches off from the Garden of the Gods area and descends to the shore, demanding four wheel drive and dry conditions. Standard rental Jeeps are barred from this road under most agreements.
Rough, unpaved ground the entire way down, with no path once you reach the shoreline. Not manageable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Dry season, roughly spring through fall, is the only realistic window for the drive. The exposed north shore stays rough and unswimmable regardless of when you visit.
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