ʻŌhikilolo Beach
Waianae, HI
ʻŌhikilolo Beach runs along the base of Kaʻena's rugged western cliffs near Mākua, a long, wild stretch of sand with essentially no development anywhere in sight. It sits within a restricted natural area, and access can shift with the seasons and with military activity in the adjacent valley, so it rewards checking ahead more than most beaches on this list.
About as remote and undeveloped as Oahu gets, but the shifting access and total lack of facilities mean it takes real planning, not a spur of the moment stop.
How we score beachesCall ahead or check current signage before making the drive out. Access to this stretch changes more often than most beaches due to nearby restricted land.
Roadside parking along Farrington Highway near Mākua serves the area, informal and limited.
Sandy, uneven walking from the roadside, no paved path or facilities.
Calmer for walking and viewing in summer, winter brings bigger, more hazardous surf along this exposed stretch.
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