Things to do in Oahu › Oahu tours and activities › Hiking tours and Diamond Head shuttles › Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and Shuttle Service
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and Shuttle Service
★ #8 of 13 in our list “Hiking tours and Diamond Head shuttles” Picked from the 54 hiking tours in the Oahu catalog, the way every tour here gets picked.
Updated price re-read every day; listing, times and pickup notes reviewed with it
Kaimana Tours takes you from Waikiki to Halona Blowhole before a hike on the Makapuu lighthouse trail. The outing lasts 4 hours and costs from $38.99 per adult. Departures run at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays. Pickup is at assigned Waikiki hotels. You follow the paved uphill path without a guide, and the blowhole stop adds a coastal visit before you start walking.
Our check
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and Shuttle Service at a glance
| Trail | Makapuu lighthouse trail, hike without a guide |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Price | from $38.99 per adult |
| Departs | 7 a.m. / 9 a.m., Monday and Tuesday |
| Pickup | Assigned Waikiki hotels |
| Age advice | Under 3 and over 65 discouraged |
| Fitness | Moderate, on a paved uphill path |
| Group | 14 travelers maximum |
| Main trade-off | Upper Makapuu Lookout closed for repairs until early November |
| Guide languages | English |
Read from the operator's listing on the booking page, October 30, 2026. The price is the tour's starting price in U.S. dollars, re-read every day, last on . Children pay less.
What's included
- Bottled water
What's not included
- Gratuities
Options
Which option to book
One option combines the lighthouse trail shuttle with a Halona Blowhole stop. It departs at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays.
| Option | Departures |
|---|---|
| Tour | 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., Mon, Tue |
The catch: The upper Makapuu Lookout is closed for repairs until early November, but the lighthouse trail stays open.
The day
How does the day work?
The shuttle follows Oahu's southeast coast to Halona Blowhole before you walk the paved Makapuu lighthouse trail.
- 1
Waikiki to the coast
Your hotel pickup begins the drive along the southeast shore. The route approaches Halona Blowhole before the hike.
- 2
Halona Blowhole
The stop gives you time to photograph waves spraying through the rocks. It's a lookout visit before continuing to Makapuu.
- 3
Paved climb
You follow the uphill path without a guide. Views along the way include Koko Head and Rabbit Island.
- 4
Lighthouse views
The trail looks out across the coast and offshore islands. You don't enter the lighthouse during the walk.
- 5
Back to Waikiki
After the walk, the shuttle returns you to Waikiki. There's bottled water for your outing.
The 4 hours cover the coastal drive and your hike, with a stop at Halona Blowhole. The ride ends back in Waikiki.
Pickup and meeting point
- Hotel meeting point: Your collection point is outside the assigned Waikiki hotel. Pickup can begin 15 minutes before the booked departure.
- Arrival window: Expect the driver within a window of 5 to 10 minutes. Multiple hotel stops can affect arrival, so call Kaimana if the wait runs longer.
- Staying elsewhere: The meeting point for guests outside Waikiki is Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Getting there is your responsibility.
- Contact before departure: Kaimana tries to reach you 24 hours before the trip. A hotel room number works when you don't have a U.S. mobile number.
Before you book
- Keep the lighthouse visit to views from the trail. You can't enter the lighthouse itself.
Fit
Is this tour right for you?
A Monday or Tuesday with 4 hours free suits independent walkers who want coastal views and Waikiki transport. It's a paved climb without a trail guide. You need moderate fitness, and the blowhole stop adds another place to visit before the hike.
For a shorter summit outing, Kaimana's Diamond Head shuttle costs from $35 per adult. For a guided forest walk with lunch, Nature and You costs from $119 per adult.
Who it's not for
- Visitors unavailable on Mondays and Tuesdays
- Walkers who want a guide along the trail
- Travelers expecting to enter the lighthouse
- Children under 3 or adults over 65: discouraged
Good to know
Know before you go
The hike is discouraged for children under 3 and adults over 65. You need moderate fitness on the uphill route. Infant tickets exist, but an infant must sit on an adult's lap during transport.
There are no drinking-water facilities or restrooms along this trail. Your shuttle supplies bottled water. Bring sun protection for the exposed paved climb, and use facilities before leaving for the trail rather than expecting them at the lookout.
The lighthouse interior is off-limits, and the tide pools are closed. Your visit stays on the designated trail. The upper Makapuu Lookout is closed for repairs until early November. The lighthouse trail stays open.
Kaimana needs working contact details for the day before your trip. A hotel room number works without a U.S. mobile number. Failure to reach you 24 hours ahead can prevent the shuttle from operating.
Bookings accept one to 14 travelers and require an adult, with the group also capped at 14. Bad weather or low turnout can cancel departure. Your reservation is accepted immediately with a mobile ticket.
A full refund is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Later changes of plan aren't refundable. Check your Monday or Tuesday schedule before choosing this shuttle, since those are its operating days.
Reviews
How is it rated?
Alternatives
Which tour to choose instead
A shorter outing with a summit climb
Diamond Head Hiking Tour with Tickets and Shuttle IncludedKaimana's Diamond Head shuttle takes 3 hours from $35 per adult. It doesn't provide a guide for the climb.
★ 4.8 · 1,023 reviews · from $35 per adult
A guide and lunch in Manoa
Manoa Waterfall Hike with Waikiki Pickup and Healthy LunchA guide accompanies you through Manoa's forest. Nature and You adds lunch at Tantalus Lookout from $119 per adult.
★ 4.7 · 215 reviews · from $119 per adult
A forest walk without a guide
Oahu: Manoa Falls Rainforest Self-Guided HikeKaimana's Manoa shuttle costs from $52.99 per adult for an independent waterfall hike. A walking stick and water are supplied.
★ 4.6 · 244 reviews · from $52.99 per adult
All 13 tours in the list “Hiking tours and Diamond Head shuttles” · Oahu tours and activities by category
Questions
People also ask
- What does Kaimana's Makapuu Lighthouse shuttle cost?
The outing costs from $38.99 per adult with Waikiki return transport and bottled water. It lasts 4 hours overall. Halona Blowhole is a stop before the hike, while your walking time is spent independently on the lighthouse trail.
- Can you enter Makapuu Lighthouse on Kaimana's tour?
No, the lighthouse can only be viewed from the trail. You won't go inside during this 4-hour outing. Keep to the paved hiking route for coastal views rather than treating the booking as admission to the lighthouse building.
- Does Kaimana's Makapuu tour have a guide on the trail?
No, you hike independently after the shuttle ride. Departures are at 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. You need to manage your own pace on the uphill path, with the return transport arranged as part of the outing.
- How does Kaimana's Makapuu hotel pickup work?
You meet outside the Waikiki hotel assigned to your reservation. Collection can start 15 minutes before departure. The driver has several stops, so use your individual pickup instructions and allow an arrival window of 5 to 10 minutes.
- Is Makapuu an option for visitors who want a paved hike?
Yes, the lighthouse route follows a paved former access road. Kaimana's trip takes 4 hours including transport. The surface doesn't remove the climb or sun exposure, so you still need moderate fitness and water during your walk.
Times and conditions as the booking page listed them on October 30, 2026; the price is re-read every day, last on . Booking happens on the booking page, at its price; a booking through the button earns this site a commission, and your price is the same.