The Kaimana Tours Makapuu Lighthouse hike shuttle is a $39.99 round-trip van from Waikiki to the paved 2.5-mile Makapuu Point trail, with a Halona Blowhole stop, returning about 3.5 hours after departure. It suits visitors without a car who want an easy coastal hike. The drawback is the self-guided format and a shadeless, exposed trail.
Highlights
Adult $39.99 and child $34.99 on the operator's site as of October 2026, including round-trip Waikiki transport and one bottle of water.
Two departures: 6:50 am returning 10:30 am, and 8:50 am returning 12:30 pm; the page lists them under 'Mondays & Tuesdays only' while also saying the tour runs daily.
The trail is 2.5 miles round trip on a paved path with about 500 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate, with no shade and windy sections near the coast.
Humpback whales can be seen from the trail November to April; on clear days the view takes in Koko Head, Rabbit Island and sometimes Molokai and Lanai.
Cancellations within 48 hours are charged 100%; the van does not run if it misses its minimum guest count.
What to Expect
The van collects you in Waikiki at 6:50 am or 8:50 am and drives the southeast coast to the Makapuu Point trailhead, where parking is limited for self-drivers.
You hike the paved trail on your own, about 1.25 miles uphill with 500 feet of gain, to the lighthouse viewpoint and back.
On the return drive the van stops at Halona Blowhole and other coastal photo points along Kalanianaole Highway.
You are dropped back in Waikiki at 10:30 am or 12:30 pm depending on the departure.
What's Included
Round-trip transportation from Waikiki
One bottle of water
What's Not Included
Guide (the hike is self-guided)
Food and drinks beyond the one bottle of water
What to Bring
Sneakers and comfortable clothing
Hat and sunscreen; the trail is hot and dry with no shade
Extra water, plus a camera and binoculars for whales in season
Restrictions and Requirements
Book only if you need the shuttle; the product is transport, not a guided hike
No eating in the shuttle and no drinks brought aboard
Runs rain or shine
Minimum guest count applies or the van does not operate
Cancellation Policy
Changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the reservation; cancellations within 48 hours are charged 100% of the total. GO Oahu Card holders who do not cancel within the 48-hour window are also charged the full tour price. The van will not operate if it does not reach its minimum number of guests, in which case the operator contacts you. Checked October 2026 on kaimanatours.com.
Pickup in Waikiki (specific stop confirmed by the operator at booking); trailhead is Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail off Kalanianaole Highway
Check-In
Be at the pickup before the 6:50 am or 8:50 am departure
Parking and Getting There
Not applicable; the operator notes parking at Makapuu is limited and recommends the shuttle
Ratings from every source we could find
VELTRA
5.0
review count not shown
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
The Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail is consistently ranked among Oahu's most accessible scenic hikes, with independent sources specifically noting it as one of the better shore-based whale watching spots during winter migration season.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 1 review on the VELTRA (hawaiiactivities.com) listing for this shuttle, from January 2020, collected October 2026. That is too few to form patterns, so no themes are reported; the listing shows a 5.00 average without a review count.
About the Operator in General
The one review we read (VELTRA, January 2020) praised the driver's information and the trail views and noted that a planned Hanauma Bay snorkel was cancelled for a jellyfish closure, with the driver returning early to collect the group. Across the operator's Hanauma Bay shuttle, 20 of 59 reviews we read praise punctual drivers.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
For $39.99 this is a sensible way to do the Makapuu trail without renting a car, and the Halona Blowhole stop adds a sight most self-drivers see anyway. It is worth it for visitors staying in Waikiki who want a 3-hour morning outing and can hike 2.5 miles on pavement in full sun. Drivers or anyone wanting a guided walk should skip it; the hike itself is unguided and the operator says so plainly.
Book This Tour If…
You have no car and want the earliest departure to beat heat on a shadeless trail
You can manage 500 feet of elevation gain on a paved path in about an hour
You visit between November and April, when humpback whales are often visible from the trail
Skip This Tour If…
You have a rental car; the trail is free and the operator's own page says to book only if you need the shuttle
You want narration on the trail; the hike is self-guided
You need flexibility, since cancellations inside 48 hours are charged in full
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Take the 6:50 am departure; the trail has no shade and the operator describes the slopes as hot and dry.
Bring more water than the one included bottle, plus a hat and sunscreen.
Confirm operating days when booking: the page says daily but lists the shuttle times under Mondays and Tuesdays only.
Combine with the operator's Diamond Head shuttle on another day if you want a second easy hike; the two-hike combo is listed from $70.99.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Makapuu Lighthouse hike shuttle from Waikiki?
Kaimana Tours charges $39.99 per adult and $34.99 per child as of October 2026 for round-trip transport from Waikiki to the Makapuu Point trailhead, a stop at Halona Blowhole and one bottle of water. The hike itself is free and self-guided; the fee covers the shuttle and stops.
How hard is the Makapuu Lighthouse Trail?
The Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail is 2.5 miles round trip on a paved path with about 500 feet of elevation gain, rated moderate by the operator. The slopes are hot and dry with no shade and the coastal sections can be windy. Most people complete it in about an hour at a steady pace.
What are the shuttle times?
Two departures are listed: 6:50 am from Waikiki returning at 10:30 am, and 8:50 am returning at 12:30 pm. The operator's page says the tour runs daily except Christmas and New Year's Day but lists these times under Mondays and Tuesdays only, so confirm the schedule for your date when booking.
Can you see whales from the Makapuu trail?
Humpback whales are often visible from the Makapuu Point trail between November and April, according to the operator, which suggests bringing binoculars. On clear days the viewpoint also shows Koko Head Crater, Rabbit Island and sometimes the islands of Molokai and Lanai across the channel.
Is the Halona Blowhole stop included?
Yes. After the hike the shuttle stops at Halona Blowhole and other coastal photo points on Kalanianaole Highway before returning to Waikiki. The blowhole's spray depends on swell and tide, so it may be quiet on calm days. No entry fee applies at the lookout.
Contact
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