Hiking the Kahuku Coastline Trail on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi
Distance (One Way): 5.5 miles / 8.9 km
The Kahuku Coastline is Oʻahu’s most remote stretch of untouched beaches, largely due to private landowners and the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge owning all of the surrounding property.
That being said, if you’re considering the trail, keep in mind that just because it’s a coastal hike, it doesn’t mean it’s an easy hike.
The sun exposure is high, there is a lot of salty sea spray when it’s windy, and walking on the sand is always slower and tougher than walking on a hard surface.
However, if you start early and bring at least 2-3L of water, I think the Kahuku Shoreline Trail makes for a fun North Shore adventure.
Public Shoreline Access
Yes, the Kahuku shoreline, just like any other, is a public right-of-way. As long as you hike on the outside of any no trespassing signs, 100% of this hike is on public land!
Furthermore, all shorelines in Hawaiʻi are a public right-of-way, as per the Hawaiʻi Revised Statute linked below.
Kahuku Coastline Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Kahuku Coastline Trail is located at the public beach access within the Turtle Bay Resort in Kahuku.
The designated parking lot for anyone going to the beach/ trail is loacted on the far right side, near the Paradise Helicopter Tours. Here, parking stalls are marked and set aside from the rest, as you can see in the photo below.
Google Maps Directions: Kahuku Shoreline Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Kahuku Coastline Trail
The hike begins at the Turtle Bay public beach access for Kaihalulu Beach to the right of the resort.
At the first split, go left toward the beach.
Then, go right at the second split shortly after the first.
Kaihalulu Beach
From Kaihalulu Beach to Kahuku Point, the trail along the coast is very straightforward and well-maintained by the resort.
After the golf course, go left to stay on the Kahuku Coastline Trail.
Kahuku Point
Typically speaking, Kahuku Point is where most people turn around.
It’s also important to note that you may encounter a boundary like this for a resting Hawaiian Monk Seal, but after Kahuku Point, it’s largely up to you to watch out and maintain your distance, which I discuss in more detail below.
If you come to this posted no trespassing sign, simply head down to the beach to avoid walking on the private land.
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
At about 2.6 miles (4.2 km) into the hike, you will come across the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge boundary.
That being said, so long as you keep to the outside of the clearly marked boundary, you are not trespassing.
To this point, the wildlife refuge boundary will be clearly posted from here until the Kahuku Golf Course near the end of the hike.
Other than the lack of shade, these are truly some of Oʻahu’s best beaches!
Hawaiian Monk Seals
There is a real possibility that you will come across one of Hawaiʻi’s endemic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals along the trail.
Therefore, please be aware of the following guidelines before visiting:
If you see a Monk Seal, please use common sense and do not approach! Many visitors have been tracked down through social media videos and prosecuted for getting too close, touching, or harassing Hawaiian Monk Seals.
Be aware that Monk Seals come to the shoreline to rest and escape predation, meaning that if someone were to scare one back into the water, the seal is again exposed to the risks of predation from sharks.
Finally, feel free to stop, take photos, and enjoy them, but do so from a distance. NOAA and Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) recommend at least 50 ft. (15.2 m) of distance.
Toward the end of the National Wildlife Refuge, there is one inevitable stream crossing that you will need to walk through.
When you reach the end of the wildlife refuge, stay along the fence line to take the easiest route to the golf course.
Japanese Cemetary
Please be respectful.
Kahuku Golf Course
Once at the golf course, go right to take the fastest route to the end of the trail on Puʻuluana Street.
Puʻuluana Street
The Kahuku Coastline Trail ends at the parking lot for the Kahuku Golf Course, but I always choose to walk out to the bus stop on Kamehameha Highway instead of turning back.
Trust me, this is a one-way hike after spending a little over 5 miles (8.0 km) in the sun.
This is the bus stop on Kamehameha and Puʻuluana Street.
Kahuku Coastline Notes
While the Kahuku Coastline is the most remote stretch of shoreline on Oʻahu, it’s also, by far, the dirtiest coastline on Oʻahu. For this reason, I kindly ask that you carry out whatever you can take!
Additionally, some of my typical hiking gear doesn’t apply to a coastal hike like this, but you will want good walking sandals and at least 2-3 liters of water, for all the time spent in the sun.
Native Plants on the Kahuku Coastline
The Kahuku Coastline Trail is one of the better hikes on Oʻahu to see a variety of native Hawaiian plants across the entire trail.
Some of these include Pōhuehue, Naupaka, Hunakai, Alena, Hau, ʻAkoko, and Hinahina, to name only a few.
If you’d like to learn more about these and tons of other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you check out my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Oʻahu Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Oʻahu adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Restaurants in Waikīkī
If you’re trying to decided where to stay on Oʻahu, check out my top 10 list for the best resorts and restaurants in Waikīkī.
I break down what makes one hotel a better choice over another, so that you can find the best fit for your stay on the island.
Read My Separate Post: Best Waikīkī Hotels & Restaurants
Waikīkī
HNL Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel shuttle prior to arrival. I say this because there are additional fees for ride-share airport pick-ups at Honolulu Airport (HNL), which is why I recommend booking your transportation in advance using the options below.
Additionally, the last option below will go as far as the Ko ʻOlina Resorts on the West Side and Turtle Bay on Oʻahu’s North Shore!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Oʻahu
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Oʻahu or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
10 Best Tours & Excursions on Oʻahu
There are a lot of different tour options to choose from on Oʻahu, but to make it easier to decide, I made a list of my favorite tours because some things simply are better with a local guide!
Read My Separate Post: Best Tours on Oʻahu
Oʻahu
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
Noah Lang Photography LLC makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information provided here, and readers should use their own discretion, judgement, and seek professional advice where it is appropriate.
Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
All said, the content on this blog is for the sole use of Noah Lang Photography LLC, and unauthorized use or reproduction of this content is strictly prohibited.
Disclosure
This post is not sponsored.
However, some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means that I may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through one of those links. This commission comes at no additional cost to you, and I only recommend products that I personally use and believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support, which enables me to continue creating more!
To read the full privacy policy, click here.
About This Blog
Noah Lang Photography, also known as @noahawaii, is 100% reader-supported!
I do not accept guest articles or sponsored content of any kind on my blog, which is why, if you enjoy the outdoor and travel content I create, please consider buying me a coffee!
I appreciate your support, which helps me continue to keep this blog alive!
