Pokai Beach Park, Makaha

Pokai Beach is perfect for kids at times when the other beaches in Makaha have surf and rip currents too dangerous for swimming. It is shallow and completely calm at Pokai Beach thanks to the manmade rock wall, or breakwater, that blocks the surf. Kids love it here! The water is mostly clean and crystal clear, but does connect to a canal that goes into town, which could bring dirty runoff.

Pokai Beach Park is a popular spot to launch canoes and you can see the canoes lined up along the grass. Standup paddlers also love Pokai Beach. This beach has nice military vacation cottages called Pililaau Army Recreation Center (book way ahead), a safe place with military police patrolling the grounds.
There is some shade under palm trees on the beach or large trees on the lawn that fronts the beach. You can take a nice stroll to a heiau (Hawaiian religious site) on the south end of the beach. If you're lucky you might see turtles, dolphins, or seals.
There are restrooms, showers, and a lifeguard.
One minute drive or a seven minute walk, check out Coquito's Latin Cuisine (closed Mondays), a cute place to have lunch or dinner on their pretty balcony.
A seven minute drive south, check out Dan's Maili Shave Ice, a humble place where you can sit on picnic tables outside by a colorful lime-green fence and plumeria plants, and eat delicious lychee shave ice! Ask for less syrup than usual. Buy some mango or banana bread to take home for the next morning. And some butter mochi- amazing!
Six minutes drive south, go for a walk at Bettini Gardens, enjoying tropical plants and ocean views.
For one of the most beautiful beaches you'll see, but swimming with a deep dropoff and large waves, check out Hawaiian Princess Beach, five minutes drive north.
To see turtles in an adorable cove, visit Aki's Beach, seven minutes drive north.

Directions

The parking lot for Pokai Beach Park is located at 85-13 Pokai Bay St, Waianae HI 96792. Don't leave anything valuable or hard to replace in your car or on the beach.
Coquito's Latin Cuisine, 85-773 Farrington Hwy, Waianae HI 96792.
Dan's Maili Shave Ice, 87-139 Hookele St, Waianae, HI 96792.

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