Makalei Beach Park

Makalei is the pocket beach east of Diamond Head Lighthouse, popular with locals for its quiet character and proximity to Honolulu. Check the Community Water Testing section for the sample date, result and full Surfrider report. A sample describes the water collected at that place and time; it does not establish today's water quality. Check the live DOH status above separately.

Makalei sits on the eastern flank of Diamond Head, exposed to the open ocean. A fringing reef lies offshore, with residential streets and Diamond Head Road above the beach.

Runoff can reach the beach through the surrounding drainage after rain. Open-ocean exposure does not establish current water quality; use the dated community samples and current DOH advisories as separate sources.

The Hawaii Department of Health does NOT routinely test Makalei Beach Park. The community-tested readings on this page come from the Surfrider Foundation Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-led monitoring program run by the Surfrider Oʻahu chapter.

BWTF samples Makalei Beach Park biweekly using the IDEXX Enterolert method (MPN/100mL), and compares results against the same 130 Beach Action Value DOH uses statewide. See our overview of citizen water-quality testing in Hawaiʻi for the methodology and how BWTF data fits with DOH coverage.

Steep sand entry — not as gentle as Waikiki. The fringing reef creates a swimming pool at high tide. Avoid the immediate base of the lighthouse cliffs (rocks, urchins).

Summer mornings on a small south swell. The east side stays surfable on most days. Winter brings the occasional north-wrap; the lighthouse blocks most of it. Snorkeling is decent on the calmest days.

Off Diamond Head Road past the lighthouse. Limited roadside parking. About 5 minutes east of Waikiki by car. Bus route 14 stops at the top of Diamond Head Road; walk down.