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Looking for something different to do? Exploring the Mokulua Islands is the perfect activity to do on Oahu. It doesn’t take all day and you kayak on the open ocean! It’s quite a paddle to Moku Nui, the island you are allowed to visit. But the experience is so different and memorable. Clear blue waters, a coral reef and green sea turtles? Count me in! Read about the Mokulua Islands and what to expect on your kayak trip in this post!
Highlights
- Seeing sea animals, like green sea turtles, monk seals or rock crabs.
- Kayaking on the open ocean
- Seeing a coral reef
About the Mokulua Islands
Mokulua means ‘two islands’ in the Hawaiian language. You can see these two islands on Lanikai Beach on Oahu. Both islands are seabird sanctuaries protected by the state of Hawaii.
You can see the Wedged-Tailed Shearwater birds on Moku Nui, the only island you can visit.
Mokulua Nui is the larger island and has two peaks, the highest peak being around 225 feet / 69m high. Moku Nui has one sandy beach on the west side and steep cliffs and rocks on the other sides.
Mokulua Iki is the other and smaller Mokulua island. There is no sandy beach, but a rocky coral beach instead. No one is allowed to step foot on Moku Iki.
Our experience kayaking to the Mokulua Islands
Renting our kayak
To kayak on the open ocean to Moku Nui is such a memorable experience! We rented our Kayak’s at Kailua Beach Adventures in Kailua. They open at 8AM, but we picked up our kayak at 10AM.
Kailua Beach Adventures will send you a video to watch that will explain the route, recommendations and how the current normally flows. This prepared us for our kayak journey, especially since we never kayaked in the open ocean before.
It’s a short walk to Kailua Beach, where we rolled our kayak in the water. From there we started Kayaking to Lanikai Beach and from Lanikai Beach to Moku Nui.
Two islands on the right (Moku Nui, Moku Iki)
Seeing flat island along the way
You will see flat island, or Popoia Island, as you paddle towards Lanikai Beach. Flat island is close to Kailua Beach. Since its prohibited to walk on the middle of the island (you can only walk on the perimeter of flat island), we weren’t interested in making the trip to flat island. After all, I was still nervous about even making it to Moku Nui!
How rough is the kayak ride?
You should definitely check the weather forecast before kayaking. Kailua Beach Adventures had a board ready with all the stats for that day. Really helpful, since we didn’t check the weather for that day…
The weather conditions were very good on the day we went kayaking. There wasn’t a lot of wind and the waters were relatively calm. But still, the waves of the ocean definitely provided resistance while we were paddling. My shoulders definitely hurt the next day!
Our time on the ocean was still peaceful, as we could look at the reef below us. I really wanted to spot some green sea turtles, but no. Not that day!
Landing on Moku Nui
Once we got close to Moku Nui, we saw how the waves wrap around the island. The waves flow around the island from the right and left side, meeting in front of the sandy beach. Yep, at the exact spot we were supposed to land our kayak!
This can get tricky, as the waves can flip the kayak over (we’ve seen many kayaks flip over at this part). We slowed down and paddled slightly towards the right. We waited until we saw a new wave form on the right side. This way we could ride with the wave towards sandy beach.
From that point on it’s quick, quick, quick! We paddled quickly towards sandy beach and made our landing! We pulled our kayak onto the beach and squeezed it in between many, many other kayaks.
Explore Moku Nui!
We had such a pleasant surprise on Moku Nui! We saw two monk seals chilling on the beach. I didn’t know they could sneeze so loud…
Many people make the trip to Moku Nui, so don’t expect to be the only one! We also saw many people kayaking the same route on the ocean. So if you’re nervous about doing this (like I was), it definitely helps seeing other people make the same journey.
We explored the sides of Moku Nui as there were some walking paths. The right side of the island has a clear, small pool where people snorkel. And by small, I mean small! It might fit 5 people.
Don’t forget to take in the views of Moku Iki, which is not far away from Moku Nui.
Leaving the island
We tipped over when we tried to leave the beach! The waves were getting pretty rough and another kayaker offered us some help. The waves push the kayak in all directions, which makes the departure tricky!
We recommend to wait for calmer waters or ask a fellow kayaker for help!
Recommendations when kayaking to Moku Nui
- This one is obvious, but you need to be able to swim!
- Go early to avoid the crowds on the beach
- You need a permit to land on Moku Nui. The permit is included when you rent a kayak.
Other helpful posts about kayaking to the Mokulua Islands
What to bring and wear to the Mokulua Islands
- A life vest. This will be given to you if you rent a kayak.
- Dry bag. Especially when tipping over or if water comes into your kayak from the waves. Shoes. The beach on Moku Nui is rocky and most people wear some type of shoes. Otherwise, it’s pretty uncomfortable.
- Sunscreen
- Long sleeved shirt or rain jacket (in the winter months)
- Go pro or camera to take pictures of monk seals (if you’re lucky to see them)!
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Are you up for a trip to the Mokulua Islands? We want to know!
