Best Beaches on Molokai

The beaches in Molokai | Frommer's

Due to the wide shoals of the southern bank, which are lined by a fringe and fish ponds, and the general accessibility of the northern bank, the best Molokai beaches are for tourists on the eastern or western lakes. Native children are swimming from the quay, but if you just want to dive your foot into the sea, drive 3 km eastwards along the Kamehameha V Hwy to the sandshore of One Alii Beach Park ?

Even though the waters are too flat and cloudy for a swim, the large nature reserve is a place for picnics and attracts many couples on workdays. Shower rooms, parking spaces and toilets are available. Tents may be camped with permission (see "Camping"). Located at the 20 miles mark, palm-lined Kumimi Beach , also known as Murphy Beach or 20-Mile Beach, offers a small, shady amusement parc with picknick desks, plenty of snow and good snorkelling, scuba dive and good winds.

Search for Sandy Beaches between mileposts 21 and 22 - the last of the beaches before heading up to the luxuriant Halawa Valley. Halawa is located at the small end of the twisty motorway, 28 km eastwards of Kaunakak, at ??. There is a small pavillion with toilets, showers and faucet, 100 metres from the coast, opposite Ierusalema Hou, a small 1948 village town.

However, loneliness, sundown and clear views of the afternoon from Diamond Head on Oahu over the 26 mile Kaiwi Canal make the trip worthwhile. Leaving Kaunakakakakai, take the Maunaloa Highway (Hwy. 460) almost 15 nautical mile to the east, turn right onto Kaluakoi Rd and continue for 4 1/2 nautical mile until you see the signs on the right pointing to Ke Nani Kai; at the end of the street, turn right to the shore car park.

Go past the creepy, dilapidated, closed resort to the golden beach of Kepuhi Beach , and see how windsurfers are navigating through the crags. After a 15 -minute stroll northwards, the Pohaku Mauliuli Slag Cones share their name with two bays of sands better known as Make Horse Beach, which means "dead horse" (don't ask).

A hike a few leagues northbound on a jagged track takes you to the Kawakiu Beach , the pristine starting point of the Molokai to Oahu Outdoor Paddlewalk. On Kaluakoi Rd. 2 mls. southwards from the residence to the Papohaku Beach Park car park , where the blonde sandy beach is more than 2 mils. long and 300 ft. across.

At the north end, one third of the way after the crossing with the Pa Loa Loop Road (a short cut back to the top Kaluakoi Rd.), are the sanitary blocks, waters, picnic areas and camping sites (see "Camping"). At Papohaku take Kaluakoi Road 1 3/4 km southbound to the T on Pohakuloa Road; turn right and continue for 1[bf]3/4km.

Shortly before the street ends, turn off to the sea at the signposted entrance to the shore. You can park in the small parking space and take a shortcut to the cosy Dixie Maru Beaches (formerly Kapukahehu, but named after a wreck in Japan). A favourite with the family in this protected bay in hot weather, it is the best and most secure bathing area on the isle.