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Mokoli’i Island

Mokoli’i Island, Oahu: Address, Mokoli’i Island Reviews: 4/5

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Mokoli’i Island

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Mokoli’i Island
4
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#80 of 612 things to do in Oahu
Islands • Geologic Formations
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About
Mokoli’i is one of Oahu’s small offshore islands. It is about half a mile from the mainland and is accessible by water (kayak/canoe or swimming) or at low tide by walking. The hike to the top may be challenging as it is steep and rocky (bring appropriate shoes); from the top there are lovely views.
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Tours & experiences
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
5 within 3 miles
Kualoa Ranch Restaurant
327
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Grill
Waikane Store
8
1.8 mi$ • Japanese • Sushi
Coral Kingdom Restaurant
57
1.9 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Hawaiian
Waiahole Poi factory
147
2.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • Polynesian • Hawaiian
Waiahole Nursery and Garden Center Bistro
16
2.1 mi$ • American • Hawaiian
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Attractions
23 within 6 miles
Kualoa Regional Park
663
0.7 miBeaches • Parks
Byodo-In Temple
1,873
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites
Valley of the Temples
357
Historic Sites • Cemeteries
Kāneʻohe Bay
136
Bodies of Water • Beaches
He'eia State Park
71
State Parks
Waiahole Beach Park
3
2.1 miBeaches • Parks
Kahana Bay Beach Park
57
Nature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
21 Degrees Estate Cacao Farm
17
Farms
Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park
23
2.7 miState Parks • Parks
Crouching Lion
42
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
216 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
85
Average
38
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Robin V
Indiana676 contributions
Great climb
My wife and I rented a two person kayak from Go Bananas. We parked in the far lot and carried the kayak to the beach. It was a tuff job. Once in the water the paddling was easy out to the island. When we landed there were only a couple of other kayaks there. While going up we passed a few people coming down. The climb is a bit scary but manageable if you are in normal shape. The view from the top is unbeatable. We were the only ones on top when we were there and we went at about 11:00 during the week. We stayed for about ten minutes and had a snack. Now anytime we see this iconic island we can say we have been on top!
Written June 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ3,731 contributions
Our driver calls it the Hershey Kiss island
Saw this on the North Shore tour. Our driver prefers the name Hershey Kiss island, for obvious reasons. Not much to do but take a few pictures. It's neat, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.
Written May 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BigMerk
Glasgow, UK1,840 contributions
Cool Photo opportunity
We paid a short visit here as part of a Round the Island Tour. It’s a cool looking island shaped like a traditional hat worn by Chinese immigrants in the past. We also saw it when visiting Kualoa Ranch.
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
j H
Baltimore MD1 contribution
The unseen dangers
Friends
Today, January 27, 2013 marks the 18th anniversary of my father and two friends drowning at Chinaman's Hat. In 1995 it was after a hurricane and although the water was clear and calm on the surface, the current was strong and the wind was blowing out to sea. 3 grown adults in a yellow rubber raft got blown out to sea and presumably their raft was ripped to pieces and their bodies never recovered. Search the Honolulu paper starting January 28, 1995 for the next week for the news articles documenting the search.
Please be careful if you choose to walk, wade or swim to Chinaman's hat.
Written January 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
blunoz708
Bremerton, WA50 contributions
Great place for kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving...
To get there, park in the Kualoa Regional Park (it shows up in Google Maps). There are public restrooms available in the park, as well as fresh-water spigots to rinse stuff off afterwards. It's a nice park. There were a few families camping there when we went there. There are lifeguards on the beach, too.

At low tide, you can walk across to the Chinaman's Hat. The water is about knee to waist deep on an adult. I observed a couple of families walk across with small children.

My 7 year old son and I kayaked across at low tide. The water was crystal clear and we could see the bottom all the way across. We pulled our kayak up on the sand and hiked around the island. Hiking around the bottom of the island was fine, but trying to climb the island is a little treacherous.

The water was really calm and there were several snorkelers in the shallow water on the Kualoa side of the island, and several scuba diver flags on the ocean side of the island.
Written May 19, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bwco
New Jersey1,738 contributions
Beautiful island
Couples
We passed by this on our tour of Oahu. What a beautiful island. It is possible to wade out to it, but be careful. The week before we visited, several people drowned when the the tide changed on them.
Written September 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bwco
New Jersey1,738 contributions
Beautiful island, but be carefull if you are visiting it
Couples
We saw this from the coast and this is a beautiful island. Sadly the week before we visited several people who had waded out to the island drowned on the way back in when the tide turned.
Written September 27, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lahpug
Middle Village, NY231 contributions
Great views and pictures
We saw Chinaman's hat from the coast where the views are awesome. We went to the beach and got some nice pictures. I was surprised that there weren't that many people at this beach since everywhere else you go, it's totally crowded. The beach was nice but a lot of rocks in the water. Wear water shoes if you can.
Written August 5, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia A
Napa, CA62 contributions
A rewarding swim out to Mokoi'i Island (Chinaman's Hat)
Solo
While I will say, out of 3 attempts, my 2nd one was the only successful one... I studied the time of days, surf, tides and currents before heading out, to ensure I wasn't at the highest level of risk (as I was swimming alone). Along the successful way... saw 2 beautiful and big honu and got to enjoy some quiet time on the little beach part once on the island. A nice overshadowed afternoon provided just the intimate feelings. Headed back before currents got too strong. There's some big reefs around the north side close to the beach entrance, so careful. In my failed 3rd attempt, even when it was the beginning of low tides, the currents were too strong out around that part, making visibility zero, so I changed directions and started heading towards the rocky side, most visible from Kualoa Regional Park, my launch off spot. But, box jellies! I started to feel there's little stings, and just headed back to shore... I did get entangled in one long tendril... about 400 yards off shore... but was able to remedy it with hard rubbing of sand and ocean water.

The swim isn't for the faint at heart, and requires some planning to avoid bad situations. But, if you do get yourself over to that little wonderful island, consider yourself very much rewarded by Oahu's spirit.
Written October 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dawgs11
Macon, GA72 contributions
Long swim but worth it
Solo
This is a beautiful island to explore with a private beach on the back side. You either have to swim, use a float, use a kayak or a boat to get to it. Unlike the previous reviewer you can not wade out to this island. I swam this using a float as the water was 15 to 20 feet deep all the way from the main shoreline to the islands shoreline. The water is clear so take a mask with you so you can see the marine life around you. It was well worth the swim and the island was interesting. The view from the island looking at the mountains was spectacular.
Written October 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mokoli’i Island
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