Makauwahi Cave Reserve
Makauwahi Cave Reserve
4.5
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 3:45 PM
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Koloa
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Restaurants
39 within 3 miles
Attractions
49 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- 4Bug-a-Boos310 contributionsWhat a fun experience!What a fun experience. We really enjoyed our visit to Makauwahi Cave. The road leading to the trailhead is a bit rough but we made it fine. There is a fairly short trail that leads you to the cave, I believe I read it is about 1/4 of a mile one way or so. To get into the actual cave area you do have to crawl through a small opening which can be a bit intimidating for some people but it's truly just an opening and you come out right inside a large cave room with a big opening. So even if you're a little claustrophobic this isn't bad if you can get past just that small opening. What that big opening opens up to is a beautiful little garden looking area. There is a path you can take around and on the other side of the garden is the actual cave. You can go in a little way but not very far. The day we were there someone was there to explain the area and what they have found archeologically. It was very interesting and a beautiful little hike.Visited September 2023Traveled with familyWritten September 21, 2023
- Janice OSaint Louis, Missouri30 contributionsFun hike and learning experienceThe hike to the cave was fairly easy, and had good views. We took an extra branch that took us around the top of the sinkhole and that was a bit harder work, but we made it. The crawl into the sinkhole was a bit intimidating for me, but really, the crawl part is only 10 feet or so, and I'm 65 and i made it!! it was lovely inside, and the cave tour, which is really not a tour, you only go in it a little bit, but the guide had a nice lecture and was helpful with all questions. The $20 donation is steep for what you get but it is a good cause. And you can do the hike and the sinkhole without donating at all. The turtle sanctuary is not amazing but an interesting side trip since you are already there. the dirt road getting there was very bumpy but we made it in our rental car with no issues. It was a fun experience that i would recommend for a few hours.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten November 17, 2023
- shipfotogSanta Barbara, California90 contributionsA must do quick visitAwesome little place to visit. Very short walk to a beautiful cave and beach. Can get pretty muddy after a good rainfall, the cave entrance is about a 5 ft long small entrance but fun.Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 5, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
198 reviews
Excellent
131
Very good
52
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Foothill kayakers
Placerville, CA73 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Nice short hike with information stops, leading down to a cave and sink hole. Wonderful efforts to remove invasive non-native plants and replace with plants which would have lived there about 1000 years ago. Plus, 3 tortoises and access to a lovely beach
Written January 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin D
Manchester, NH428 contributions
Jan 2022
The trail is an easy waling trail from the parking lot. The cave/ sink hole is a great experience the guide was very informative, had no problem making a donation. The tortoise reserve is very cool as well, they all seem very well looked after and very active. There is also a great beach near the tortoise's that is worth a stop.
Written January 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amanda K
Burlington, VT26 contributions
Feb 2020
Our family of four (2 adults, 2 teens) really enjoyed exploring this place. We were staying nearby, so this wasn't a difficult drive. We casually browsed around for about an hour. It was a perfect break from the beach. We all found this place to be interesting. Definitely worth the visit. You have to crawl on all fours to get through the entrance, but the distance is very short (you can easily see through) and then you are essentially in open air and standing from there. The cave is free, but there is a box to make a donation.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol F
Vancouver, Canada24 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We accessed the Caves with the cliff side walk from Shipwreck Beach. The views of the coast were stunning. We even saw a ray swim by! The cave was accessed by a short crawl through the opening with tarps laid down to protect your knees. Inside, the caves were very interesting and neat to see. A naturalist was there to tell us about their significance and ongoing archeological efforts and restoration efforts in the area. Seeing the tortoises “at work” in the adjoining area was also fun. We had a car pick us up after from near the stables. That road is muddy and has many potholes.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calif-Family4
San Jose, CA128 contributions
Feb 2023
It was an interesting, short hike to get to the cave entrance (crawl on hands & knees for 5 feet and then you're in an open air collapsed cave. The guide who was there gave the crowd a great overview and told some interesting histories about the area. Afterwards, we walked over to look at the giant tortoises in the rescue pens. We wound up staying ~an hour and a half, but you could do this in thirty minutes including the walk in and back.
Written February 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Terri
Lethbridge, Canada19 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This was a great little hike to a very interesting cave feature. The hike was easy with spots to stop and read about the area. When you get to the cave entrance, you have to crawl through a small space that opens up to a beautiful clearing with trees and a protected ecosystem. Be prepared to get a little dirty. A guide is there to inform and answer your questions. You can pay an optional fee to help cover the cost of maintaining this beautiful spot and the research involved. The entrance closes at 4:00 so give yourself enough time to get there. After visiting the cave, cross the bridge to see tortoises.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cam
Boston, MA17 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
This is a short distance from the Grand Hyatt. We drove over while we waited to check in and we’re really pleasantly surprised. There’s a short trail to the cave where you literally have to crawl into to get inside. There is a guide that gives the history of the cave. Right next door is a tortoise reserve, and there is a beach there also. Very nice to explore. There a horse ranch there too.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jtynerific
White Oak, TX275 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Worth spending a little time seeing. We stayed at Gillin’s Beach House and it was basically in our back yard. Short hike on a trail, had back issues but not too tough for me. You “get” to crawl through a small cave to reach it. Fun adventure, I can see kiddos loving it. There was a volunteer talking about the history of the cave while we were there.
Written March 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gafilpoo
Bluffton, OH483 contributions
Jan 2020
The Makuwahi Cave is a great destination for the end of the Mahaulepu Historic Trail. You have to crawl through a 3 foot high tunnel to get into the open area that is next to the cave. The cave itself has little to be seen, so you'll spend about 3 minutes there. It's the journey and the plants and lava that make this a cool spot.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janice O
Saint Louis, MO30 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The hike to the cave was fairly easy, and had good views. We took an extra branch that took us around the top of the sinkhole and that was a bit harder work, but we made it. The crawl into the sinkhole was a bit intimidating for me, but really, the crawl part is only 10 feet or so, and I'm 65 and i made it!! it was lovely inside, and the cave tour, which is really not a tour, you only go in it a little bit, but the guide had a nice lecture and was helpful with all questions. The $20 donation is steep for what you get but it is a good cause. And you can do the hike and the sinkhole without donating at all. The turtle sanctuary is not amazing but an interesting side trip since you are already there. the dirt road getting there was very bumpy but we made it in our rental car with no issues. It was a fun experience that i would recommend for a few hours.
Written November 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No mask was required when we were there.
Written February 7, 2024
I have a concierge telling me that this cave is only fully accessible through an ATV touring company. Is this true or can one hike in to see it for the most part?
Written December 12, 2019
You can easily go on your own, hiking in from several places or driving to either side and walking from there. It isn't worth paying a company to bring you there but is worth going on your own.
Written December 13, 2019
if you can't crawl because of knee problems, is the cave entrance short enough to scoot thru on your butt?
Written May 5, 2019
My mom has two hip replacements and 2 knee replacements and we made her scoot in on her booty to not miss the glory inside. She laughed the whole time and we helped her but she made it in and she loved the beautiful garden area inside!
Written December 15, 2019
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