What are the Mokulua Islands?
Nā Mokulua or “the Mokes” as most of us call them, are two little islands just off Lanikai Beach on Oahu, Hawaii. As a haven from the invasive mongoose, they are an important state seabird sanctuary and are surrounded by turquoise waters and diverse coral reef ecosystems. Mokulua Iki (the small island) is off limits to human traffic to help protect these nesting seabirds, but Mokulua Nui (the big island) allows visitors to land small water crafts and explore the shoreline! During my three years on Oahu, I’d always wanted to explore this offshore oasis, but never had the chance while I lived on island. Luckily, on a recent trip I finally got the chance to kayak to Mokulua Islands!
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How to Get to the Mokes
There are a few ways to get to the Mokes. You can paddleboard or kayak to Mokulua Islands like we did, take an outrigger canoe like our beach companions, take a sailing tour on a historic Polynesian wa’a, or even take a power boat and anchor offshore. I guess you could swim out there too on a nice day, but it would take you quite a while as they’re about a mile offshore.
Although I was a tad jealous of the power boats, I think the best experience is to kayak to Mokulua Islands. This way, you can still bring beach equipment but also move at a slower pace and appreciate the beauty of the journey. The turquoise water allows for a clear view into the reefs below as you drift over giant heads of coral and green sea turtles!
Things to Do on the Mokes
Once you arrive at the Mokes, your journey may be halfway over but your adventure has just begun! You can easily spend hours soaking up the sunshine, snorkeling the coral reefs, surfing a fun little break, looking for sea turtles, monk seals, and nesting seabirds, and even taking a dip in the Queen’s Bath!
Snorkeling at the Mokes
Expansive patch reef systems speckle the turquoise water between Mokuluas and Lanikai. The Mokes themselves are comprised of featured volcanic rock—all of which leads to some of the best snorkeling on Oahu!
Within 15 feet of the beach on Mokulua Nui, I spotted my first Hawaiian green sea turtle and lots of reef fish! Personally, I’d recommend venturing a bit further offshore for the best reef systems.
Additionally, make sure to keep your snorkel gear easily accessible on the kayak journey across because you might just have to jump in like I did!
Surfing at the Mokes
We were lucky to kayak to Mokulua Islands on a calm day with good swell, but make sure to check the surf report before lugging a board all the way to the Mokes. We didn’t bring surfboards, but were able to catch a few waves on one of the paddleboards on a wrap-around beginner break just off the beach. The more serious surfer can find some serious wave action a ways out on the barrier reef.
Wildlife Watching at the Mokes
One of my favorite things to do on the Mokes is watching Hawaiian monk seals soak up some sun while I do the same. This endangered species is extra special to see because their numbers were declining for so long. Fortunately, they are currently making a comeback! Although they tend to blend in with the rocks, be sure to keep a sharp lookout and give them at least 50 feet of space for your safety and theirs. On our last visit, three seals were hauled out on the beach!
Other notable species to look for on the Mokes include Hawaiian green sea turtles and the nesting seabirds for which the island is critical habitat. Wedge-tailed shearwaters are the most common and can be found nesting in burrows between March and November. For the safety of the birds, be sure to respect the closure of the interior of the island.
Exploring the Mokes on Foot
Although the interior is closed to foot traffic, the perimeter of Mokulua Nui is open for public exploration! Although it’s impossible to safely circumnavigate the island on foot, you can venture both north and south around the rocky outcroppings, though some scrambling over wet rocks will be necessary.
Venturing north will lead you over fascinating textured rock to a small rocky island surrounded by a thin inlet of water. Here you can cliff jump and snorkel on the nicest of days. The day we visited, the swell was treacherous, so we admired the unique rock formations from afar to avoid being claimed by the sea.
Scrambling south from the beach will lead you to a small but deep rock pool where you can take a dip with a perfect view of Mokulua Iki!
Wherever you explore, use common sense and never turn your back to the swell!
Where is the Queen's Bath?
Upon asking locals and doing some research, it appears the public is torn on the actual location of the Queen’s Bath. Some say it is the cove around to the north where you can snorkel and cliff dive. Others say it’s the deep pool to the south that overlooks Mokulua Iki. I still don’t know, but we had an epic time exploring in both directions which is really the whole point anyway!
Is it Dangerous to Kayak to Mokulua Islands?
It can be dangerous to kayak to Mokulua Islands if you are inexperienced at reading sea conditions, unfamiliar with kayaking, or unable to identify danger zones to avoid. Generally, conditions are pretty good, but weather does shift quickly. Tidal shifts can expose reefs and create breaking waves that weren’t there just hours earlier, and increasing wind can make paddling a challenge.
Additionally, you will be a mile offshore on an isolated island if an emergency does arise. If you are at all uncomfortable landing a kayak through swell, navigating shallow reefs, or swimming (and getting back in your kayak) in open ocean conditions, consider this guided tour instead (more info below).
How to Kayak to Mokulua Islands:
Whether you want to explore the Mokes on your own kayak or are looking for a guided tour, a little planning can go a long way!
Best Time to Kayak to Mokulua Islands
Any day but Sunday.
Seriously, if you plan to rent a kayak or sign up for a tour, no commercial landing permits are issued on Sundays! That being said, if you have your own kayak and don’t need a permit, maybe shoot for Sunday to avoid the rental crowds.
Apart from that, midweek is less busy and summer is generally less stormy, but any time of the year can be amazing with the proper planning. Make sure to keep an eye on the weather and sea conditions ahead of time for the best experience. Additionally, try to paddle during high tide to avoid weaving through exposed reefs.
How Long Does it Take to Kayak to Mokulua Islands?
It took us approximately one hour to kayak to Mokulua Islands from the boat ramp at Kailua Beach—a distance just over two miles. Launching from the beach at Lanikai will cut that distance in half but might not be the best plan for a few reasons.
Should I Launch from Kailua or Lanikai?
Lanikai Beach is the closest beach to the Mokes at just under a mile. However, finding limited neighborhood parking can be a HUGE pain and dragging your kayaks from your car across the street and through the sand isn’t easy. I’d consider going through all that with a paddleboard, but if you plan to kayak to Mokulua Islands, I’d 100% leave from the boat ramp at Kailua Beach. Although twice the paddle distance, the ease of launching more than makes up for it, especially if you have coolers and dive gear as well.
Additionally, the kayak rentals are within walking distance of Kailua Beach if you decide to go that route.
Kailua Kayak Rentals
If you plan to kayak to Mokulua Islands while visiting Oahu and didn’t leave room for your kayak in your checked bag, the cheapest option (if you have a 4-door rental car) is to sign up for this Mokulua Islands Self-Guided Kayak Adventure. They are further from the beach, but give you all the necessary kayak racks and assistance loading them. The self-guided adventure includes landing permits, snorkel gear, and dry bags as well. Keep in mind, not every rental service can issue landing permits for the Mokes themselves.
If you don’t have a car to transport kayaks, this Self-Guided Kayaking Discovery is a tad pricier but is located a short walk from Kailua Beach and offers all the same perks (including permits) plus lunch! For an extra fee, they can even pick you up from your hotel in Waikiki depending on tour time.
Guided Kayak Tour to the Mokes
As awesome as it feels to embark on a solo adventure, sometimes it’s nice to hire a guide. If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with open ocean kayaking, this five-hour Kailua Twin Islands Guided Kayak Tour will be the way to go! You’ll still get to snorkel with turtles, explore the seabird sanctuary, go tidepooling, and feel safe and taken care of while you’re doing it! You might even learn a thing or two about the islands rich natural and cultural history along the way!
10 Tips for a Perfect Day at the Mokes
Before you launch your kayak, keep these few tips in mind to help your adventure go smoothly:
- Don’t plan to rent a kayak on Sunday (no permits issued Sundays)
- Avoid windy days to avoid strong currents and big swell.
- Paddle during high tide to avoid weaving through exposed reefs.
- Stay inside the breakers on the outer reef to avoid being tossed on a shallow reef.
- Pack sun protection. There is little to no shade on the island.
- Pack lunch and lots of water, including a bag to pack out your trash. There are no trash cans on the Mokes… OR TOILETS, so bring a wag bag to be safe.
- Respect the wildlife. The Mokes are a protected wildlife sanctuary for a reason. They are critical habitat for seabirds, turtles, and monk seals. Give them space and avoid altering their behavior.
- Be respectful to other island explorers.
- Never take your eyes off the ocean when tidepooling. Set waves can come and sweep you off the rocks and into the ocean.
- Bring a first aid kit for small emergencies and a way to contact help if need be. Keep in mind you are an hour’s paddle from civilization and medical professionals.
