Landmark· Molokai· Hawaii
Molokai North Shore Sea Cliffs
21° 10.5′ N · 156° 51.6′ W · approximate
The tallest sea cliffs in Hawaii: a wall of fluted green pali rising thousands of feet straight out of the ocean between Kalaupapa and Halawa, cut by the hanging valleys of Waikolu, Pelekunu and Wailau and streaked with some of the world's tallest waterfalls.
Practical
Coordinate is approx, a viewing position about a mile off Pelekunu Bay. Coast Pilot 10 gives the cliffs as 2,000 to 3,000 ft high in places; Go Hawaii describes the North Shore pali as 3,600 to 3,900 ft. The coast is exposed and offers very little protection; there are no landing places other than debris piles and the gulch mouths, and currents set west along the whole north coast (Coast Pilot). Visit only in a settled summer window: winter north swell makes the coast dangerous. Islets and rocks close in: Mokapu (360 ft) and Okala (370 ft) off Kalawao, Mokolea Rock (always breaking) 0.6 mile northeast of Pahu Point, Mokohola Island 0.3 mile off Umilehi Point. The Pacific Cup cruising notes call the north shore nearly dead to windward from Oahu and not pleasant in heavy trades.
Best for
A once-in-a-lifetime calm-day cruise along the world's biggest sea cliffs
Season
June-August calm spells only; untenable in north swell