CC BY-SA 3.0, Cristo Vlahos, Wikimedia CommonsWildlife· Oahu· Hawaii
Na Mokulua (Mokulua Islands)
21° 23.3′ N · 157° 41.9′ W
The twin islets known as 'the Mokes', 0.75 mile off Lanikai: Moku Nui with its landing beach and the 'Queen's Bath' tide pool, and the smaller Moku Iki, both state seabird sanctuaries and one of Oahu's signature views.
Practical
Coast Pilot: steep, rocky, grass-covered islets 206 ft (north) and 182 ft (south) high, 0.7 mile from shore, with an extensive reef on the shore side and a small-boat passage between reef and shore leading to private landings; approach from seaward. Moku Iki is closed to visitors, as is the interior of Moku Nui; no pets. A Hawaiian monk seal pupped on Moku Nui in 2024 and DLNR temporarily closed the beach and suspended commercial landing permits; check current DLNR notices and keep away from any seal. Kayak crossings from Lanikai can be harder than they look with wind, swell and current; a kayaker drowned on the rocks in 2011. Tiger sharks frequent the outer drop-off.
Best for
Seabirds, a protected landing beach and the Lanikai skyline from seaward
Season
Year-round; best in light trades; check seal closures
Nearby
- Lanikai Beach0.9 NM away
- Lanikai Pillbox Hike (Kaiwa Ridge)1.2 NM away
- Popoia (Flat Island) Seabird Sanctuary1.4 NM away
- Buzz's Original Steakhouse (Kailua)1.6 NM away
- Kailua Beach Park1.6 NM away
- Kailua Beach Windsurfing and Kitesurfing1.8 NM away
- Kalapawai Market (Kailua Beach)1.8 NM away
- Kailua Town Provisioning (Whole Foods / Target Kailua)2.5 NM away