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Spitting Caves

4.6 (165 reviews)

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Spitting cave
Leanne D.

I've been to Oahu many times throughout my lifetime and I recently found out about spitting caves. This is definitely a hidden gem but it can be a bit of a challenge getting down to the cave especially if the rocks are slippery. Best to wear shoes with some traction. Views are gorgeous once you get down there.

Entrance is behind those cars
Andy F.

Spitting Caves is definitely a hidden gem off the beaten path--literally. This spot is located all the way in Portlock, at the end of Lumahai St, in Hawaii Kai. It's a residential area with only street parking, which can be limited, especially during sunset as that's the most popular time. You can't see the entrance when cars are parked in front, but look for a yellow sign that says "119 A". The pathway is between houses, and it does look dark, steep, and uninviting. Well, that's the right place! Be prepared for a small "hike" for a few minutes. Be careful as some parts are rocky, slightly steep, and slippery from moist, dead leaves. You may be unsure as you go along, but don't worry, it's there, and it's worth it. When you arrive, you'll find a wide open rock cliff with plenty of space to chill or explore. It's also the perfect place to catch the sunset and look for the green flash! The actual "Spitting Cave" is to your left. It's interesting! But don't want to ever get trapped in there. I'm quite disappointed I've never been here, or made a better effort to figure out how to get here earlier as this is an amazing, calming, tranquil, and relaxing place. You can feel the cool, ocean breeze, hear the sound of waves crashing against the rock cliff, and enjoy the amazing, picturesque scenery. Overall, Spitting Caves is a nice place to visit, to enjoy the scenery, and to "get away" and relax. It can be a little out of the way, and the path getting there can be difficult, but it's worth it.

Love coming here so peaceful and pretty views
Liza H.

It's no hidden secret, but this such great spot to check out the waves and even unwind away from city and tourist spots. Find it so peaceful and calming just hear the waves crashing down. I would bring bento and eat out here. There will be a hidden walkway that has lots of leaves rocks, very slippery after raining, so take your time when going down. Street parking along Lumahai st, make sure not block residential houses.

Tell me before you take the pi...
Glen N.

Look for the Emergency Response Location and Do Not Climb Down Here signs to know where to climb down. The narrow, uneven, muddy walk between houses is very slippery, so expect to get muddy. I finally went barefoot. Advantage: grip. Disadvantage: it feels like I was walking through John Goodman's sewer. Rocky layers of nooks and crannies offer lots of spots to lounge and look at the Pacific. If you can, plan for high tide. At high tide, the water pours into the rocks, and the caves spit out water like a whale or drahon. At low tide, the caves swallow.

#luckyweliveinhawaii
Lurine J.

Perfection! Simply perfection! A coworker of mine suggested that I go check out the spitting caves. When I looked it up on the yelp I realized that it was definitely a must see before leaving the island. Once again yelp gave us where to enter where to park and what not to wear on our feet, flip-flops!! I wore a pair of tennis shoes and I was beyond grateful I did! the trip down isn't hard but you definitely don't wanna do it in flip-flops you can but I wouldn't recommend it. My hubby and I sat down for about 30 minutes and mostly people watched there were these two young men down near the spitting cave doing backflips in front flips and some other sort of twirly thingInto the water. It was pretty entertaining to watch however after the first time the gentleman jumped I couldn't watch anymore I was just so afraid. Watching the sun go down was absolutely beautiful and a must to do with someone you love or a way to show family members the beauty in our island.

Spitting caves
Brian H.

Idk what the hype is about. You go down a treacherous walk way in between houses that's hard to see. And you get to some cliffs and watch a little water bounce off the rocks to create a mist. There is Way better use of your time. Elsewhere. Everywhere on the island is better than one minute here.

These are the slippery uneven "steps" to Spitting caves
Gerry T.

Stunning, just completely stunning. If you want a memory of a lifetime - this is the spot. if you want to propose to your girl - this is the spot. If you want to contemplate life - this is the spot. If you simply want to take 20 selfies - this is also your spot......albeit at sunset though and don't drop your engagement ring. The entrance is between million dollar homes but the path down is no where close to being as nice. Wear appropriate shoes and don't slip off, because your potentially fatal mistake will ruin the experience for everyone. The views - awe inspiring. The whales - they are present. Romance - it's in the air. Friendship - further solidified by the experience. Family connections - priceless. I would recommend bringing a bottle a wine but on second thought - scratch that.

The Spitting Cave itself.
Paul N.

One of those beautiful hidden gems in Hawai'i Kai, and you can get some really awesome views of Diamond Head in the distance and of course, the Pacific Ocean. And you can see all the waves crashing into the cave, thereby creating this "spitting" effect over time. I do not recommend anyone try to cliff drive into the water as there have been multiple incidents over the years where people have drowned or seriously injured themselves. Make sure you watch your step when going down and back up, and always wear proper footwear. It is very rocky and slippery at times.

Daphne L.

What an unbelievable sight of the caves and water. This is a natural phenomenon of the waves crashing into a cave and therefore "spitting" out the water from the hole. You can park in the residential area before the dead end. There's a small opening with a narrow pathway leading to the cave. The differences in the heights of the steps are quite high so take your time, but it can certainly be done with flip-flops. You can do Spitting cave, China walls, and Hanauma Bay (best snorkeling spot on the island, needs reservation!) altogether.

James S.

Came out to catch the sunset. This is a pretty chill place to come and spend some time at. The path is right in between some houses but is hard to miss seeing as they have the state trash cans right at the entrance. This is simply a beautiful view and well worth the experience. There is really no other way to describe it.

Amazing locale!
Scott N.

So stoked to have found this picturesque spot just minutes from my house in Hawaii Kai. Residential parking at the end of a cul de sac at the top of Portlock leads you to a narrow access walkway as you traverse an easy descent down to the rocks. Wide open views of the pacific ocean as well as Maunalua Bay to the right. I went to catch the sunset one day and was not disappointed. Fellow golden hour seekers included friends on a picnic, amateur photographers, families, locals, and a couple getting engaged in front of friends & family. Highly recommend this spot for epic sunrise / sunset pictures or just to meditate and chill.

Me and the sunset at spitting cave
Mei Mei Z.

Be careful going down! It's almost like a hidden area but super nice when you get down there! It was so nice and a pretty area to watch the sunset!

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8 years ago

Awesome view. Amazing rock formations. Watch your footing as you hike. I would bring a sturdy pair of water shoes.

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Review Highlights - Spitting Caves

This spot is located all the way in Portlock, at the end of Lumahai St, in Hawaii Kai.

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Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

4.8(172 reviews)
8.4 mi

Visiting Pu'u Ualaka's State Park is on my top ten favorite things to do in Honolulu. The Park…read moreoffers spectacular views of the entire Southside of the Island. I travelled up Mount Tantalus to the Park yesterday with my daughter. We travelled through beautiful dense forest at the Park entrance. At the highest overlook, we could see everything and more from Diamond Head out to (and beyond) the airport. We could see all of Honolulu. I felt like we were on top of the world! Plaques offer fascinating overviews of the history and geology of the landmarks below. We could even see inside the famous tuff cone, Punch Bowl! Nearby is the first macadamia nut orchard in Hawaii. The overviews are paved with railings and easily accessible. The Park offers picnic areas with a couple pavilions and picnic tables. There is a charge for non-resident parking of $7 that can be paid electronically. Resident parking is free. Parking is limited, but there are several parking areas. We had no trouble finding parking mid week. Warning signs tell guest not to leave valuables in the car. Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park is only two miles from downtown Honolulu (maybe a couple more miles to the top). The Park is an easy 5 star and worth a visit.

There is a lookout in this park that provides a panoramic view of Honolulu and Waikiki. The view is…read moregorgeous. Also a perfect place to watch sunset. One thing to note is that it does get really windy here. There are two parking lots available near this lookout. The one right next to the lookout is very small. It only holds about a dozen cars. The safer bet is to park at the slightly further parking lot with only a five minute walk to the Vista point.

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Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park

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Lulumahu Falls

Lulumahu Falls

4.5(360 reviews)
9.3 mi

A beautiful day for a hike! Every time I do this hike it's a little different. Today the waterfall…read morewas cold and bracing and there were a lot of people hiking the falls. We started out around 8:45 AM and by the time we reached the waterfall, it was getting full of families and pairs of hikers. I recommend go early to skip the crowds. The hike itself isn't too technical and there are only a few places where you have to step up high over a rock or scramble through a stream.

Here are clear and concise directions for this hike!!…read more Main parking off Pali hwy. Entrance is easily visible. You'll enter the bamboo forest. Within the first 50 feet it will split into a Y trail, take the left path. If you go straight you'll likely end up in the bamboo section for 20-40 mins. If you do not exit the bamboo area within 10 mins, you're lost. You'll exit the bamboo area through a lifted/broken section of the fence. Walk uphill onto the paved pathway. This will open onto a wide valley. You'll pass a large bridge structure. Follow that till road till you get to the supply shed structures. Look for a small concrete stairway in the trees. Stay left mostly, and look for pink ribbons. Pass the old fenced off pool looking area. Once you hit the rock/mud path (approx 10 mins) there's a hard right turn down into the main river area. A large tree has fallen so you'll need to spot the ribbons, and climb over this tree. If you pass this fallen tree by mistake, the trail will seem oddly difficult and dense. You'll need to turn around. Walk until you see the man made rock wall with a small waterfall, and walk across this to the other side. Follow the ribbons up the path and you'll need to cross the river 3-5 more times after this. Keep looking for clear open paths. There's two ways you can continue after that point so don't worry. (One way is just more difficult) Before the waterfall there's a larger section of rocks you'll have to climb over. Main takeaways: You will have to walk across slippery rocks several times. It is muddy. It's not that difficult but can be dangerous at some parts. If you don't see a pink/orange ribbon for more than 5-10 mins at any time, you are likely lost.

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Lulumahu Falls
Lulumahu Falls
Lulumahu Falls - Crossing through the stream - hopping on the rocks

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Crossing through the stream - hopping on the rocks

Diamond Head State Monument - Shaved Ice

Diamond Head State Monument

4.5(2.2k reviews)
6.2 miDiamond Head

For a five bucks entry fee, this is an awesome deal…read more When you arrive you show your ticket as you enter the parking lot. There are banos, a souvenir area, and a refreshment stand if you forgot your water. It is a challenging hike to the summit, and it will give you a good cardio workout. I did see a few folks who were really hurting or just turning around. The path is mostly uneven rock with some pretty intense stair sections. The round trip is under 2 miles; it took me about 30 - 45 minutes, including photo stops. When you finally reach the top, be sure to go inside the pill box; from here, you can see almost beyond the horizon. Imagine being on the lookout for enemy ships and planes from here! The breathtaking views overlook the city, beach, ocean, and all the way toward the North Shore. It's awesome to see all the different shades of blue ocean water. At the top, you will see the entire Diamonhead crater. Take plenty of PIcs!!! Be sure to bring water, and if it is a cool day, it will be breezy and really cool at the top. Pro tip: If you are ridesharing, your drop off and pickup is at the parking lot.

Amazing little area (views)…read more Keep in mind that place is always busy so make sure you made a reservation online for the visit weeks before you go if not further out. You have to be there within the first 30 minutes of your reservation and then you only get 2 hours to hike. Believe me you won't spend more than 2 hours there between the crowds and the heat. So the earlier in the morning you can make your reservation you'll be much better off! I traveled late and only carried one bottle of water and I was fine (50 yoa, physical but I don't work out or anything). Definitely need to pace yourself, especially if you're prone to heat exhaustion. Don't let the nice weather fool you cause it does get very hot with little breeze and lots of steep terrain. If you're pron to having bad balance or twisting your ankle a lot, I would not do this hike. If you have a stroller or needle a walker, you definitely should not be doing this hike. Views are amazing at the end of the hike, as long as it's not too busy. If it's busy, be prepared to stand in line to get your Kodak moments.

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Diamond Head State Monument - Top of the crater

Top of the crater

Diamond Head State Monument - Super Mommy and Son Son

Super Mommy and Son Son

Diamond Head State Monument - Happy Hikers!

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Happy Hikers!

Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Bench where you can relax!

Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

4.3(38 reviews)
8.7 mi

Did this amazing hike again starting at a different location with an alteration due to a closure of…read moreone section of the trail. I love the combination of this trails because the variety of beautiful views, landscapes, type of surfaces. Dense lush rainforest to dryer areas with a variety of foliage. Started at the Makiki Arboretum trail, taking the loop to the right on the Maunalaha Trail. This section will get the blood flowing as you climb upward over a very rooted trail. Once you arrive at an area with metal benches there is an intersection of multiple trails. Take Makiki Valley Trail to the Right. After a short hike take the Moleka Trail to the Left. The Moleka trail becomes the Manoa Cliff trail which you stay on for a number of miles. If you struggle with narrow trails with drop offs this section may not be for you. There are beautiful views of Manoa Valley from the trail. Some sections of this trail can be muddy. In the past Hike once you go through the gate the Manoa Cliff trail takes a sharp turn to Left at Intersection of other trails. In our case there was a recent landslide and there was a warning sign not continue on the Manoa Cliff Trail. No problem we took Pauoa Flats Trail until we reached Kalawahine Trail and took a Left on it. Take this trail until you reach a paved road, take a right down the road until you see the next trailhead, Nahuina Trail which zig zags its way down. When you come to Makiki Valley trail go left. When you reach Kanealole take it to your right. This trail will take you back to trail you started on. Since there are so many different trails to do this loop I suggest using Alltrails download. We clocked over 10 miles. I'd rate it as intermediate. Bring plenty of water, I carry crampons in case there are muddy slippery areas. Would not do if heavy rain or strong winds expected.

Afternoon hike at Manoa Cliff, Kalawahine, and Makiki Valley Loop…read more Great trail, awesome views. Best if you can download the map as you loose service in several areas of the trail. My trail map also showed I hiked 7.3 miles and my husband stated 6.4, but either way it is long. Just be ready for a good long hike. We started in the rain so yes mud was around, and yes places were pretty slippery. But all in all not too bad to get around. Just wear good hiking shoes. Conditions: bugs, muddy, easy parking, great views, dog friendly, well maintained, wild flowers

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Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Son son and mommy

Son son and mommy

Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike - Mommy and son son

Mommy and son son

Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Hike

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Spitting Caves - parks - Updated June 2026

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