Wawamalu Beach is a bit of gorgeous rocky coastline just down the way from Sandy Beach Park. It’s rocky shore make shoes necessary but the sunlit mountain backgrounds and lava rock dotted water are worth the extra effort. It is located about a 35 minute drive from Waikiki. It is a good location for an afternoon photo session. While the sun sets behind the mountain and it often gets pretty light reflecting back into the clouds. Great for couples, sometimes families with young children will do better on the sandy side of the beach so we may split our time between the two walkable locations.

Start Time: 1 hour before sunset

From Waikiki:

Take H-1 East to Kalanianaole Highway south.
H-1 will turn into Hwy 72, but will still remain the Kalanianaole Hwy along the whole coast.
Follow this coastal freeway through the residences, past Hawaii Kai, up and around Koko Ridge Crater.
You will follow a lava rock cliff single lane road that winds around a few miles until come around the bend and descend back down to the beachside.
After you come down the hill you will skip the first turn and make your second right. Park in the paved lot near the bathroom.