Mermaid Caves is a secluded, secret beach located in Nanakuli on the West Side of Oahu.
Often called Hawaii’s version of the “Blue Grotto” or a “mermaid’s hideaway,” it has a secretive atmosphere unlike any other place.
You’ll discover a mystical landscape completely different from a typical beach, and the light filtering through the rock openings is sure to create a magical mood!
It’s a secret shore that suddenly appears when you jump into the rugged lava rock formations.
Get ready for a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else.
Location of Mermaid Caves
If it’s your first time, you’ll almost certainly have trouble finding the Mermaid Caves.
Here are simple directions from Nanakuli Beach to help you find your way!
From the Nanakuli Beach parking lot, walk with the public restrooms and showers on your left and the beach on your right. You will see a rocky area in front of you with many memorial stones. Continue along the coast, keeping to the left through this rocky area. After walking along the coast for about 2-3 minutes, you will see a house on your left with a large grassy yard (there is a “No Trespassing” sign). Just before this grassy area, you’ll find a hole in the ground about 2 meters in diameter.
At first glance, you might wonder where the beach is, but this hole is actually the entrance to the Mermaid Caves, and you can jump into the water from here.
It truly feels like a secret beach where a mermaid might hide!
Note that the drop is about 2.5 meters (about 8 feet), so while you can jump down, climbing back up is very difficult.
If you join a tour, we bring a ladder every time, making it easy and safe to get in and out of the cave.
Tides and the Best Season for Mermaid Caves
When visiting Mermaid Caves, one of the most important things to consider is the tide.
It can be very dangerous at high tide or depending on the season, as large waves can crash into the cave!
At low tide, the water is so calm you might not even get wet without a swimsuit, but at high tide, waves come in quite far, and you’ll likely get soaked.
The rocks in this area are also sharp, so getting swept by a wave could lead to cuts and is extremely dangerous!
The timing of low and high tide changes daily, so it’s not as simple as saying, “mornings are always best.”
You can check real-time tide information by searching for “Hawaii tide,” so it’s a good idea to check beforehand.
The season is also important. Generally, the waves are larger during the winter season, from late October to early March.
During this time, you can still go down into the Mermaid Caves to take pictures, but swimming is often not possible.
Conversely, during the summer season from late May to early September, the ocean is very calm, and you can swim without worrying too much about the tides.
However, regardless of the season, please be especially cautious if there’s no one else around or in the cave!
Safety and Security at Mermaid Caves
When talking about the West Side of Oahu, concerns about safety and security often come up.
To be honest, the area around Mermaid Caves is not considered the safest.
While it’s not known for violent crime like robberies, you should be aware that theft, such as car break-ins and unattended belongings being stolen, does occur here.
The spot gets very crowded, especially in the summer, so leaving valuables unattended on the rocks while you’re in the water makes you an easy target for theft.
Additionally, the area has a large local population, and some residents may not be very friendly towards tourists, so it’s wise to be mindful of potential conflicts.
Mermaid Caves: Essential Information
| Name | Mermaid Caves |
| Address | 89 Laumania Ave, Waianae, HI 96792 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | Never |
| Time Required | Approx. 15 minutes or more |
| Restrooms | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (Free) |
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