Mermaid Caves

[nlenguyen]

Has anyone been to the Mermaid caves near the resort? It is a far drive? it says it is about 8 minutes but it seems like you have to drive there. Also how long did you spend there? Did you go inside any of the caves?

 

[Lilsia]

It is a not drive far at all from Aulani, yes you have to drive there, no walking on the highway. You can easily Google map it to see. But, every local will tell you that tourists should avoid them. Too many tourists get injured or die there. You need to be able to read the ocean and know the tides because it can become life threatening dangerous very quickly. There are lots of things to do on the Island where you will not risk your life. I highly recommend doing more research on the location.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I went with a private tour guide and my husband. We did go into the cave. In my experience, there was no chair/ladder assistance as there sometimes is (according to online reviews I have seen) so we just jumped down a hole into the cave and had to climb out. As a reasonably fit athlete in my 20's I still found the climb out fairly challenging (you essentially need to do a pull up of your full body weight while holding on to uneven and sometimes wet lava rock). I 100% see why so many people get stuck. I would strongly caution anyone against going alone, going if you do not have a good understanding of the tides, or going if you or those with you are not in good fitness.

For what it is worth, I don't feel a need to do it again. Very much a one and done thing. I don't think it is a must do.

 

[redboat45]

We went but just walked around on top of them and looked down the holes. We went in the morning and no one else besides homeless people were there. It was peaceful but we didn't stay long as the area didn't feel that safe.

 

[PattiPB]

We love Nanakuli Beach (Mermaids Cove) and visit that beach at least twice each week we are at Aulani. My people just prefer open ocean to the Aulani cove. The caves are AWESOME to walk on top of, and LOOK into. There is no way on earth anyone should go into them without a tremendous amount of knowledge and support. It is a pretty cool phenomenon to observe, and it really is about 8 minutes away by car. Parking is available, and there are restrooms.

 

[corgi_monster]

Please do not enter any sea caves, even if they appear to be dry. It's so incredibly dangerous. Not only are you putting yourself in danger, you are endangering the lives of the people who will try to help you should the tide come in quick. On the east side of the island, local surfers help rescue numerous people from China Wall every single day. It's a real problem and locals are getting very resentful of tourists who choose to put themselves in dangerous situations.

For that matter, don't enter any caves you see in Hawaii. Hawaiians placed the bones of the ali'i and chiefs in caves and they are considered sacred.

 

[jerrywilliams]

I am a big fan of caves and visited a lot of them in my life. Planning a trip to Mermaid Caves in the summer. Any tips?
We just came from South Africa and Bushman's hole (caves) was my biggest impression from the whole trip https://keckcaves.org/boesmansgat-bushmans-hole-south-africa/.
If anyone is traveling to SA you can't miss this spot.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I am a big fan of caves and visited a lot of them in my life. Planning a trip to Mermaid Caves in the summer. Any tips?

Don't enter them.