Coastal Sites: 7 Lighthouses in Hawaii to Add to Your Boating Bucket List

Filled with dramatic cliffs and jagged shorelines, Hawaii’s coastlines aren’t just beautiful; they boast beacons of safety that have guided mariners for centuries. Here are some of the most scenic lighthouses to visit from a marina or a private boat slip rental.

Diamond Head Lighthouse (Oʻahu)

Built in 1917, Diamond Head Lighthouse in Honolulu overlooks Waikīkī from the slopes of Diamond Head. This stunning lighthouse is still in use by the U.S. Coast Guard and guides ships safely through the Pacific Ocean and around the Diamond Head Crater. While it’s not open to the public, its scenic lookout draws many visitors who admire and photograph it from nearby. The tall white structure contrasts beautifully with the deep blue waters and lush green cliffs that surround it. 

Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse (Oʻahu)

Perched on a sea cliff along Oʻahu’s southeastern shore, the red-roofed Makapu’u Point Lighthouse is one of Hawaii’s most iconic. Built in 1909, it has a bright red roof and a white tower. It has one of the largest lenses in the United States, a powerful Fresnel lens that once shone more than 20 miles out to sea. Today, while the lighthouse itself is closed to the public, visitors can enjoy the scenic Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail. A short hike leads to sweeping ocean views. The setting is especially stunning at sunrise or during whale season.

Barbers Point Lighthouse (Oʻahu)

Located on Oʻahu’s leeward coast, the 71-foot Barbers Point Lighthouse has guided ships since 1933 and marks one of the island’s busiest shipping lanes. The current concrete structure replaces a wooden one that was built in 1888. While not open to the public, it’s an active lighthouse maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. A nearby beach park offers a peaceful spot for fishing, picnicking and sunset viewing. 

Molokaʻi Light (Molokaʻi)

Built in 1909, the Moloka’i Lighthouse (also known as Kalaupapa Light) stands near Kalaupapa National Historical Park on Moloka’i. At 138 feet tall, it’s the tallest lighthouse in the islands. Its powerful Fresnel lens once cast light more than 20 miles out to sea. Though automated today, the lighthouse played a vital role in maritime safety for over a century. Visitors cannot access the lighthouse directly, but it can be viewed from overlooks above the dramatic sea cliffs.

Nāwiliwili Lighthouse (Kauaʻi)

Nāwiliwili Lighthouse (also known as Ninini Point) has guarded the entrance to Nāwiliwili Harbor on  Kauaʻi’  since 1932. At 92 feet tall, this white concrete tower is an active navigational aid that’s maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. The lighthouse is closed to the public, but you can see it from nearby points, while boating in the harbor or cruising to private boat docks for rent.

Kīlauea Point Lighthouse (Kauaʻi)

Set on a dramatic bluff within a wildlife refuge, the 1913 Kīlauea Point Lighthouse is surrounded by seabirds and panoramic ocean views. The 52-foot tower once housed a powerful Fresnel lens that guided ships across the Pacific, but it was deactivated in the 1970s. Today, the light is preserved as part of the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to nesting seabirds like red-footed boobies, frigatebirds and albatross. You can walk to the lighthouse for sweeping ocean views. It’s one of the best spots on Kauaʻi for whale watching in winter.

Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse (Hawaiʻi Island)

Are you searching for a lighthouse to visit from private boat lifts for rent or marinas on the Big Island? Standing on the Big Island’s easternmost point in Kapoho, the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse is unique for having survived lava flows from the 1960 Kīlauea Volcano eruption, a testament to resilience in a volcanic landscape. First lit in 1934, the 125-foot steel tower replaced an earlier wooden beacon destroyed by termites. The light is an active aid to navigation, but is not open to visitors for climbing.