Paragliding in Oahu: the best options
Paragliding must be one of the most incredible experiences there is, especially when flying over an island paradise like Oahu.
Paragliding trip | ©Kristjan Morgan
The Hawaiian island of Oahu has the ideal conditions for you to paraglide and enjoy the wonderful sensation of flying in its dreamlike locations. The volcanic craters of Koko Head, Koko Crater and Diamond Head, the cliffs at Makapuu and the mountain ranges of Waianae are part of an incomplete list of the most breathtaking aerial views you can enjoy paragliding.
Paragliding is undoubtedly one of the best things to do on Oahu for thrill-seekers and first-timers alike. Here you will find the 10 best places to paraglide, from where you can fly over cliffs, jungle valleys, mountains, coral reefs, craters, the immense blue sea and also the cities and roads that are part of the landscape that you can see from the air.
1. Fly over the east end of Oahu from Makapuu
Makapuu is located at the eastern end of the island, where there is a cliff almost 200 metres above sea level. At this point you can take off at 12 metres above sea level towards the lighthouse and soar to see the entire east end of the island.
Soaring over the beautiful green cliffs, with the blue sea on either side, is part of what you'll see when you take off from Makapuu. If that's not enough, in November and April you might see humpback whales swimming in the ocean.
Nearby is beautiful Waimanalo Beach, known to be one of the best beaches on Oahu. It has about 5 km of coastline with crystal clear water and huge waves. From Makapuu launch point you can also see Mānana Island, better known as the "rabbit" island because of its resemblance to a rabbit's head, and Kāohikaipu Island, a volcanic island. Both are bird sanctuaries and are not allowed to be visited by land, but you can see them a little from the air.
How to get there
To get to this take-off site you drive from Wainamalo Beach along Kalaniana'ole Road to Makapuu Beach, between the Sea Life Park and the mountain of the same name.
The launch site is near the Makapu'u Point lighthouse, which belongs to the US Coast Guard and is closed to the public.
2. Fly on Oahu's South Shore from Diamond Head Crater
Diamond Head is a great place to paraglide and fly over the south coast of the island. It is located near Diamond Head Beach, east of Waikiki Beach, and very close to Koko Head Crater and Hanauma Bay. It is one of the most overflown points on the island.
Diamond Head volcanic crater was formed about 200,000 years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions in Honolulu, which also gave rise to Mānana Island, Koko Head Crater, Hanauma Bay and Punchbowl Crater.
The name 'Diamond' is believed to be derived from the fact that its discoverers found calcite crystals there and mistook them for diamonds. However, to the Hawaiians, its name is Leahi, which means "tuna eyebrow".
Today the volcano is dormant and scientists say it will not erupt again. Diamond Head was named a U.S. National Natural Landmark in 1968.
How to get there
The Diamond Head launch site is located near the coast just 7 metres above sea level at Diamond Head Beach Park, not far from the Diamond Head Lighthouse.
3. See Koko Head Crater from the air
Koko Head is a 196 metre high volcanic crater located east of Maunalua Bay on the southeast side of the island of Oahu. At its summit, near the Vortac facility, there is a paved area where you can take off in a paraglider, and enjoy the incredible scenery around you.
To paraglide from Koko Head you only need winds from the south to southwest. It is usual to land in Koko Head Regional Park. Be aware that it can be very crowded and it is sometimes difficult to see the park from above.
Koko Head is located in Koko Head Regional Park, near Hanauma Bay, which you can see from high above.
This bay is also an extinct volcanic crater and is one of the most visited sites on the island. Hanauma Bay is also one of the best snorkelling spots on Oahu because of its beautiful coral formations.
How to get there
To get to the launch site at Koko Head, drive along Kalaniana'ole Road to Hanauma Bay and then through the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve heading SW.
Useful Info
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 6:30 am to 1:30 pm, and you can stay in the park until 4 pm.
You can book your ticket online at this website, or purchase your ticket at the reserve. There is low-cost parking ($3 for non-residents and $1 for residents approximately).
- Phone: (808) 768-6861
- General admission: about $25
4. Fly into Hanauma Bay from Koko Crater
Koko Crater is very close to Koko Head on the other side of Hanauma Bay. As the tallest of the volcanic cones in this area, it is the most recognisable of the three, standing 368 metres high.
Inside Koko Crater there is a botanical garden and horse stables.
If the wind conditions are favourable, from this take-off point you can fly over Koko Crater and take in one of the most fabulous views of this interesting volcanic formation which is very close to the coast and the blue ocean. You will also have a privileged view of Hanauma Bay and Koko Head Crater.
How to get to Koko Crater
The Koko Crater take-off point is located on the north-eastern slope of this volcanic cone, 82 metres above sea level.
5. Fly at Kaena Point from Dillingham Airport
The take-off point at Kaena Point is located near the Dillingham military airport, at an altitude of 190 metres. Mountains, valleys and white sandy beaches far from the populated areas of the island promise one of the most wonderful paragliding flights on Oahu.
This take-off point is located in Kaena Point State Park on the west end of the island of Oahu. It is a hiking spot and has an important spiritual significance for its inhabitants. It is also a bird refuge.
It is believed that Kaena Point was a place of passage to the other world, where the natives of the island met their ancestors, so it is considered a sacred place on Oahu.
How to get to Kaena Point
To get to Kaena Point you can drive from Mokuleia along the Farrington Highway to Dillingham Airport and take a trail up to the take-off area from the west side of the airport. Remember to bring sunscreen and plenty of water, as it's a little-visited site and you won't find a place to get supplies.
6. Paraglide from Kaena Point SO
At Kaena Point Park there is another take-off point at the SW end of the park, at about 49 metres above sea level. Reaching this site is a little more difficult if you go by land, but the scenery along the way won't disappoint you at all.
The take-off point at Kaena Point SW is near the westernmost tip of the island, within a protected area where the mountains and the coastline of turbulent waves will be the protagonists of an unparalleled paragliding flight.
Being a remote location, you can enjoy a flight in a place of lush nature, away from the noise and construction of civilisation.
How to get to Kaena Point
To get to Kaena Point SO you can drive from Mokuleia along the Farrington Highway to Kaena Point Trail) and then continue along the Waianae Summit Trail on foot to go around the tip of the island.
You can also come from the Leeward Coast and take the trail at the end of the road. Both overland trails are quite long and will take you a couple of hours to walk, but the launch area is close to the coast, so it won't be difficult to get there.
7. Fly into Kaena Park from Nanakuli
At Kaena Park you have another spot where you can paraglide, Nanakuli, which is 394 metres above sea level. From the air you'll have an incredible view of the Pacific Ocean and the overgrown hills, as can only be seen from the far reaches of the island.
Nanakuli's take-off point is near Yokohama Bay, also known as Keawaula Beach. It is a turquoise-water beach where dolphins are often spotted and is popular with surfers.
How to get to Kaena Point
To get to Nanakuli you can drive along the Farrington Highway from Makaha to Yokohama Bay, crossing Kaluakauila Creek. If you take the Satellite Tracking Station Rd (which takes you to the Kaena Point Satellite Tracking Station), you will arrive at the take-off point before the end of the road.
8. Soar through the air at Kahana Bay
In Kahana Bay there are several paragliding launch sites located on two ridges, approximately 75 to 100 metres high. The bay is surrounded by green valleys and mountains, with the Kila (364m) and Pu'upiei (529m) mountains looming over the bay.
Adjacent to Kahana Bay, which is about 16 kilometres long, is the Ahupua'a O Kahana State Park. It is a very peaceful place, perfect for flying over the blue coast, where the views of the bay, the beach, the green valleys, forests and mountains are truly marvellous.
How to get to Kahana Bay
The launch point for paragliding from Kahana Bay is south of the town of Kaaawa, on the east coast of Oahu, about an hour from Honolulu. From Kaaawa you can drive along State Hwy 83 and cross the entire bay to its southern end.
Find out more
This launch site is run by the USHPA (United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association), so to paraglide there you must be a member of the local club(Hawaii Paragliding Association ), which is free of charge.
9. Explore Kahuku from above
Kahuku is an Oahu town located on the northeastern part of the island, between Laie and Turtle Bay. There you'll find the Motocross Park nature reserve, where there's a trail you can take to get to this take-off point, which is about 43 metres above sea level.
From Motocross Park you can fly over the green hills of the nature reserve, and enjoy wonderful views of the beaches of Hanaka'illio and Kaihalulu, and the vast blue sea.
Kahuku means 'the projection' in Hawaiian, and that's because it's at the northernmost tip of the island. It's a place known for the shrimp trucks parked on Kamehameha Street, its main thoroughfare, which you can head to after the impressive paragliding flight from Motocross Park.
How to get to Kahuku
The Kahuku take-off point is near Waialee Beach, which you can reach via Kamehameha Road from Waiael'e or State Hwy 83 from downtown Kahuku. The site is known as Motocross Park, as it has a trail that doubles as a motorbike track and is often very busy on weekends.
Find out more about Kahukuabout Motocross Park
- Location: Haleiwa, HI 96712, USA
- Hours: The trail is open from 8 am to 6 pm on weekends and holidays.
10. Paragliding in Makua
Makua is a take-off site in Kaena Point Park, at 99 metres above sea level. It lies between Makua Beach and Kaneana Cave and is a more accessible spot than others in this park, as it is close to the coast and the road. The Waianae Mountains, Makua Valley and the blue sea make this an incredible place to paraglide.
This area of the island of Oahu is not very crowded, except for surfing, paragliding and hiking, and the scenery overhead is some of the most beautiful you'll see on the island.
How to get to Oahu
If you take the Farrington Highway, you must pass the Kaneana Caves to reach this take-off point, which is before the white-sand Makua Beach. It's a place where there are no facilities of any kind, so bring plenty of water and food.
When is the best time to paraglide on Oahu?
To paraglide in Oahu you need to make sure that the wind conditions are suitable, so that you can enjoy your flight to the fullest and without any danger. Ideally the wind should be up to 15 km/h and no more than 30 km/h if you are a beginner.
A paraglider can withstand between 35 and 55 km/h, depending on the model, but these speeds can be dangerous. It is best to consult specialised sites such as this one, to find out the wind conditions in real time.