Chinaman’s Hat Kayak — Self-Guided Mokoliʻi Island Tour
Kayak to Oahu’s Most Recognizable Island — Mokoliʻi
Mokoliʻi (Chinaman’s Hat) is the iconic cone-shaped island off Kualoa Regional Park. The paddle is one of Oahu’s shortest and most rewarding kayak trips — just 500 yards across a shallow reef shelf.
Active Oahu delivers your kayak to Kualoa Beach Park. Land on the island’s small beach, then hike to the summit for 360° views of Kāneʻohe Bay, the Koʻolau Mountains, and Kualoa Ranch.
Quick Facts
- Paddle distance: ~500 yards one way
- Time: 10–20 minutes each way
- Best launch: Kualoa Regional Park (near the palm trees)
- Hike to summit: ~15 minutes, steep and rocky — wear shoes!
Safety note: The water between Kualoa and Mokoliʻi is shallow reef — never deeper than waist-deep at high tide. One of the safest ocean kayak trips on Oahu.