Molokai Island

The Basics

What Molokai lacks in development it makes up for in pristine beauty. Visitors find two volcanoes, sprawling white-sand beaches, and the sacred Halawa Valley, all in a compact package. While the island is worthy of a stay in its own right, visitors pressed for time can catch the highlights on a helicopter tour from the neighboring island of Maui.

While Molokai is beautiful from the air, it also offers numerous worthy attractions on the ground. Hike or ride a mule down the towering sea cliffs of the Kalaupapa Peninsula, visit a former leper colony within Kalaupapa National Historical Park, learn about sugar cane production at the Molokai Museum, do some shopping in the small town of Kaunakakai, or watch the sunset from Papohaku Beach, considered one of Hawaii’s best.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Molokai is a must-see for travelers wanting to get off the beaten path.

• Helicopter tours to Molokai range in length from 45 minutes to an hour.

• If staying on Molokai, you’ll need a rental car or taxi; there is no public transportation on the island.

• Don’t forget hiking boots and everything you’d need for a day at the beach.

How to Get There

Visitors have only one option for getting to the island—by plane. Daily commuter flights aboard local regional airlines depart from both Honolulu (Oahu) and Maui airports.

When to Get There

The weather on Molokai remains in the mid-80s throughout the year, with slightly more rainfall in winter and a combination of sunny skies and calm seas in summer. For a local cultural experience, plan to visit during the Ka Molokai Makahiki Festival in January or the Molokai Ka Hula Piko in May.

Molokai’s Leper Colony

Kalaupapa National Park is home to the remains of a colony where patients with Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) were once isolated from the rest of Hawaii’s population. Of the 8,000 people who lived and died at the colony—most of them Hawaiian—only a few remain, cured of their disease but living out their lives in this isolated environment.

Ways to explore

Molokai offers activities for every kind of traveler, from beach enthusiasts to culture enthusiasts. Lie out on 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of white sand at Papohaku Beach, meet macadamia nut farmers near the town of Kualapuu, or hike to waterfalls and ancient taro terraces in Halawa Valley.

Many of Molokai’s top attractions, including Kalaupapa Peninsula, have strict visiting regulations, so guided tours are recommended for making the most of your trip. The island is worth a stay in its own right, but if you’re pressed for time, admire its sea cliffs—among the world’s tallest—on a helicopter tour from Maui.

Accessibility

While hiking and helicopter tours are not wheelchair accessible, Molokai has offerings for visitors with limited mobility.

Age limits

Some tours have minimum age requirements for children, so read the fine print before booking for a family.

What to pack

Beach towel, motion sickness medication for helicopter tours, cash for local vendors (ATMs may be limited)

What to wear

Wear layers for a helicopter tour, comfortable clothes and boots for hiking, or a swimsuit for swimming or snorkeling.

Not allowed

Tour rules vary, but most don’t allow pets, alcohol, or smoking.

Address

Flying is the only way to get to Molokai, and direct flights run regularly from Honolulu and Kahului in Maui. Once you’re there, renting a car is the best—and only—way to see the whole island.

Driving

You’ll be able to cover lots of ground on Molokai with a car, which you can rent at the Molokai Airport or through private owners. The island also has a couple of taxi companies if you need a lift.

Public transportation

There’s no public transportation on Molokai; the only way to reach the island without booking a flight or rental car is to join a helicopter tour that shows you Molokai from above.

Best times to visit

For ocean activities such as sailing and snorkeling, depart in the morning to maximize your time on the water—and don’t miss the island’s scenic sunsets.

Best days to visit

While weekdays are typically less crowded on Molokai’s beaches, there’s no bad day to see the island, so go whenever your schedule allows.

Best months to visit

Daytime temperatures in Molokai hover between 75°F (24°C) and 85°F (29°C) for most of the year. For a lower chance of rain, visit in the spring, summer, or fall.

Special events

For a cultural experience, visit Molokai in May for Ka Hula Piko, which celebrates the birth of hula dancing, or Ka Molokai Makahiki in January, which honors indigenous traditions.