You Can't Pass Up A Visit To Hawaii's Cockroach Bay Despite Its Name
By Megan Shute|Published February 23, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are home to some truly incredible beaches with fine, white sand and crystalline turquoise waters — more than we could possibly count, in fact. That doesn’t mean, however, that all of Hawaii’s beaches are as incredible, as say, Kapalua Beach. After all, there are beaches in the Aloha State that are rocky, have harsh ocean currents, or are otherwise, not ideal for either lounging or swimming. The beach we’re featuring today, however, is unappealing only in its name: cockroach bay.
Like many Hawaiian destinations, this stupendous stretch of sand is known by many names: Kaupo, Baby Makapu’u, Kumo Cove, and — easily the most unattractive name we’ve ever seen — Cockroach Bay.
We're not sure why this beach is referred to as Cockroach Bay, but luckily, we don't think it has anything to do with the creepy bugs we wish didn't exist.
Located directly across the Kalanianaole Highway from Sea Life Park of Hawaii on the southeastern shore of Oahu at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains, this small narrow roadside park features a sandy beach we can’t pass up.
Though the beach is not ideal for swimming since the nearshore ocean bottom is quite rocky, this idyllic slice of paradise should not be overlooked based solely on a nickname.
Just be aware: during periods of high tide, the beach is completely submerged under water. So, if a visit to Kaupo Beach is on your beach bucket list, be sure to visit during low tide.
The beach features fine, white sand and crystalline turquoise waters, but that’s not the main draw. The crowned jewel of this off-the-beaten-path beach is the nearby Makai Research Pier.
Jutting hundreds of feet into the Pacific Ocean, Kaupo Beach Park offers excellent access to the underside of this stunning pier. Amateur and professional photographers alike love this stunning, and it’s easy to see why.
Offshore, you’ll find Rabbit and Kaohikaipu Islands, both beautiful backdrops from which to enjoy a picture-perfect day in paradise.
The beach is even home to another unique geological feature, as well. According to local legend, a large rock known as Pohaku Pa’akiki, which is mostly submerged at high tide, is a monument that reminds of the agreement made between Hawaiians who lived in this area and a guardian shark that there would be no shark attacks here. Interesting, no?
Parking is found along the highway, and you won’t find any facilities or lifeguards at this beach park, but that’s what makes us love it so much.
It can get crowded on weekends and select times during the day when tour buses swing by, but I’ve never been when there were more than a few people lounging, so I’m sure timing is everything.
While you won't find this beach applauded on any of the "best of Oahu" lists you'll find online, that's just the way we like it. So, the next time you find yourself cruising along Oahu's southeastern shore, stop to enjoy the beautiful — albeit oddly named — Cockroach Bay.
Have you ever been to Kaupo Beach before? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below! Then, click here, to discover “22 Epic Hawaii Beaches To Visit Before You Die.”
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