How to Visit Flat Island (Popoia Island) in Hawaii
Just a fourth of a mile off the coast of Kailua Beach Park, Flat Island (also called Popoia Island) is a sea bird sanctuary that you can easily visit via kayak (or swimming). It’s a popular place to kayak for both locals and tourists, and for good reason!
The tiny islet is home to some gorgeous tide pools and little beaches, plus breathtaking views of the Mokulua Islands, Oahu’s lush mountains, and the turquoise ocean. It’s also home to thousands of sea birds, including wedge-tailed shearwaters (ʻuaʻu kani), bulwer’s petrel (ʻou), and pigeons, which use the islet for nesting.
On my most recent trip to Oahu I kayaked to this fun little island and in this article I’m sharing everything you need to know if you want to visit Flat Island.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
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Visiting Flat Island / Popoia Island
Exploring Flat Island is one of the best things to do in Kailua, Oahu. But before you can do that, you have to get to the island! Most people take a stand up paddle board (SUP) or kayak, but you can also swim to Flat Island.
What to Know Before Visiting Flat Island
🪹 Flat Island is a protected nesting bird sanctuary and you cannot walk through the center of the island, just around the edges
💰 You need to purchase a $3 landing permit to visit the islet
❌ You CANNOT visit Flat Island on Sundays (the State of Hawaii DLNR does not issue landing permits on Sundays)
🏝️ If you kayak or paddle, make sure to land right on the beach (not the sandbar)
☀️ There are no facilities or shade on the islet, make sure to bring your own water and reef safe sunscreen or protective clothing
👙 Do not attempt to swim or paddle the far (NE) side of the island as the waves can push you into the rocks
Paddle Boarding and Kayaking to Flat Island
Paddling to Flat Island only takes about 15 minutes, depending on your speed. I kayaked to Flat Island on a day with wind and larger waves, and expected it to take longer, but we arrived at the island in just 13 minutes.
The most direct route to Flat Island is from the beach, right near the canal, at Kailua Beach Park. You can’t rent a kayak or SUP directly on the beach because its protected from development, but the closest (and best) kayak rental shop is Kailua Beach Adventures. Their shop is only a block and a half away from the beach and very kayak rental comes with a dolly so you can easily roll it down to the beach (it’s easier than it sounds!) Best of all, they usually have a team member right on the beach to help customers get their kayaks in and out of the water.
You can of course take your own kayak or paddle board to Flat Island, just be sure to pay the $3 fee first (you can do it at Kailua Beach Adventures’ shop).
Visit Flat Island on a Kayak Tour: Kailua Beach Adventures Tour
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 277+ 5 star reviews
Kailua Beach Adventure offers a guided kayak tour to Flat Island from Kailua Beach Park everyday except Sundays. This is an excellent option for anyone that wants a little guidance with sea kayaking, or is interested in learning about the island from a seasoned local guide. The Flat Island tour lasts 2 hours and includes access to boogie boards and snorkels for the rest of the day after the tour ends.
“Brandon our guide was truly the best. He is very knowledgeable about the history and geography of the Hawaiian islands as well as the wildlife in the area. We saw a green turtle swimming next to our kayak and lots of birds nesting on Flat Island. We love guided tours, otherwise we miss the fun details!”
Review from Pete on Viator
Also read: How to Rent a Kayak in Kailua, Oahu
Swimming to Flat Island
If you’re a confident swimmer, you can also swim to Flat Island! The islet is about a fourth of a mile off the coast of Kailua Beach, so it’s about an 400 meter swim. That’s only 8 laps in a swimming pools (which is a tiny fraction of what I’d swim during an average swim team workout, so it really isn’t far as long as you’re a good swimmer). Of course you also have to swim 400 more meters (8 more laps) to get back to shore after exploring Flat Island.
Because Kailua Bay is protected by a coral reef, the water tends to be fairly calm, but it varies from day to day. However, you should avoid swimming to Popoia Island during times when there are box jellyfish! Believe it or not, these jellyfish appear along the beaches on this part of Oahu for a few days every month. You can check the box Jellyfish calendar here, and if you’re ever in doubt, ask a local on the beach. Everyone who lives in Kailua knows about the jellyfish!
Also, if you do decide to swim to Flat Island, consider bringing buoy like this one, you can even put your valuables (car keys, phone, etc) in the buoy if you need to.
Things to do on Popoia Island
🩴 Walk around the island: Make sure to walk around the entire island! You cannot walk through the center of the island, but the best thing to do on Flat Island is walk around it.
🐦⬛ Birdwatching: Over 3000 birds nest at Flat Island, so its a lovely place for birdwatchers!
👙 Swim in picturequse tide pools: Be careful, though! Watch the tides before getting in and only get in if you’re 110% certain that you can climb out.
Also Read: Lanikai Pillbox Hike: Sunrise First Timers’ Guide
What to Bring to Flat Island
🩴 Sandals or water shoes (trust me, you don’t want to be walking on Popoia’s sharp coral barefoot (the islet is a fossilized coral bed!)
🌊 Dry bag
👙 Swimsuit
☀️ Sunglasses, sun hat, and reef safe sunscreen
🍶 Reusable water bottle
📷 GoPro camera or waterproof phone case
Sea birds at Flat Island, with Kailua’s beautiful landscapes in the background
Flat Island Oahu FAQs
How far is Flat Island from the shore?
Flat Island (Popoia) is 1/4 mile from the shore of Kailua Beach Park!
How long does it take to kayak to Flat Island from Kailua Beach Park?
It takes about 15 minutes to kayak to the islet, but the time to get there can vary based on your launching point, the weather, how fast you paddle, and whether you’re in a double or single kayak.
How much does it cost to visit Flat Island in Oahu?
Each person who intends to land on Flat Island must pay a $3 landing fee. Typically this fee is included in your kayak rental cost.
Also Read: The Ultimate Oahu North Shore Itinerary for a Fun Day Trip
Is Flat Island worth visiting?
Yes! Flat Island is one of the easiest islets to visit in Hawaii, and it does not disappoint. Although the island is small, there are gorgeous tide pools and tiny beaches to explore, plus incredible views of the Mokulua Islands, Kailua Beach, and the Ko’Olau Mountains.
Should you kayak to Flat Island or the Mokes in Kailua?
Flat Island is a beginner-friendly sea kayaking destination, whereas the kayak journey to the Mokes is longer and a little more challenging. However, both islands are beautiful and worth the visit if you can get there!
Flat Island has tide pools, small beaches, and beautiful views. Moko Nui (the larger of the Mokes islands) also has a tide pool (Queens Bath), a small beach, and beautiful views. Keep in mind that the majority of both islands are off limits and you can only explore certain parts.
If you can’t choose between the two, visit both! If you leave from the main kayak launch spot (Kailua Beach Park), Flat Island will be on your way to Moko Nui so you can easily stop on the way there or back.
Thanks for reading!
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