KOHALA COAST BEACHES

‘ANAEHO‘OMALU BEACH  A-Bay is a lovely, crescent beach with salt-and-pepper sand ideal for sail boarding, windsurfing, swimming and catching a perfect sunset.  Palms trees separate the Pacific from the ancient fishponds and petroglyph fields.  The water is usually calm so it makes it a good family beach.  You can walk south on a path upon entrance of the beach to find more private white sand beaches.  Equipment rental, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Waikoloa Beach Dr across from the King’s shops.  Follow signs to beach.

HAPUNA BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA    Splendid large crescent white sand beach with clear turquoise water is great for swimming, snorkeling and body boarding.  See Maui’s Haleakala across the big blue Pacific.  It’s crowded on the weekends and shade is scarce so plan accordingly.  Be careful of the strong rip currents.   Picnic areas, restrooms and showers are available. Located off Hwy 19 adjacent to Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel with plenty of parking spaces.

KAUNA‘OA BEACH  (MAUNA KEA BEACH)  Nationally ranked beautiful, white sand crescent beach fringed with palms and naupaka is a great place for swimming and snorkeling due to the gradually sloping sandy bottom except during heavy winter surf. Get there early since public parking passes are limited.  Located through the entry gate to Mauna Kea Beach Resort off Hwy 19.

KA‘UPULEHU BEACH    Beautiful scenic white sand beach, with clear, calm water and resting sea turtles.  There are fantastic tidepools and a breakwater in front of the hotel making it a great place to swim.  Restrooms and showers are available.  Located through the entry gate to the Four Seasons Resort off Hwy 19.

KEOKEA BEACH PARK    Swim with extreme caution since this charming secluded rocky beach park with its cliff-rimmed cove and green lawn lined with palm trees is often plagued by high wind and high surf.  Spearfishing and fishing is excellent, but swimming can be hazardous.  Camping, picnic areas, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 270, near Pololu overlook about 6 miles past Hawi.  Follow the sign onto the curvy road ~1 mile; pass the cemetery.

MAHUKONA BEACH PARK  Former shipping port for the sugar industry is now littered with underwater debris making this quiet beach park a great snorkeling site.  The once useful machineries now lying at the bottom of the sea can easily be seen through the clear water.  Swimming can be dangerous due to the heavy surf and no sandy beach for entrance (there’s a ladder off the old dock).  Camping, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 270 north of Koai’e Cove State Underwater Park between mile markers #14 and #15.

SPENCER BEACH PARK    Nice sandy white beach is great for swimming, snorkeling and picnics year-round.  It is popular with families due to the reef-protected, gently sloping sandy bottom. Volleyball and basketball courts, camping, restrooms, and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 270, ~ 1 mile uphill of Kawaihae Harbor within walking distance of Pu’ukoholu Heiau.

WAIALEA BAY or “69” BEACH      Named for the utility pole marker, this is a lovely white sand beach  with crystal clear blue water great for swimming and snorkeling due to its sandy bottom and gradual drop off.  Snorkeling is great around the rocky outcropping inside the bay, but the best snorkeling is in the southern portion where depths range from 10 to 30 feet.  Mostly the water is super clear, but periodic freshwater invasion by an intermittent stream reduces surface visibility.  Exercise caution during the winter months due to high surf.  Restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 19 ~5 miles south of Kawaihae, south of Hapuna Beach.  Turn onto Puako Beach Dr., next take first right onto Old Puako Road and park between pole #71 and #72.

NORTH KONA COAST BEACHES

KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK      A 1,642 acre coastal state park with some of the best beaches on the island.  Mahai’ula Beach is an exquisite white sand beach great for swimming and snorkeling in the well-protected bay.  About a 30-minute walk north of Mahai’ula Beach is Makalawena Beach, one of the most stunning beaches on the island, with silky white sand and beautiful crystal clear turquoise water with sand dunes and trees as a backdrop and shoreline made up of intricate coves.  Located ~2 miles north of Kona International Airport off Hwy 19 between mile marker #90 and #91, take rough 1.5 mile road to beach.

KUA BAY BEACH PARK     Gorgeous, pristine white sand beach great for swimming is part of the Kekaha Kai State Park.  Restrooms are available.  Located off Hwy 19 across West Hawai’i Veteran’s Cemetery ~5 miles north of the Kona Airport.

HONOKAHAU BEACH      Long, narrow strand of white sand beaches north of the harbor with several protected pools bordered by a lagoon is excellent for swimming and snorkeling.  Ai’opio Beach is a sandy beach with crystal clear water and green sea turtles north of the harbor with protected swimming areas and ‘Alula Beach is a small white sandy crescent beach south of the harbor offering good snorkeling and  offshore scuba diving.  Kaloko Beach has great snorkeling with sea arches.  The beaches are part of the Kaloko-Honokohau National Park located off Hwy 19. Take turn onto Hohokohau Small Boat Harbor or visit the park headquarters between mile marker #96 and #97.

OLD KONA AIRPORT STATE RECREATION AREA      The beach has a sandy inlet with tide pools.  Snorkeling and diving are good.  Be careful of sharp coral and lava rock when entering the water.  Picnic area, tennis courts, jogging path, restrooms and showers are available.  Located at the north end of Kuakini Rd off Hwy 19.

WAWALOI BEACH PARK      Fascinating collection of tide pools and sandy beach is a great spot for kids and for exploring nearby secluded beaches.  The beach is protected by a natural lava barrier makes swimming enjoyable.  Pine Trees, a popular surf spot, is nearby; swimming is not recommended.  Picnic tables, grills, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 19 north of Kona Airport close to mile marker #94; follow signs for Natural Energy Lab.

SOUTH KONA COAST BEACHES

HO‘OKENA BEACH PARK       Grey sand beach good for swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing.  Watershoes are recommended for this beach.  Picnic areas, restrooms and camping are available.  Located off Hwy 11 past 101 mile marker near Place of Refuge; follow signs.

KAHALU‘U BEACH PARK      Salt and pepper beach fringed with palms is most popular for swimming, snorkeling and fishing.  This dark sandy beach is one of the best spots for snorkeling on the island with an abundance and variety of colorful reef fish and sea life.  Beware of high surf and rip currents.  Picnic area, restrooms and showers are available.  Located on Ali’i Dr. next to mile marker #5.

KAMAKAHONU BAY       The name means “eye of the turtle”.  The beach is a sliver of white sand that is popular with families for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.  Located next to King Kamehameha Beach Hotel adjacent to busy Kailua Pier on Ali’i Dr.

MILOLI‘I BEACH PARK        Tidepools and patches of beach with protecting reefs make for great swimming and snorkeling.  Near an ancient fishing village destroyed by lava flow in 1927 is alive with old traditions.  Picnic areas, restrooms and camping are available.  Located off Hwy 11 ~33 miles south of Kailua near mile marker #88.

NAPO‘OPO‘O BEACH PARK IN KEALAKEKUA BAY Marine reserve where spinner dolphins swim close to shore is spectacular for snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat tour in the clear, calm pristine bay. Colorful reef fish are plentiful in the well-developed reef.  Black rocky beach with a steep incline makes ocean access risky, however there is a short pier at the left side of the parking lot.  Across the bay, a 27-foot white obelisk represents where Captain Cook was killed in 1779.  Located off Hwy 11 at the end of Napo’opo’o Rd., turn right at the end of the road.

LA‘ALOA BEACH PARK        a.k.a. Magic Sands, White Sands or Disappearing Sands because the beach disappears during high surf months and returns in the spring.  Gets crowded with body and board surfers.  One of the best surfing spots is just north at the Banyan.   Restrooms and showers are available.  Located on Ali’i Dr. ~ 4.5 miles south of Kailua.

HAMAKUA COAST BEACHES

KOLEKOLE BEACH PARK         Fabulous place to picnic, fish and explore the under-the-bridge park with abundant tropical foliage and waterfalls.  The Kolekole stream is fed from ‘Akaka Falls and flows into the ocean.  Do not attempt to swim at the mouth of the river or enter the ocean at this spot because the rough, strong currents and rocky bottom makes it dangerous.  Restrooms, showers and picnic areas are available.  Located off Hwy 19 about 12 miles NW of Hilo between ‘Akaka and Umaumau Falls.

LAUPAHOEHOE POINT BEACH PARK         Swimming, snorkeling and surfing can be good, but heavy surf makes it dangerous at times.  Site of the 1946 tidal wave offers good fishing and beautiful park.  Picnic areas, camping, restrooms, showers and electricity are available.  Located ~1 mile off Hwy 19 down a well-marked twisting road.

HILO BEACHES

COCONUT ISLAND PARK         Local family favorite for swimming, fishing, picnicking and tide pools.  Shallow pools with sandy bottoms make this beach keiki friendly.  Nice shade provided by coconut and ironwood trees.  Located next to the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on Banyan Drive, cross the footbridge.

JAMES KEALOHA BEACH PARK          Good snorkeling, swimming, surfing, spear-fishing and throw-netting.  Best to swim and snorkel on the east side of the beach since it’s more protected than the west side, which can be rough with strong currents during high surf.  Picnic areas, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 19, ~3 miles east of Hilo.

HONOLI’I BEACH PARK         Sandy beach is popular local spot for surfing and boogie boarding on the eastern coast.  Strong surf makes swimming difficult.  Restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Hwy 19 at Alae Point.

LELEIWI BEACH PARK         Scenic park with series of inlets, coves and tide pools.  It’s a good place to scuba dive.  Located off Kalaniana’ole Ave. along the water ~4 miles east of Hilo.

ONEKAHAKAHA BEACH PARK           Good family beach with a protected, white sand beach and tidepools.  Picnic pavilions, restrooms and showers are available.  Located off Kalaniana’ole Ave. along the water ~3 miles east of Hilo.

RICHARDSON OCEAN PARK           Black sand beach fringed with coconut palms and ironwood trees.  Lava outcroppings give swimmers somewhat protection and makes for good snorkeling.  Restrooms and showers are available. Located off Kalaniana’ole Ave. along the water ~5 miles east of Hilo.

REEDS BAY PARK          Banyan-lined cove offers excellent swimming in calm waters, but freshwater spring from the bottom keeps the water cold, a.k.a. the Ice Pond.  Picnic areas, restrooms, showers, and camping are available.  Located at the end of Banyan Drive.

PUNA & KA'U BEACHES

‘AHALANUI BEACH PARK          You must have a relaxing soak or a swim in this clear, warm 95 degrees half-acre pond surrounded by palms and fed by thermal freshwater springs mixed with seawater.  The pool is volcanically heated and is easily accessible by ladders.  Snorkeling is allowed in the pool.  There is a small inlet connecting the pond to the Pacific.  Picnic tables, grills and restrooms are available.  Located on Hwy 137, SE of Pahoa town.

KEHENA BEACH           Lovely black sand beach with coconut and ironwood trees offers shade and nice backdrop.  Swimming can be rough because of the strong rip currents, but it’s a great place to watch dolphins and turtles.  The secluded location of the beach also draws nude sunbathers.  Located off Hwy 137 about 5 miles south of MacKenzie State Recreation Area, park by other cars and take the well-worn path down to the beach.

GREEN SAND (PAPAKOLEA) BEACH         Green crystals sparkle like jewels in the sun next to a magnificent turquoise sea in this unusual, most beautiful crescent beach formed during an early eruption of Mauna Loa.  Swimming can be dangerous and there are no facilities, but once you kick off your tennis shoes and have a refreshing soak, you will appreciate the awesomeness of nature’s gift.  Take Hwy 11 to South Point Rd in Ka’u and go south 12 miles.  From here, continue NE on the dirt road to the boat launch and hike the final two miles to this majestic beach.

MACKENZIE STATE RECREATION AREA           Beautiful 13-acre coastal park located in a breezy, cool ironwood grove along a rocky coastline.  Small sea arches and lava tube openings are visible along the coastline cliffs.  Swimming is not recommended due to the sea cliff that borders the park, but good shore fishing exists.  A lava-lined pool heated to 90 degrees by a volcanic stream is nearby.  Picnic tables, camping and restrooms are available.  Located off Hwy 137, 9 miles NE of Kaimu.

PUNALU‘U BLACK SAND BEACH PARK          Palm trees line this inviting lagoon where green sea turtles rest on the black sand, good swimming beach and easily accessible.  Near the boat ramp at the northern end of the beach lie the ruins of a heiau and a flat sacrificial stone.  Restrooms and camping are available.  Nearby is Ninole Cove, a small beach with a grassy area and lagoon good for swimming.  Located on Hwy 11, 27 miles south of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

WHITTINGTON BEACH PARK           Picturesque scenic park rich with vibrant colors and history.   Not much of a beach, but a great place to take photographs and explore the stunning views of the park and the wharf built in 1883 to move sugar then destroyed by the 1946 tsunami.  Swimming is not recommended in the ocean due to strong currents, high surf and rocky shoreline.  Fishing is popular with the locals on the weekends.  Picnic area, restrooms, electricity and camping are available.  Located off Hwy 11 across from the abandoned sugar mill.

Big Island Beaches

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