Beaches of the Big Island
Hawaii Island’s coast is dotted by countless beaches, each one distinctive. There are classic white sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees, stark black sand beaches that contrast with the turquoise sea and even a one-of-a-kind green sand beach for those willing to trek.
Here are descriptions of beaches around the island to help you choose where to spend your vacation, whether you want to learn to surf, hold a family picnic or head out for a romantic evening stroll.
Recommended beaches by activity:
Best for kids: Kahaluu Beach, Kikaua Point at Kukio, Anaehoomalu Bay at Waikoloa Beach Resort, Spencer Beach Park
Best snorkeling: Two Steps in Honaunau, Kahaluu Beach, 49 Black Sand at Mauna Lani Resort
Best boogie boarding: Laaloa “Magic Sands”, Honl’s in Kona for the experienced, Kua Bay, Hapuna Beach
Best beach walk: Honokohau National Historical Park, Anaehoomalu Bay, Hapuna Beach
Best beginner surf spots: Kahaluu Beach, Kohanaiki “Pine Trees”
Kona Beaches
This shoreline access lies just north of Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and offers some of the best snorkeling on the island. The coastline is solid pahoehoe lava which results in clear water with great visibility. Two natural lava steps provide easy entry into the water. Hawaiian spinner dolphins are sometimes spotted in the deeper water of Honanau Bay where they rest in the morning.
This gorgeous, salt and pepper sand beach is dotted with palm trees and known as one of the best beginner snorkeling spots on the island. The protected bay is usually calm and beginners feel safe in its shallow water. There is also a surf break off the north end of the bay where many beginners surf for the first time when waves are small and surf schools teach lessons. Picnic tables, lifeguards, bathrooms, a pavilion and sometimes a food truck provide everything you need to spend an entire day at the beach.
Laaloa Beach Park “Magic Sands”
Kona’s popular boogie boarding beach provides beautiful white sand, a bathroom, showers and lifeguards, though parking is limited. Big surf is known to temporarily remove sand from the bay, making a rocky entry into the ocean at times. Watch out for underwater rocks that become exposed when sand is swept away. Eventually, gentle surf returns and builds the beach back into a sandy refuge.
Set just across from Alii Cove condominiums, this white sandy beach is lined with coconut palms. It’s popular for sunbathers, boogie boarders and surfers and it offers ocean access for experienced swimmers who are accustomed to a rocky bottom, white water and currents. It is said Tom Morrey invented the boogie board at this beach in the early 1970s and it’s still a popular boogie boarding spot among experienced riders today. There are no showers, parking or other amenities here.
Set beside Kailua Pier and King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, this sandy beach has a shallow, protected bay that’s great for keiki. Outrigger canoe paddlers also use this beach for water access and strong swimmers and snorkelers might swim outside the bay to access gorgeous coral reefs within Kailua Bay. Public bathrooms and showers are nearby, and so are restaurants and stores to buy snacks and drinks.
Long distance swimmers access the “swim lane” used by the Ironman World Championship just on the other side of the pier from Kamakahonu.
Kamakahonu is also rich in history and cultural significance. This was the last home of King Kamehameha I, who moved the Hawaiian capital from Oahu to this location in 1813. It is also the site where the Hawaiian kapu system was abolished and the first Christian missionaries arrived in the islands in 1820, founding the nearby Mokuaikaua church.
Part of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, this long, sandy beach is great for strolling and sight seeing but water access is rocky and snorkeling is poor. Keep your eyes peeled for green sea turtles who come onto the beach to rest.
“Pine Trees” has long been a gathering spot for local families who hang out for the day or the entire weekend. Camping is available certain days of the week with a permit. Sand doesn’t extend very far into the ocean so it’s not the best beach for shoreline frolicking, but keiki do like to play in the tidepools and this is a great beginner surf break. There is a bathroom and showers but no lifeguards.
Two beaches are found at the end of a 1.5-mile unpaved lava road to the ocean. While a high clearance 4X4 isn’t entirely necessary, the road may not be suitable for most typical cars. Road conditions vary depending on when the road was last repaired. Kaelehuluhulu Beach lies at the very end of the road, and it’s a popular picnic spot for locals with sand to play in, but access to the water is rocky. The nearby Mahaiula Bay requires a short walk in addition to the bumpy drive but it’s one of the most picturesque beaches on the island, defined by white sand and coconut palms. The ocean affords poor visibility for snorkeling but the reef beyond the bay is a fantastic point break during north or west swells.
Also part of Kekahakai State Park, this gorgeous white sand beach is accessed by paved road off the lower highway. The soft sand is fantastic for sunbathing and it offers sandy access into the turquoise waters. Body boarding can be fantastic here but close out waves when surf gets big are dangerous for most. There are bathrooms, showers and lifeguards.
Public access is granted to two beaches through Kukio Resort. To the south, Kikaua Point is known for shallow, sandy tide pools great for keiki. A bathroom and showers are available and a better shoreline nap spot does not exist. Another public parking area to the north is for Kukio Beach, a great sandy spot for swimming and beachwalks.
A gravel road leads to a beautiful black sand beach great for swimming, picnics and sometimes kiteboarding. Energetic beachgoers might choose to walk the coastline north for just over one mile to Wainanalii Pond, where salt and fresh water mix to create brilliant turquoise water that’s apparent, even from the highway. There are no bathrooms or other facilities here.
Kohala Beaches
Calm water and abundant sand make ‘A’ Bay a fantastic spot for swimming and playing in the water. And, a large public parking lot, bathrooms and showers make visits easy. Dozens of coconut palms grace the beach and photographers await sunset to capture images of the palms reflecting on a calm pond. ‘A’ Bay is set within Waikoloa Beach Resort so visitors may spend the day, then go out for a nice meal or hit the food court at the Queens shops on the way home.
This unique, lesser-known dark sand beach offers incredible snorkeling within Mauna Lani Resort. It’s also a great whale watching spot in winter months. Watch your feet while walking across the sand, it gets hot! Amenities include a small public beach parking lot, bathrooms and showers.
This pristine, sandy beach has epic snorkeling and diving. Trees grow right to the water’s edge, evidence of reliably calm water great for swimming. Locals called the spot “Beach 69” because a utility pole bearing that number used to mark the turn to the beach. Bathrooms and showers are available. There are parking and entrance fees.
Stretching more than a half mile, Hapuna is the longest, and perhaps the nicest beach on the island. Soft white sand extends out into the water so it’s great for frolicking and swimming and there are lifeguards. It’s probably the most popular boogie boarding beach on the island, too, but watch for big winter swells that come out of the north and pack a serious punch. There are bathrooms and showers. There is an entrance fee.
Another gorgeous, white sand beach great for swimming and boogie boarding lies within Mauna Kea Resort. The public parking lot fills quickly so get there early or hike in from Hapuna Beach if you want to access this gem. Those who do score a spot tend to stay for the day and make the most of this magical spot. There are bathrooms and showers.
A gathering spot for local families, this beach offers plenty of sand, calm shallow water for keiki, lifeguards, a pavilion, showers, bathrooms and camping.
This pretty little beach park has barbecues, bathrooms, picnic tables and a nice lawn to play on but no sandy beach. Water access is rocky and not recommended as the water is often rough with dangerous currents. Experienced surfers and body boarders are fun to watch from shore.
This is more of a scenic overlook with an optional hike than a beach day. The end of Highway 270 overlooks miles of blue ocean, a lush coastline and a beach below. Hike a half mile down a steep, switchbacked trail through a lush rainforest to a gorgeous salt and pepper sand beach with towering ironwood trees. It’s OK to get your feet wet but this beach is notorious for high surf and strong currents so swimming is not advisable. There are no facilities, showers or drinking water at this beach so come prepared.
Hamakua Beaches
This rocky shoreline isn’t good for swimming but it’s a unique park to stop at on the drive to Hilo. Lush vegetation surrounds a river that flows into the sea and there is abundant natural shade, picnic pavilions and bathrooms. You might spot some experienced body boarders out in the ocean.
Hilo Beaches
This black sand beach is popular with Hilo families who spend the day talking story while keiki swim and play in the tidepools. There is a picnic area and plenty of shade trees. The spot offers the best snorkeling on the east side of the island. The park has lifeguards, bathrooms and showers.
Puna beaches
Also called Isaac Hale Beach Park, this gorgeous black sand oasis is the newest beach on this list. A 2018 volcanic eruption filled the old boat harbor with brand new, jet black sand. This is a great spot for fishing and sightseeing but only experienced swimmers or surfers should venture out into the often rough water. There are portable bathrooms and lifeguards but there are no showers or drinking water.
Ka`u Beaches
This one-of-a-kind beach has sand mixed with olivine, creating an obvious green hue. A 5.5-mile roundtrip hike in hot sun and strong wind is required to visit this unique locale. You’ll have to negotiate a steep, loose hill to get to the water, but those ready for a little adventure will find an experience unlike any other. Driving the road is no longer allowed. You may come across locals who offer rides to the beach in their high clearance, 4X4 vehicles, though this is technically against the rules, too. There are no facilities at this beach.
When driving from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this gorgeous black sand beach is not to be missed. Stark black sand contrasts with a cobalt sky and brilliant green palm trees. This is an incredible spot for a beach stroll or for spotting green sea turtles but strong currents and rough surf is hazardous for most beachgoers. The beach has bathrooms and picnic facilities.