The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, making it the Hawaiian Island with the youngest beaches. The beaches on the Big Island vary in type. You will find white sand beaches, black sand beaches, rocky lava rock beaches, and even a green sand beach. Many of the best beaches on the Big Island can require a hike or drive down a winding road, but they are definitely worth the adventure.
Many of the beaches in Hilo are ones locals visit. If you are looking for a black sand beach in Hilo, you will find one a short drive from downtown Hilo. Some of the best Hawaii Island beaches are near the resort areas or north in the Kohala area. Many of the beaches near the Kona coast are ones locals visit, and some you can find by talking with locals like we did. Speaking with locals is one of the best ways to find the best beaches on the Big Island. You will find many incredible and beautiful beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii. Keep reading to discover the Big Island’s amazing beaches.
Moku Ola
Moku Ola, otherwise known as Coconut Island, is about a 5-minute drive from Downtown Hilo and just steps away from the Lili’uokalani Gardens. To get to Moku Ola, there is a footbridge from the parking lot off Kelipio Place. If you choose not to walk over to Moku Ola, there is ocean access from the parking lot. You will find steps to enter into the ocean next to the footbridge, but there is no sand beach in this area. If you decide to spend a day or afternoon on Moku Ola, you will have a beautiful view of Hilo Bay, the Downtown Hilo area, and Mauna Kea while enjoying a relaxing time on the island.
Moku Ola is a favorite gathering spot among locals. There is a large grass area perfect for children to run around and play, picnic tables, bathrooms, and small sandy beaches. The sandy beaches found on Moku Ola are in areas of the island that look like small calm bays, making them excellent spots for children to swim and play. To get into the water at Moku Ola, there are steps built out of the volcanic rock wall that lead into the water. The steps are found on the short walls that separate the island from the ocean. You will also find a stone tower platform that you can use to jump into the ocean. We heard you can sometimes come across a green sea turtle here, but we did not see any while we were there.
James Kealoha Beach Park
James Kealoha Beach Park is about an 8-minute drive from Downtown Hilo off of Kalanianaole Street and is a beach frequented by locals. There is a good-sized parking lot compared to other Hilo beaches nearby, but you will need to back into the parking space when you park there. James Kealoha Beach Park has a large grass area perfect for picnics with picnic tables and BBQ pits. There is also a restroom and shower area to rinse off. Be aware that there can be strong currents in some parts of this beach, and there are no lifeguards on duty at this beach.
James Kealoha Beach Park is not a sand beach but rather a rocky beach from the surrounding lava rock. To enter the water, you use the steps that have been created in the lava rock, but once you are in the water, there is a sandy bottom to walk on. We noticed that stronger currents were on the left side compared to the right side. The right side was more protected from the open ocean by the lava rock formations. The water here was blue-turquoise in color and clear. Green sea turtles are known to swim around in this area. So if you see one, keep your distance as they are an endangered and protected species in the United States.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Carlsmith Beach Park is another one of the beaches in Hilo that is about an 8-minute drive from Downtown Hilo off of Kalanianaole Street and happens to be next to Kealoha Beach Park. There is limited parking at this beach. You can park on the street or in the parking lot for Kealoha Beach Park like we did. It is no more than a five-minute walk to the grass area of Carlsmith Beach Park. There is a restroom near the parking lot as well as showers where you can rinse off after swimming.
Similarly to Kealoha Beach Park, there is no sand beach. However, there are a few areas to choose from to swim. Close to the parking lot is a calm bay area with steps into the water from the wall that separates the grass area from the water. The swim area near the parking lot is a great spot for children due to how calm the water is in that area. Overall, the water at Carlsmith Beach Park was very calm due to how protected the swim area is by the lava rock formations.
Carlsmith Beach is probably one of the best beaches on the big island for swimming due to the calm, clear blue water. The calmness of the water at Carlsmith Beach Park makes it a great place to swim and snorkel. You might even see a Hawaiian green sea turtle, as it can be common to see one here. If you do see a green sea turtle, give the turtle space and do not touch them, as they are a protected species. Aside from possibly seeing a green sea turtle, you can see a lot of fish while snorkeling here.
Getting into the Water at Carlsmith Beach Park
Near the large grass area, which is perfect for picnicking or sunbathing, you will find two other spots to enter into the water. If you go to the left from the grass area, you will come to the entrance to the water with steps and a rail to help you into the water. You might need water shoes since you will walk on lava rock to get into the water. The entrance closest to the grass area is the main entrance that most people use to enter the water. The other entry into the water is towards the back of the grass area. There are stairs that lead down to a flat spot to get into the calm bay. There are lava rocks near the flat platform at the bottom of the stairs, but once you get past the lava rocks as you enter the water, you will find a sandy bottom.
Richardson Ocean Park
Richardson Ocean Park is about a 12-minute drive from Downtown Hilo off Kalanianaole Street in Hilo. There is a parking lot and street parking is available if the parking lot fills up. There is a bathroom and showers for rinsing off after swimming. Richardson Ocean Park also has areas where you can lay out in the sun and have a picnic. A cool feature of Richardson Ocean Park is that it is a black sand beach in Hilo. Many of the beaches in Hilo do not have much of a beach and instead have lava rocks that are used to enter the water, so having a black sand beach in Hilo to enjoy was great. There was also a lifeguard post on the black sand beach. The lifeguard was on duty while we were there.
At Richarson Ocean Park, you can choose from various areas to swim. You can swim in the area where the black sand beach is towards the back of the park. Likewise, you can enter the water closer to the parking lot, where there are steps into the water. This area can be rocky. There are areas to swim in that are calmer than others that are good for children; however, there can be strong currents, so know your limits when swimming in areas with stronger currents. If you bring snorkel gear, you can snorkel and see different kinds of fish and possibly a green sea turtle. There were even surfers in the water, hoping to catch a wave.
Onekahakaha Beach Park
Onekahakaha Beach Park is one of the best beaches in Hilo and possibly one of the best beaches on the Big Island for families with young children. A breakwater protects the beach area at Onekahakaha Beach, creating calm, shallow bay-like areas perfect for small children. The shallow waters in the protected area can range from about two to about four feet. The shallow water makes it the perfect place for little ones to play in the water. A walkway runs along lava rock and ends at a small sand beach to the right. From the walkway, there are steps up to another walkway that leads into the water with multiple spots with steps going into the water without having to walk on lava rock.
If you walk on the lava rocks, you can explore the tide pools, but you may want to wear water shoes to walk on the lava rocks and around the tide pools. In some areas, the lava rocks are flat and perfect for sunbathing. If you swim in areas outside of the area protected by the breakwater, you are likely to encounter strong currents. So, if you do not have young children and want to swim at Onekahakaha Beach Park, know your limits for swimming in strong currents, or you can visit one of the other Hilo beaches previously mentioned.
Facilities and Getting to Onekahakaha Beach Park
Onekahakaha Beach Park is about a 9-minute drive from Downtown Hilo at the end of Onekahakaha Road off Kalanianaole Street in Hilo. Onekahakaha Beach Park has a large parking lot. There are various areas to park and a lot of spaces available. A cool feature of this park is the Uncle David K. Calles Horseshoe Court. The horseshoe court has about eleven courts to play horseshoes, so if you enjoy playing horseshoes, this is a great place to play. There is a bathroom with shower stalls, changing areas, and other outdoor areas to rinse off. There are also covered picnic table areas, large grass areas with trees, and a swing set.
Punalu’u Beach
Punalu’u Beach is one of the most popular Big Island beaches. It is a black sand beach where people will see Hawaiian green sea turtles. Due to the likelihood of seeing green sea turtles here, it is important to remember to keep your distance and not disturb them, as they are a protected species. A lifeguard is on duty at this beach during the day as the currents can be strong. Due to the strong currents and surf, you should only swim here if you are a strong, experienced swimmer.
There are bathrooms and an outdoor shower to rinse off after swimming. Additionally, there are picnic tables if you decide to picnic while you are here. There is a parking lot, but as this is a popular beach on the Big Island to see green sea turtles, the parking lot can get crowded.
Getting to Punaluu Beach
Punaluu Beach is in the Southern area of the Big Island. It is about an hour and a half from Kona and an hour and 15 minutes from Hilo. If you are staying in the Waikoloa Village area, it is just over 2 hours away. Punaluu Beach is off Ninole Loop Road from Hawaii Belt Road. Punaluu Beach is also a short drive from both Hawaii Volcanoes National Park entrances.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Papakolea Beach is one of four green sand beaches in the world. The green sand found at Papakolea Beach makes it one of the most unique Hawaii Island beaches. The sand is green due to olivine minerals from a past eruption of Manua Loa in the cinder cone surrounding the beach. This green sand beach in Hawaii has become a popular place for tourists to visit.
The currents at Papakolea Beach can be strong, so you should only swim here if you are an excellent swimmer. If you decide to swim in the water, know your swimming ability and proceed with caution, as there are no lifeguards on duty. There are also no facilities like bathrooms or showers to rinse off at the beach.
Getting to Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Papakolea Beach is about a 2-hour drive from Waikoloa Village on Highway 11 off South Point Road. You can park in a parking lot at the end of South Point Road. To get down to Papakolea Beach from the parking lot, you will need to hike just over 2 miles in one direction and go down the cinder cone surrounding the beach, which can be steep. Wear hiking shoes, bring water for the hike, and start early in the day before it gets too hot.
Ho’okena Beach Park
Hookena Beach Park is a soft sand beach that is more of a black-gray color. Locals frequent this beach as it is a native Hawaiian fishing village. While picking up our rental car, a local recommended Hookena Beach when we arrived on the Big Island, so we decided to visit the beach. There are some rocky areas, so having water shoes on hand is a good idea. Snorkeling here is great; you may see a green sea turtle among the rocks or dolphins in the distance. The water here is beautiful and clear, and you have a fantastic view of the bay. This beach was a great find!
Facilities at Ho’okena Beach Park
With reservations, you can go camping at Hookena Beach Park. There are bathrooms on site, as well as showers. There are picnic tables throughout the beach and a covered picnic table area as well. Hookena Beach Park is also one of the Big Island beaches where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and beach equipment like chairs and an umbrella. Additionally, there is a stand to buy food and drinks.
Getting to Ho’okena Beach Park
Hookena Beach Park is about 42 minutes from the Kailua-Kona area off Highway 11. The road down to Hookena Beach Park is about a 2-mile winding road. There is a sizeable dip in the road as you get closer to the beach, so heed the dip warning. As you drive, drive with caution in case you come upon a car going in the opposite direction. The road can be narrow in some places. At the end of the road, you will reach the parking lot for the beach. The parking lot is relatively small and fills up early in the day.
Honaunau Bay
Another awesome find was Honaunau Bay. Honaunau Bay is one of the best beaches on the Big Island for snorkeling. This beach is also known as Two-Step Beach. Honoaunau Bay is referred to as Two-Step Beach because there are two steps built into the lava rock to enter the water. The water at this beach is clear and beautiful with a blue-turquoise color. This is a great place for snorkeling. There are many varieties of fish to see while snorkeling in this bay. Since Honaunau Bay is a bay, you will find that the water can be pretty calm, making this a great place to swim, snorkel, or just hang out in the water. Since the main entrance into the water is by using the two steps built into the lava rock, the entrance into the water is in a rocky area. Use caution around the lava rock if there are waves.
Getting to and Parking at Honaunau Bay
It is about a 36-minute drive from the Kailua-Kona area. You can take Highway 11 to Keala O Keawe Road and turn on Honaunau Beach Road. Honaunau Bay is right next to the Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. We recommend stopping by the Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park before going to Honaunau Bay. This beach has limited parking, so you must plan to come early. You can find parking for $5 at a nearby church. If you cannot get parking, you can park in the residential area but be respectful of the locals living there.
Magic Sands Beach
Magic Sands Beach is one of several beaches in Kona off Ali’i Drive. Parking is available on the street, and a parking lot is available across the street from the beach. Parking can be difficult later in the day, so getting to Magic Sands Beach early in the day is best if you want to find parking. There are facilities available at Magic Sands Beach, such as bathrooms and an outdoor shower for rinsing off after swimming. There are picnic tables, a grill, and even a volleyball net.
Magic Sands Beach gets its name from the white sand disappearing at times throughout the year. The lava rock below the sand can be seen when the sand disappears. Eventually, the sand naturally comes back due to the ocean waves, creating the sand-white beach.
Swimming at Magic Sands Beach
The currents and waves at Magic Sands Beach can be strong, making swimming or snorkeling by the rocks on the sides of the beach a little challenging. Due to the strong waves, this Kailua Kona beach is a great place for boogie boarding, which many locals do. There are lifeguards on duty, and they will warn people about the waves, so heed their warnings to avoid injury if you are not a strong swimmer.
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Wai’aha Beach Park – Honl’s Beach
Waiaha Beach Park, commonly known as Honl’s Beach, is a Kailua Kona Beach off Ali’i Drive just minutes from Downtown Kailua Kona. Limited parking is available at Honl’s Beach, with most parking being street parking. There is an outdoor shower to rinse off and a bathroom across the street from the beach. There are also picnic tables and shady areas where you can lie down under the trees.
Honl’s Beach is a white sand beach but it is also rocky, so it is not the best place to swim in the water. We recommend you wear water shoes if you do go in the water. The current at Honl’s Beach can be strong with many waves, so use your best judgment when deciding to get in the water. The waves make Honl’s Beach a great place to boogie board. While we were there, surfers were in the water waiting to catch a wave. Fun fact about this beach: Tom Morey invented the boogie board here, and there is a board at Honl’s Beach where you can read about how he created it.
Honokohau Beach and Aiopio Beach
Honokohau Beach and Aiopio Beach are part of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park in Kona, off Highway 19, less than four miles from Kailua-Kona. You can park at the nearby marina and walk about a quarter mile. Or you can park at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park parking lot, learn about the area’s significance, and walk about a mile to Aiopio Beach. There are several hiking treks that you can take from the visitor’s center. On the trek to the shoreline going towards the Aiopio Fishtrap, you will come to Aipio Beach and Honokohau Beach. We stopped by the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and walked to the Aiopio Fishtrap before heading to the airport. This National Historic Park was definitely worth a visit.
As you arrive at Honokohau Beach you will see a heiau (a Hawaiian Temple) on the beach. You will more than likely see several Hawaiian Green Sea turtles at this beach as they tend to frequent this area. The water at Honokohau Beach is very calm due to the protective walls of the Aipio Fishtrap. The calm water makes it an excellent place for children, and you can snorkel here and see abundant marine life, including sea turtles. Since this area is sacred and part of a National Historical Park, you should treat this area with respect. Also, if you come across sea turtles, remember to keep a distance of 20 feet from them as they are protected. A national park ranger usually walks around to ensure people keep their distance from the turtles.
Manini’owali Beach
The clear turquoise-blue waters of Maniniowali Beach are absolutely stunning, making it one of the best beaches near Kona. It is a white sand beach with some lava rock on the beach and to the sides of the water. The currents can be strong, so know your swimming ability if you are at the beach on a day with strong currents. When we went, it was pretty calm, and many people were snorkeling in the water. There were also children with boogie boards in the water. Maniniowali Beach does have lifeguards on duty during the day. Seeing a green sea turtle is possible while swimming or snorkeling near the rocks. Remember to keep your distance from the green sea turtle, as they are not to be touched.
Facilities and Getting to Maniniowali Beach
Maniniowali Beach is about 25 minutes south of Waikoloa, off Highway 19, at the end of Kua Bay Access Road. The parking lot for Maniniowali Beach is on the smaller side, but many people park on the side of the road and walk down to the beach. If you want to park in the parking lot, getting to the beach early is best. There is a bathroom located near the parking lot before you get to the beach area. Walking down the steps to Maniniowali Beach, you will pass by the outdoor showers where you can rinse off after swimming and there are also a couple of picnic tables available.
Anaeho’omalu Bay
Anaehoomalu Beach Bay is a sand beach with no lifeguards on duty. The water is relatively calm, making it an excellent beach for families. Since the water can be calm here, it is a great place to paddleboard. Anaehoomalu Beach is near many resorts in the Waikoloa area. It can get very busy as it is the closest sandy beach to the resorts. Luckily, this beach is fairly large, so it doesn’t feel very crowded even where there are many people. Snorkel, charter cruises, and glass bottom boat excursions leave from Anaehoomalu Bay. This is convenient for those staying in the immediate area.
Facilities at Anaehoomalu Bay
Free parking is available at a parking lot near Lava Lava Beach Club. If you are staying in one of the nearby resorts, you can walk to Anaehoomalu Bay to enjoy a day at the beach. There are bathrooms and outdoor showers to rinse off after swimming. Additionally, there is an area where you can rent kayaks, standup paddleboards, and snorkel gear.
Visit Lava Lava Beach Club at Anaehoomalu Bay
Anaehoomalu Bay is next to Lava Lava Beach Club in the Waikoloa Resort area, and it has excellent food and drinks. Lava Lava Beach Club is a great place to relax and watch the sunset at Anaehoomalu Bay. While relaxing and watching the sunset, you will also enjoy live music.
Stop by the Queens’ Marketplace and Kings’ Shops Near Anaehoomalu Bay
There are a couple of shopping centers near Anaehoomalu Bay worth noting. Queens’ Marketplace and Kings’ Shops are close by in Waikaloa. You will find restaurants, coffee shops, ice cream shops, and markets at either of these shopping centers. Either of these marketplaces would be a great place to stop after spending some time enjoying the ocean in Anaehoomalu Bay. We recommend stopping by the Original Shaved Ice Company at the Queens’ Marketplace. This is hands down the best shaved ice we have ever had in Hawaii.
Hapuna Beach
Hapuna Beach is a popular beach to visit with a mix of locals and tourists and is considered one of the best beaches on the Big Island. It has beautiful turquoise blue water and is a large, soft white sand beach. The currents at Hapuna Beach can be strong occasionally, so proceed with caution if the current is too strong. The waves were pretty calm when we were there, which made for great swimming and snorkeling. There are also lifeguards on duty during the day.
Hapuna Beach is a short walk from the Westin and about a 20-minute drive North from the resorts in Waikoloa. There is a restroom and outdoor rinse-off showers. Hapuna Beach parking is plentiful, with two large parking lots. This beach has one of the largest parking lots of the Big Island beaches we visited. There are also covered picnic tables in the grass area before the beach area and barbeque grills near some of the picnic tables.
Spencer Beach Park
Spencer Beach Park is along the Kohala Coast and is about a 20-minute drive from the Waikoloa Resort area. It is a white sand beach with some rocky areas with sea urchins, so you may want to use water shoes. The water is a beautiful blue color. The water is calm and great for children due to the reef that prevents large waves from entering the bay. If you want to snorkel, you can snorkel near the rocks, but other beaches are better for snorkeling.
Spencer Beach Park has shady areas with picnic tables if you want to relax and stay out of the sun. If you are feeling adventurous, there are hiking trails nearby as well. Spencer Beach Park is one of the Big Island of Hawaii beaches that is next to a National Historic Site. Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site is to the north, within walkable distance from Spencer Beach. We recommend stopping by the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site while visiting Spencer Beach to learn more about the area’s significance to Hawaiian history. You can also read our post on the Amazing Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii to learn more about visiting the Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site.
Facilities and Amenities at Spencer Beach Park
There are bathrooms and multiple areas to rinse off. Spencer Beach Park also has a basketball court and volleyball court. The park has picnic tables and a covered pavilion with more picnic tables to the left of the beach area. And near many of the picnic tables, you will find barbeque grills available for grilling. Spencer Beach is one of the beaches on the Kohala that allows camping. You can make a camping reservation on the Hawaii County Parks website. Just be aware that the gates to the beach close in the evening and reopen in the morning.
Kapa’a Beach Park
Like many beaches on the Big Island, Kapaa Beach Park has a rocky lava shoreline. Due to the rocky shoreline, you should bring water shoes when visiting this beach. Even though Kapaa Beach is rocky, you can still get into the water from the lava rocks. The water is a beautiful turquoise blue. The rocky shoreline makes Kapaa Beach a great place to snorkel when the water is calm. There are times when there are strong surf breaks and strong currents that churn up the calm water. If you see that the water is not calm, you should proceed cautiously to avoid getting injured.
One of the best things you will find at Kapa’a Beach Park is the fantastic view of Maui from the shoreline. Another awesome treat is the whales that are frequently seen from the shoreline. During the winter months, whales make their way to the Hawaiian Islands and can be seen from December through April. Kapaa Beach is one of the best beaches on the Big Island for whale watching. You will likely see whales breach as they make their way north. This is a great beach to capture an amazing picture of a whale breaching in the ocean.
Facilities and Amenities at Kapaa Beach Park
There is a covered picnic table area by a BBQ pit and a couple of picnic tables outside the covered pavilion. There is a bathroom on site but no outdoor showers or drinking water. If you go to Kapaa Beach, you should bring extra water. Kapaa Beach Park is another one of the Kohala Coast beaches where you can get a permit to go camping. You can make a camping reservation on the Hawaii County Parks website.
Pololu Beach
Pololu Beach is about an hour’s drive North of Waikoloa and is a black sand beach in the northern portion of the Kohala coast. Getting down to Pololu Beach requires a steep half-mile hike. You should wear shoes for hiking as the trail is rocky and can be slippery in some areas if it has recently rained. If you do hike down to Pololu Beach, respect the area. There are areas in the Pololu Valley that are private property and sacred burial sites. These areas should be left alone.
The waves and currents at Pololu black sand beach can be very strong, and swimming is discouraged. There are no lifeguards at this beach, so when in doubt, don’t go out. If you choose not to hike down to the beach, you can view the beach and the valley from the Pololu Valley Lookout. You can see the waves that crash on shore from the Pololu Valley Lookout.
There are no bathrooms on the beach and no water for drinking, so you will need to bring water for the hike. There are also no bathrooms at the Pololu Valley Lookout. A small parking lot is available for parking. If the parking lot is full and you are not able to park in the parking lot, you can park on the side of the road. Just make sure your car is off the road. There are volunteers at the parking lot who can provide information on Pololu Valley and require you to check in with them if you do the hike.
Take Some Time to Explore the Many Beautiful Beaches on the Big Island
There are many beaches and bays on the Big Island of Hawaii to explore. When looking for beaches on the Big Island, it helps to talk with locals. They know where to find the best beaches and places on the Big Island. Getting to some beaches may require a hike or a drive down a winding road, but they are so worth it. You should take the time to explore the many beautiful beaches available on the Big Island of Hawaii. You will not be disappointed!
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