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Destination: Hawaii (Big) Island Article Source: Copyright © 2012 by Fodor’s Travel, a division of Random House Inc. All rights reserved.
You'll find plenty of sea life, from sea turtles to reef fish, at these beaches and protected inlets. Just east of Hilo, almost at the end of the road, these two adjacent parks make up one beautiful spot with a series of bays, inlets, lagoons, and pretty parks. This is one of the best snorkeling spots on this side of the island, as rocky outcrops provide shelter for schools of reef fish and you're almost sure to see turtles and dolphins. Local kids use the small black-sand pocket beach for body boarding. The shaded grassy areas are great for picnics. Be warned, this place is very crowded on the weekends. Amenities: lifeguards (weekends only); parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; walking.
This lovely beach is on the northernmost portion of the stretch of coastline that comprises Kekaha Kai State Park. At one time you had to hike over a few miles of unmarked, rocky trail to get here, which kept many people out. Today, there's a separate entrance and a parking lot, making this bay much more accessible, and, as a result, more crowded. This is one of the most beautiful bays you'll ever see—the water is crystal clear, deep aquamarine, and peaceful in summer. The beach is a stretch of fine white sand and little shade. Rocky shores on either side keep the beach from getting too windy in the afternoon. The surf can get very rough in winter. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.
This lush park is tucked away under a high bridge that crosses a gulch along Highway 19, about 13 mi north of Hilo, between Akaka and Umauma Falls. The beach is composed of large, smooth, waterworn lava rocks, where the Kolekole stream meets the ocean. Although the shoreline is rocky and the ocean is rough, the stream is usually calm and great for swimming. There's even a rope swing tied to a banyan tree on the opposite side. The park is popular with locals, especially on weekends when it can get rowdy. Where the stream meets the ocean, the surf is rough and the currents strong. Only very experienced swimmers should venture here. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: partiers.
The brilliant turquoise waters of this stunning bay are a cooling invitation on a warm Kohala day, and a new gravel road to the shoreline makes it an absolute must-see (it's still slow going, but in the past you had to hike over lava for 20 minutes). The shore is rocky and the water's a bit cold and hazy, but there are tons of green sea turtles in residence year-round. The swimming and snorkeling are excellent when the tide is calm. Thanks to the eruptions of Mauna Loa, what was once the site of King Kamehameha's gigantic fishpond is now several freshwater ponds encircling this beautiful bay, with a picturesque lava-rock island in the middle. If you follow the shoreline southwest toward Kona, just past the big yellow house, you'll come to another public beach which has naturally occurring freshwater pools inside a lava tube. This area, called Queen's Bath, is as cool as it sounds. Recent upgrades have been made for camping and unpaved parking. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling.
Not a beach per se, this shallow rocky inlet is a great place for a picnic. There's a pavilion and lookout area, but don't try to swim here—the water is very rough. Be careful on the hairpin curve going down.
It's slow going, down a 1½-mi, narrow, bumpy, gravel road off Highway 19 to this beach park, but it's worth it. Kehaha Kai State Park encompases three beaches (from north to south, Mahai'ula, Makalawena, and Kua Bay, which has its own entrance). Mahai'ula and Makalawena are beautiful, wide expanses of white-sand beach with dunes; there's a lot of space so you won't feel crowded. There are tidal pools for snorkeling and swimming, and you can hike along a historic 4½-mi trail to Kua Bay. If you're game, work your way to the top of Puu Kuili, a 342-foot-high cinder cone whose summit offers a fantastic view of the coastline. However, be prepared for the heat and bring lots of drinking water. The park is busy on the weekends. Watch out for rough surf and strong currents. Amenities: toilets. Best for: swimming; walking; sunsets. www.hawaiistateparks.org.
Hands-down one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, Kaunaoa is a long crescent of pure white sand. The beach, which fronts the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, slopes very gradually, and along the rocks it's a great place for snorkeling. This is a great spot to watch the sun set. When conditions permit, waves are good for body- and board surfing also. Currents can be strong and powerful in winter so be careful. Public parking is limited to 40 spaces, so arrive before 10 am or after 3 pm. If the lot is full, head to nearby Hapuna Beach, where there's a huge parking lot. Try this spot again another day—it's worth it! Amenities : lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.
Snorkelers will find tons of coral and the fish who feed off it in this large network of tide pools at the end of Kapoho-Kai Road. This is a great place for getting close-up looks at Hawaii's interesting marine life and reef fish. Some of the pools have been turned into private swimming pools in this residential area; those closest to the ocean are open to all. The pools are usually very calm, and some are volcanically heated and are divine. It's best to come during the week, as the pools can get crowded on the weekend. Note: there is no real sandy beach here. Take the road to the end, then turn left and park. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling.
This is where King Kamehameha spent his final days—his Ahuena Heiau sits next to the sand. Fronting Courtyard's King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel and next to Kailua Pier, this little crescent of white sand is the only beach in downtown Kailua-Kona. Protected by the harbor, the water here is almost always calm and the beach is clean making this a perfect spot for kids. For adults it's a great place for a swim, some stand-up paddleboarding, or just a lazy beach day, although it can get crowded in the afternoon. Though surrounded by an active pier, the water is surprisingly clear. Snorkeling can be good north of the beach, and snorkeling and kayaking equipment can be rented nearby. A little family of sea turtles likes to hang out next to the seawall, so keep an eye out. Park at the hotel for $15 a day. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.
This salt-and-pepper beach is a combination of white and black sand mixed with lava and coral pebbles. It's one of the Big Island's most popular swimming and snorkeling sites, thanks to the fringing reef that helps keep the waters calm. But outside the reef there are very strong rip currents, so caution is advised. Some snorkelers hand-feed the unusually tame reef fish here, but we advise against it: the fish can become dependent and lose their natural survival instincts. Experienced surfers find good waves beyond the reef, and scuba divers like the shore dives—shallow ones inside the breakwater, deeper ones outside. This beach is very busy, and, consequently, littered. Snorkel equipment and boards are available for rent across the street. Hawaiian craft vendors set up on the beach but are inobtrusive. Kahaluu was a favorite of King Kalakaua, whose summer cottage is on the grounds of the neighboring Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); shower; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.
Outrigger Kanaloa at Kona
Outrigger Royal Sea Cliff
Outrigger Fairway Villas
Kohala Coast Condominium Collection