Big Island of Hawaii Beaches
There are currently 25 Beaches on 
for the Big Island of Hawaii.
Location: South Kau
Known as Green Sand Beach or even Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach, is well deserving of its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone named, appropriately enough, olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of Pu'u o Mahana...
Known as Green Sand Beach or even Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach, is well deserving of its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone named, appropriately enough, olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of Pu'u o Mahana...
Location: Kona
Like anything worthwhile, Makalawena Beach makes you work a little bit to enjoy it. This secluded white sand beach is a crescent broken up by rocky lumps of lava. Palms and other trees rim the dunes near the northern end where you are greeted with picnic tables and some wild chickens. It's not...
Like anything worthwhile, Makalawena Beach makes you work a little bit to enjoy it. This secluded white sand beach is a crescent broken up by rocky lumps of lava. Palms and other trees rim the dunes near the northern end where you are greeted with picnic tables and some wild chickens. It's not...
Location: Kona
Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. There are actually several beaches in the park which is accessed via a partially paved 1.5 mile road (caution: driving on unpaved roads may be in violation of your car rental agreement) located between...
Kona Coast or Kekaha Kai State Park is 1,600 acres of beautiful sand and pristine blue waters. There are actually several beaches in the park which is accessed via a partially paved 1.5 mile road (caution: driving on unpaved roads may be in violation of your car rental agreement) located between...
Location: South Kau
The sand comes in many colors in Ka'u - black, green and white. Punalu'u, the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island is a little gem tucked just off highway 11 near mile marker 55. The thick, coarse grains of volcanic black sand, created by the crashing of waves against lava, encrust...
The sand comes in many colors in Ka'u - black, green and white. Punalu'u, the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island is a little gem tucked just off highway 11 near mile marker 55. The thick, coarse grains of volcanic black sand, created by the crashing of waves against lava, encrust...
Location: Puna District
When you get back to Highway 137 in Puna take a left and head south toward our next stop, Ahalanui Park. The road begins to narrow after mile marker 10, so be prepared to scoot over a bit to let others by. Also, it is considered good form to allow other drivers who are in more of a hurry to pass...
When you get back to Highway 137 in Puna take a left and head south toward our next stop, Ahalanui Park. The road begins to narrow after mile marker 10, so be prepared to scoot over a bit to let others by. Also, it is considered good form to allow other drivers who are in more of a hurry to pass...
Location: Kohala
This black sand beach which separates the beautiful Pololu Valley from the ocean is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach...
This black sand beach which separates the beautiful Pololu Valley from the ocean is a lovely stretch of fine black sand rimmed with black lava rock and shockingly emerald green beach ground cover. However, rough surf and the occasional appearance of Portuguese Man-o-wars make it not the ideal beach...
Location: Kohala
Continuing north on Highway 19 just before the 69 mile marker, take a left onto Hapuna Beach Road and follow the signs for parking. This is an extremely popular beach for both locals and visitors. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has often ranked it as one of the top beaches in the US. It is hard to...
Continuing north on Highway 19 just before the 69 mile marker, take a left onto Hapuna Beach Road and follow the signs for parking. This is an extremely popular beach for both locals and visitors. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has often ranked it as one of the top beaches in the US. It is hard to...
Location: Kona
Keone'ele Cove at the center of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (refuge) is one of the best spots to turtle watch. The honu often heave themselves up on the soft sand for a nap, inspiring plenty of onlookers with cameras. If you venture out a little further onto the pock-marked expanses of lava just past the...
Keone'ele Cove at the center of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (refuge) is one of the best spots to turtle watch. The honu often heave themselves up on the soft sand for a nap, inspiring plenty of onlookers with cameras. If you venture out a little further onto the pock-marked expanses of lava just past the...
Location: Kona
This lovely sandy beach is located just north of Honokohau Harbor, the same location as Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. The water here is protected by offshore reefs, so swimming is usually safe even for children. Many turtles often feed on the grasses growing in the cloudy water of...
This lovely sandy beach is located just north of Honokohau Harbor, the same location as Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. The water here is protected by offshore reefs, so swimming is usually safe even for children. Many turtles often feed on the grasses growing in the cloudy water of...
Location: Kona
Also called Manini'owali Beach, this lovely little pocket of sand used to be very difficult to access, but since a multi-million dollar road has been paved right through the lava- it's a snap to enjoy this Big Island Gem. This beach has full facilities including restrooms and showers, water,...
Also called Manini'owali Beach, this lovely little pocket of sand used to be very difficult to access, but since a multi-million dollar road has been paved right through the lava- it's a snap to enjoy this Big Island Gem. This beach has full facilities including restrooms and showers, water,...
Location: Puna District
The coastal land in Puna is so new, that sand beaches are fairly unusual, especially near Kapoho. Instead the coast is a strand of Swiss-cheese mottled lava tide pools that are excellent for snorkeling. To reach the tidepools head south on Highway 137 at the intersection with Highway 132. Locally,...
The coastal land in Puna is so new, that sand beaches are fairly unusual, especially near Kapoho. Instead the coast is a strand of Swiss-cheese mottled lava tide pools that are excellent for snorkeling. To reach the tidepools head south on Highway 137 at the intersection with Highway 132. Locally,...
Location: Kona
This gem of a beach is a true slice of paradise. Fronting the fishing village of Ke'ei it combines desolate sands with a view of Kealakekua Bay, the first Hawaii landing site of Captain James Cook.
This gem of a beach is a true slice of paradise. Fronting the fishing village of Ke'ei it combines desolate sands with a view of Kealakekua Bay, the first Hawaii landing site of Captain James Cook.
Location: Kohala
Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park's reef-protected waters offer child-friendly swimming and a relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of amenities at this beach, including a lifeguard, picnic tables, and barbecue. Camping is allowed with a permit. From the south end of the beach you could follow a coastline trail,...
Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park's reef-protected waters offer child-friendly swimming and a relaxing atmosphere. Plenty of amenities at this beach, including a lifeguard, picnic tables, and barbecue. Camping is allowed with a permit. From the south end of the beach you could follow a coastline trail,...
Location: North Hamakua Coast
Take Waipio Road (on foot only!) down into the Waipio Valley and take the dirt road on the right (heading towards the ocean). This road to the beach passes through a wooded area with views of taro patches to your left. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the beautiful wild horses of Waipio....
Take Waipio Road (on foot only!) down into the Waipio Valley and take the dirt road on the right (heading towards the ocean). This road to the beach passes through a wooded area with views of taro patches to your left. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the beautiful wild horses of Waipio....
Location: Puna District
Just about a mile down the road from Ahalanui at the junction of Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road in Puna is one of the most popular beaches in the area. This is proven by the large amount of cars and trucks parked along side the road. Isaac Hale is right on Pohoiki Bay which is the only place on the...
Just about a mile down the road from Ahalanui at the junction of Highway 137 and Pohoiki Road in Puna is one of the most popular beaches in the area. This is proven by the large amount of cars and trucks parked along side the road. Isaac Hale is right on Pohoiki Bay which is the only place on the...
Location: Puna District
Kehena Black Sand Beach is at mile marker 19 on highway 132 in Puna. In the past Kehena used to be very popular because of its two black sand beaches and easy access. However, in 1975 a large earthquake sent the stairs crumbling and dropped the beach three feet.
Kehena Black Sand Beach is at mile marker 19 on highway 132 in Puna. In the past Kehena used to be very popular because of its two black sand beaches and easy access. However, in 1975 a large earthquake sent the stairs crumbling and dropped the beach three feet.
Location: Hilo Town
This is one of a few beaches in Hilo, Onekahakaha Beach Park is a favorite of local families because of the small, sand bottomed ocean pool which allows for safe swimming for the kids. There is a second pond near the north part of the beach, but is not protected from the ocean and has a lot of...
This is one of a few beaches in Hilo, Onekahakaha Beach Park is a favorite of local families because of the small, sand bottomed ocean pool which allows for safe swimming for the kids. There is a second pond near the north part of the beach, but is not protected from the ocean and has a lot of...
Location: Kohala
There are six separate accesses to this stretch of beach. There isn't much sand here but the tidepools and extensive reef are remarkable. During low tide, small pools dot the entire coastline. These pools are filled with small sea life and make excellent areas to explore. Offshore the reef is...
There are six separate accesses to this stretch of beach. There isn't much sand here but the tidepools and extensive reef are remarkable. During low tide, small pools dot the entire coastline. These pools are filled with small sea life and make excellent areas to explore. Offshore the reef is...
Location: Kohala
This was once a harbor used by a local sugar company. There is no beach here, but it is a good place to snorkel or dive and explore the abundant fish life. Abandoned mill equipment and an old shipwreck sweeten the underwater experience. Restrooms and drinking water are available. Just a mile up the...
This was once a harbor used by a local sugar company. There is no beach here, but it is a good place to snorkel or dive and explore the abundant fish life. Abandoned mill equipment and an old shipwreck sweeten the underwater experience. Restrooms and drinking water are available. Just a mile up the...
Location: Hilo Town
The Hilo area is not known for its great selection of beaches. However there are a few to be mentioned. Follow Highway 19 south and cross over Highway 11. At this point Highway 19 turns into Kalanianaoloe Ave. Two miles down the road is Leleiwi Beach Park which has a sliver of black sand and a...
The Hilo area is not known for its great selection of beaches. However there are a few to be mentioned. Follow Highway 19 south and cross over Highway 11. At this point Highway 19 turns into Kalanianaoloe Ave. Two miles down the road is Leleiwi Beach Park which has a sliver of black sand and a...
Location: Puna District
People don't come to MacKenzie State Park for the swimming, it's mostly the scenery and fishing visitors are after. This portion of Puna's coast is jagged lava fingers and leaning palms. The ocean often punishes these low cliffs, so steer clear of the edge. There is a picnic area perfect for a nice...
People don't come to MacKenzie State Park for the swimming, it's mostly the scenery and fishing visitors are after. This portion of Puna's coast is jagged lava fingers and leaning palms. The ocean often punishes these low cliffs, so steer clear of the edge. There is a picnic area perfect for a nice...
Location: Kona
Located south of Honokohau Harbor, this small beach is merely a crescent of sand. It offers protected swimming and a nice place to relax. Good scuba diving and snorkeling are just offshore where boulders and rock walls dip down to 45-feet. There are no facilities or lifeguards here. Restrooms can...
Located south of Honokohau Harbor, this small beach is merely a crescent of sand. It offers protected swimming and a nice place to relax. Good scuba diving and snorkeling are just offshore where boulders and rock walls dip down to 45-feet. There are no facilities or lifeguards here. Restrooms can...
Location: Hilo Town
Known locally as 'Four Mile' because of its distance from the post office (what? mail a letter then catch a wave?) James Kealoha Beach Park is pretty enough but there are slightly better beaches down the road. The swimming here is generally poor except on the eastern side of the park which is more...
Known locally as 'Four Mile' because of its distance from the post office (what? mail a letter then catch a wave?) James Kealoha Beach Park is pretty enough but there are slightly better beaches down the road. The swimming here is generally poor except on the eastern side of the park which is more...
Location: Kohala
Just a mile up the road from Mahukona Park is Kapa’a Beach Park, another good snorkeling and diving spot. The waters are generally calm and clear to showcase the underwater view. A picnic pavilion with barbecue pit is available.
Just a mile up the road from Mahukona Park is Kapa’a Beach Park, another good snorkeling and diving spot. The waters are generally calm and clear to showcase the underwater view. A picnic pavilion with barbecue pit is available.
Location: Kohala
No swimming or sunbathing is allowed on this beach, but a good cultural lesson is worth the trip. Pelekane Beach is located in front of the Pu'ukohola Heiau. Many sacrifices were made at this location. Keoua, fierce rival of King Kamehameha and ruler of the Big Island, was killed on this beach,...
No swimming or sunbathing is allowed on this beach, but a good cultural lesson is worth the trip. Pelekane Beach is located in front of the Pu'ukohola Heiau. Many sacrifices were made at this location. Keoua, fierce rival of King Kamehameha and ruler of the Big Island, was killed on this beach,...
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