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Big Island of Hawaii Beaches
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, Highway 137 is referred to frequently as “Red Road.” The road was originally paved with the red cinders from the 1960 Kapoho lava flow. Now it’s mostly patchy black pavement.
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, Highway 137 is referred to frequently as “Red Road.” The road was originally paved with the red cinders from the 1960 Kapoho lava flow. Now it’s mostly patchy black pavement.
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, barbecues and picnic tables. It is very popular on the weekends, not to mention parking can be a nightmare, so you might want to aim for the weekdays.
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, barbecues and picnic tables. It is very popular on the weekends, not to mention parking can be a nightmare, so you might want to aim for the weekdays.
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, Ala Kahakai, all the way to Hapuna Beach. An ambitious project currently under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service, Ala Kahakai theoretically will be a coastal trail running 175 miles from Upolu Point in North Kohala to the eastern boundary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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, Ala Kahakai, all the way to Hapuna Beach. An ambitious project currently under the jurisdiction of the National Parks Service, Ala Kahakai theoretically will be a coastal trail running 175 miles from Upolu Point in North Kohala to the eastern boundary of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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 selection of freshwater pools. This is also a good place for snorkeling and surfing. Restrooms and drinking water are provided.
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 selection of freshwater pools. This is also a good place for snorkeling and surfing. Restrooms and drinking water are provided.
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 be accessed at the harbor.
For access, turn makai past mile marker 98 on Highway 19 onto Kealakehe. There is parking at the end of the road.
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 be accessed at the harbor.
For access, turn makai past mile marker 98 on Highway 19 onto Kealakehe. There is parking at the end of the road.
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. There are many beach parks along this stretch of road but we will only mention a few. For children the best bet is Onekeahakaha Park which offers a protected swimming area for the little ones. Picnic tables, restrooms and showers are provided. There is also a lifeguard overseeing this lovely white sand beach Turn makai onto Onekeahakaha Road for beach access.
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. There are many beach parks along this stretch of road but we will only mention a few. For children the best bet is Onekeahakaha Park which offers a protected swimming area for the little ones. Picnic tables, restrooms and showers are provided. There is also a lifeguard overseeing this lovely white sand beach Turn makai onto Onekeahakaha Road for beach access.
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