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| AIOPIO
BEACH |
| The Aiopio Beach is part of the Kaloko-Honokohau
National Historic Park, a rich archeological site
just north of the Honokohau Harbor. Here you can
find artifacts detailing the way Hawaiians lived
in the past, before the time of James Cook and the
civilization that followed suit.
Read More |
| ALULA
BEACH |
| Looking for a beach that’s off the beaten path?
The Alula Beach on Hawaii’s Big Island is perfect
for beach-goers who want something quiet, peaceful,
and secluded from the usually lively Hawaiian beaches.
Famous for its crescent shape and sandy shores,
the Alula features crystal-clear waters and an interesting
marine culture.
Read More |
| ANAEHOOMALU
BEACH |
| Treat yourself to a visual fest at the Anaehoomalu
Beach, a stretch of salt-and-pepper coastline just
outside the Outrigger Waikoloa Resort. Besides its
unique shores, the beach is also famous for its
picturesque sunsets, quaint fishponds, and rows
of South Pacific palms that have graced movies and
postcards for decades.
Read
More |
| CARLSMITH
BEACH PARK |
| Barely noticeable along the busy Hilo shoreline,
the Carlsmith Beach Park is one of the Big Island’s
smaller but more promising beach points. Unlike
your conventional Hawaiian beach, Carlsmith is literally
on the rocks-much of the ground is made up of lava
rock, and small boulders are scattered throughout
the area.
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| CRYSTAL
COVE |
| Locals fondly call it the Big Island’s giant
aquarium, and it’s easy to see why. The Crystal
Cove boasts up to 45 feet of crystal clear waters
inhabited by some of Hawaii’s most interesting marine
wildlife.
Read More |
| HAKALAU
BAY |
| Take a walk through time in this starkly beautiful
coast set amidst one of Hawaii’s most historic villages.
The town of Hakalau was once home to a thriving
sugar industry and an important stop for local transport.
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More |
| HAPUNA
BEACH STATE PARK |
| It doesn’t take a seasoned beach bum to see
that Hapuna Beach State Park is one of the real
gems on the Big Island. Conde Nast Traveller, a
prestigious travel mag, has repeatedly voted it
the best beach in the U.S. Golden white sands and
clear, deep blue waters make this beach a popular
spot for weddings, photo and video shoots, and beach
parties.
Read More |
| HILO
BAY BEACHFRONT PARK |
| With close to 3,000 feet of coastline, Hilo
Bay Beachfront Park is one of the longest beaches
on the Big Island. But it’s surprisingly uncrowded.
The culprit? A heavy industrial boom in the mid-1900s
that has left the waters murky and the shores highly
polluted.
Read
More |
| HOLOHOLOKAI
BEACH PARK |
 Holoholokai Beach Park on the Big Island is
not your typical picture-perfect white sand beach.
This rocky strip of coastline boasts something completely
different, but just as fascinating: a walk through
prehistoric Hawaii, told in the words of ancient
art.
Read More |
| HONAUNAU
BAY |
| Just walking to this half-moon beach is a treat
in itself, strolling past a grove of lush palms
amidst the sound of crisp sand under your feet.
Honaunau Bay is your quintessential Hawaiian beach:
deep turquoise waters, fine white sand, and a stately
backdrop of native greenery.
Read More |
| HONOKOHAU
BEACH |
| Honokohau Beach is truly nature’s work of art,
formed in the course of centuries by weather, erosion,
and volcanic activity. The salt-and-pepper sand
is made from ground-up seashells, coral, and lava
rock, and natural reefs and lava shelves provide
an attractive home for the rare colorful fish that
inhabit the waters.
Read
More |
| HONOLII
BEACH PARK |
| If you know your surf spots, you’ll know at
a glance that Honolii is a surfer’s paradise. Beautiful
black sand, clear blue water, and powerful waves
make it one of the best surfing spots on the island.
But the real gems here are the dolphins-on a good
day, you can spot these friendly animals jumping
up alongside the surfers.
Read
More |
| HOOKENA
BEACH PARK |
| Nature lovers and history buffs will have their
hands full at Hookena Beach Park, one of the most
picturesque beaches on the Big Island. Here you
will find magnificent cliffs, soft sands, lush palm
trees, and an ancient Hawaiian temple (heiau)
sitting by an age-old lava formation that still
looks as fluid as the day it flowed to the sand.
Read
More |
| JAMES
KEALOHA BEACH PARK |
| Named after a former Lieutenant Governor of
Hawaii, this sprawling rocky beach has the whole
package: nice views, swimming, water sports, sunbathing,
and even a few good fishing spots. So bring the
whole gang-there’s sure to be something for everyone!
Read More |
| KAHALUU
BEACH |
| The Big Island has some outstanding underwater
scenery, but the Kahaluu Beach on the west coast
stands out in particular. The fish here aren’t at
all wary of the swimmers, as they tend to be in
the other beaches.
Read
More |
| KAHUWAI
BAY |
| Kahuwai Bay is a well-guarded secret of the
local diving community. The rough weather and unpredictable
waves make it a haven for adventure-seekers, and
the secluded location offers a lot of privacy.
Read
More |
| KAMAKAHONU
BEACH |
| Locals have nicknamed it the Children’s Beach
because of the gentle waves and shallow water. Nearby
is the famous Kona Beach Hotel, a popular place
for vacationing families.
Read
More |
| KAPAA
BEACH PARK |
| If you like your beaches small and private,
you’ll love this quiet rocky beach on the North
Kohala Coast. Kapaa Beach is conveniently hidden
despite being in a cultural hotspot, making it an
ideal stop for tourists on the go.
Read
More |
| KAPOHO
TIDE POOLS |
| In the vast expanse of Hawaiian beaches, you
sometimes come across little tide pools where the
water is calmer, shallower and safer. Often, you’ll
have to go on long hikes to find what they call
nature’s swimming pools.
Read More |
| KAUNAOA
BEACH |
| “Perfect” has been used to describe Kaunaoa
Beach on several occasions, and one look is enough
to see why. Also called the Mauna Kea Beach, boasts
a perfect crescent shape and is one of the few white-sand
beaches on the Big Island.
Read
More |
| KEALAKEKUA
BAY |
 Few other spots have as much historical meaning
as the Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island’s Kona Coast.
This is where Captain James Cook first docked, putting
the Hawaiian islands on the map, and where he was
tragically killed in 1779.
Read More |
| KEEI
BEACH |
| Just beside the famous Kealakekua Bay sits a
small private paradise unknown to most visitors.
Keei Beach is one of the best-kept secrets of the
Kona Coast, visited mostly by local fishermen and
the occasional sight-seer.
Read More |
| KEHENA
BEACH |
 Local
government may have banned nudity on state beaches,
but Kehena Beach is a welcome deviation. Located
on the Big Island’s Puna district, it is one of
the few “clothing optional” beaches in the state
and a popular site for adult beach-goers.
Read More |
| KEOKEA
BEACH PARK |
| “Beautiful” is the first place that comes to
mind when you set foot on Keakea Beach. Here you’ll
find lava rocks dramatically strewn over calm, bubbly
waters, lush vegetation, and a view of the scenic
mountains in the distance.
Read
More |
| KIHOLO
BAY |
| If you were to squeeze the Big Island into a
single beach, you’ll end up with something like
Kiholo Bay. This Kohala Coast hotspot has a little
of everything: beautiful sights, fascinating wildlife,
tide pools, ancient ponds, and rock formations.
Read
More |
| KOLEKOLE
BEACH PARK |
| Well-known amongst outdoor enthusiasts, Kolekole
is home to the famous Akaka Falls, which flows a
treacherous 442 feet towards the Kolekole Stream.
Legend has it that a rock, known locally as the
Pohaku a Pele, causes rain to fall when struck by
a nearby red-blossomed tree.
Read More |
| KONA
COAST STATE PARK |
| The Kona Coast State Park (locally known as
Kekaha Kai) on leeward Big Island comprises
two of the best beaches in the area, the pristine
Mahaiula and the dreamlike Kua Bay. These beaches
stretch out over a mile and a half of salt-and-pepper
coast, bordered by 1,500 acres of parkland teeming
with Hawaii’s best natural wonders.
Read More |
| KUA
BAY |
| This is a beach for those who like a good outdoor
adventure. Kua Bay is part of the 1 ½-mile Kona
Coast State Park, which runs north to south along
the leeward side of Big Island. Kua Bay marks the
northern end of this park and features several hiking
trails, a cinder cone, and a number of lookout points
from which you can get great views of the salt-and-pepper
coatline.
Read More |
| KUKIO
BEACH |
| At first glance, Kukio Beach is your typical
Hawaiian paradise. A long strip of white sand, clear
blue waters, and some lush greenery in the distance
make it one of the most picture-perfect spots in
Hawaii County.
Read More |
| LAPAKAHI
STATE HISTORICAL BEACH PARK |
 Nature and history come together in this 265-acre
beach park just a short drive from the Kawaihae
district. Lapakahi State Historical Beach Park marks
the starting point of an ancient fishing community,
Koaie, which dates back to the 14th century.
Read More |
| LELEIWI
BEACH PARK |
| For a small beach, Leleiwi Beach Park has a
lot to offer, from fishing and sunbathing to magnificent
ocean views. But most people come here for hours
and hours of snorkeling, made possible by the calm,
shallow waters.
Read More |
| MACKENZIE
STATE PARK |
 This
sprawling state park has one of the most dramatic
ocean fronts, but people don’t come here for the
swimming. Mackenzie State Park is mostly popular
among sunbathers, picnickers, and fishing enthusiasts.
Strong currents make it unsafe for swimmers and
snorkelers.
Read More |
| MAHUKONA
BEACH |
| Mahukona Beach is unusual in more ways than
one. For one thing, it’s not a real beach-it used
to be a commercial harbor run by a local sugar mill.
Remnants of the area’s enterprising past can still
be found underwater and are in fact one of its main
attractions.
Read
More |
| MAKALAWENA
BEACH |
| The Kona Coast has its share of “secret” beaches-little
strips of paradise conveniently hidden by larger,
more mainstream spots. The Makalawena Beach is one
such place, nestled on top of a small hill and accessible
by a 20-minute hike through a rough lava trail.
Read
More |
| NAPOOPOO
BEACH PARK |
| A quaint historical charm surrounds the rugged
landscape of Napoopoo Beach Park, a cultural gem
on western Big Island. This is where Captain James
Cook first set foot on Hawaii and held the first
Christian service on the island.
Read More |
| OLD
KONA AIRPORT BEACH STATE PARK |
| The old Kona Airport closed down decades ago,
but developers have certainly put the site to good
use. In its place now lies a mile-long beach and
state park, the old runway conveniently turned into
a parking lot.
Read
More |
| ONEKAHAKAHA
BEACH PARK |
| Searching for the perfect family-friendly beach?
Look no further than southern Hilo on Hawaii’s Big
Island. The Onekahakaha Beach Park is one of the
safest beaches on the island, protected from the
surf and brimming with beautiful sights of the Hilo
Bay.
Read More |
| PAHOEHOE
BEACH PARK |
| Here’s one for the snorkeling experts. Pahoehoe
Beach Park offers great snorkeling for advanced
divers, with its ancient lava flows, interesting
wildlife, and beautiful coral reefs. Beginners are
not advised to dive in because of the rocky bottom
and occasionally rough current.
Read More |
| PAPAKOLEA
GREEN SAND BEACH |
| There’s black sand, white sand, and coral-filled
salt and pepper-but I bet you’ve never seen anything
like the Papakolea Green Sand Beach. The coast of
this secluded beach is sprinkled with olivine, a
semi-precious stone, crushed into fine sand by years
of lava cooling and erosion.
Read More |
| PAUOA
BAY |
| One can feel an immediate sense of calm upon
entering this white sand beach in Kamuela, Hawaii
County. From the shore, the bay looks just like
a small pond with the crescent-shaped lava walls
protecting the calm blue waters.
Read More |
| PEBBLE
BEACH |
| Once can feel a soft sense of calm hanging over
this remote beach at the Kona Coast. Pebble Beach
gets its name from the black lava pebbles that line
its coast, creating a unique and attractive landscape.
Read
More |
| PELEKANE
BEACH |
| This beach on the South Kohala Coast isn’t for
the typical beach-goer or watersports enthusiast.
Pelekane Beach is for those with an eye for culture,
a grasp of spirituality, and a deep appreciation
of Hawaii’s religious history.
Read
More |
| PINE
TREES BEACH |
| You won’t find any actual pines on this beach-it
was hastily named by a clueless visitor who thought
the nearby mangroves were pine trees. Funny names
aside, Pine Trees Beach is one of the best barbecue
sites on the Kona Coast and arguably the best surfing
spot on the Big Island.
Read
More |
| POLOLU
VALLEY BEACH |
| You might feel a sense of déjà-vu upon setting
foot on Pololu Valley Beach. Your hunches are probably
right-this beach is one of the most photographed
spots on the Big Island. You’ve probably seen it
in postcards, book covers, and countless magazines
and brochures.
Read More |
| PUAKO
BAY |
| Puako Bay is the sunniest spot on the Big Island,
with an annual rainfall of under six inches, and
is home to the largest collection of petroglyphs
in the state.
Read More |
| PUNALUU
BLACK SAND BEACH |
| Black sand beaches are all over the Big Island,
but Punaluu Beach on the south of Kona is hands-down
the most popular. This spacious beach boasts a shore
of shiny, jet black sand, mostly made up of ground
lava from years of volcanic activity.
Read More |
| RICHARDSON
BEACH PARK |
| Also known as Richardson’s Ocean Center, this
park has calm, safe waters, excellent snorkeling,
lots of shade, and several tide pools where children
can play away from the surf. Oh, and there’s also
the perfect weather and picturesque coastline views.
Read More |
| ROAD
TO THE SEA BLACK SAND BEACH |
| The Road to the Sea is one that’s hardly traveled,
and it’s easy to see why. The six-mile trail is
dotted with sharp rock and lava, surrounded by steep
ledges, and riddled with cracks and potholes.
Read More |
| SPENCER
BEACH PARK |
| Here’s a beach that’s sure to please everyone
in the family. Spencer Beach Park offers excellent
swimming and snorkeling, ample shade under large
native trees, and a calm, friendly atmosphere that
families simply love.
Read
More |
| WAIALEA
BAY BEACH |
| Here’s where you can enjoy a lazy weekend away
from the tourist-packed Kohala streets. Waialea
Bay Beach is one of the few white sand beaches on
the Big Island, and arguably one of the most peaceful.
Read
More |
| WAIPIO
BEACH |
| Waipio Valley has been called the Valley of
the Gods, and one look at this secluded place is
all it takes to see why. The place is marked by
ancient sacred temples, tropical rainforests, and
high cliffs rising 2000 feet against the sky.
Read More |
| WAWALOI
BEACH PARK |
| Think you can’t have your own private pool on
a public beach? Wait till you see the Wawaloi Beach
Park-a quiet, secluded beach featuring several sand-filled
tide pools conveniently protected from the high
surf.
Read
More |
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