Hapuna Beach Park

Hapuna Beach State Park, Big Island

Hapuna Beach Park is one of the Big Island's best-known white-sand beaches. Conde Nast Traveller has repeatedly voted it one of the best beaches in the U.S. Golden white sand and clear deep-blue water make this beach a popular spot for weddings, photo shoots, videos and beach gatherings.

The white-sand beach is 0.5 miles (800 m) long and about 200 feet (60 m) wide and is surrounded by a landscaped park, coconut palms and many public facilities. Beaches like Hapuna are rare on the Big Island, where most beaches are made up of lava rock, pebbles, black sand and sea cliffs instead of soft white sand.

The ocean bottom drops off gently here. At the northern end of the beach is a shallow, sand-bottomed cove with calm water where novice snorkelers often start. At the southern end of the beach, there are some sea cliffs where some people jump into the ocean. The snorkeling conditions are usually best near the rocky ends when the water is calm and clear. But generally speaking, there are better places for snorkeling on the Big Island. Both ends of Hapuna Beach are marked by large rocks that serve as lookout points during sunset.

Always check the weather conditions before stepping into the water. While the area is generally calmer during the summer months, high surf is common during the winter months, which makes entering the ocean unsafe. Lifeguards are available, but conditions can still change quickly, so use the general rule of thumb: "If in doubt, don't go out."