Kiholo Bay at a Glance
If you were to squeeze the Big Island into a single beach, you'll end up with something like Kiholo Bay. This Kohala Coast beach has a little of everything: beautiful sights, fascinating wildlife, tide pools, ancient ponds and rock formations. There's even a mini-island made of lava rock right at the heart of the bay.
The bay itself consists of a mix of fresh and salt water, surrounded by dark lava rocks and dotted with little tide pools. The tide pools are great for swimming and snorkeling, as they have relatively calm waters compared to the rest of the bay. Part of the bay was once a Hawaiian fishpond built in 1820 by King Kamehameha I. Its boundaries were 2 miles (3.2 km) long and its rock walls were 6 feet (1.83 m) tall and 20 feet (6 m) wide. In 1859, a lava flow from the nearby Mauna Loa covered the shores in dark rock and destroyed most of the ancient fishpond.
One of the bay's main attractions is Luahinewai Pond, a deep and large freshwater pool located on the southern end of the bay. The pool is surrounded by coconut palms, lush vegetation and a black-sand beach. It is a popular swimming site. At the northern end of the bay is Wainanali'i Pond, a 5-acre brackish-water lagoon, which is an important feeding and sleeping site for green sea turtles. Sea turtles are protected by state and federal law and may not be harassed or harmed in any way.
Much of Kiholo Bay is surrounded by private homes, but the beach itself is accessible to the public. On your way to Kiholo Bay, stop at Mile Marker #82 on Highway 19, where you'll find the Kiholo Bay Scenic Overlook where you can see most of the bay and its sprawling coastline. If you plan on going to the lookout point, try to go early morning so you can enjoy the best views and get a parking slot.
Kiholo Bay in Bullet Points
- Known for Luahinewai Pond, a large freshwater natural swimming pool surrounded by lush vegetation
- Good swimming in the bay during calm days
- Location of an ancient fishpond built by King Kamehameha the Great, which was destroyed by lava flows in 1859
Kiholo Bay Facilities (top)
- No facilities
- No lifeguards
Kiholo Bay Water Activities
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Surfing
- Fishing
Kiholo Bay Driving Directions / Location
The bay is located on the Big Island's west shore, just south of Waikoloa Village. Take Highway 19 south. The bay is located at Mile Marker #81.
Address: Hwy. 19, Mile Marker 81, Kohala Coast, Hawaii 96743
Kiholo Bay Map (top)
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Kiholo Bay Weather (top)
Now
64°F
Windchill:
64°F
Sunny
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Location: Kamuela, HI, US
Wind: 22 mph SE
Humidity: 21%
Visibility: 0.07 mi
Pressure: 30.31 in falling
Sunrise: 6:33 am
Sunset: 6:31 pm
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Fri
Hi: 81°F
Low: 70°F
Sunny
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Sat
Hi: 81°F
Low: 70°F
Sunny
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Kiholo Bay Photos (click to enlarge)
(top)
Kiholo Bay Reviews and Comments
(top)
Safety Tip
Whatever beach in Hawaii you visit, please have in mind that the ocean can
be very dangerous. Never turn your back against the waves and watch out for underwater
currents and always check the surf conditions. Pay attention to signs posted on
the beach. If you are not sure about the conditions, ask the lifeguards (if any
on the beach). Please
click here to
read more about ocean safety in Hawaii.
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