Big Island Beach Guide

Kiholo Bay

Kiholo Bay is a remote Kohala Coast lagoon with lava shoreline, old fishpond history, sea turtles, brackish water and a long coastal walk.

Plan Your Visit
Kiholo Bay
Kiholo Bay from the Air

Kiholo Bay, Big Island

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 a usually calm lagoon. The lagoon is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.">snorkeling, since the water in it is usually calm compared to the rest of the bay.

Much 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 (1.8 m) tall and 20 feet (6 m) wide. In 1859, a lava flow from the Mauna Loa volcano, located 30 miles (48 km) away from here, reached Kiholo Bay and destroyed the southern portion of the ancient fishpond and created the lagoon you see today.

At the northern end of the bay is Wainanali'i Pond, which is connected to the ocean via a man-made channel. It is an important feeding and sleeping site for green sea turtles. However, it is located on private property and therefore not accessible. Bordering Kiholo Bay to the south is Luahinewai Pond, a freshwater pool that's surrounded by coconut palms and lush vegetation. This area is also on private property and off-limits to visitors.

On your way to Kiholo Bay, stop at Mile Marker #82 on Highway 19 at the Kiholo Bay Scenic Overlook, from where you can see most of the bay and its sprawling coastline (see below for directions on how to access the bay).

Key Features

Remote lagoon within Kiholo State Park Reserve on the Kohala Coast
Main entry road turns from Highway 19 between mile markers 82 and 83
The lagoon area is about a 30-minute coastal walk from the parking area
Old fishpond history is part of the Kiholo shoreline
Lava shoreline, brackish water and black-sand pockets shape the coast
Sea turtles are often seen resting or swimming in the area
No restrooms or trash receptacles are available at the lagoon
Camping is by permit only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
Private property sits near parts of the shoreline route
Kiholo Bay feels remote because reaching the lagoon takes walking, water and daylight

Kiholo Bay Lookout

Featured selection

Big Island vacation rentals

Explore Big Island rentals

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is the walk to Kiholo Bay lagoon?

From the parking area, visitors should expect about a 30-minute walk north along the coast to reach the lagoon area.

Can visitors camp at Kiholo Bay?

Camping is allowed by permit only on weekends, Friday through Sunday nights. Visitors need a state camping reservation before staying overnight.

What should visitors know about turtles at Kiholo Bay?

Sea turtles are often seen in the area. Visitors should keep distance, never touch them and avoid blocking their path on the shore or in the water.

Why does the water look different in parts of Kiholo Bay?

Freshwater mixes with ocean water in the bay and ponds, creating brackish areas where the water can look layered, cloudy or cooler in spots.

What should visitors know about private property near Kiholo?

The coastal walk passes near private homes and land. Visitors should stay on the shoreline path, respect signs and avoid entering private areas.