Reeds Bay Beach Park

Reeds Bay Beach Park is a small Hilo bayfront park near Banyan Drive, with shallow water, shade trees, Ice Pond nearby and boat views across the bay.

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Reeds Bay Beach Park, Big Island

Located on Banyan Drive (the road along which most of the hotels in Hilo are located), Reeds Bay Beach Park offers a calm and shallow swimming area. However, most people prefer another area called Ice Pond, which is located at the head of Reeds Bay. This natural pond got its name from the cold spring water that bubbles up from the ocean bottom and mixes with the salt water.

The bay consists of white sand and coral rubble (the western edge of Reeds Bay is man-made). Between 1925 and 1930, coral material was dredged at Hilo Harbor and deposited here. Sailboats anchor in the waters offshore, and other smaller boats are launched from shore.

The beach park is named after William H. Reed, a prominent businessman on the Big Island who arrived here in the 1840s and died in 1880. Reeds Bay is also used for shoreline fishing.

Key Features

Small Hilo bayfront park near Banyan Drive and the Waiakea Peninsula
Shallow nearshore water gives the park a calmer bay setting than open coast
Ice Pond nearby has cool freshwater springs mixing with salt water
White sand and coral rubble are part of the shoreline around the bay
Old Hilo Harbor dredging helped shape the western edge of Reeds Bay
Sailboats and small boats are often part of the bayfront view
Shade trees and Hilo hotel-area roads sit close to the shoreline
The park is named for William H. Reed, a Big Island businessman from the 1800s
Bay conditions can change after rain, runoff or boat activity
Reeds Bay feels more like a small Hilo waterfront park than a wide sandy beach

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the water near Ice Pond feel cooler?

Freshwater springs bubble up near the head of Reeds Bay and mix with salt water, creating cooler patches in the shallows.

What should visitors know about the bay bottom?

The shoreline includes white sand, coral rubble and man-made fill from old Hilo Harbor dredging, so the bottom can feel uneven in places.

Is Reeds Bay Beach Park near Hilo hotels?

Yes. The park is on Banyan Drive, close to several Hilo hotels and the bayfront road around the Waiakea Peninsula.

Why are boats often seen at Reeds Bay?

The bay has a sheltered harbor feel, and boats often anchor offshore or launch from the shoreline when conditions allow.

Who was Reeds Bay named after?

The bay was named for William H. Reed, a Big Island businessman who arrived in Hawaii in the 1840s.