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Big
Island's Best Beaches
Don't believe it if anyone tells you the
Big Island lacks beaches. It actually has 80 or more, and new ones appear -- and
disappear -- regularly. In 1989 a new black-sand beach, Kamoamoa, formed when
molten lava shattered as it hit cold ocean waters. Kamoamoa was the largest of
the black-sand beaches, more than ½ mile long and 25 yards wide, until it was
closed by new lava flows in 1992. Some beaches are just a little hard to get to
-- several are hidden behind elaborate hotels or down unmarked roads.
Note that many beaches have dangerous undertows
-- rip currents and pounding shore breaks may cause serious risk anywhere, at
any time. The surf tends to get rough in winter. To be safe, swim only when you
see other visitors swimming in the area. Local surfers are not an indication
that the area is safe. Few public beaches have lifeguards.
That said, the most beautiful and swimmable
white-sand beaches stretch along the
Kohala
coastline. And they are truly spectacular. Beaches below are listed in a
counterclockwise direction around the island, starting from the northern tip.
For overnight permits, necessary at all parks, contact the Department of Land
and Natural Resources for state parks and the Department of Parks and Recreation
for county parks.
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Hapuna Beach State Park
This beach, part of a 61-acre park, forms a ½-mile crescent of glistening sand
guarded by rocky points at either end. The surf can be hazardous in winter, but
in summer the gradual slope of the beach can stretch as wide as 200 ft into a
perfectly blue ocean -- ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and body surfing. State
cabins are available, and there is a convenient snack bar. Lifeguards are not
always on duty, so take care. Between Mauna Ke'a Beach and Mauna Lani resorts,
off Hwy. 19, This is another
wonderful sandy beach, 1/2 mile long and almost 200 feet wide during the
summer months. Swimming conditions here are usually excellent. This beach has frequently been voted as the best beach in the US. There
is easy access to the water, full facilities, crystal clear water and
beautiful scenery.
Snorkeling is great at the south end of the beach where the fish are
varied and there is a coral reef.
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Kukio Bay Beach
(more coming on this one)
- KEKAHA KAI (KONA COAST) STATE PARK
There are two sections to the Park each with its own access road:
Mahaiula Section: From Kailua-Kona, take Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hwy 19)
approximately 2.6 miles north of
Kona International Airport. Watch for sign to
park. Rough, unpaved road to beach.
A 1,642.5 acre park. The Mahaiula section has a sandy beach and dune
offering opportunities for swimming and snorkeling in the summer months. A
picnic area with tables and portable toilets are available.
A 4.5-mile hike
north through this wilderness park on the historic coastal trail, Ala Kahakai,
leads to Kua Bay (Maniniowali). Midway, a hike to the summit of Puu Kuili, a
342-foot high cinder cone, offers an excellent view of the coastline. Dry and
hot with no drinking water.
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Kua Bay Section
of Kekaha Kai State Park: Located north of the entry to the Mahaiula Section.
Watch for the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. Access to Kua Bay is directly
across from the Cemetery via a paved road. The Kua Bay (Maniniowali) section at the north end
of the park offers swimming and snorkeling in the summer and surfing in the
winter months. Kua Bay has restrooms, picnic area, sandy beach, cultural and
historic sites.
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KALOKO-HONOKOHAU
National Historical Park---Kaloko-Honokohau is located at the base of Hualalai Volcano, along the Kona
coast . It is 3 miles north of Kailua-Kona and 3 miles south of
Keahole-Kona
International Airport, along Queen Kaahumanu Highway (Hwy 19).
Established in 1978 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of
traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture, this 1160-acre park is of
incredible cultural and historical significance. It is the site of an ancient
Hawaiian settlement which encompasses portions of four different ahupuaa, or
traditional sea to mountain land divisions. Resources include fishponds, kahua
(house site platforms), kii pohaku (petroglyphs), holua (stone slide), and heiau
(religious site). Visitors can hike along the coast through the park and enjoy
other activities such as picnicking, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, bird
watching, and surfing. The Aimakapa and Kaloko Ponds are home to many water
birds, including the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian stilt, and migrants such as
shovelers, pintails, and scaup. Check with the park office for viewing tips and
access rules. Shorebirds, including ruddy turnstones, wandering tattlers, and
golden plovers, may be seen from the beach-walk trail.
- Keauhou Bay is
located in North Kona on the west coast of Hawai'i. The beach is good for
picnicking, volleyball and known for not being crowded. Many water activities
are available including snorkeling, scuba diving, glass-bottom boat cruises
and charters for deep sea fishing.
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Kealakekua Bay-Natural attractions at
Kealakekua Bay include Napoopoo Beach, which is small and rocky and can
have dangerous currents during stormy conditions. The beach lies in
Kealakekua Bay which has some excellent snorkeling sites during calm
conditions. Also within this four-acre park is Hikiau Heiau, a
traditional Hawaiian religious site. This park also lies very close to
the Captain Cook Monument, which commemorates the landing of British
ships on the Big Island in 1779.
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White Sands
Beach-Offically
known as La'aloa Beach-This sandy and rock strewn
beach is one of the few beaches that have lifeguards. When the shallow,
offshore sandbar is present, the swimming and boogie boarding is good
here.
During high surf, the sand disappears and makes the area too dangerous
to enter. Snorkeling and scuba diving are excellent due to the easy
ocean access, large fish, and underwater caves. It is 5 minutes
from our house and there is always a lifeguard here. Facilities include
showers, bathroom and volleyball net.
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Pine Trees Beach-This beach is located about
1 mile south of Wawaloi Beach Park. However, unlike the the protected
tidepools of Wawaloi, Pine Trees is the primo surfing site of the
island.
The area is often crowded as it is very popular with the locals. There
is no actual parking lot, but a 4-wheel drive road traverses the entire
beach area.
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Kiholo Bay-This beautiful bay is a mixture
of salt and fresh water with a rocky lava island in the middle. Most of
the bay is surrounded by private property but there is public access to
the water.
At Mile Marker #82 off Highway 19 is an Overlook with a terrific view of
the bay. To get closer, you have to hike from the highway down a long,
hot road to the ocean.
This bay was part of a Hawaiian fishpond built by King Kamehameha the
Great in 1820. It was 2 miles in circumference with rock walls 6 feet
tall and 20 feet wide.
In 1859, a lava flow from Mauna Loa destroyed most of the fishpond.
However, remnants of the pond can be seen such as walls and a sluece.
When the tide is out, terrific tidepools dot the bay. The entire area is
great for swimming and snorkeling when the surf is calm.
Several private homes surround the bay. Be sure to stay off private
property and stick to the coastline, island and water.
Walking south down the coast from the bay is the Bali House. This large,
unusual structure is home to the owner of Paul Mitchell hair products.
About 100-200 yards further south down the coast is a Queen's Bath (Keanalele
Waterhole). This is a lava tube that is filled with water from a spring.
The tube's roof has collapsed in two places allowing access to the water
which rises and falls with the tide.
Inland from the bay is another small private pond, Wainanali'i Pond,
where turtles often come to spend the night.
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A Bay-This salt and pepper sand
beach is located on the ocean side of the Outrigger Waikoloa Resort.
Besides being a beautiful resort area, the historical King's Trail runs
nearby and there are over 2-acres of petroglyphs, rock shelters, trails
and ancient sites scattered throughout the area.
This lovely beach is perfect for swimming, diving and snorkeling and is
fairly well protected from strong surf due to the offshore reef.
Inland from the beach is a large ancient Hawaiian fishpond. The pond was
used for raising mullet for the royalty and ali'i of the times. The pond
is ringed by beautiful palm trees and makes for a picturesque sunset
photo opportunity. There are also educational plaques along the trail
surrounding the pond area.
A shoreline trail leads between resort hotels and extends from the
Outrigger Waujikia all the way to the Hilton Waikoloa. This long and
beautiful trail winds among lava, sand, coral and tidepools.
Numerous resort facilities are available here including rentals,
restaurants and a canoe club.
- Kamakahonu
Beach-The
"King Kam" beach is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. This
beach is conveniently tucked away between the Kailua pier and the King
Kamehameha hotel right on Alii Drive. The surf is calm so this is a great beach
for children. The sand is white, the trees are shady, and the snorkeling is
good - especially outside on the cove. This is also a popular spot for SNUBA,
dive instruction, and swimming.
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