45 Beaches In Kona (Plus One World Class Beach)

Mainlander Version: “Hey, it is Hawaii. Google the top-ranked beaches near Kona and let’s go there.”

Hawaiian Version: Each beach is unique and special in its’ own way.  Sand color can run from white to black to red to green. Each color has a history of lava  and eruptions. Waves can be large or sheltered and forgiving. Some beaches offer spectacular sunsets. Some beaches have turtles. Each beach has a history and a story to tell, and share.

I know, I know… Our site is about Kona and this page is about beaches in Kona. But, before we share the 45 beaches you can find along the Kona coast, we need to talk about one beach just north of Kona by about 50 minutes.

Hapuna Beach: Year in, year out (going way back, it was the 1993 National Winner) the website DrBeach.org names Hāpuna Beach as one of the top 10 beaches in America, including for 2017. It is a scenic drive, north from Kona along the coastline. Dr. Beach writes, “Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is one of the best beaches in America. Driving along the coastal highway from the airport, you wouldn’t think there are any beaches at the water’s edge of this bleak landscape dominated by black lava flows, much less any world-class beach resorts. The beautiful coral sand beach at Hapuna seems incredibly white, partly because of the sharp contrast with the black lava that flanks and bounds this half-mile pocket beach. During the summer months, the beach swells to over 200 feet wide, and the fine coral sand makes for a flat beach that gradually slopes into the offshore waters. Hapuna Beach is a perfect place to swim, snorkel or scuba dive in the crystal clear waters or enjoys land-based activities on the flat, hard-packed beach. During big wave days in the winter, the pounding shore break and powerful rip currents make swimming impossible. People ride the rapidly moving, whitewater swash of the broken waves up the beach face on boogie boards; the key is to stay in very shallow water so that you are not swept back into the ocean.”

(Just so you know, Kona locals asked me to insert the Hapuna Beach information at the top of this page. They like to share their aloha spirit and their beaches and want you to enjoy this pride of The Big Island beach as well.)

Beaches North of Kona, In Kona and South of Kona

OK, OK… so this is a long list of beaches in and near Kona. You can only see a few of these beaches from the road, so this list can be handy.

 

Finding A White Sandy Beach Is Like Finding An Avocado Tree With A Fresh Avacado: Before you decide to stake your flag into the sand at every beach and forever claim it as your ‘favorite beach in Hawai’i’ please note that not every beach has adequate sand. Finding a nice beach with nice sand can involve a bit of luck – or using this page.

The Big Island is the newest (just 700,000 years old) and hasn’t had adequate time to make all the nice sand you envision when you think of Hawaii.  The other reason there isn’t sand at all the ‘beaches’ is that the lava flows often drop off into the ocean, without leaving a gentle slope for sand accumulation.

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Having said that, here are two beaches that have nice, usable sand, reasonable parking and meet most of your expectations:

To the north of the airport – Kua Bay Coastal Trail from Kakapa Bay to Kekaha Kai State Park – Mahai`ula Section (aka “Kona Coast State Park, Kua Park”). Park alongside the road, get there early. There are showers, restrooms, a sandy beach, but little shade so bring an umbrella. Depending on the angle of the ocean swell it can be snorkel calm or challenging.

Just south of downtown Kona – Magic Sands / La`aloa Beach Park(also known as “Disappearing Sands, White Sands, and Magic Sands Beach Park”). Magic Sands has parking (some) but get there early. Restrooms, lifeguards and a few palm trees for shade. Like most of the Kona beaches, when there are waves, they break hard and fast, even the little 1-2 foot waves. Expect a good workout in these conditions (ie, you will be knocked to your rear end a few times – yes, it is fun.)

Beaches North of Airport

1. Kona Village Resort – Requires hike to reach gray sand beach (Kahuwai Beach) and trails along the shoreline. Diving, hiking, swimming. Limited parking passes available via entrance gate to Hualalai Resort. Parking, restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open sunrise to sunset.

2. Coastal Trail from Kona Village Resort to Kikaua Point Park – Unpaved trail along sandy beaches and rocky shoreline. Hiking, fishing, swimming, diving. Parking and restrooms at four locations (see Kona Village Resort, Four Seasons, Shoreline Access between Four Seasons and Kuki`o, and Kikaua Point Park). Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

3. Four Seasons at Hualalai Resort – White sand beach and rocky shoreline. Diving, hiking, swimming, fishing. Limited parking passes available via entrance gate to Hualalai Resort. Parking, restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open sunrise to sunset.

4. Shoreline Access at Four Seasons Hualalai Resort and Kuki`o Resort – White sand beach and trails along the shoreline. Diving, swimming, fishing, hiking. Parking passes available via entrance gate to Hualalai Resort. Parking, restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open sunrise to sunset.

5. Kikaua Point Park in Kuki`o Resort – White sand beach and trails along the shoreline. Diving, swimming, picnicking, fishing, hiking. Limited parking passes available via Kuki`o Resort entrance. Restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents and waves. Open 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

6. Kua Bay Coastal Trail from Kakapa Bay to Kekaha Kai State Park – Mahai`ula Section (also known as “Kona Coast State Park”) (State) – Unpaved trail along sandy beaches and rocky shoreline. Hiking, fishing, swimming, diving, nature study. Parking and restrooms at Manini`owali and Mahai`ula Sections. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

7. Kekaha Kai State Park – Manini`owali Section (also known as “Kona Coast State Park”) (State) – White sand beach and coastal trails. Diving, swimming, fishing, hiking, surfing. Parking, restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i, Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks website or call (808) 974-6200.

8. Kekaha Kai State Park – Mahai`ula Section (also known as “Kona Coast State Park”) (State) – White sand beaches and extensive hiking trails along the shoreline. Diving, swimming, fishing, hiking, surfing, nature study. The road to shoreline requires four-wheel drive vehicle. Parking, portable toilets. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks website or call (808) 974-6200.

Beaches North of Downtown Kona

1. Keahole Point – Rocky shoreline, cliffs. Hiking along the shoreline, fishing. Unpaved parking. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Use the entrance road to the Natural Energy Lab Hawai`i (NELHA) and Hawai`i Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park which opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.

2. Wawaloli Beach – White sand, tidal pools, cliffs, and rocky shoreline. Hiking along the shoreline, fishing, limited swimming, picnicking. Parking, restrooms, showers. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Use the entrance road to the Natural Energy Lab Hawai`i (NELHA) and Hawai`i Ocean Science and Technology (HOST) Park which opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m.

3. “Shores at Kohanaiki” – White sand and rocky shoreline. Hiking, surfing, fishing, swimming. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. The area is under construction, and access can be limited for safety reasons. Night access may also be controlled. This is a temporary access arrangement that will change once the public coastal park is opened and managed by a public agency.

Pine Trees Surfing Beach – (Technically, not a recognized beach by the state, but most locals know this area by the name ‘Pine Trees” versus any other name.) Between Points 3 and 6 in the above map, there is a beach for surfing called ‘Pine Trees.’ You can park almost on the sand and watch the break from the comfort of your car. As with most surf beaches in Kona, there is irregular lava rocks under the break, along with sea urchins and rip currents.

4. Kaloko Fishpond in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (Federal) – White sand, fishpond, rocky shoreline. Culturally sensitive area. Hiking trails along the shoreline, fishing, swimming, picnicking, nature study. Parking, restrooms. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. The road to Kaloko Fishpond open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

5. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park Visitor Welcoming House (“Hale Ho`okipa”) and Trail(Federal) – Educational Center, white sand beach, rocky shoreline. Culturally sensitive area. Hiking, fishing, swimming, nature study. Restrooms. Parking at Hale Ho`okipa. Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hazardous footing, currents and waves. From Hale Ho`okipa it is about a 20-minute walk to the shoreline.  

6. Coastal Trail in Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park via Honokohau Marina and Small Boat Harbor – Unpaved trail along sandy and rocky shoreline, fishponds, white sand beach. Culturally sensitive area. Hiking, fishing, swimming, nature study. Limited parking at Honokohau entrance gate to the park. Restrooms in the park and along the trail route. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. 

7. Alula Cove via Honokohau Marina and Small Boat Harbor – Short hike from parking leads to gray sand beach. Hiking, fishing, swimming. Parking close to the shoreline. Restrooms at the harbor. Hazardous boat traffic, footing, currents, and waves. The parking area is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Beaches in Central Kona

1. Old Kona Airport Park (State and County) – Rocky shoreline, tidal pools with some white sand, low cliffs. Fishing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, sports. Parking, restrooms, showers, pavilions, playgrounds. Sports facilities are part of the park, such as a gym, swimming pool, tennis courts, soccer and baseball fields. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. State Park gate is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. More information is available at the County of Hawai`i Department of Parks and Recreation website or call the Kailua Park Complex at (808) 327-3553 and the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks website or call (808) 974-6200. The area is a Marine Life Conservation District. More information is available at the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatics Division website.

2. Coastal Trail in Front and South of Old Kona Airport – Rocky shoreline, tidal pools with some white sand, low cliffs. Fishing, swimming, hiking. Parking, restrooms, showers at the Old Kona Airport Park. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Public access is permitted on the two-foot-wide, low rock wall fronting the residences at Lanihau and Kona Bay Estates. The area is a Marine Life Conservation District. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatics Division website.

3. Three (3) Shoreline Accesses in Lanihau and Kona Bay Estates – Rocky shoreline, tidal pools with some white sand. Fishing, swimming, hiking. Most direct access to “Baby Pond” (a large tidal pool) is through Kona Bay Estates and ocean-side of a baseball field and football field. The area is a Marine Life Conservation District. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatics Division website.

4. Kamakahonu Beach – White sand beach next to Kailua Pier and King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Swimming. Restrooms (open 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.) and showers nearby at Kailua Pier. No on-site parking.

5. Kailua Bay and Pier (State) – Some white sand at the base of man-made walls. Fishing, swimming. Restrooms (open 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.), showers, boat ramp. No on-site parking. Hazardous footing, waves, currents, and boat traffic.

6. Kona Inn Shopping Village – Low oceanfront seawall and lawn. Picnicking. Restrooms. No on-site parking. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

7. Hale Halawai Civic Center (County) – Rocky shoreline and seawall. Fishing, picnicking, surfing. Pavilion, restrooms, public parking across the street. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. More information is available at the County of Hawai`i Department of Parks and Recreation website or call (808) 327-3565.

8. Waterfront Row – Access through shopping complex to the rocky shoreline and short concrete walkway to Hale Halawai Civic Center. Fishing. Parking across the street. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

9. Kona Reef Condominium – Rocky shoreline and hike to the white sand beach. Hiking, fishing, swimming, popular surf spot, called “Honl’s.” Limited parking along Kahakai Road adjacent to a condominium complex. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

10. Honl’s Beach at Wai`aha Bay (County) – White sand beach and rocky shoreline. Swimming, fishing, popular surf spot, called “Honl’s.”. Parking, restrooms, and showers across the street from Honl’s Beach. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open from sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Beaches South of Downtown Kona

1. Kona Makai Condominium – Rocky shoreline. Fishing. Walk along the north side of a condominium complex. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

2. Kona by the Sea Condominium – Rocky shoreline. Fishing, surfing. Parking in the condominium parking lot. No facilities. Old salt water pool is hazardous with poor water quality and circulation. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

3. Ali`i Pointe Subdivision – Rocky shoreline. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline. Foot access starts at the entrance to Ala Kala Condominium, south of Ali`i Pointe Subdivision. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

4. Hale Kai O Kona Condominium – Rocky shoreline and small, white sand pockets with tidal ponds. Fishing, hiking along shoreline, swimming. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

5. Hale Halawai O Holualoa Church – Rocky shoreline. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline, picnicking. Parking, picnic tables. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

6. Banyan’s – Coral rubble beach. Fishing, surfing. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. Portable toilet. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

7. Holualoa Bay – Rocky shoreline. Fishing, popular for surfing. Parking along Ali`i Drive open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. No Facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

Beaches (Even Further) South of Downtown Kona

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1. `Alohi Kai Subdivision Shoreline Access – Rocky shoreline. Culturally sensitive area. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

2. Pahoehoe Beach Park (County) – Coral rubble beach and rocky shoreline. Fishing, picnicking. Parking along Ali`i Drive, portable toilet, showers, ADA accessible paths, picnic tables, and benches. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

3. La`aloa Beach Park / Magic Sands (also known as “Disappearing Sands, White Sands, and Magic Sands Beach Park”) (County) – White sand beach and rocky shoreline. Swimming, surfing. Parking, restrooms, showers, drinking water, lifeguards. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Gate open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information call the County of Hawai`i Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311.

4. Kahalu`u Beach Lots Subdivision – Rocky shoreline and tidal ponds. Fishing. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

5. Kahalu`u Beach Park (County) – Gray sand and rocky shoreline. Swimming, surfing, picnicking, snorkeling. No kayaking allowed. Parking, ADA accessible restrooms and pavilion, showers, drinking water, picnic tables, lifeguards. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Beach open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Gate to parking lot open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information call the County of Hawai`i Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311.

6. Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort – Rocky shoreline with tidal pools and low cliffs. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline to the south. No on-site parking. Park at Kahalu`u Beach Park then walk through the resort grounds to the shoreline. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

Beaches (Yes, Even Further) South of Downtown Kona

1. Keauhou-Kona Surf and Racquet Club – Rocky shoreline and cliffs. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline to the north. Limited parking along Ali`i Drive and a short walk to shoreline through Club. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2. Kanaloa at Keauhou – Rocky shoreline and cliffs. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline to north and south (to He`eia Bay). Parking at end of Manukai Street. Obtain directions from entrance gate to condominium for foot access to shoreline trail. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

3. He`eia Bay – Boulder and pebble beach, rocky shoreline. Swimming, surfing, hiking along the shoreline to the north. Parking at end of Manukai Street and a short hike to the bay. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves.

4. Coastal Trail from He`eia Bay to Kanaloa at Keauhou – Rocky shoreline and cliffs. Fishing, hiking along the shoreline to the north. Parking at end of Manukai Street. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents, and waves. Can get to trail either through the He`eia Bay or Kanaloa at Keauhou accesses. The trail ends at the golf course north of Kanaloa.

5. Keauhou Bay Park – A private park with a small pebble beach. Fishing, kayaking, picnicking. Parking, restrooms, picnic tables. Hazardous boat traffic, footing, current, and waves. Open sunrise to sunset. Within the Keauhou Bay Fisheries Management Area. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aquatics Division website.

6. Keauhou State Boating Facility (State) – Boat ramp, pier, short nature trail. No swimming around ramp and pier. Fishing, kayaking. Limited parking, ADA accessible restrooms. Hazardous boat traffic, footing, currents, and waves. Within the Keauhou Bay Fisheries Management Area. More information is available at the State of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aquatics Division website or call the Boating and Ocean Recreation Division, District Manager’s office at (808) 329-4997.

7. Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa – Rocky shoreline with high cliffs on the south side. Ocean more accessible on the north side. Hiking, fishing. Parking. No facilities. Hazardous footing, currents and, waves. Look for shoreline public access signs which guide people through the hotel structure near the shoreline.

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