Big Island Hawaii Beaches
June 11, 2013 by staff
Big Island Hawaii Beaches, Too young geologically to have many great beaches, the Big Island instead has a collection of unusual ones: brand-new black-sand beaches, green-sand beaches, salt-and-pepper beaches, and even a rare (for this island) white-sand beach.
The Kona Coast
Kahaluu Beach Park — This is the most popular beach on the Kona Coast; these reef-protected lagoons attract 1,000 people a day almost year-round. Kahaluu is the best all-around beach on Alii Drive, with coconut trees lining a narrow salt-and-pepper sand shore that gently slopes to turquoise pools. The schools of brilliantly colored tropical fish that weave in and out of the reef make this a great place to snorkel. In summer, it’s also an ideal spot for children and beginning snorkelers; the water is so shallow that you can just stand up if you feel uncomfortable. But in winter, there’s a rip current when high surf rolls in; look for the lifeguard warnings. Kahaluu isn’t the biggest beach on the island, but it’s one of the best equipped, with off-road parking, beach-gear rentals, a covered pavilion, restrooms, barbecue pits, and a food concession. It gets crowded, so come early to stake out a spot.
Kekaha Kai State Park (Kona Coast State Park) — This beach is about 2 miles north of the Kona Airport on Queen Kaahumanu Highway; turn left at a sign pointing improbably down a bumpy road. You won’t need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to make it down here — just drive slowly and watch out for potholes. At the end you’ll find 5 miles of shoreline with a half-dozen long, curving beaches and a big cove on Mahaiula Bay, as well as archaeological and historical sites. The series of well-protected coves is excellent for swimming, and there’s great snorkeling and diving offshore; the big winter waves attract surfers. Facilities include restrooms, picnic tables, and barbecue pits; you’ll have to bring your own drinking water. The beach is open daily from 8am to 8pm (the closing time is strictly enforced, and there’s no overnight camping).
White Sands Beach — Don’t blink as you cruise Alii Drive, or you’ll miss White Sands Beach. This small white-sand pocket beach about 4 1/2 miles south of Kailua-Kona is sometimes called Disappearing Beach because it does just that, especially at high tide or during storms. It vanished completely when Hurricane Iniki hit in 1991, but it’s now back in place (at least, it was the last time I looked). On calm days, the water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Locals use the elementary waves to teach their children how to surf and boogie-board. In winter, the waves swell to expert levels, attracting surfers and spectators. Facilities include restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and a small parking lot.
The Kohala Coast
Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay) — The Big Island makes up for its dearth of beaches with a few spectacular ones, like Anaehoomalu, or A-Bay, as the locals call it. This popular gold-sand beach, fringed by a grove of palms and backed by royal fish ponds still full of mullet, is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful. It fronts the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and is enjoyed by guests and locals alike (it’s busier in summer, but doesn’t ever get truly crowded). The beach slopes gently from shallow to deep water; swimming, snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and windsurfing are all excellent here. At the far edge of the bay, snorkelers and divers can watch endangered green sea turtles line up and wait their turn to have small fish clean them. Equipment rental and snorkeling, scuba, and windsurfing instruction are available at the north end of the beach. Facilities include restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and plenty of parking.
Hapuna Beach — Just off Queen Kaahumanu Highway, south of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, lies this crescent of gold sand — big, wide, and a half-mile long. In summer, when the beach is widest, the ocean calmest, and the crowds biggest, this is the island’s best beach for swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing. But beware of Hapuna in winter, when its thundering waves, strong rip currents, and lack of lifeguards can be dangerous. Facilities include A-frame cabins for camping, pavilions, restrooms, showers, and plenty of parking.
Kaunaoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) — Everyone calls this gold-sand beach Mauna Kea Beach (it’s at the foot of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel), but its real name is Hawaiian for “native dodder,” a lacy, yellow-orange vine that once thrived on the shore. A coconut grove sweeps around this golden crescent, where the water is calm and protected by two black-lava points. The sandy bottom slopes gently into the bay, which often fills with tropical fish, sea turtles, and manta rays, especially at night, when the hotel lights flood the shore. Swimming is excellent year-round, except in rare winter storms. Snorkelers prefer the rocky points, where fish thrive in the surge. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and ample parking, but there are no lifeguards.
Hilo
Leleiwi Beach Park — Hilo’s beaches may be few, but Leleiwi is one of Hawaii’s most beautiful. This unusual cove of palm-fringed black-lava tide pools fed by freshwater springs and rippled by gentle waves is a photographer’s delight — and the perfect place to take a plunge. In winter, big waves can splash these ponds, but the shallow pools are generally free of currents and ideal for families with children, especially in the protected inlets at the center of the park. Leleiwi often attracts endangered sea turtles, making this one of Hawaii’s most popular snorkeling spots. The beach is 4 miles out of town on Kalanianaole Avenue. Facilities include restrooms, showers, lifeguards, picnic pavilions, and paved walkways. There’s also a marine-life exhibit here.
South Point
Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach) — Hawaii’s famous green-sand beach is located at the base of Puu o Mahana, an old cinder cone spilling into the sea. The place has its problems: It’s difficult to reach; the open bay is often rough; there are no facilities, fresh water, or shade from the relentless sun; and howling winds scour the point. Nevertheless, each year the unusual green sands attract thousands of oglers, who follow a well-worn four-wheel-drive-only road for 2 1/2 miles to the top of a cliff, which you have to climb down to reach the beach. The sand is crushed olivine, a green semiprecious mineral found in eruptive rocks and meteorites. If the surf’s up, check out the beach from the cliff’s edge; if the water’s calm, it’s generally safe to swim.
To get to Green Sand Beach from the boat ramp at South Point, follow the four-wheel-drive trail; even if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you may want to walk because the trail is very, very bad in parts. Make sure you have appropriate closed-toed footwear: tennis shoes or hiking boots. The trail is relatively flat, but you’re usually walking into the wind as you head toward the beach. The beginning of the trail is lava. After the first 10 to 15 minutes of walking, the lava disappears and the trail begins to cross pastureland. After about 30 to 40 minutes more, you’ll see an eroded cinder cone by the water; continue to the edge, and there lie the green sands below.
The best way to reach the beach is to go over the edge from the cinder cone. (It looks like walking around the south side of the cone would be easier, but it’s not.) From the cinder cone, go over the overhang of the rock, and you’ll see a trail.
Going down to the beach is very difficult and treacherous, as you’ll be able to see from the top. You’ll have to make it over and around big lava boulders, dropping down 4 to 5 feet from boulder to boulder in certain spots. And don’t forget that you’ll have to climb back up. Look before you start; if you have any hesitation, don’t go down (you get a pretty good view from the top, anyway).
Warning: When you get to the beach, watch the waves for about 15 minutes and make sure they don’t break over the entire beach. If you walk on the beach, always keep one eye on the ocean and stick close to the rock wall. There can be strong rip currents here, and it’s imperative to avoid them. Allow a minimum of 2 to 3 hours for this entire excursion.
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