This was a nice clean beach to settle into for the day. The water was clear and had a lot of see…read morelife to see snorkeling. I hung out for a long time following a squid watching it change to its surroundings.

As some travel experts have pointed out, Makalawena Beach is arguably the best beach on the Big…read moreIsland that cannot be reached by road. That's right, there are two ways to reach this beautiful white sand beach and gem by hiking, and the path I took was via the Kekaha Kai State Park's main parking lot, and first that is a rough 20-minute drive with 4x4 vehicles like Jeeps from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway to that trailhead. Then it's about another 30-minute hike in each direction and you go on lots of loose lava rocks and it can get hot, so make sure you have sunscreen, a good bucket hat, and plenty of water. I don't know about the second way in, so I could not speak to that method. But in any case, it is so worth the time and effort when it was all said and done. There were a few crowds when getting to Makalawena Beach but not super busy at all. You'll find other tide pools, palm trees, and other native plants. Waves are rather rough at times, but it is still swimmable for the most part.

This little gem of a beach is located on NELHA property, which is right next to the airport. When…read morethe tide is high enough you'll see people hanging out in the tide pools. Its not a large beach but you'll find a lot of locals coming here to gather and bbq, or hang out to watch the gorgeous sunsets. Wawaloli is right next to the Kona airport so you'll see quite a few airplanes taking off and landing right over your head. Its pretty cool to watch but if you don't want to be bothered by the noise then this might not be the best beach park for you. There is plenty of free parking and public restrooms as well.

As visitors, we usually spend our final hours on island here. Its a lovely rustic beach area; a…read moresmall restroom with shower. There is a small salt-water pool here with some sand. The black lava shore is fun to explore peeking in tidepools. Not much shade here, if you're lucky you'll get to park under one of the few trees. Our last visit here the surf was up and punching some spectacular waves skyward. Ample parking, has never been very busy when we've been here. Aloha, Hawaii!

Don't let the drive in stop you unless you have a super low riding car. The road in is both paved…read morein spots and incredibly rough in others. Take your time and it will be worth it. We didn't stay at the beach at the parking lot, choosing to park and hike into the trees and the gorgeous beach at the end of the trail. We arrived early morning and were one of only 2-3 cars already here. By the time we left at 1:00 the parking lot was much fuller. Take snorkel gear, water, and anything that will allow you to stay and relax both the water and on the beach. There are some trees for shade but don't expect them to be unoccupied. Plan ahead. We spent lots of time snorkeling with turtles, which we left a,one as much as possible. One of them seemed interested in us and we had to repeatedly trying to to avoid him for his own safety. Our swim was really enjoyable and families can bring young children as this bay area seems safely out of strong water tides and pull. There are rough rocks in areas so watch where you enter, swim and exit.

Hard to get to (off-roading vibe) but secluded beaches It…read morehas multiple decent (non-flushing) toilets

Incredible blue, clear water that looks like pool water. Waves were fun but not scary. Great white…read moresand space for laying out too. Best swimming beach we found in Kona! If you don't have a local ID, it does cost $20 to enter with your car. (If you park at the top it's a 1.5 mile walk down to the beach so I don't recommend that). But the beach is well worth it!

Pretty, has a life guard, shower, flushing toilets But small…read morebeach area, too many people... Taking 1 star off for being a busy beach..

Great beach to boogie board or snorkel with fine white sand. When I was here there were a few sea…read moreturtles swimming around, which was very cool to see. YOU NOW HAVE TO PAY TO ENTER!!! Many reviews I see from late 2025 say it's free, but you now have to pay through credit card or Apple Cash. It's ~20 dollars for 2 people.

Most recent update after hurricane: This beach was one of our favorites on the big island. However,…read morewe went to enter today and there is a fee (which is new from 2023). And we immediately turned around bc the gate keeper explained that the recent hurricane washed away all the sand so it's only rocky shoreline. (Not good for our toddler). Sorry we didn't drive in to see for ourselves. Just FYI if you're making a trip there

We stumbled upon this spot around 9AM and there were plenty of spots left! You have to check in…read morewith the security and they give you a parking pass. There are nice restrooms and showers to use all for free! Such a good spot to wade in the water or snorkel around. We even got to see a sea turtle in the bay!

Awesome place. Small quiet area Parking is limited. If you can't swim good beach to go toread more

We drove in through the resort gates. There are signs pointing to the public shoreline parking…read more Parking lot is nice with lots of trees for shade. Free parking. There are restrooms/ shower at parking lot area. Then you walk only 8-12 minutes to the shoreline where there is another shower/ rinse station. Easy paved trail, able to get our beachgear down and baby stroller. It's a beautiful beach with lava rock with tons of fish for snorkeling. Water shoes not so much needed but good to have

Best local beach ever. Great for small kids and snorkeling. I would bring water shoes. It has…read moreshaded area close to the water.

This is a beautiful, smaller beach, great for little kids. It's more like a bay since there's a big…read morereef protecting it from waves. For the adventurous you can snorkel out beyond the reef. The parking lot does get full quickly, so getting there early as ideal.

Kikaua Beach is a great location to relax at when visiting the Big Island of Hawai'i. However, you…read moreneed to obtain a parking pass to access the lot, and parking passes are very limited. Best to come first thing in the morning if you can. As for the beach, there are restroom facilities and showers, and there is a protected cove so it is great for families and their young kids. It is not super big, but the sand is clean and well-kept by the grounds crew.

A hidden gem rich in Hawaiian history, wildlife, and outstanding staff!…read more ​If you want to experience authentic Hawaiian history away from the crowded resort beaches, Kaloko-Honokōhau is a must-visit in Kona. ​Walking along the coastal trails gives you an incredible look at ancient Hawaiian engineering. The Kaloko Fishpond (loko iʻa) and massive stone seawalls built without mortar are mind-blowing to see up close. Along the paths, you can also spot ancient petroglyphs carved into the lava rock and historic heiau (temple) sites. ​Highlights of our visit: ​Honu (Green Sea Turtles): We saw multiple sea turtles resting on the shoreline at ʻAiʻōpio Beach near the harbor. Remember to give them plenty of space! (20ft to be exact) ​Cultural History: The park does a fantastic job preserving the spirit of how native Hawaiians lived and farmed aquaculture centuries ago. ​Exceptional Staff (Special shoutout to Ranger K. Cartee!) Park Ranger K. Cartee made our visit extra special. She was so polite, knowledgeable about the land and wildlife, and had absolute wonderful energy while answering all of our questions. When I asked about the walk to the beach, she explained it was about a mile each way from the main lot, but took the extra time to give us a game-changing tip: driving down to the boat yard road leads to a short, easy 10-minute walk instead. That suggestion was a lifesaver for my 70-year-old mother and allowed our whole family to enjoy the trip comfortably! Mahalo K. Cartee for truly carrying an awesome Aloha Spirit! :)

This is a NPS managed site that protects the ancient fish traps and fish catch ponds. centuries old…read more, all by hand to catch fish that come in on the tides to feed. One Way traps. A marvel to imagine

Large rock to snorkel around. Only experienced should jump…read moreoff it. Variety of fish and occasional octupus. Better at high tide for room to swim over surrounding rocks.