Big Island Beaches

Punaluu beach is Hawaii's most famous black sand beach, the color derived from crushed lava rock. Relatively rough ocean conditions, colder water, and bus loads of tourists make this beach more of...

Punaluu Black Sand Beach pictures and information

Anaehoomalu bay, or A-bay, offers good swimming year round thanks to offshore reef protection. This is also a popular windsurfing location with a few other tourist activities offered by the hotel ...

Anaehoomalu Bay pictures and information

This small but picturesque man made beach fronts the Fairmont Orchid hotel.

Fairmont Orchid Beach pictures and information

One of Hawaii's premier beaches with clear water and beautiful golden sand. Good snorkeling when it's calm, and excellent boogie boarding when the waves pick up. Expect crowds, especially weekends.

Hapuna Beach pictures and information

A great place to stop for a swim or snorkel with very clear water. The seal seen in the photos has taken up residence in the bay (July, 2007).

Mahukona Beach Park pictures and information

Good snorkeling and diving and a pretty beach

Makaiwa Bay pictures and information

One of of the island's best beaches with good swimming, snorkeling, and sometimes boogie boarding. Few crowds as the adjacent hotel is under renovation (through 2008).

Mauna Kea Beach pictures and information

One of the more secluded beaches on the island with good swimming when the ocean is calm.

Mauumae Beach pictures and information

Beautiful scenary and a nice area to walk, but strong currents and a lots of rocks make it a poor location to swim.

Pololu Beach pictures and information

Popular with locals, the beach offers safe swimming but poor snorkeling due to cloudy water.

Spencer Beach Park pictures and information

Excellent snorkeling when the ocean is calm. Crowded on weekends but suprisingly quiet during weekdays.

Wailea Bay pictures and information

This beach front the four seasons resort. Limited swimming.

Four Seasons Beach pictures and information

An unimpressive beach but very good snorkeling and a nice surf break to the right of the bay.

Kahaluu Beach Park pictures and information

This beautiful beach is a 5 minute walk north of the the unimpressive Kekaha Kai State Park main beach. Usually uncrowded with good swimming. Access is via a terribly maintained but drivable dirt ...

Kekaha Kai Beach Park pictures and information

A beautiful man made beach fronting a protected bay. With limited parking the beach remains uncrowded.

Kikaua Beach pictures and information

A long beach with many turtles, but rocks and murky water make it less suited for swimming and snorkeling.

Kukio Beach pictures and information

One of a small handful of beaches in the state with fine white sand. Boogie boarding is often good here. Access is via a 15 minute hike on a lava path from Kekaha Kai Beach

Makalawena Beach pictures and information

One of the few beaches in Hawaii resembling a Caribbean beach with it's beautiful white sand. Lovely swimming when the ocean is calm. Some snorkeling around the rocks. Busy on weekends.

Maniniowali Beach pictures and information

A popular picnic site, the beach and ocean here are less interesting. Farther to the north is good snorkeling (in the panorama, the fisherman facing 2 small snorkel tour boats marks the location).

Old Kona Airport Beach Park pictures and information

Featuring a large tide pool perfect for children. (In these photos the tide pool has not been refreshed by the ocean is some time)

Wawaloli Beach pictures and information

Good boogie boarding when the ocean co-operates.

White Sands Beach Park pictures and information