 Many
people who come to the Big Island of Hawaii for the first time
may go home feeling a little disappointed with the island if
they aren't lucky enough to discover at least one really good
beach. Hawaii is "supposed to be" all beaches, sand,
and water - isn't that the best thing about an island? The
Big Island, being so much newer than all the other islands
(Kilauea Volcano still adds hundreds of acres of new land a
year) doesn't have a lot of really good stretches of beach.
Beaches and their sand are made by hundreds of thousands of
years of ocean surf pounding against shells and rock as well
as by the help of a few select fish who eat then....coral.
Many coastal areas of the Big Island are only 100 to 1000 years
old - hence, no sand, only rock. The Big Island has many other
incredible attributes that more than make up for this lack
of beaches -We have a few really nice beaches too! Read on
to find the best ones ...
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Anaeho'omalu Beach
Part of this beach is directly behind the Royal Waikoloan Hotel - but
there is public access on the South end. The beach is white, long,
covered with palm trees and is very well maintained with good restrooms
and some nice history plaques about the historic fish ponds directly
behind it. There is very little surf, good swimming and good snorkeling.
Anaeho'omalu is pronounced Ah nye ho-oh mah loo - but if that's too
much for you you can say A-bay, lots of people do. It is about 20
miles north of Kona. Go towards the ocean on Waikoloa Beach drive
and take a left across from the Kings shops at the sign that says
beach.
Hapuna Beach
This beach is a "classic hawaiian beach". You will be amazed
and in awe when you step through the bushes and palms and see the almost
mile long stretch of clean white sand. The beach is great for body surfing,
surfing, boogie boarding, snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing and just hanging
out. There are covered pavillion areas, restrooms, grassy areas, and
palm trees. You can rent snorkels and boogie boards or buy ice cream
and shave ice (snow cones). A lot of people go here so don't go on a
weekend - and get there early if you can. Hapuna is pronounced just like
it looks - Hah poo nah and means "the spring that gives forth life".
Tis beach has been on quite a few "America's best beach lists" and
is located about 30 miles north of Kona on Highway 19 - you'll see the
signs.
Kauna'oa Beach
Want to go to a beach that has been voted "The best beach in the
world" twice by Conde-Nash Traveller? Here it is, baby! It's even
free but in order to keep the beach clean, pristine, and full of coral
and fish life (and not so crowded) the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel that owns
it limits access to 30 passes at a time. Try and get there by 9:00 to
get in right away - or you can wait till someone leaves. It is definitely
worth it. Kauna'oa is pronounced cow na-oh ah. This is located near the
Mauna Kea Beach hotel, about 31 miles north of Kona.
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Punalu'u Black Sand
Beach
This beach is unique
for two reasons: 1. the sand is completely black (black
volcanic rock ground up to make sand) and 2. It is a very
popular nesting ground for large sea turtles. The access
isn't incredible - it's a little rocky and the facilities
are a little far away and small (my friend was very upset
at the outside shower) but the snorkeling is decent, and
you are almost guaranteed to see a large sea turtle. One
warning - don't touch the turtles, it's illegal and causes
ulcers on their shells - but feel free to take pictures!
Punalu'u is pronounced poo nah loo-oo and the beach is
located in south of Kona in the Ka'u district near the
63 mile marker of Highway 11.
So, if you are on the Big
Island, don't be discouraged by the rocky coastline or
by the teeny-tiny patches of sand along Ali'i Drive in
Kona. Enjoy it for what it is: unique rugged beauty of
a still-growing land, and know the world-class beaches
are only a few miles away.
The information on this page
was accurate at the time it was published, but we suggest
you confirm all details before making travel plans.
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