A small, fun beach in Kona, named for the fact that the beach’s sand comes and goes seemingly overnight with big storms. If the waves are small this beach is well-suited for snorkeling. Go out a few hundred yards and to the right to see some nice corals and larger fish.
Hāpuna beach is one of our favorite white sand beaches on the Big Island. Snorkeling is good at Hāpuna beach if the water is calm. You can either go snorkel around the small cliff to the north of the beach or around the rocky point on the South of the beach.However, we recommend that you do not go alone as you will not be in sight of the lifeguards.
Kauna’oa Beach is also known as Mauna Kea Beach because it fronts the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. This beach is one of the prettiest white sand beaches in Hawaii.Mauna Kea beach is a family beach with good access to facilities and is great for sunbathing, but also for activities that do not require high surf such as snorkeling. However, during the winter months, waves are normally higher and a pounding shore-break and strong rip currents can make entering the ocean hazardous.
Punalu’u beach is the most famous black sand beach of Hawaii and is also known as just ‘Black Sand Beach’. Besides the obvious black sands, another reason for the popularity of this beach is that you can often see endangered Hawksbill turtles and green turtles basking in the sun on the beach! Punalu’u is an expansive and easily accessible black sand beach on the Big Island. It is a great place to go for swimming, snorkeling, a (short) coastal hike, camping (with permit), or a picnic.
Green sand beach is officially known as Papakōlea. The beach itself is carved in a 49,000 years old cinder cone belonging to the Mauna Loa volcano that contains the green crystals (olivines) that give the beach its name.Papakōlea beach is not easy to reach. First, you have to drive to the southernmost tip of the United States, then you need to hike 2.5 miles (one way) from the parking lot to the beach or rent a ride in the 4 wheel drive ($20 per person). You could drive to the beach if you have a 4 wheel drive and are comfortable driving on rough terrain.
This is the secluded and small white sand beach at Kua Bay. The water in the bay is crystal clear and the beach is more difficult to reach than other nearby white sand beaches. This makes Kua Bay according to us a strong competitor for the title of “best white sand beach” on the Big Island!
This beach has two small coves. The south cove has a narrow sandy beach with Ironwood trees and a small lava island in the center of the cove. Great swimming and snorkeling spot. A great beach for “getting away from it all” .Waialea beach is one of the more popular white sand beaches on the Big Island. Especially so during the summer months, because of the sun, shade and good snorkeling. Waialea beach is also called “69 beach” because of the number 69 utility pole close to the parking area of this beach.
Kailua Bay Resorts
Apt 5-105
75-5669 Kuakini Hwy,
Kailua-Kona, HI – 96740
