May 17th, 2008

Your Hawaii villa is near some of the world’s best beaches! Here’s a sample of the top beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii:

MacKenzie State Park - This park is located on the Puna Coastline which is extremely rugged and is subject to strong tradewinds and currents. Trees provide shade and the leaves have turned the hard ground into a soft, natural carpet. There is no ocean access because the park sits on small pali (cliff) about 20-40′ above the ocean.
Mahukona Beach Park - The bay is fairly deep and is a good stop to take a dip or snorkel on a long drive around the Big Island, but there are no lifeguards. Snorkel and swim on calm ocean days without heavy tradewinds or large waves. There is good whale watching from the park from about December to about mid-April.
Old Airport State Recreation Area - The shoreline of Old A is great for picnicking with many pavilions and heliotrope trees for shade. The beach is long, wide and made of sand & coral rubble. There are two bathrooms with showers located at both ends of the beach for your convenience. Surfing or body boarding is possible depending on the waves.
Pahoehoe Beach Park - This park features a nice lawn with lots of shade and a beautiful ocean view. There are many benches facing the ocean available, but no picnic tables are provided. The only beach is tiny and made of sand and coral rubble so bring a chair. The best time to visit this park is during the weekdays!
Pololu Valley Overlook & Beach - The scenic point overlooks the beautiful Pololu Valley and offers a breathtaking look along the North Kohala Coastline. It will take about 20 minutes to reach the valley floor from the top. The return trip up from the beach will take 30-40 minutes depending on how many photos and breaks you take.
Punalu’u Beach Park - Punalu’u Beach is Hawaii’s easiest to reach black sand beach! Lots of Green Sea Turtles and occasional Hawksbill Turtles frequent this black sand beach. The sea turtles are endangered species. Take only pictures and DO NOT TOUCH THEM!!! Don’t expect to have this black sand beach all to yourself!
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Park - The park was once one of the religious centers on Hawaii. There is a “backcountry tour” that covers a large section of the park to the southern boundary. There are heiaus, burial caves, a lava tube that you can enter plus the remains of an ancient coastal village. You can borrow the trail guide for the coastal day hike.
Spencer Beach Park - The park has ample parking. Many picnic tables are scattered along the perimeter of the beach. Some large kiawe trees bordering the white sand provide shade for the tables and beachgoers. A large stone pavilion located at the southern end. The beach is a good place for kids to swim and it’s lifeguarded!
No matter where on the Big Island you rent a Hawaii villa, when you’re ready for the beach experience of your life come to the Hawaii travel.