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• Makaiwa Bay

  Mauna Lani, Big Island

  Located at the Mauna Lani Resort (Lat:19.942208, Lon: -155.87265), Makaiwa Bay is a gem not to be missed.Kailua-Kona 45 min south Lifeguard: No Hours: 630am to 630pm daily From Queen Kaahumanu Highway turn makai (toward the ocean) into the Mauna Lani Resort, drive past the security office. Take second right from the traffic circle. Turn left onto Pauoa Road. First right into the parking lot.

• Manini'owali Beach at Kua Bay

  Kona, Big Island

  The northernmost beach in the Kekaha Kai State Park, this picturesque beach is just one out of three splendid beaches located within an easy drive from all Kailua-Kona. Officially named Manini'owali Beach, it is loosely referred to by islanders as Kua Bay. Of the three beaches in Kehaka Kai State Park, Manini'owali Beach is the easiest to access because of the recently improved road. Therefore it has become the most popular in the park.AT A GLANCE&

• Napo'opo'o Landing

  Captain Cook, Big Island

  A part of the larger Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Marine Conservation District, Napoopoo landing offers clear conditions and easy ocean entry.AT A GLANCEHighlights: a historic landing with water teeming with fishActivities: Sun bathing, swimming, snorkelingLifeguard: noneWarnings: Winter months bring higher surf and stronger rip currents, rough and dangerous

• Hapuna Beach

  Mauna Kea, Big Island

  This Kohala Coast beach is of the stuff that Hawaii dreams are made of. A favorite of the beach rating gurus, it is consistently highly rated year after year. Clear days will bring views of the summit of Haleakala on the neighboring island of Maui. Those visiting in the winter may be lucky enough to spot a frolicking humpback whale while dolphin pods are frequently spotted all year long.AT A GLANCEHighlights: Hapuna offers an abundance of sun surf

• Anaehoomalu Bay

  Waikoloa, Big Island

  Anaehoomalu Bay, Waikoloa Beach Resort Lat: 19.913623 Lon: -155.886791 Kailua-Kona 45 min south Lifeguard: No Hours: 6am-8pm daily Take the Queen Kaahumanu Highway and turn makai (toward the ocean) into the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Turn left in the direction of the Lava Lava Beach Club. The entrance to the bay is at the end of the road. On

• Kaunaoa Bay

  Mauna Kea, Big Island

  Kaunaoa Bay, Mauna Kea Beach Resort Lat: 20.005109Lon: -155.822686 Kailua-Kona 60 minutes south Lifeguard: Yes Hours: sunrise to sunset daily From Queen Kaahumanu Highway and turn makai (toward the ocean) into the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. When stopped at the guard shack say that you are going to the beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in Haw

• Mahana Green Sand Beach

  Naalehu, Big Island

  Remote and untamed this beach can be found past the end of South Point Road at the base of Pu'u o Mahana in the district of Ka'u. Accessible on foot or by 4WD only. The hot sunny trek is well worth a visit to experience the world's only green sand beach.AT A GLANCEHighlights: large quiet remote beach with olivine sand Activities: body surfing, swimming depending on ocean conditions. Sun bathing, picnics, walk

• Ohai'ula Beach at Spencer Beach Park

  Mauna Kea, Big Island

  This popular beach park offers more than just beach fun. Glimpses of dolphin pods and the summit of Haleakala on the neighboring island of Maui are glorious on clear days while the winter months delight beachgoers with peeks of humpback whales. Those who enjoy ancient archeological sites will find that this beach is the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon sun and surf after exploring neighboring Pu'u Kohola, Hawaii's largest luakini heiau or sacrificial war temple just a short walk awa

• Mahai'ula at Kekaha Kai State Park

  Kona, Big Island

  This attractive beach is the southernmost at Kekaha Kai State Park. However, it is not the easiest to access. The rutted and unpaved road is deemed off-limits by car rental agencies and beach going islanders prefer to forgo the bumpy ride for a paved road at nearby Manini'owali Beach at Kua Bay. However, for those who want to brave the trek though the lava fields will be rewarded with one of the most deserted beaches on the island.AT A GLANCE

• Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park

  Naalehu, Big Island

  This unique and remote beach is certainly a departure from the typical postcard beauties, but for those love remote beaches, this is one of the world's beauties. The beach has a a history of devastation, industry and shipping, but today it's a place where honu, or green sea turtles come to bask on the fine black lava sand.AT A GLANCEHighlights: large quiet remote beach with unique black sand an abundance of green sea turtles.&lt

• Ho'okena Beach Park

  Captain Cook, Big Island

  Rustic and rugged, this beach is an off the beaten path beauty. Once bustling landing for inter-island steamships the tiny town of Ho'okena became a bustling port where everything from passengers to mules came and went each week. The beautiful bay of Kauhako became a bustling port that was one of the more bustling ports along the Kona Coast which included a courthouse, jail and school.AT A GLANCEHighlights: a grey sand beach sur

• Puako Beach

  Puako, Big Island

  What was once a small fishing village, Puako has become much of a beachfront vacation home community. Puako Beach is much different from the many postcard perfect neighbors, but it's charm lies in the quietness and natural setting of this small community. The fishing beach and the shoreline is accessible from many points along the road to discover hidden tide pools, exposed rock shorelines and genuinely provides a feeling of old HawaiiAT A GLANCE:&

• Waialea Beach

  Waialea Bay, Big Island

  Officially a part of the Hapuna Beach State Recreational Area, Waialea Bay is the smaller sister of striking Hapuna beach separated by Kanekanaka Point, but she is nevertheless not less popular. Like less famous sisters, this beach has been suffering from an identity crisis over the years. It has been referred to by many names other than it's official name over the years. Names like Wailea (like the Maui resort) 69 like the mile marker at the intersection and others have been attached t

• Laaloa Beach Park

  Kona, Big Island

  This small but lively beach is one of the few stretches of sandy shoreline in the heart of Kailua-Kona. Officially named after the historic Hawaiian land division or ahupua'a Laaloa it is referred to informally by several names including White Sands, Magic Sands or Disappearing Sands. AT A GLANCEHighlights: Popular white sand beach in the heart of Kailua-Kona. Busy and lively that attracts locals and island visitors.&l

• Waiaha Beach Park

  Kona, Big Island

  Popularly known as Honl's, Waiaha Beach Park is a tiny sliver of white sand beach that is easy to overlook while driving along Ali'i Drive. However, many find this respite from the busier Kona coast beaches the perfect spot for a quiet relaxing beach experience.AT A GLANCEHighlights: Small, tiny and popular with body boarders and other expert ocean sports.Activities: body boarding ocean conditions. Sun bathin

• Kahalu'u Beach Park

  Keauhou, Big Island

  This small and grey sanded beach is the most popular in the Kailua-Kona-Keauhou coastal corridor. The abundance of clear calm waters and the extensive reef system filled with colorful fish make it the perfect spot for snorkeling for everyone.AT A GLANCEHighlights: The most popular beach along the Kona coast.. Some of the best snorkeling available along the Kona Coast.Activities: snorkeling swimming depending

• Holoholokai Beach

  Mauna Lani, Big Island

  What this small beach park lacks in a sandy shoreline, it makes up in gorgeous ocean and mountain vistas, shady picnic areas, public restrooms with handicapped parking and picnic tables. In addition, there is a public beach trail that allows access to the sandy shoreline beach areas fronting the Fairmont Orchid Resort. In addition, visitors to this beach are welcome to take the short self-guided tour though the Puako Petroglyph Park located at the north edge of the parking lot. Th

• Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Marine Conservation District

  Captain Cook, Big Island

  There is hardly a more beautiful or historically significant location in all the Hawaiian Islands than Kealakekua Bay. Established as a State Historical Park and Marine Conservation District in 1967, the bay is now protected into perpetuity.AT A GLANCEHighlights: historic sites, protected bay and reef fishActivities: kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, scubaLifeguard: noneW

• Ahalanui Beach Park

  Pahoa, Big Island

  Located in the Puna district on the eastern coast of the Big Island, this park is one of the more unique in the islands. The small remote beach is the only hot spring publicly accessible in the islands.AT A GLANCEHighlights: a rocky shoreline with powerful crashing waves separate the warm water pond by a simple concrete sea wall.Activities: swimming, picnicsLifeguard: Daily between the hou

• Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

  Kona, Big Island

  Located just minutes from the center of Kailua-Kona, this expansive park offers a wide range of activities along with a lot of sun under the auspices of the National Park Service.AT A GLANCEHighlights: white sand beach and archeological sites make his the perfect spot to explore, relax and refresh.Activities: swimming, sun bathing, picnics, hikingLifeguard: noneWarnings