The Big Island of Hawaii has a wide range of beautiful beaches. If you are planning a family trip to Hawaii and doubting whether there will be kids-friendly beaches around, wither it away. From more than 125 beaches in Hawaii when you can snappily find the righteous beach location that suits your taste and your child’s safety needs.
Famous for its white sand beaches and warm turquoise water, Hawaii has some mesmerising beaches worldwide. Delve into this blog to uncover the best kid-friendly beaches on Big Island Hawaii.
Top 12 Kids-Friendly Beaches in Hawaii
Every beach in Hawaii is good to go. But while you are having your kids tagged with you and want them to have great fun, here are a few options. Scroll through them to find the best kid-friendly beaches where you can enjoy the whole family together.
#1 Spencer Beach Park
Spencer Beach Park is a nice white-sand beach protected by a reef south of Kawaihae Harbor. The sand slopes gently and is good for kids. Green sea turtles are often seen on the northwest side of the beach near the coral heads by the breakwater. This is also one of the island’s nicest camping beaches.
Spencer Beach Hours and Amenities
- Open Daily 6 AM-9 PM
- Fishing
- Overnight Camping (by permit)
- Lifeguard
- Restrooms
- Drinking Water
- Outdoor Showers
- Picnic Tables
Location
62-3461 Kawaihae Rd
Waimea, HI 96743
#2 Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaoa Beach) is a quarter-mile crescent of white sand surrounded by shady trees and the finely manicured Mauna Kea resort. There is usually good bodyboarding and swimming here unless the surf is too big, so you should not go in the water. You can also see Mauna Kea Volcano from the beach if the sky is clear. This beach is also known for its night light attracting plankton, which attracts manta rays.
Mauna Kea Beach Amenities
- Showers
- Restrooms
- Changing Rooms
- Limited Parking (non-residents have to pay $21 as parking fees)
Location
30 miles north of Kailua Kona, accessible from the Queen Kaahumanu Highway No. 19 after passing the Waikoloa Resort Area and Hapuna Beach marker.
#3 Hapuna Beach State Park
Hapuna Beach is a golden crescent between Mauna Lani Resort and Mauna Kea Beach Resort. The sand slopes gently into the water, clear if the surf isn’t too big. The south end of the beach is the most protected area. Kids love bodyboarding at this beach when the waves are moderate. This beach also won the Best Beach award from Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
Hapuna Beach Amenities
- Large Shaded Pavilions
- Showers
- Barbecue Grills
- Picnic Tables
- Restrooms
- Three Frogs Cafe
- Parking ($10 fee)
Location
Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI 96743, USA
#4 Kikaua Point Beach
Kikaua Point Beach is great for families and has a nice crescent of white sand surrounded by lava rocks and palm trees that provide plenty of shade. There is also a grass lawn for relaxing and a shallow inlet area with calm water where kids like to play. Kikaua Point Beach is next to the Kukio Golf Course.
Kikaua Point Beach Amenities
- Showers
- Restrooms
- Water
Location
Between the 87th and 88th mile marks, 12 miles north of Kailiua-Kona, is the entrance to Kikaua.
#5 Maniniowali Beach
Maniniowali Beach is a lovely crescent of white sand beach along Kua Bay. The water is very clear, and the sand slopes gently. This is one of Kona’s best swimming beaches when the surf is not large. When the waves are moderate, there is great bodyboarding, restrooms, and showers.
Maniniowali Beach Amenities
- Showers
- Parking
- Restrooms
- Lifeguard Tower
- Limited Picnic Table
Location
The West Hawaii Veteran’s Cemetery entrance is directly across from Kua Bay, about 12 miles north of Kailua-Kona along the Kohala Coast between the 88 and 89-mile markers on Highway 19.
#6 Makalawena Beach
Makalawena Beach is one of the most scenic Big Island beaches. Fondly known as “Maks,” it is also a good beach for surfing and bodyboarding. The ¾-mile-long curving stretch of white sand also has rocky points and coves amidst three crescent-shaped beaches. There are also sand dunes; keep an eye out for sea turtles! A freshwater pool just inland from the dunes is an excellent place for rinsing off.
Makalawena Beach Amenities
- Open Daily 8 AM-7 PM
- No Lifeguards
- No Amenities
Location
Located north of Kailua-Kona
#7 Wawaloli Beach
Wawaloli Beach on the westside is a long and sandy beach fronted by a large tide pool that is a nice swimming area for kids when big waves prevent swimming in the sea. This beach has restrooms, showers, barbecue pits, and picnic tables. There is also a nice view of Hualalai Volcano and the Kona Coast.
Wawaloli Beach Amenities
- Large pool for kids
- Washroom
- Shower
- Picnic Tables
Location
Beyond the runway of Kona Airport, only seven miles from Kailua-Kona’s central business district,
#8 Aiopio Beach
Aiopio Beach is protected by an offshore reef making it nice for kids who also like swimming in the tidal pools in the inlet. Sea turtles often feed on the limu (seaweed) here. This is a good snorkeling beach. Nearby is the brackish pool known as Queen’s Bath.
Aiopio Beach Amenities
- shady areas
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Parking Area
- No Lifeguard
Location
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA, north of Honokohau Harbor
#9 Kamakahonu Beach
Kamakahonu Beach is between Kailua Pier on Kailua Bay and King Kamehameha Hotel. Often called King Kam Beach, this white-sandy beach is suitable for kids and has plenty of shady areas. Outside of the cove, there is a great snorkeling area. This is also a historic area with the heiau (sacred place) nearby.
Kamakahonu Beach Amenitiies
- Hours 6 AM-11 PM
- Restrooms
- Picnic Area
- Outdoor Showers
Location
75-5660 Palani Rd
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740-3612
#10 Ho’okena Beach
Hookena Beach is good for young kids as tide pools provide a fun place to swim. This beach also has good snorkelling, plenty of shady areas, restrooms, and showers. Bodyboarders like this beach’s south end, usually well-visited on weekends. When the surf is extensive, however, this beach can be dangerous.
Ho’okena Beach Amenities
- Outdoor showers
- Parking
- County restroom facilities
- Picnic tables
- Camping
- No pets allowed
Location
86-4322 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704, United States
#11 Green Sand Beach (Mahana Beach)
Mahana Beach is located near South Point and is known for its green sand from olivine deposits from nearby Mauna Loa Volcano. The bottom of the beach is primarily sandy, but there is no reef protection, so the shore break and currents can be strong. This is not a good swimming beach for kids, but it is a great place to let them roam the shoreline searching for the treasured olivine jewels! Kids love surprises and exploring, and searching for a nugget can be fun!
Green Sand Beach Amenities
- Parking
- Picnic Tables
- Pavilion
- Showers
- Restrooms
- Brick Barbecue Grills
Location
South Point Road
Naalehu, HI 96772
#12 Waipio Beach
Waipio Beach is a beautiful black sand beach in Waipio Valley, though not safe for swimming due to rip currents. The thrill here is the trip down into the ancient valley on the extremely steep road (four-wheel-drive vehicle required) with 2,000-foot cliffs on either side. This is also a great Whale Watching beach from November to March when whales often pass by just beyond the valley.
Waipio Beach Amenities
- Kids-friendly Swimming Area
- No Amenities
Location
48-5561A Waipio Valley Rd
Honokaa, HI 96727
Wrapping Up
Look for the best beaches for kids near me where you can have fun with your kiddos and spend quality time with your partner. For close access to any of the best beaches for kids in Hawaii and accommodations at the lowest prices, visit Hawaiian Beach Rentals. We uncover the most wonderful places to stay and spend your vacation amazingly.