Kua Bay

This beach has easy parking with a short walk down to the shore. There is a drop off area, so you do not have to haul your gear from your parking spot. There are bathrooms and a shower station for your convenience, and there is good snorkeling at the far end of the beach!

Magic Sands

Magic’s (complete with our favorite beach grill) is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike. Off of Kailua’s Ali’i Drive, you’ll find ample parking and plenty of waves to get your boogie (board) on!

Makalewena

Mak’s is one of the most beautiful beaches on this side of the island. With any vehicle larger than a sedan, you will find the rough road easy to navigate. Upon reaching the parking area, you can walk the path to the right for 25 minutes and reach this crowdless oasis with superb snorkeling. If you wish to make your walk shorter, there are plenty of other beaches along the way – including one right next to the car park.

Manini Beach Park

Manini doesn’t have the white sands of the previous beaches but offers a beautiful park with tables perfect for a shady picnic. Kealakekua Bay (also home to the Captain Cook Monument) has some of the healthiest coral and marine ecosystem on Kona’s shore. The snorkeling here is unmatched. Please note that paddle boards and kayaks in this area require a special permit.

Beach 69

Off of mile marker 69, this beach offers easy parking, bathrooms, and a shower station. Protected in a bay, the waves here are tranquil and there is plenty of shade on the shore. It’s a perfect beach if you seek a break from that Hawaii sun!

Hapuna Beach

Hapuna is a popular destination. With plenty of room to lay out and parking nearby, this is a great spot for a family beach day.

Pinetrees

While not a white sand beach, Pinetrees is a local favorite with plenty of parking. Bring the surfboards and paddle out at pinetrees! Note that certain breaks have rocks and it would be best to familiarize yourself with the area and local rules before paddling out.

Green Sands Beach (Day Trip)

Green Sands, roughly a 1.5-hour drive from Kailua, is worth the visit. As one of four green sand beaches in the world, it is truly a special place. In order to reach the beach, there are several relatively rough off-roading paths that we wouldn’t recommend taking rental vehicles down, especially if you don’t know which paths to take. However, there is a ‘shuttle service’ of trucks from the main parking lot which charge $20 per person and generally stay at Green Sands for one hour before shuttling back (payment covers both riding there and riding back). Rarely is it crowded. If you wish not to pay for the shuttle, the hike takes over an hour. Be warned: the roads are dusty!

South Point (Detour from Green Sands)

Cliff jump at the southernmost point of the United States just five minutes away from the Green Sands parking lot. Where the one-lane road forks and a green sign points to Green Sands on the left, go right and you’ll reach South Point. There are two places to jump (the higher being ~45 feet depending on the tide) and a short swim to exit the water. Be sure to use caution, check your jump area for jellyfish, and double-check with nearby fishermen that their lines are far enough out and the water is safe.

Dog Beach

Just outside Honokohau Harbor, this dog-friendly rock beach is a prime spot for shore diving. With healthy coral and plenty of marine life, you’re sure to have a good dive here. Because of its proximity to the harbor, it is known to have a more exciting tiger shark presence than other sites, so use caution. Do not dive this location at night or low light unless you are a very experienced diver with sharks. But don’t let that scare you off! My niece and nephew dove this site during the day at 13 and 15 years of age.

Two Step

This dive site, named after the two steps you use to enter the water, is very popular and fun to dive! Picnic tables nearby are the perfect place to have a picnic between tanks. Many people enjoy snorkeling the shallower parts of this area as well.

Kiholo Bay

This black sand beach offers an easy entrance and exit for shore diving and has some of the most vibrant coral on the Kona shore. It is considered somewhat of a ‘secret’ spot to tourists, but not to you! Keep your eye on the current and have a great dive/snorkel and beach day all in one at Kiholo!

Big Island Divers: Our Preferred Dive Shop

Need to rent gear? Want to dive offshore? Big Island Divers takes its divers to the best spots around such as Tako Bell, Garden Eel Cove, Campfire, Crescent, Golden Arches, and more! Visit the team off of Kaiwi Street or give them a call to find out more about their operation. They also offer a variety of PADI diving certifications if you’re here for a spell and are looking to advance your diving repertoire.