Beaches · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
The best beaches in and near Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Hāpuna Beach, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Polihale, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Hāpuna Beach (About 50 km north of Kailua-Kona). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C/70°F or more) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 27°C (81°F)
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The beaches
About 50 km north of Kailua-Kona · Swimming and families
1.Hāpuna Beach
Wide white-sand beach with lifeguards and good swimming in calm conditions.
About 55 km north of Kailua-Kona · Calm water
2.Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea Beach)
A sheltered white-sand crescent with calm water, accessed via limited public parking.
About 8 km south of Kailua-Kona · Snorkelling
3.Kahaluʻu Beach Park
Shallow, reef-protected bay with turtles and colourful fish, ideal for beginner snorkellers.
About 50 km south-west of the national park · Turtles and photos
4.Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Black-sand beach where green sea turtles bask; swimming can be rough.
About 125 km south of Kailua-Kona · Adventure
5.Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Rare olive-green beach reached by a long, exposed walk near South Point.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| February | 24°C (75°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| March | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| April | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| July | 26°C (79°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| December | 25°C (77°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, beach and couples
Kohala Coast
North of the airport, the Kohala Coast is a string of resort areas, including Waikoloa, Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea, built on old lava flows around sheltered beaches such as Hāpuna and Kaunaʻoa. It is the sunniest, driest part of the island, with golf courses, ancient fishponds and petroglyph fields.
- Good
- Best beaches on the island; Reliable sunshine; Full-service resorts
- Watch out
- Expensive; Little local life outside the resorts; Long drive to Hilo and the volcano
- Nearby
- Hāpuna Beach, Puʻukoholā Heiau, Waikoloa petroglyphs, ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Hire a car from Kona or Hilo airport; driving from Kona to Hilo over the Saddle Road takes about 1.5 hours, and Kona to the national park about 2.5 hours via the south.
- Bus — The county's Hele-On bus runs a limited network between towns, useful for budget travellers but not for reaching most sights.
- Boat — Snorkel, dolphin, whale and manta tours leave from Honokōhau Harbor, Keauhou Bay and the Kohala Coast.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in September–June. The busiest of those is December, so book early.
Beach safety
The main risks are natural: strong currents and shorebreak, especially in winter; volcanic gases (vog) that can affect people with breathing conditions; altitude sickness on Maunakea; and flash floods in streams after rain. Follow park closures and lifeguard advice, and do not leave valuables in parked cars. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Big Island (Hawaiʻi) have beaches?
Yes: Hāpuna Beach, Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea Beach), Kahaluʻu Beach Park, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C (70°F) or more.
+What is the best beach near Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Hāpuna Beach: Wide white-sand beach with lifeguards and good swimming in calm conditions.