The beaches of the Big Island of Hawaii are notable for their variety- there are just tons of different beaches you can go sit on! It’s crazy. All different kinds of sand & levels of touristyness. Since we dive out of Kona we’ve put together a guide to our favorite beaches on the west side of the island. Some of these spots are close to resorts, some are local favorites, but either way you should have respect for the ocean & for the residents of our beautiful island home. In Kohala & north Kona you’ll find the big white-sand beaches you picture when you think of Hawaii. In Kona you’ll find a nice mix of snorkeling spots & small beaches. The coastline gets more rugged as you head south past Captain Cook on to black & even green sand beaches.

Kohala & North Kona

Mauna Kea beach in all its glory.

Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna’oa) – Big huge white sand beach in front of the Mauna Kea resort. This is the classic beach you picture when you think of Hawaii, and one of the best in the state. It’s perfect for swimming and bodyboarding on calm days, & there is interesting snorkeling on the far south end of the beach. Parking is limited, so try to arrive early, or take the mile-long shoreline trail from the north end of Hapuna beach.

Hapuna Beach – Hapuna is arguably the perfect beach with over half a mile of fine golden sand, crystal clear water, & easy access. On calm days it’s excellent for swimming or bodyboarding. Good snorkeling can be found south of the sandy area. This beach is usually pretty calm on weekdays, but on weekends & holidays it gets busy. 

Waialea Beach (Beach 69) – Another incredible white sand Kohala beach! Plenty of trees provide shade along the length of the beach. Popular with locals, not quite as busy as Hapuna or Mauna Kea beach. Secluded area at the northern part of the main beach is clothing optional.

Samuel M Spencer Beach Park – Good on days without wind, which is prevalent up north, as the trades blow strong between the peaks of Kohala and Mauna Kea. Tan sand beach with a few picnic tables, some shade, and swimming and snorkeling for keiki. When the wind picks up the sand goes flying and it can be less-than-awesome.

‘Anaeho’omalu Beach (A-Bay) – Near the Hilton Waikoloa and Lava Lava restaurant, stretches of white sand. We like the area south of Lava Lava, often you spot turtles napping on the beach.

Kiholo Bay – Large bay with several features. Black sand at the south end, nice for sunset. Queen’s Bath, a freshwater pond in a lava tube, is slightly north of the south parking area. At the north end of the bay is beautiful turquoise Wainanalii Pond.

You can’t beat the gorgeous fine white sand of Kua Bay on a sunny afternoon.

Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay) (shore dive spot) – A favorite of Kona locals and tourists alike. Fine white sand, clear turquoise water, good break for bodyboarding, easy parking & showers. Some days there are food trucks near the parking. Kua is closed some mornings (Wednesday?) and can be crowded on weekends. Sunsets are gorgeous here.

Mahai’ula Beach – The southernmost beach in Kekaha Kai Beach Park. White sand, relatively easy access and parking, and plenty of shade make this a great spot for a beach picnic or BBQ. The water is often rougher than Makalawena or Kua.

Kona Beaches

O oma Beach & Kohanaiki Beach Park (Pines) – Local favorite beach for surfing, family gatherings, cook-outs, and lifted trucks. 

Aiopio Fish Trap (north side of harbor) – Calm water ideal for keiki, lots of basking turtles. Beautiful hieau. Can follow trails from Aiopio up to the Kaloko Fishponds, makes for a nice walk.

Crescent Dog Beach (shore dive) – The best place to take your pup to play in the sand & water. Also popular for shore diving, especially in summer during tiger shark season. Proximity to the Honokohau Harbor boat channel means plenty of sharks, but plenty of boats overhead- please use a dive float and stay out of the boat channel.

Old Airport (shore dive) – Close to downtown Kona, mellow shore dives. Look out for vana (sea urchins) when getting in and out of the water. The south end of Old Airport has a small inlet where fresh ground water enters the sea- lots of turtles in this spot.

Kamakahonu Beach & Kailua Pier – Right in the thick of things, nonetheless a good shore dive, also fun at night. Watch out for boat traffic. Parking can be tricky, we recommend dropping gear and tanks off then parking while a friend waits. 

Honl’s Beach & Lyman’s Surf Spot (origins of surfing?) – Small beachy pockets as you head south on Ali’i Drive. Lyman’s surf spot is allegedly the spot where Hawaiians first began surfing, effectively the birthplace of the sport.

Magic Sands at sunset.

Magic Sands & MM4 (shore dive) – Beautiful little white sand beach that comes and goes, hence the name. When the ‘magic’ sand is gone the beach has a few more rocks than usual. Popular bodyboarding spot, great for sunset. Magic’s Grill on the north end of the beach is great!

Kahalu’u offers incredible snorkeling right along Ali’i Drive.

Kahalu’u Beach (snorkeling, surfing, shore dive) – This spot is like swimming in a big aquarium- shallow bottom, super clear water, and lots of tropical fish make it ideal for beginner snorkelers. Expect to see lots of keiki and inexperienced people in the shallows. You can shore dive this spot, but you’ll want to surface swim out past the breakwall before beginning your dive. The surf break is a very popular spot for beginners to learn, and there are several surf schools along Ali’i Drive that use this spot.

South Kona Beaches

Kealakekua Bay – Famous as the site where Captain Cook landed when he visited the Big Island. Awesome snorkeling with a very steep drop-off. Occasionally we dive this site on our long range scuba charters, and you can find a strange monument around 100’. The hike down to the bay is short but covers a lot of elevation, a real leg burner. You may rent kayaks and paddle across the bay- we recommend doing this early in the morning for a chance to see dolphins as they come into the bay for rest.

“Two Step” is one of the most popular snorkeling spots on the Big Island. Arrive early for good parking & a chance to see spinner dolphins in the bay.

Honaunau (Two Step, snorkeling, trail to Ho’okena) – Probably the most famous shore dive site on the Big Island. It’s called ‘Two Step’ for the two entry/exit points here, which are almost like lava rock steps into the ocean. Coupled with easy access, lots of coral, reef fish, turtles, and occasionally dolphins make this dive a treat for beginner divers. Come early in the morning to skip the crowd and get decent parking. 

Ho’okena Beach Park (shore dive) – Beautiful black sand beach south of Honaunau with permitted camping & a small local community. Excellent shore diving. The sand gets HOT- you might want to clip a pair of slippers to your BCD so you don’t have to sprint to the water with a tank on your back. Be courteous and respectful of those who live in Ho’okena- this isn’t the best place to visit with a large group.

Kona Paradise Black Pebble (shore dive, access to Twin Sisters if you crazy) – Another small black beach made of pebbles instead of sand. Kona Paradise or Black Pebble is a wonderful shore dive. The drive down the hill to the beach is extremely steep, so be smart about the vehicle you take and the amount of tanks you load in the back. If you are up for a long swim, you can head north from this beach up and around the point to a cavern known as Twin Sisters.

Looking south toward the South Point cliff jump.

South Point (cliff dive, wind) – Famous as the southernmost point in the USA, Ka Lae or South Point is a very windy spot revered for ulua fishing (giant trevally). Great cliff jump with a convenient ladder to get back up top- but be careful as the nearest hospital is hours away.

Green Sand – Yep, green sand! Broken-down olivine contributes the green color to this unique beach. Technically this and Punalu’u are on the east side of the Big Island, just around south point. Getting here requires a lifted 4×4 truck or decent hiking footwear. Best on days with calm sunny weather!

Punalu’u Black Sand – Beautiful black sand beach located just north of Naalehu, often littered with basking sea turtles. Easy parking, showers and bathrooms make this a nice place to spend an afternoon. Go when the wind is calm. Back in Naalehu the beach’s namesake Punalu’u Bakery makes some of the best malasadas and bread in the state! Their pastrami sandwich is unreal, too.

We get it! You’ve been stuck inside for months & itching for a vacation. With the success of Hawaii’s pre-travel testing program, you’re considering a trip to the aloha state for a much needed getaway. But you aren’t sure what to do once you arrive in Hawaii with COVID restrictions in place. We’ve put together a list of our favorite activities around the island, updated with any pertinent COVID info. There are still plenty of things to do on the Big Island & we know you’ll have an incredible time if traveling is the right decision for you.

The Big Island of Hawaii is arguably the most diverse of all the Hawaiian islands. We have giant snow-capped mountain peaks, rugged country, thick rainforest jungle, beautiful white-sand beaches & moon-scape lava fields. There are so many things to do on the Big Island we often recommend guests plan to stay for two weeks, or longer, if possible! Beyond excellent SCUBA diving & snorkeling you can find a plethora of outdoor activities, or you can enjoy a languid pace at the beach or in some of our favorite restaurants.

COVID stopped travel to the islands for most of 2020, but since October we’ve gradually re-opened & things are largely back to normal with some extra COVID precautions. Many restaurants have dine-in options again. Most tours have resumed with reduced capacity (we really like the smaller groups!) and beaches & hikes are open. Shopping, getting around, & sightseeing are largely unaffected. Kilauea Volcano resumed erupting in late December (As a season finale to 2020? We joke- the eruption is totally safe.) so it is possible to see lava again on the Big Island in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Private Helicopter Ride with Mauna Loa Helicopters

Some sights on the Big Island are best by air, especially waterfalls deep in the Hamakua Coast valleys.

The Big Island is, surprisingly, actually pretty big! While we love a sunny day drive around the island, nothing compares to experiencing Hawaii by helicopter. Some parts of our island are completely inaccessible by land, but offer stunning views from the air. You’ll feel like you’re entering Jurassic Park flying over the waterfalls of the Hamakua Coast. We highly recommend Mauna Loa helicopters& their private tours.

Nothing really compares to seeing the entire island in one day – and from above. Get it all: views of fringing reef, glowing lava, lush valleys, waterfalls, and black sand beaches. All of the Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours are private, meaning your group has the whole bird (!) to themselves. Go doorless for extra excitement. Try to book an early morning tour for the best weather conditions, and don’t forget to take Bonine if you’re prone to motion sickness.

Horseback Riding with Paniolo Adventures

Day hike into Pololu Valley

Looking down on the black sand beach of Pololuu Valley midway through the hike.

The northernmost of the 7 valleys, Pololu sits at the tip of the island just past Hawi. Plan to hike in early before the crowds, and enjoy a peaceful day at a gorgeous black sand beach nestled between steep valley walls. The hike down the z-trail isn’t strenuous, but you’ll want to save some water for the trek back up (especially if you do it in the afternoon sun). Avoid this trail in the rain – it can turn to slick mud quickly. If you kick off your shoes at the bottom, be warned – black sand can be quite hot! If you’re feeling extra adventurous, follow the jungle trail up the far wall of the valley and enjoy scenic views of the neighboring valley from the bench at the top. Parking can get tight during weekends and afternoons.

Crew tip: hit Kohala Coffee Mill for breakfast before your adventure, and Sushi Rock for lunch afterwards.

Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & See Lava

The lava lake is filling again & you can see lava in the park (it was not visible after the 2018 eruption). The park has many wonderful hikes & beautiful scenery beyond the Kilauea caldera. You can easily spend 2-3 days in the park.

Charter Our Sailing Catamaran

The Shaka Sail is our favorite place to watch whales & dolphins.

Enjoy a day of sailing, whale-watching, or fishing on one of our private charter boats out of Kawaihae Harbor. We like to make each charter special with catering & beverage options. Sailing charters on the Shaka Sailput you right in the middle of the action during humpback whale season. For the more adventurous, we offer spearfishing lessons on the Shaka Fish with legendary waterman Rob White of Blue Water Hunter.

Take a Surf Lesson

Surfing was arguably invented here on the Big Island of Hawaii, so why not take a lesson or two? Kahaluu Bay offers gentle beginner-friendly waves. Kahaluu Surf & Seaoffers one-on-one or group instruction, & has options for keiki so you can get them started young.

Day hike into Kealakekua Bay

Bring good hiking boots for the trek down, snorkeling gear, and plenty of water for the hike back up. Boots or water shoes for the rocky sea-urchin covered entry points are also advised. Kealakekua Bay is a very sacred place in the Hawaiian Islands, & the initial landing point of Captain James Cook. Both the snorkeling & the scenery are incredible here!

Farm Tours & Farmers Markets

Hawaii has a thriving agriculture industry & farm tours are one of the best things to do on the Big Island. We love the Hawaiian Vanilla Farm, especially their delicious lunch tour. You can also find a Ginger Farm, various Bee Farms, & tons of coffee farms south of Kona.

The Hilo Farmers Marketis epic for fans of locally-grown produce, handmade crafts, and fresh food. With over 200 vendors offering their wares, this is an impressive market. Toss a cooler in your car, and be sure to bring cash and a sturdy tote bag. The left/north side of the market is primarily produce and food, while the opposite side offers a variety of goods like pottery, jewelry, paintings, and clothing. Our favorite steals: strawberry papayas (6 for $2), fresh cut flowers, tamales with inca sauce ($3), and Green Papaya Salad from the Thai takeout window. Parking can get tight here in the late morning.

Zipline with Kohala Zipline

We love Kohala Zipline! The best zipline tour on the island, with a proper ‘full canopy’ zipline tour in the Kohala rainforest. The Zip & Dip double adventure tour offers a full day of zipline fun plus a swim at a private waterfall. Their top-notch guides are super friendly & helpful, even if you have a fear of heights!

Stargaze on the summit of Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is one of Hawaii’s most sacred spaces as the ancestral zenith of creation. We only recommend visiting the summit with a tour guide like Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. The scenery from this 13,000 foot high peak is otherworldly- you’ll drive through the clouds and have unbeatable views of the island & neighboring Maui. On a clear night the Milky Way is a brilliant celestial river overhead, & during winter months you may even see snow in Hawaii. It is difficult to explain the humbling, sublime experience of the summit. Once you reach the very top, consider that native Hawaiians would make the same journey on footfor prayer & other sacred ceremonies. On the way back down the mountain, the Mauna Kea visitor center offers guided viewing through amerture telescopes. (Not happening w/ COVID.)

The Milky Way from the summit.

Sitting just under 14,000’, Mauna Kea is one of the most magnificent sights in all of Hawaii. The geographic isolation of the Hawaiian islands means we have some of the lowest light pollution in the world, and for this reason Mauna Kea summit has become a stargazing mecca. Interactive star talks are offered at the Visitor Information Station (VIS) on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm to 10pm. After enjoying sunset at the summit, drive back down to VIS and learn about Hawaiian culture and astronomy, and peer through powerful telescopes into the night sky. The active lava flow glow from fissure 8 can currently be seen from the summit at this time (weather permitting).

If you plan to SCUBA dive during your time on island, be sure to plan your Mauna Kea visit accordingly – driving to elevation after SCUBA diving can seriously increase your risk of developing DCS. Check road conditions before driving to the summit. Believe it or not, it does snow in Hawaii, even in June! Four wheel drive vehicles with low gear are required for drives to the summit. Bundle up! It is not unusual for temperatures at the summit to be around 30ºF. Oxygen levels at 14,000’ are about 40% less than at sea level. Those with heart or respiratory problems and individuals under 13 years should not travel past the Visitors Station. Altitude sickness is not uncommon. Always allow a minimum of 30 minutes at VIS before proceeding to the summit to allow your body to acclimate. For more information about visiting the summit, please check out the VIS website.

Hilo’s Pepeekeo Scenic Drive & Hamakua Coast

While Saddle road can get you from Hilo to Kona in around an hour and twenty minutes, we recommend the scenic route to Big Island newcomers. This will send you through three large and impressive gulches, over old stone bridges, eucalyptus forests, and rolling oceanfront fields. Stop along the way at some of these scenic favorites:

Visit Green Sands Beach

Olivine-rich sand gives this beach its unique color.

At the southern tip of the Big Island, you’ll find Ka Lae – the southernmost point in the United States. High winds are common down here. There is an awesome cliff jump and if you are friendly you might catch a ride in some random uncle’s truck to Green Sands.

[randome uncle sounds like kidnapping to those not from Hawaii, tell people to bring cash for random uncle’s gas, explain the hike if you’re not down with hitching a ride, be aware of ocean conditions for cliff jump and don’t hurt yourself- hospital is a long drive]

Dive or Snorkel with Manta Rays

Call us biased… but Sport Diver, DiveIn, and PADI Travel agree that our Manta Ray Night Dive is one of the top dives in the world. The Kona coast is home to over 200 resident manta rays, ranging from 4 to 16 feet in wingspan. These filter feeders gather at several feeding locations after dark to enjoy a plankton feast, cruising over the heads of divers and barrel-rolling under snorkelers at the surface. This evening spectacle can be enjoyed by certified divers and snorkelers alike.

Honorable Mentions

Waipio Valley: Kohala mountain is the oldest volcano on the Big Island. After hundreds of thousands of years of rainfall, water eroded seven deep valleys into the island’s northeast-facing slope. The southernmost part of this impressive coastline, Waipio Valley, is also the easiest to access (don’t get too excited, that isn’t saying much). The road descending into the valley is one of the steepest in the world, we do not recommend driving down, even if you are equipped with 4WD. While it’s a hike to get to the beach at the bottom of the valley, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views & some great exercise. The water here can be very rough, don’t swim unless you are an experienced, strong swimmer. Maintain respect at all times for the locals in the valley, especially local residents & areas marked kapu (‘keep out’). The valley has strong cultural significance & many sacred burial sites. Don’t be a donkey!

Update, October 23rd, 2020: Testing Partners Expanded

The pre-travel testing program is well underway, & we are super excited to welcome visitors to Hawaii again!

Inter-island travel has been opened to travelers with a negative test. Local testing partners have been expanded, so you have many options for testing before island hopping. Partners include

• Clinical Laboratories of Hawaii
• CVS Health (Longs)
• Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Inc.
• Hawaii Pacific Health
• Kaiser Permanente (members only)
• Minit Medical
• Urgernt Care Hawaii
• Vault Health
• Walgreens

Update, October 12th, 2020: Awaiting Details

We’re waiting for more news from Mayor Harry Kim on the pre-travel testing program. Mayor Kim has expressed desire for a post-travel testing program to further protect Hawaii’s residents. We’ll keep this page updated as we learn more.

Update, September 2020: Hawaii Re-Opens October 15th!

We’re thrilled the State of Hawaii has announced a pre-travel COVID-19 testing program. Here’s what we know as of Tuesday, September 29th:

• The pre-travel testing program begins October 15th.
• The test must be administered within 72h from the “final leg of departure”.
• Testing must be completed prior to travel. Tests are not available upon arrival in Hawaii. This is a pre-travel testing program.
• Testing expenses will be the responsibility of the traveler & no testing will be available upon arrival at airports in Hawaii.
• If a traveler’s test results are not available at time of arrival, they must quarantine until results are received.
• CVS & Kaiser Permanente (members only) are approved testing partners.
• PCR tests qualify as acceptable COVID tests. Hawaii’s Lieutenant Governor Josh Green says guidelines may be expanded to include rapid tests by Oct 15th.
• United Airlines & Hawaiian Airlines have announced testing programs from select US-CA gateway locations. Details are TBA, ballpark pricing is $100-250 per test.

As we learn more, we’ll keep updating this page. You can also find more information at the Hawaii Tourism Authority or HTA’s safe travel overview page.

Update, August 2020: We’re Back On The Water

Aloha SCUBA divers & snorkelers,

Boat dives are BACK IN ACTION!

After months of waiting we’re getting closer & closer to normal! Boat dives have resumed with a limited schedule & discounted kama’aina pricing for the next several weeks. Two-tank morning divers & one-tank manta dives are only $125, manta snorkelers are $99.

Our dive shop is open daily from 8am to 3pm. We’re filling tanks, renting gear, & selling new gear, apparel, and more. Give us a call at 808-329-6068 if you’d like to pick something up curbside.

Warmest wishes from your BID crew.