Sharing the same name as one of my favorite Hawaiian singing groups, Ho’okena Beach is at the northern end of Kauhako Bay.

The dark gray sand gives us good swimming, snorkeling and bodysurfing.

Great snorkeling beach! Some refer to it simply as “Snorkel Beach”.  Fed by a fresh water spring that disgorges millions of gallons per day, these waters are almost always calm, with colorful corals, rock formations, and many species of fish.  Swim with huge schools of colorful fish and green sea turtles in these protected waters; …

Also known as La’aloa Beach, White Sands, or Disappearing Sands Beach Park. Now you see it, now you don’t. Overnight, winter waves wash away this small white-sand beach on Ali’i Drive just south of Kailua-Kona. In summer you’ll know you’ve found it when you see the body boarders and surfers.

The “King Kam” beach is a popular spot for visitors and locals alike.  This beach is conveniently tucked away between the Kailua pier and the King Kamehameha hotel right on Ali’i Drive.  The surf is calm so this is a great beach for keiki’s.  The sand is white, the trees are shady, and the snorkeling …

Part of a new 1160-acre park, two beaches, rich in archeology and good for swimming are down the road from Honokohau Harbor. ‘Alula is a slip of white sand, a short walk over lava to the left of the harbor entrance. Honokohau Beach, a ¾-mile stretch with ruins of ancient fishponds, is north of the …

This striking beach stretches over 5 coves/inlets and covers quite an extensive area of shoreline.  It is fairly remote, with few crowds.  Prepare yourself for a 15-20 minute hike just to get there. The trailhead is in the Kona Coast State Park, off Route 19, the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. The beach itself lies between mile …

Here’s what a blogger says about Kua: “Most beautiful beach I’ve seen in Hawai’i. Like a Caribbean beach. The water is crystal clear and soooo blue!!. The most white sand I’ve seen in Hawai’i. I’m so glad that the state paved the road down to Kua Bay since our last trip to Hawai’i.”  I like …

Kikaua Point Beach is located approximately 10 miles north of Kailua-Kona, adjacent to the Kukio Golf Resort.  Kikaua Point Beach is on the of prettiest family beaches on the Big Island.  Lava rocks and large groves of shady trees surround the white sand bottomed cove.  The waters in this cove are protected and calm.  There …

This pretty, sandy beach is located next to the Kona Village Resort and is surrounded by groves of palm trees.  There are scattered lava rocks forming a natural barrier in the shallow water.  You can regularly see turtles basking on the beach here.  The sunsets are particularly pretty at this beach.

Kuki’o Beach is another pretty Kohala beach located just north of Kikaua Point, accessible at the Hualalai, Four Seasons Resort.  This scenic, long crescent of white sand is surrounded by shady palm, ironwood, and kiawe trees.  You will frequently see turtles swimming in the shallows or basking on the beach.

Known to some as ” A-Bay,” this expansive beach is a great swimming beach.

There is some swimming gear for rent at the north end of the beach. The area also has ancient fishponds and petroglyphs.

This beach is nicely secluded and nice place to relax and even though it is close to Hapuna beach, it very rarely crowded.  It is located along the paved road near the 69 pole marker that runs from Hapuna Beach to Puako town, located in Waialea Bay, which is a marine protected area.  You will …

Hapuna Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the Big Island, and regularly voted one of the prettiest beaches in the world.  It is also one of the largest beaches on the island.  The shore has a sandy bottom, with the sandy shelf extendng a considerable distance into the water. The shallow water …

Mauna Kea Beach is a beautiful, crescent-shaped beach surrounded by shady trees and beautifully manicured landscaping.   On a clear day, you can see Mauna Kea to the South.  The beach is long and there is plenty of room to spread out.  The ultra-fine white sand stretches far into the water making water entry easy.  The …

People like this beach because its beautiful white sand beach is well protected and good for swimming throughout the year. Great for keiki’s!  And yes, “turkels” have been known to frequent the area (out towards the deeper water to the northwest where the bottom is sandy.)  And the beach has a few facilities such as …

I’ve heard this beach described as a “suicide wish” for swimmers, one where it’s better to stop by and watch the surf than to swim. No reef protects the beach, meaning some serious waves can pound the beach, as is often the case.