The Best Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii
Going to the beach is one of my favorite things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. The sand is white, black, or green depending on the beach you go to, which is something you really cannot say about most places in the world. Every trip I try to have at least a few dedicated beach days and honestly if it were up to me that is how I would spend every single day.
I stay at Kona Landing my 2Br 2 Ba condo on Alii Drive when I am on the island, and one of the things I love about it is that it comes fully stocked for beach days, chairs, coolers, beach blankets, beach toys, umbrellas and even snorkeling gear. I do not have to think about anything except packing a cooler, grabbing a poke bowl from one of the spots downtown, throwing a magazine and a podcast in my bag, and getting in the water. My son Ryder fell in love with the beach the last time I brought him because the water is so warm and the whole experience is just so easy. That is the Big Island for you.
Ready to dive into the best beaches the Big Island has to offer? From black sand to hidden coves, the island is a paradise for beach lovers. Whether you're chasing waves, snorkeling with vibrant fish, or simply soaking up the sun, this Big Island Hawaii beach guide will help you find your perfect stretch of sand. The beaches here are genuinely different from anywhere else. Here are my favorites.
Magic Sands Beach (Laʻaloa)
This one is right in my backyard. Magic Sands, also called White Sands Beach Park, is a short walk or drive from Kona Landing and is one of my most visited beaches on the whole island. The sand here famously disappears and reappears depending on wave conditions and season, which is wild and also gives the beach its name.
It is great for body surfing, swimming, and watching sunsets. After an afternoon here I usually wander up to Magics Beach Grill for happy hour, which is about as perfect as an afternoon in Kona gets.
Location and Directions
On Aliʻi Drive about 3 miles south of downtown Kona. Limited free parking available.
Named for how its sand disappears with seasonal swells, Magic Sands is a favorite for locals and visitors alike. It's perfect for sunbathing and boogie boarding. After the beach, grab a drink at one of the nearby Kona Hawaii bars or check out the Kona Hawaii happy hour spots.
Kahaluu Beach Park
If you want to snorkel right from the shore without renting a boat or booking a tour, Kahaluu Beach Park is the move. It is about 10 minutes south of Kona Landing and you will see sea turtles, tropical fish, and coral almost immediately after you get in. The reef is right there.
It is a little rocky at the entry point so water shoes are helpful. Bring reef safe sunscreen because the reef here is protected and it matters. I talk more about this spot in the underwater adventures guide.
Location and Directions
Just 10 minutes south of downtown Kona on Aliʻi Drive. Free parking lot available.
Minutes from downtown Kona, Kahaluʻu is a snorkeler’s dream. Calm, shallow waters are home to colorful coral, reef fish, and sea turtles. It's also one of our favorite spots for underwater adventures.
Maniniʻowali Beach (Kua Bay)
Kua Bay is one of those beaches that makes you feel like you found something secret even though everyone knows about it. It is about 20 minutes north of Kona, tucked between lava flows in Kekaha Kai State Park, and the water clarity here is something else. Brilliant, clear, that perfect shade of blue that does not look real in photos.
It is a white sand crescent with zero shade so bring an umbrella and get there early because the small parking lot fills up fast on weekends. Spinner dolphins show up in the mornings. The snorkeling along the edges is good. This is my north shore go-to when I want to feel like a local.
Location and Directions
Off Highway 19 near mile marker 88, follow signs for Kekaha Kai State Park.
Tucked in Kekaha Kai State Park, Maniniʻowali has powdery white sand and turquoise waters. It’s a bit remote, but the clear water and soft sand make it worth the trip. Bring a cooler and arrive early to snag parking.
Hapuna Beach
Hapuna is the Big Island's most famous beach and it earns that reputation completely. It is a state recreation area about 30 minutes north of Kona and has been named one of the best beaches in America more than once. Half a mile of wide white sand, great swimming conditions, facilities on site, and enough space that it never feels impossibly crowded even when it is popular.
I come here when I want a proper beach day with everything, good waves for boogie boarding, clear water for swimming, and enough room to actually spread out. Ryder loves it here because the waves are fun but not scary. Bring snacks, lunch and drinks in a cooler. You will be here all day.
Location and Directions
Drive 30 miles north of Kona on Highway 19. Turn off at mile marker 70 onto Hapuna Beach Road.
Located on the Kohala Coast, Hapuna is one of the largest white sand beaches on the island. It’s ideal for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing. Early mornings here are magical, with calm waters and fewer crowds.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
If you are driving around the south side of the island, which I recommend doing at least once, Punaluu Black Sand Beach is a must stop. The sand is genuinely jet black, formed by lava meeting the ocean, and the contrast against the blue water and the palm trees is one of the most visually striking things on the island.
Green sea turtles rest on the beach here regularly and you can get surprisingly close. Do not touch them, but watching them is one of those moments that feels completely surreal. The beach is not great for swimming but it is an incredible stop.
Location and Directions
About 67 miles south of Kona, take Highway 11 toward Volcano. The beach is near mile marker 55.
A must-see on the Big Island, Punaluʻu offers jet black sand formed from lava and is one of the best places to spot Big Island Hawaii turtles. Bring water shoes, as the lava rock can be rough.
Honlʻs Beach
This one is special to me because it's literally across the street from Kona Landing, my 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo on Aliʻi Drive. I've taken so many photos here over the years, it's basically my backyard beach. It's small, more of a pocket beach than a sprawling stretch of sand, but it has gorgeous white sand and lava rocks you can climb on for a great vantage point of the water. Surfers love this spot, and watching them from the rocks is one of my favorite ways to spend a quiet morning in Kona. If you're staying at Kona Landing, this is the easiest beach on the island to get to, just walk downstairs and cross the street. I love watching sunsets here.
Location and Directions
On Aliʻi Drive near the Royal Kona Resort, just south of downtown.
Small but mighty, Honlʻs Beach is famous for its surf breaks. It's also a great spot for a picnic with a view. Be sure to include it in your itinerary if you're driving around the Big Island in one day.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
The green sand beach is one of the most unusual things on the Big Island and getting there is part of the experience. Papakolea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world. The color comes from a mineral called olivine in the volcanic rock and it is genuinely green. Not greenish. Actually green. It sits near South Point at the southern tip of the island and getting there requires either a 2.5 mile walk each way across open lava terrain or paying for a ride in a local's truck. It is worth it. Wear good shoes, bring water and sunscreen, and do not expect to swim — the waves and currents here are strong. But the view of a green sand beach against the Pacific Ocean is something you will not find anywhere else.
Location and Directions
From Highway 11, turn toward the ocean onto South Point Road, between mile markers 69 and 70. This turn is about 7 miles before the small town of Naʻalehu. Follow South Point Road for several miles until it splits; stay left toward the Green Sand Beach trailhead (the right fork leads to South Point itself, which is worth a separate stop). Park in the dirt lot at the end of the road.
How to Have a Perfect Beach Day on the Big Island
Pack a cooler the night before. Grab a poke bowl from Da Poke Shack or Umeke’s Fish Market on your way and eat it at the beach. Bring a magazine and a podcast and actually get in the water because it is warm and there is no reason not to.
If you are staying at Kona Landing, all the gear you need is already there, chairs, coolers, blankets, toys, snorkel equipment. You just have to show up.
For what to wear and pack for a day out, the Hawaii packing list covers everything including reef safe sunscreen, waterproof bags, and beach coverups. And if you want to make a full day of it, the Kona happy hour guide has the best spots to wind down after a day in the sun.
Want to explore beyond the shore? Don’t miss our guides to hiking and tours for more ways to connect with the island's natural beauty.
And if you're just starting to plan, check out your guide to Kona Hawaii, for everything you need to know before you go.
Looking for the perfect place to stay? Book your stay at Kona Landing my modern 2-bedroom ocean view condo just steps from the beach, bars, and restaurants on iconic Aliʻi Drive.
