Big Island Part I - Beaches

Hawai'i Island  (The Big Island)

Hopefully, this will you give you a little more insight about the island and help you plan the best way to spend your vacation.  My recommendation - don't try to plan every day to the max.  Take time to see the island and you'll find plenty to do.  There are two main airports on the island:   Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO).  It is usually much cheaper to fly in to Kona and there's more to do in Kona.  If I had to plan my vacation  - I would plan to spend most of my time on Kona side (or at a resort in Waikoloa which is half an hour from Kona airport).  Regardless of where you decide to spend your time - you NEED a rental car in Hawaii.  

Many people come to Hawaii Island and are disappointed by the beaches.  Most of the beaches aren't the white sandy beaches you are used to seeing in the movies and the water isn't always as calm as the water in Florida.  If the surf is up - BE VERY CAUTIOUS.   Just a little tip worth knowing, ALL BEACHES IN HAWAII ARE PUBLIC.   Therefore, you can go to any beach or any resort and let them know you are there for public beach access.  With that said, here is a list of some of my favorite beaches on the island:

• Hapuna - North of Kona on Hwy 19 (probably 45 minutes); well worth the drive;  white sandy beaches and great place to boogie board; life guards on duty but if the surf is up, be prepared to sit on the beach (but it's a really nice beach); can be crowded on weekends and holidays

• Anaeho-omalu Beach (otherwise known as A-Bay) - located at the Waikoloa resorts north of Kona off Hwy 19, this is a nice white sandy beach as well

• Beach 69 at Waialea Bay (known as 69s) - located at mile marker 69 off Hwy 19 north of Kona, another white sandy beach with decent surf and good reef for snorkeling; many shady spots 

• Makalawena - located north of Kona off Hwy 19 between mile markers 88 & 89 this is the most beautiful beach on the island in my opinion; pristine white sand and very secluded; from Hwy 19 - it's a good 45 minute hike to the beach

 

Beaches on the Hilo side of the island do not have white sand - but black sand and lava rock.  Here are a few that aren't too bad if you happen to be on that side of the island:

• Richardson Beach - the most popular beach on Hilo side with the locals; if you go on the weekend - expect there to be a crowd; good snorkeling and you often see turtles; life guards on duty 

• Carlsmith Beach (known by the locals as Four Mile) - pretty nice area for kids that is protected by reef from the surf and, like all the beaches on Hilo side, will be very busy on the weekend; life guards on duty  

• Honoli'i - a favorite place for surfing by locals; great place to boogie board; this is a fun beach to sit and watch the locals but not a place to swim