The Big Island feels daunting when one first lands. The Kona Coast is a freshly born volcanic landscape. With all this lava, where are the white-sand beaches?
The best beaches in Kona are found north of Kona Airport, all within 30-minutes of Kailua-Kona. Drive no further to find white-sand beaches with excellent snorkeling and protected turquoise waters.
These Kona beaches are sandy and classic Hawaiian with volcanic tide pools and surrounding lava fields. The kind of Kona, Big Island beaches you would expect on this island paradise.
These five best beaches in Kona should not be missed:
1. Kikaua Point Beach Park
Located 14 miles (23-minutes) north of Kailua-Kona, the beach is located within the Kukio Golf and Beach Club.
Sea turtles! So many of them in this cove. The beach and cove are sandy but where the cove meets the ocean, and the marine life is abundant. Sea turtles and endemic Hawaiian fish within the protected cove meant great visibility.
Click here for directions to Kikaua Point Beach.
Amenities at Kikaua Point Park
🌴 Restrooms
🌴 Showers
🌴 Shade
🌴 Drinking-water
2. Manini’owalu Beach at Kua Bay
This white-sand beach is located 22-minutes north of Kailua-Kona. Kua Bay competes with Hapuna Beach for the best white-sand beach on Hawai’i.
Big waves are common during the winter. When we visited in February, the waves were big so we kept Henry away from the break. Luckily the soft, white sand was perfect for sandcastles.
The beach lacks shade so bring an umbrella. While you are at it, I recommend you pack a lunch and refreshments also as this beach is a beach within a state park. There are no bells and whistles. Food trucks can be found in the parking lot but they are not on a reliable schedule.
Click here for directions to Manini’owalu Beach at Kua Bay.
Amenities at Kua Bay (Manini’owalu Beach)
🌴 Restrooms
🌴 Showers
🌴 Lifeguard on duty
3. ‘Alula Beach
One doesn’t find culture and a beach at the same time. ‘Alula Beach is a perfect kid-friendly beach, rich with sea turtles in shallow water, and part of an ancient Hawaiian fishing village and pond. That’s a trifecta for a beach.
The sand is mixed rock and coral so not a fine-sand beach but still perfect for a beach towel nap.
‘Alula Beach is a small, crescent-shaped beach that is part of a 1-mile long stretch of beach with Honokohau Beach. The area is a popular snorkeling spot and a safe place to swim. The secluded cove is well protected even with high-surf.
Click here for parking directions to ‘Alula Beach
Amenities at ‘Alula Beach
🌴 Shade
🌴 Restrooms located at the harbor, not at the beach
4. Mahai’ula Beach
Mahai’ula Beach is located 28-minutes (11.6-miles) north of Kailua-Kona.
The fine, white sand gradually slopes from the palm tree-lined shore into the crystal clear waters. Shade can be found under palm trees.
This beach is not ideal for children to swim. While Mahai’ula Beach sits within Mahai’ula Bay, the waves can get large during the winter. The water is a gentle slope though and has a rich coral reef for snorkeling close to shore. The walk from the parking lot was an easy 5-minutes.
Click here for directions to Mahai’ula Beach
Amenities at Mahai’ula Beach
🌴 Shade
5. Makalawena Beach
Follow an unpaved lava path past Mahai’ula Beach to find the tranquil Makalawena Beach. This powdery white-sand beach is worth the hike.
Makalawena is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It is also an ideal snorkel spot with a shallow coral reef just offshore with colorful underwater caves, coral, and sea arches.
Click here for directions to Makalwena Beach
Remember to pack your sunscreen, snorkel gear, and a sense of adventure when exploring these beautiful Kona beaches! 🌴🌊
Planning to move on the Big Island? 🌴
Give me a call here and I’ll be happy to help you ❤️