Are you on the lookout for the best beaches on the Big Islands for your next trip to Hawaii? Keep on scrolling to learn about the best Big Island beaches in Kona and beyond.
This list of Big Island beaches was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
The Big Island of Hawaii has something no other island can match: beaches in three completely different colors.
White sand, black sand, and one of only four green sand beaches on Earth.
That geological variety alone makes the coastline worth exploring, but what keeps me coming back after 40+ visits to Hawaii is how different each beach feels from the next.
The island is also enormous, which is something people consistently underestimate.
You can easily lose half a day driving between the Kona side and the Hilo side, so knowing which beaches are actually worth your time makes a real difference.
This isn’t every beach on the island. It’s the ones I’d send a friend to, with honest notes on what to expect.
If you’re still building your itinerary, my Big Island travel guide covers the full picture, and Episode 51 of Hawaii Travel Made Easy walks through how to plan a Big Island trip from scratch.
The Best Big Island Beaches, Honestly Ranked
1. Hapuna Beach
If someone asks me for one Big Island beach recommendation, this is it every single time.
Half a mile of wide white sand, turquoise water, and a gentle slope into the ocean that actually invites you in.
On calm days it’s one of the best swimming beaches in Hawaii. When surf picks up between November and March, bodyboarders take over.
It regularly lands on best-beaches-in-the-world lists, and unlike a lot of things that get that label, it earns every bit of it.
A few practical things before you go: non-residents pay $5 per person plus $10 for parking, credit or debit card only via QR codes on site.
The parking lot fills fast on weekends. Get there before 9am or accept that you might be circling.
There’s no food on site, but the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is right next door if you need lunch.
2. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
One of my favorite memories from the Big Island involves my kids at Punalu’u.
We rounded the corner to the beach and there were turtles everywhere, just basking on the jet-black sand like they owned the place.
My kids knew the legal 10-foot rule without being reminded, which was one of those small parenting wins you hold onto for a long time.
The black sand is made from lava that shattered when it hit the ocean, and standing on it feels nothing like a typical beach day. The currents run strong here, so swimming isn’t the point.
Most people come to watch the turtles, take photos, and stand there trying to absorb the fact that this is a real place. That’s a perfectly good reason to visit.
It sits on the southern route between Kona and Hilo, which makes it a natural stop if you’re doing any kind of loop around the island.
3. Honaunau Bay
For snorkeling, this is the one. The water is calm, visibility is excellent, and the marine life is the real deal: turtles, eels, colorful reef fish, dolphins, and the occasional shark.
If you only have time for one snorkeling stop on the Big Island, spend it here.
The bay sits right next to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, one of the most significant cultural sites in all of Hawaii.
Build in an extra hour to walk through the park. It puts the whole coastline in a different perspective.
4. Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaoa Beach)
This is Hapuna’s quieter, slightly more sheltered neighbor. The sand is powder-fine, the water is clear, and the setting fronting the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is one of the most beautiful on the island.
All Hawaii beaches are public by law, so anyone can visit regardless of whether they’re staying at the resort.
The beach narrows as the tide comes in, so earlier in the day is better.
One thing worth staying for as it gets dark: manta rays sometimes appear near the lights offshore.
It’s the kind of thing that ends up being the highlight of someone’s whole trip and they didn’t even plan for it.
5. Anaehoomalu Bay (A-Bay)
A-Bay is the most versatile beach on this list. Calm, protected water makes it good for kayaking, paddleboarding, and beginner snorkeling all in the same afternoon without any of them feeling like a compromise.
The two ancient fish ponds at the back of the beach are worth a few minutes. They date back to Hawaiian royalty and are a quiet reminder that this coastline has a long history that predates every resort hotel on the Kohala Coast.
6. Maniniowali Beach (Kua Bay)
The water here is some of the clearest I’ve seen on the Kona side. On calm days it’s excellent for swimming.
When there’s more wave action, bodyboarders show up and the whole energy of the beach shifts.
Parking is limited and fills fast, so an early arrival isn’t a suggestion here, it’s the only real option.
7. Old Kona Airport State Park
This one doesn’t look like much from the road, which is probably why it stays manageable even when the Kohala Coast beaches are packed.
Former airport runway turned beach park, with snorkeling, rock pools, picnic tables, showers, and restrooms.
Head north for company, south for quiet.
It works for almost everyone in a group with different agendas, which is harder to find than it sounds.
8. Onekahakaha Beach Park
If your itinerary includes time on the Hilo side, Onekahakaha is your best beach option over there.
Breakwaters protect the swimming area, lifeguards are on duty, and the pockets of sea life around the breakwaters make for surprisingly good snorkeling.
It’s an unpretentious neighborhood park beach that does exactly what it promises.
Kona wins on pure beach quality, but if you’re already in Hilo, this is where to go. I wouldn’t drive over from the Kona side specifically for it.
9. Spencer Beach
Spencer doesn’t get much press, which is exactly why locals like it. Mild waves, picnic tables, showers, a shaded sitting area on the north end.
It’s reliably pleasant without ever being exciting, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a beach afternoon.
Families with young kids especially appreciate how calm and manageable it is.
10. Makalawena Beach
I’ll be honest about the hike: crossing an a’a lava field in Hawaiian heat is slow, sharp-edged, and not for everyone.
It takes about 20 minutes each way and there’s no shade. But the beach on the other side is one of the most secluded stretches of white sand on the island, and the quiet is almost jarring after the busy Kohala Coast spots.
Surfers and bodyboarders come for the waves. Most people come to feel like they found something.
There’s a freshwater pool just inland of the beach for rinsing off before the hike back, and you will absolutely want it.
No facilities out here, so bring everything you need including more water than you think is reasonable.
11. Aiopio Beach at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Aiopio sits inside a national historical park, and that context is worth your attention.
It’s a smaller, calm-water beach with regular turtle activity, and the park around it carries deep cultural significance to Native Hawaiians.
Walk slowly, read the interpretive signs, and treat the whole place with the respect the history deserves.
The snorkeling is good and the turtles show up reliably, but the cultural layer is what makes this one different from the other beaches on this list.
12. Mahana Beach (Papakōlea Green Sand Beach)
One of only four green sand beaches on Earth.
The color comes from olivine crystals eroding out of an ancient volcanic cinder cone, and seeing it in person is one of those moments where you just stand there for a minute before reaching for your phone.
To get there you either hike a strenuous 5.5-mile round trip with no shade, or pay for a truck ride at the trailhead (around $25 per person round trip as of 2026, though confirm current rates on arrival).
The water is rough with a strong shore break, so swimming is genuinely dangerous. Come for the scenery.
One more thing: use reef-safe sunscreen here and everywhere else on the Big Island.
Hawaii law bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, and it matters for the reef systems around these beaches. Mineral-based sunscreen is the right call.
A Note on Waipio Beach
The original version of this post included Waipio Beach as a straightforward recommendation, and I want to correct that clearly.
Waipio Valley Road remains closed to independent visitors as of June 2026. The emergency closure declaration has been extended through at least July 2026 with no confirmed reopening timeline, and the only current way to access the valley floor is via an authorized shuttle tour.
The Waipio Valley Lookout at the top of the road is still accessible and worth stopping for. The view down into the valley is dramatic even if you can’t descend.
Quick Reference: Which Big Island Beach Is Right for You?
| What you want | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Best overall beach day | Hapuna Beach |
| Best snorkeling | Honaunau Bay |
| Best turtle spotting on shore | Punalu’u Black Sand Beach |
| Best for families with young kids | Spencer Beach or A-Bay |
| Most geologically unique | Papakōlea Green Sand Beach |
| Best beach near Kona | Maniniowali Beach |
| Best beach near Hilo | Onekahakaha Beach Park |
| Most remote feel | Makalawena Beach |
| Best for water sports variety | A-Bay |
Big Island Beaches FAQ
What makes Big Island beaches different from other Hawaiian islands?
The variety. White sand, black sand, and green sand all exist on the same island. The volcanic geology here is recent and active enough that you can watch the coastline literally changing, which no other Hawaiian island offers in quite the same way.
Do you need to pay to access Big Island beaches?
Some yes, most no. Hapuna Beach State Park charges $5 per person plus $10 for vehicle parking for non-residents, credit card only. Most other beaches on this list are free to access, though parking at popular spots can be competitive.
Where is the best place to see sea turtles on the Big Island?
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach for turtles on shore, Honaunau Bay for turtles in the water while snorkeling. State and federal law requires staying at least 10 feet away and never touching them.
Is Kona or Hilo better for beaches?
Kona. The leeward west side has calmer water, better visibility, and more consistent conditions year-round. Hilo’s beaches are pleasant if you’re already there, but I wouldn’t plan a beach day around them if you have the option to be on the Kona side.
How much driving is involved between Big Island beaches?
More than most people expect. The Big Island is the largest island in the U.S. by land area and the distances are real. A rental car is non-negotiable. Discount Hawaii Car Rental is a reliable option for competitive rates.
Plan It Right
The Big Island genuinely rewards people who do a little homework before they arrive.
Distances are long, popular parking lots fill before 9am, and beach conditions vary more here than on Maui or Oahu.
My Big Island travel guide covers where to stay, what to prioritize, and how to structure your days.
If you want to talk through your specific trip, including which beaches make sense based on where you’re staying and how many days you have, I offer one-on-one Hawaii travel consultations.
With 40+ visits across all the islands and my Certified Hawaii Destination Expert designation, I’ve made enough mistakes on my own trips that I can help you skip most of them.
These beaches are the reason people fall in love with the Big Island and start planning their next trip before the first one is even over. I know because it happened to me.
