Julie's Guidebook

Favorite Beaches

These are some of our favorite beaches to visit. While some of them can be pretty full, let us know if you are looking for an adventure “off the beaten path,” we have some great spots.

Πάρκο Magic Sands Beach

Magic Sands Beach at La’aloa Bay, south of downtown Kona, is home to a beautiful beach cove, known also as Disappearing Sands Beach, or White Sands Beach. Magic Sands is one of the best Kona Beaches, suitable for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, even snorkeling and scuba diving. The swimming conditions at Magic Sands are generally quite good, particularly when the sand is covering the beach. During the winter months when the shoreline has more rocks exposed, there is usually still a sandy bottom in the water. A nice shore break creates some great waves when the surf is up, making La’aloa Bay another popular spot for boogie boarding and surfing. Crowds of people will often gather to relax on the beach and watch the waves roll in. During low surf when the water is calm, snorkeling is good along the rocks on either end of the beach. Around the rocks to the south of La’aloa Bay is a small cove that’s great for snorkeling or scuba diving, easy to access with beautiful areas of coral and interesting topography. Why is it called "Magic" or "Disappearing" sands? The action of the surf here literally pulls the sand off the beach periodically, exposing the lava rocks that were buried by the sand. When the sand is removed from the beach, the underlying lava rocks are exposed. There can be times during the winter when Disappearing Sands Beach really lives up to its name. Be aware of safety warnings and use extreme caution in or near the water, as this action of the surf can cause a strong rip current. La’aloa Bay Beach at a Glance: Getting there: located just shy of the 4 mile marker on Ali’i Drive, just south of town. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot and lots of roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Be careful of the reef and rocks while entering the beach Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables on the south side of the park, near the showers. Activities: Snorkeling, Surfing, Boogie boarding, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes, 1 stands My Favorites Here: Great sandy beach with waves for everyone in the family. Watch Out For: Boogieboarders and the quick drop, close out waves.

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Πάρκο Magic Sands Beach

Ali'i Drive

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Magic Sands Beach at La’aloa Bay, south of downtown Kona, is home to a beautiful beach cove, known also as Disappearing Sands Beach, or White Sands Beach. Magic Sands is one of the best Kona Beaches, suitable for swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, even snorkeling and scuba diving. The swimming conditions at Magic Sands are generally quite good, particularly when the sand is covering the beach. During the winter months when the shoreline has more rocks exposed, there is usually still a sandy bottom in the water. A nice shore break creates some great waves when the surf is up, making La’aloa Bay another popular spot for boogie boarding and surfing. Crowds of people will often gather to relax on the beach and watch the waves roll in. During low surf when the water is calm, snorkeling is good along the rocks on either end of the beach. Around the rocks to the south of La’aloa Bay is a small cove that’s great for snorkeling or scuba diving, easy to access with beautiful areas of coral and interesting topography. Why is it called "Magic" or "Disappearing" sands? The action of the surf here literally pulls the sand off the beach periodically, exposing the lava rocks that were buried by the sand. When the sand is removed from the beach, the underlying lava rocks are exposed. There can be times during the winter when Disappearing Sands Beach really lives up to its name. Be aware of safety warnings and use extreme caution in or near the water, as this action of the surf can cause a strong rip current. La’aloa Bay Beach at a Glance: Getting there: located just shy of the 4 mile marker on Ali’i Drive, just south of town. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot and lots of roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Be careful of the reef and rocks while entering the beach Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables on the south side of the park, near the showers. Activities: Snorkeling, Surfing, Boogie boarding, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes, 1 stands My Favorites Here: Great sandy beach with waves for everyone in the family. Watch Out For: Boogieboarders and the quick drop, close out waves.

Kahaluu Bay

This is one of the nicer snorkeling spots with easy access right in Kona Town. It is teeming with fish and offers more variety of sea life than any other easily accessible spot in Kona. Outside the reef you may occasionally see deep sea life, such as tuna, marlin and dolphin jumping about. About 100 feet offshore, within the sheltered bay, the water is clear and warm, and life is abundant. One reason is the Menehune breakwater offshore. Built in ancient times, it has been partially disassembled by countless waves, creating an excellent fish environment. Kahalu’u Beach at a Glance: Getting there: located at the 5 mile marker on Ali’i Drive, just south of town. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot and lots of roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Be careful of the reef and rocks while entering the beach Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables throughout the park Activities: Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes, 2 stands My Favorites Here: Great snorkeling beach for everyone in the family. Turtles will hang around and not dart off as long as you don’t harass them. I enter from the little black sand beach on the north side of the beach by the lifeguard stand. Watch Out For: Surfers on the outside.

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Kahaluu Bay

Ali‘i Drive

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This is one of the nicer snorkeling spots with easy access right in Kona Town. It is teeming with fish and offers more variety of sea life than any other easily accessible spot in Kona. Outside the reef you may occasionally see deep sea life, such as tuna, marlin and dolphin jumping about. About 100 feet offshore, within the sheltered bay, the water is clear and warm, and life is abundant. One reason is the Menehune breakwater offshore. Built in ancient times, it has been partially disassembled by countless waves, creating an excellent fish environment. Kahalu’u Beach at a Glance: Getting there: located at the 5 mile marker on Ali’i Drive, just south of town. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot and lots of roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Be careful of the reef and rocks while entering the beach Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables throughout the park Activities: Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes, 2 stands My Favorites Here: Great snorkeling beach for everyone in the family. Turtles will hang around and not dart off as long as you don’t harass them. I enter from the little black sand beach on the north side of the beach by the lifeguard stand. Watch Out For: Surfers on the outside.

Kua Bay

Some people call this place Mile 88 because the road to the beach is just South of mile marker 88 on Highway 19. The official name, according to the State of Hawaii, is Manini'owali. But the most common name for this beach is Kua Bay. Great sandy Beach most of the year. You drive in off Highway 19 and park along the road as you get towards the beach. The road dead ends in a circle where you can unload your stuff and turn around. This is also where the restrooms and outdoor showers are located. Follow the sidewalk towards the beach where you'll pass a couple of picnic tables. You'll walk over or around some rocky areas down to the sandy beach. Kua Bay Beach at a Glance: Getting there: 4.6 miles north of the airport. Turn left onto the paved road directly across from the Veteran’s Cemetery. Follow to the end of the road. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Paved road all the way in. Parking: Parking on either side of the end of the paved road to the beach. Swimming: Excellent when the surf is not to high. Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: A couple picnic tables at the top of the South end of the beach. Activities: Snorkeling, Bodyboarding, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes My Favorites Here: Great swimming beach for everyone in the family. Watch Out For: Powerful waves.

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Kua Bay

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Some people call this place Mile 88 because the road to the beach is just South of mile marker 88 on Highway 19. The official name, according to the State of Hawaii, is Manini'owali. But the most common name for this beach is Kua Bay. Great sandy Beach most of the year. You drive in off Highway 19 and park along the road as you get towards the beach. The road dead ends in a circle where you can unload your stuff and turn around. This is also where the restrooms and outdoor showers are located. Follow the sidewalk towards the beach where you'll pass a couple of picnic tables. You'll walk over or around some rocky areas down to the sandy beach. Kua Bay Beach at a Glance: Getting there: 4.6 miles north of the airport. Turn left onto the paved road directly across from the Veteran’s Cemetery. Follow to the end of the road. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Paved road all the way in. Parking: Parking on either side of the end of the paved road to the beach. Swimming: Excellent when the surf is not to high. Facilities: Restrooms and Showers. Picnicking: A couple picnic tables at the top of the South end of the beach. Activities: Snorkeling, Bodyboarding, Swimming Lifeguards: Yes My Favorites Here: Great swimming beach for everyone in the family. Watch Out For: Powerful waves.

Two Step

Pu’uhonua ‘o Honaunau (Two Step) This is a popular place to visit for reasons other than its water. It was the Place of refuge in ancient times. The National Park is right next door. For ocean lovers, the snorkeling and scuba just north of the boat launch (at a place commonly called “Two Step, because of its easy entry) are incredible, perhaps as good as the more difficult to reach Captain Cook’s Monument at Kealakekua Bay, making it some of the best in the state when conditions are good, though it’s deeper. It’s outside the park, so you don’t have to pay. Two Step at a Glance: Getting there: Beautiful 25 minute drive. Start out by going south along Ali’i Drive for about 3 miles. At the stop light turn right on Ali’i Hwy and continue for about 13 miles. Turn right onto Keala O Keawe Road for about 3.5 miles. Watch for a small road on the right that looks like a ONE WAY driveway. Turn right onto Honaunau Beach Road. If you come to the gate at the the City of refuge, you have missed the turn. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot ($5 to park in the lot, the $ goes to the non profit canoe club) and roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Facilities: Restrooms (portable toilets. No showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables north of the boat ramp. Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming Lifeguards: No My Favorites Here: Great snorkeling beach for early morning. LOOK FOR THE LARGE “ALOHA” SIGN (UNDERWATER) NW OF THE ENTRY. Turtles and dolphins love to hang out in this bay. Watch Out For: Coming out of the water, make sure to let the water surge push you up and help you onto the step. Keep your hands flat on the rocks when entering and exiting the water. The baby sea urchins live in the tiny holes and love to prick you if you stick your fingers in the holes. Watch the other swimmers to get some helpful insight.

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Two Step

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Pu’uhonua ‘o Honaunau (Two Step) This is a popular place to visit for reasons other than its water. It was the Place of refuge in ancient times. The National Park is right next door. For ocean lovers, the snorkeling and scuba just north of the boat launch (at a place commonly called “Two Step, because of its easy entry) are incredible, perhaps as good as the more difficult to reach Captain Cook’s Monument at Kealakekua Bay, making it some of the best in the state when conditions are good, though it’s deeper. It’s outside the park, so you don’t have to pay. Two Step at a Glance: Getting there: Beautiful 25 minute drive. Start out by going south along Ali’i Drive for about 3 miles. At the stop light turn right on Ali’i Hwy and continue for about 13 miles. Turn right onto Keala O Keawe Road for about 3.5 miles. Watch for a small road on the right that looks like a ONE WAY driveway. Turn right onto Honaunau Beach Road. If you come to the gate at the the City of refuge, you have missed the turn. Accessibility: Easy to get to. Parking: Parking lot ($5 to park in the lot, the $ goes to the non profit canoe club) and roadside parking. Swimming: Excellent. Facilities: Restrooms (portable toilets. No showers. Picnicking: Picnic tables north of the boat ramp. Activities: Snorkeling, Swimming Lifeguards: No My Favorites Here: Great snorkeling beach for early morning. LOOK FOR THE LARGE “ALOHA” SIGN (UNDERWATER) NW OF THE ENTRY. Turtles and dolphins love to hang out in this bay. Watch Out For: Coming out of the water, make sure to let the water surge push you up and help you onto the step. Keep your hands flat on the rocks when entering and exiting the water. The baby sea urchins live in the tiny holes and love to prick you if you stick your fingers in the holes. Watch the other swimmers to get some helpful insight.

Julie's Guidebook

Favorite Beaches

Πάρκο Magic Sands Beach

Kahaluu Bay

Kua Bay

Two Step

Food scene

Foster's Kitchen

Island Lava Java

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

On the Rocks