The Ultimate Guide to the Best Beaches on the Big Island

1. Mauna Kea Beach/Kauna'oa Beach (Kona Side)

This stunning white-sand beach is a perfect vision of a Hawaiian beach and an ideal place to spend the day. This beach gently slopes into the ocean, making it a great family beach and a good snorkeling spot. Kauna’oa is also a perfect example of why it pays to plan ahead: it has one of the more frustrating parking situations on the island (and costs $20!) My tip is to use jet-lag to your advantage and visit Kauna’oa during your first couple of days after arrival when you’re naturally waking at sunrise. Go straight to the beach to snag an early spot in the public parking lot. Remember to bring an umbrella if you can, and a cooler with snacks and water/drinks so you don’t have to leave your princess parking. Yet, even if you forget, you can just visit the Mauna Kea Hotel next door for provisions and libations. And night owls: fear not! If you miss the early rush, check back mid-day when some people tend to leave. Kauna’oa Beach has standard facilities in their parking lot.

2. Kuki’o Beach (Kona Side)

Next to the Four Seasons Hualalai, Kuki’o Beach is a long, steep beach with easy access and better than average facilities in the parking lot (and parking is free). For swimming, walk down the beach away from the Four Seasons, but the main draw is the abundance of sea turtles among the shallow and rocky waters closer to the entrance — which also means less lugging gear through sand for you! There are several keiki (kid) wading pools and lots of shaded options — making this a great beach to relax on for the day. Similar to the Kauna’oa Beach, you can pack your own snacks and drinks, yet also venture into the Four Seasons for supplementary fare at their beach bar. Just remember to cover up with something nice: resort wear is recommended.

3. Makalawena Beach (Kona Side)

This one is for the thrill seekers. Makalawena is the ultimate beach on the Big Island. It has the softest, whitest sand and gorgeous soft sloping shores into turquoise waters — and NO ONE is there. But this beach requires sincere planning ahead, and it’s not little-kid-friendly — unless you’re willing to carry them. To get here, first rent a lifted 4x4 — no SUVs — and pack hiking gear and easily packable beach gear.

From the North, your options are to four-wheel about a mile and a half to the off-trail parking lot, then hike the remaining quarter mile or park roadside at the trailhead between miles 88 and 89 on Hwy 19 to do the strenuous two-mile hike on foot. The distance itself isn’t that bad — it’s the terrain that gets you — so bring lots of water, a hat to protect yourself from the sun, sunscreen and closed-toe shoes.

The last option is to hike in from the south: between miles 90 and 91 on Hwy 19, follow the road to Mahai'ula Bay, park at the end and hike the remaining mile to the beach.

Remember to stick to the public land (avoid the ponds and private property) and always pack away what you bring — leave no trace. You can find highly specific guides for both hikes on hiking apps, like AllTrails.

Heed my warning about the car. The last time I was on the island, my partner and I tried to four-wheel it using our trail-rated SUV. We had done it once before with a Wrangler a couple years prior. It didn’t work for us this last time around. You definitely need a Jeep Wrangler or a lifted truck, and take it slow. There’s a healthy three-foot hole in the beginning and you don’t want any damage fees at the rental agency!

4. Hāpuna Beach (Kona Side)

If Makalawena isn’t on the list for you this trip, consider Hapuna instead. Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world, Hapuna is a white-sand beach that is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and has easy access. There is plenty of shade from palm trees, a picnic area, facilities and a large parking lot. With a cafe and rental stand on property, you can buy snacks, drinks, and rent snorkeling gear or water sports equipment like paddleboards and kayaks. To support the maintenance of the park, there is a $10 parking fee and $5 entrance fee per person.

5. Wailea Beach/Beach 69

This is a fabulous snorkeling beach with easy access and facilities. A gentle slope, white sand, rope swings and plenty of shade make this a super family-friendly beach, too. If you get antsy on the beach, there are miles of trails nearby.

6. Kealakekua Bay (Kona Side)

This isn’t technically a beach — but this is the best place for kayaking and snorkeling on the island due to its status as an underwater marine sanctuary. The Bay is also known as Captain Cook, the eponymous British Captain who visited the islands (and subsequently perished in this exact location on Valentine’s Day 1779).

This is a popular spot for spinner dolphins! The best snorkeling is found on the side of the bay opposite the parking lot. There are three options to get to this location: hiking about four miles round trip, kayaking across the bay or chartering a boat/joining a snorkeling tour. I love kayaking best. The state requires permits to operate boating businesses in the bay, so make sure you’re renting from officially permitted operators.

7. Papakolea beach (South Coast)

This should be on your bucket list. It is one of only four green beaches in the world, and the unique color is a result of the volcanic activity on the island. This isn’t a little-kid-friendly beach because it’s another that requires a hike in (driving in is illegal because it damages the integrity of the coastline, despite what you may witness). It’s longer and harder than it seems at about five miles round trip with practically no shade or any water. Bring a hat, sunscreen and more water than you think you’ll need. It's best to do the hike early in the morning while the weather is still cool and you’ll be more likely to have the beach to yourself. You can swim here, but it’s not good for snorkeling. Instead, cool off between legs, admire the green crystalline sand and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

8. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (South Coast)

In contrast to nearby Papakolea Beach, Punalu’u is a South Coast beach that is easily accessible and great for wildlife viewing and snorkeling. This natural black-sand beach is a hotspot for a variety of sea turtles, so it’s likely you’ll be able to see them on shore basking in the sun. Be sure to give them at least 10 feet of space and don’t touch or feed them — they’re a protected species.

If the water is calm, this is a great beach for snorkeling — bring water shoes, or enter the water with care, because there are a lot of sharp rocks and possible sea urchins. There’s a lifeguard and facilities at this beach.

9. Richardson Beach Park (Hilo Side)

Richardson is another black-sand beach that’s great for snorkeling and is close to Hilo. There’s a lifeguard on duty, facilities, picnic areas, tide pools and a calm swimming area protected by the lava rock that makes this a top-notch family-friendly beach and a great option if you’re staying on the east side of the Island.

10. Carlsmith Beach (Hilo Side)

Carlsmith Beach feels very Australian in a “pool that’s actually the ocean” vibe. It’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling thanks to the natural rock barrier, but be aware there’s no sand at this beach. Instead, stretch out on the rocks or a grassy shaded area with picnic tables when you're not in the water.

Broke Da Mouf Grindz - Super-local-style Hawaiian food in an unassuming strip mall location. I daydream about the Spicy Furikake Chicken. Crispy fried chicken thighs covered in a savory sweet sauce, spicy aioli and furikake flakes. You have your choice of sides, but the right choice is rice, mac salad and purple potato salad. Save room for the ube ice cream mud pie. Then roll home.

CanoeHouse at Mauna Lani - Fine dining is hard to come by on the Big Island, and Canoe House hits all the right notes. Dramatic platings? Check. Sunset views? Check. Unique fresh flavors? Check. Creative cocktails and mocktails? Double check. Take a moment to concede that you're probably going to spend a whole paycheck on dinner, then order the warayaki with your choice of ahi tuna, kanpachi or wagyu, the Alaskan king crab leg with a black truffle crust, and the prime tenderloin with fresh local vegetables and herbed butter. You're on vacation, and you earned it.

Umekes Fish Bar & Grill - Poke bowls and Hawaiian food in an up-and-coming development of Kona. Their mac salad is phenomenal, but you come to order the poke.

Tommy Bahama Restaurant - Look, I know it's a chain, but on the Big Island you are limited by what's nearby. Order the coconut shrimp and the Mochiko chicken sandwich. You can't go wrong.

Two Ladies Kitchen - When in Hilo, stop by this quaint counter service shop that serves hand-crafted mochi. Don't hesitate to buy the fresh strawberry mochi if it's on the menu, and ube is a perennial favorite.