Kohala Coast Vacation Rentals

Kohala Coast Beaches - Best Big Island Beaches

The first question any Hawaii visitor asks is 'Where are the best beaches?' With this page on the Kohala Coast beaches, we would like to provide first time visitors to the Big Island and previous visitors to other Big Island areas with some basic information about the area with a glimpse of the huge variety of activities it offers. Locate best beaches on our Kohala Coast map.

You can draw a line down the middle of the island from north to south and east of that line is the windward side, also known as the green side, or wet side. Much more rain, much more green everywhere, jungles, rain forests, waterfalls, rocky coastlines and black sand beaches. West of that line is the leeward side, also known as the dry and sunny side, with the Kona Coast and the Kohala Coast (Gold Coast) with its famous white sand beaches.

As the Kohala Coast features the most stable sunny weather all year round, the best white sand beaches of the Big Island and premier golf courses, it is home to many famous 5-star Kohala Coast resorts like the Four Seasons, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, The Fairmont Orchid Hawaii, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

Kohala Coast Beaches

Without any doubt the Kohala Coast beaches are rated as the best Big Island beaches. Mostly because they are white sand beaches covering nice stretches along the Kohala Coast water-front. The most asked question by Kohala Coast visitors is 'Where are the beaches?'. Depending on your preferences, you can choose from: Spencer Beach Park (perfect for families with small children) and Kauna’oa (Mauna Kea Beach w/public part - never crowded and separate from hotel part, so you don't need to mingle with the hotel crowd) and Hapuna Beach State Park. All three beaches feature shower and restroom facilities. Mauna Kea and Hapuna beach have both been ranked among the best beaches in the world by Conde Nast Magazine. Other great options are Wailea Bay in Puako or Anaeho’omalu Beach (called 'A Bay' by the locals). Just to name the most well-known and most gorgeous white sand beaches in our area on the Kohala Coast. Locate Kohala Coast beaches on our map.

Kauna'oa Beach (Mauna Kea beach), 2 miles south from Kawaihae Harbor & Marina

Kauna'oa Beach, also known as Mauna Kea beach has been voted one of the the top beaches world wide by Conde Nesta magazine. Located on the property of Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, beach access is by way of a beach pass obtained at the entrance. Get there early to assured of a pass, otherwise hop on over to Hapuna Beach Park next door.

Mauna Kea beach view	Mauna Kea beach Manta Ray Lookout

Mauna Kea beach is a quarter mile crescent of white sand offering swimming, snorkeling, boogie-boarding and surfing depending on the conditions. Food and drink are available at the Hau Tree Cafe on the beach (not inexpensive). Better you bring your cooler if staying very long. Outdoor showers and bathrooms on the public beach at the south end are maintained by the hotel. Don't forget your sunscreen. Enjoy!

Hapuna Beach Park, 3 miles south of Kawaihae Harbor & Marina

Hapuna Beach State Park is located 2 miles south of Kawaiahae Harbor & Marina. Hapuna offers one of the best white sand beaches on the island, the other being Mauna Kea beach. Beach activities such as swimming, snorkeling, boogie-borading and surfing are available year around, though dangerous rip tides can appear during periods of high surf.

Hapuna Beach State Park	Hapuna Beach with view of Maui

Sunbathing and picnicking are available year around due to the abundance of sunshine and warm temperatures, almost 360 days a year. Restrooms and outdoor showers are available. Picnic areas with BBQ pits make for a relaxing day on the beach. If you forgot food, a snack bar offers various basic food fare and drinks.

Spencer Beach Park, next to Kawaihae Village and Habor and Marina

As this beach is very protected from big ocean waves even in winter, it's the favorite beach for families with small children. Spencer Beach is also preferred by local residents for BBQs and family reunions as it kept the old Hawaiian style atmopshere. Camping permits are available for this beach. The Heiau next to Spencer Beach Park also attracts Kohala Coast visitors who are interested in Hawaii's history and culture.

Spencer Beach Park	Puako Beach 69 or Wailea Bay

Puako Beach 69 or Wailea Bay

Puako Beach 69 (named after electric pole 69!) or also known as Wailea Bay is a more secluded beach well know by residents or return visitors to Puako, a tiny oceanfront village, next to famous Hapuna Beach. Access to Beach 69 is now easy with asphalt parking lot. The south end of the beach is perfect for snorkeling and encounters with the green sea turtles and occasional Manta Rays or Eagle Rays. In addition to Wailea Bay, Puako offers many more beach access along Puako Drive. As Puako is the dry side of the island and gets less than 11" of rain per year, oceanfront Puako has developed into one of the most desired area for Kohala Coast visitors.

Mauna Lani Beach Club

One of Mauna Lani Resort's nicest white sand beaches. All Mauna Lani condo visitors, like the Islands, Mauna Lani Point and Mauna Lani Terrace, have access to this beach from the road through their access card. However. as each beach in Hawaii is public, other Kohala Coast visitors can access this lovely beach by parking at public parking of Mauna Lani Bay and walk left past Mauna Lani Fish Ponds. It's an easy 10-minute walk. The beach is a crescent white sand lagoon with calm waters and a huge array of tropical fish, turtles and rays. Ocean activities like Scuba and Snorkeling are offered. Restrooms, outdoor showers and an ocean front restaurant make this beach a hidden gem on the Kohala Coast.

Mauna Lani Beach Club	Anaehoomalu at Waikoloa Beach Resort

Anaeho'omalu Bay or A-Bay Beach Waikoloa Beach Resort

Anaeho`omalu Bay also known as A-Bay is one of Kohala’s treasures. In the summer months this long curving sandy beach is great for swimming and snorkeling. Nestled on beautiful Anaeho'omalu Bay is Hawaii Ocean Sports which offers snorkeling, kayaking, diving, whale watching, sailing on a catamaran or relaxing on the beach. It's fun for the entire family.

Lapakai State Historical Park, 12 miles north of Kawaihae Harbor & Marina

Although Lapakai State Park is located on the ocean, it is not a beach park. It is a Hawaiian cultural and educational resource and not a state recreation area. The park offers lessons in Hawaiian history, archeology as well as a marine preserve to explore. Open 8a.m. - 4p.m. daily.

Mahukona Beach Park, 13 miles north of Kawaihae Harbor & Marina

Mahukona Beach Park offers snorkeling, swimming, fishing and camping with marvelous views of Maui and whale wathing in season (December - March). There are showers and bathrooms and BBQ pits spread around the park. Though no sandy beach, water access is safe. Drinking the tap water is not recommended. Camping and pavillion permits are available 808-889-5532, 1p.m. - 2p.m.

Kapaha Beach Park, 14 miles north of Kawaiahae Harbor and Marina

Kapaha Beach Park has coastline access, which is usually calm but there can be occasional rough surf. So watch the surf before entering. There are several BBQ pits available as well as bathrooms and running water (not recommended to drink!). No sandy beach.

Our Vacation Guide offers accommodations close to these wonderful Kohala Coast beaches:

Kohala Coast vacation rentals
Puako vacation rentals
Kohala Coast vacation homes
Waimea vacation rentals or at other Big Island favorite locations

We hope you find a Kohala Coast vacation rental which matches your budget and expectations.

Click a category of our Kohala Coast vacation guide for more information.