Kahaluu Beach Park Review

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Kahaluu Beach Park

  • Address: Alii Dr., 5½ mi south of Kailua-Kona, Kailua-Kona, HI | Map It
  • Phone: 808/961-8311

Fodor's Review:

Snorkelers can actually hand-feed the unusually tame reef fish at this spot, although we advise against it—certain human foods may not kill them, but fish fed by humans become dependent on easy feedings and start to lose their survival instincts. Don't even get us started on the folks who think it's okay to feed candy to the fish. Kahaluu was a favorite of King Kalakaua, whose summer cottage is on the grounds of the neighboring Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort. The salt-and-pepper beach is a combination of white and black sand mixed with lava and coral pebbles. This is one of the Big Island's most popular swimming and snorkeling sites, thanks to the fringing reef that helps keep the waters calm. But outside the reef there are very strong rip currents, so caution is advised. Experienced surfers find good waves to ride beyond the reef, and scuba divers like the shore dives—shallow ones inside the breakwater, deeper ones outside. A narrow path leads directly to the hotel's Kalanikai Bar & Grill (open daily 11 AM-4 PM), which serves beverages, sandwiches, and plate lunches.

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