Fodor's Expert Review Kealia Beach

Adjacent to the highway heading north out of Kapaa, ½-mile-long Kealia Beach attracts bodyboarders and surfers year-round. It's a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Kealia is not generally a great beach for swimming, but it's a place to sunbathe and enjoy the beach scene. The safest area to swim is at the far north end of the beach, protected by a lava rock sea wall. The waters are often rough and the waves crumbly due to an onshore break (no protecting reef) and northeasterly trade winds. A scenic lookout on the southern end, accessed off the highway, is a superb location for saluting the morning sunrise or spotting whales during winter. A level, paved section of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae bike path, with small, covered pavilions, runs along the coastline here and is popular for walking and biking. Amenities: lifeguard; parking (free); showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; surfing; swimming; walking.