Hawaii: Big Island Beach Report, North Kona and Kohala Coasts
Sep 17th, 2009, 03:48 PM
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Hawaii: Big Island Beach Report, North Kona and Kohala Coasts
Since I voluntarily removed myself from the TripAdvisor board (because of the nasty attitude of a few locals) feel it only fair that I bring some of my work-product over here.
This is my overview of the North Kona/Kohala beaches.
Spencer Beach. This was a rather mundane looking beach. The water was clear but not turquoise. The water appeared to be protected and there was little wave action, leading me to conclude that it is a good swimming beach.
Beach 69/Waialea. I like this beach. Never had any problems with the people here. The sand is not pure white but not salt and pepper either. Small waves are usually present. Water is a little cloudy because of wave action. Off the island/rock there is good snorkeling if the water is calm and the sand settles. I’ve been here twice and each time the water was cloudy. A very peaceful place to swim or play in the water. Too protected for boggie boarding.
Beach at Muana Kea. This is possibly the best beach on the Big Island if you can get to it. It is long, white and beautiful. When I was last there, the waves were small to nil making it an excellent beach to swim and play.
Hapuna Beach. This is another beautiful white beach. As with the Mona Kea beach, the water is clear and picturesque. There is large parking lot and tons of people. The waves were moderate, good for boogie boarding or playing in the surf.
Beach at Mauna Lani. There is a man-made beach in front of the hotel that is nothing but the boathouse beach about a .33 mile from the hotel is very nice. It is a small u-shape bay with white sand for the beach. The water is very clear and the further out you go, the more fish you will see. This is a good swimming and play beach with some snorkel possibilities. My only concern is the water quality during the high season. I can say in late-October it was pristine.
A-bay. Abay is not a bad beach. It has tons of people and nice sand. Somewhat rocky in the water. The water quality is just ok, a little cloudy. Looks very protected from waves so more of a play and swim beach.
Beach of Kona Village. The water quality is good because of excellent circulation. The sand is salt and pepper not as pretty as the Muana Kea and Hapuna. There is an excellent entry point at the beach shack but there is a lava shelf that parallels the beach to the south. This is an excellent beach for swimming and snorkeling. During times of high wind the bay does get cloudy as do most of the beaches. This and the beach at Mauna Lani are the best for swimmers. Hard to get to but not impossible. Best snorkeling of all the BI northern resorts.
Beach at Four Season. There is no true safe ocean access at the Four Seasons. There is an ocean pool that was bulldozed out of the rock and which the ocean feds which has sand around it. It is perfect for cooling off or even a short swim. The Four Seasons also borders Kukio Beach to the south. It is a 17 minute walk from the FS fish pool. Kukio is a white sand beach with lot of rocks and ledges in the northern half. Semi-protected good for swimming, ok for playing in the water, not great for boogie boarding. Still relatively unknown.
Kua Bay. One of my absolute favorite beaches. Excellent for boogie boarding, maybe the best boarding on the island. Fun place to play in the surf but moderate waves can come in on you so, not the best for kids. It has the best sand, fluffy and white and the water pure turquoise. It can be crowded on weekends and weekday afternoons. Easy access. One note, it is easy to be seduced by the beauty of this beach but there is a north-south current and if you are playing in the surf on a moderate wave day and get caught, it is not fun swimming to terra firma. No lifeguard! Use caution during the winter season. Lots of boogie boarders here because of the waves.
Makalawena. Wow
Kakaha Kai, Mahaiula. This beach is a short walk from the parking lot after the awful drive down the Kakaha Kai Park road. Just an ugly drive. Beautiful half moon beach. Semi-protected. White sand and exquisite water. Lots of rocks in the water. Looks to be a good beach for swimming and for children. I liked the beach, don’t like the drive.
National Park beach just north of the harbor. Some very protected areas here for children. It is seldom used. I usually hike here but there are some swimming and beach play possibilities especially by the canoe hut. Because of sheltered nature of the area, no boogie boarding.
Bill
This is my overview of the North Kona/Kohala beaches.
Spencer Beach. This was a rather mundane looking beach. The water was clear but not turquoise. The water appeared to be protected and there was little wave action, leading me to conclude that it is a good swimming beach.
Beach 69/Waialea. I like this beach. Never had any problems with the people here. The sand is not pure white but not salt and pepper either. Small waves are usually present. Water is a little cloudy because of wave action. Off the island/rock there is good snorkeling if the water is calm and the sand settles. I’ve been here twice and each time the water was cloudy. A very peaceful place to swim or play in the water. Too protected for boggie boarding.
Beach at Muana Kea. This is possibly the best beach on the Big Island if you can get to it. It is long, white and beautiful. When I was last there, the waves were small to nil making it an excellent beach to swim and play.
Hapuna Beach. This is another beautiful white beach. As with the Mona Kea beach, the water is clear and picturesque. There is large parking lot and tons of people. The waves were moderate, good for boogie boarding or playing in the surf.
Beach at Mauna Lani. There is a man-made beach in front of the hotel that is nothing but the boathouse beach about a .33 mile from the hotel is very nice. It is a small u-shape bay with white sand for the beach. The water is very clear and the further out you go, the more fish you will see. This is a good swimming and play beach with some snorkel possibilities. My only concern is the water quality during the high season. I can say in late-October it was pristine.
A-bay. Abay is not a bad beach. It has tons of people and nice sand. Somewhat rocky in the water. The water quality is just ok, a little cloudy. Looks very protected from waves so more of a play and swim beach.
Beach of Kona Village. The water quality is good because of excellent circulation. The sand is salt and pepper not as pretty as the Muana Kea and Hapuna. There is an excellent entry point at the beach shack but there is a lava shelf that parallels the beach to the south. This is an excellent beach for swimming and snorkeling. During times of high wind the bay does get cloudy as do most of the beaches. This and the beach at Mauna Lani are the best for swimmers. Hard to get to but not impossible. Best snorkeling of all the BI northern resorts.
Beach at Four Season. There is no true safe ocean access at the Four Seasons. There is an ocean pool that was bulldozed out of the rock and which the ocean feds which has sand around it. It is perfect for cooling off or even a short swim. The Four Seasons also borders Kukio Beach to the south. It is a 17 minute walk from the FS fish pool. Kukio is a white sand beach with lot of rocks and ledges in the northern half. Semi-protected good for swimming, ok for playing in the water, not great for boogie boarding. Still relatively unknown.
Kua Bay. One of my absolute favorite beaches. Excellent for boogie boarding, maybe the best boarding on the island. Fun place to play in the surf but moderate waves can come in on you so, not the best for kids. It has the best sand, fluffy and white and the water pure turquoise. It can be crowded on weekends and weekday afternoons. Easy access. One note, it is easy to be seduced by the beauty of this beach but there is a north-south current and if you are playing in the surf on a moderate wave day and get caught, it is not fun swimming to terra firma. No lifeguard! Use caution during the winter season. Lots of boogie boarders here because of the waves.
Makalawena. Wow
Kakaha Kai, Mahaiula. This beach is a short walk from the parking lot after the awful drive down the Kakaha Kai Park road. Just an ugly drive. Beautiful half moon beach. Semi-protected. White sand and exquisite water. Lots of rocks in the water. Looks to be a good beach for swimming and for children. I liked the beach, don’t like the drive.
National Park beach just north of the harbor. Some very protected areas here for children. It is seldom used. I usually hike here but there are some swimming and beach play possibilities especially by the canoe hut. Because of sheltered nature of the area, no boogie boarding.
Bill
Sep 20th, 2009, 08:14 PM
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Great report. Disagree a little bit about A-Bay. I thought it was just as nice as Hapuna and the water was clear when I was there, particularly in the morning. It wasn't too crowded, either, and it has tons of palm trees.
Sep 21st, 2009, 04:53 AM
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My experience at A-Bay was the same as andrews. I was at the public beach park, not the part used by Marriott. Which part did you visit, Bill? Maybe it makes a difference.
I liked Spencer Beach Park when I took a swim there. I'm a very timid swimmer, and found the calm water delightful. My husband enjoyed his nap there, sitting at a picnic table under the shade of some large trees. The campground looked nice, also.
I liked Spencer Beach Park when I took a swim there. I'm a very timid swimmer, and found the calm water delightful. My husband enjoyed his nap there, sitting at a picnic table under the shade of some large trees. The campground looked nice, also.
Sep 21st, 2009, 05:27 AM
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Thanks for your comments, they will definited help the newbie BI goer. A-bay to me is not a flashy beach but it is pretty, very large and well protected. Waterwise, I guess it depends on tide, time of the year and a few intangibles. I do like it, it's just not one of my top beaches. Oh, and I am usually there on a weekend around 12ish. So time also is a factor for crowds.
Barbara I have walked, swam and played on the entire beach a number of times, but my comment about the water was last November in front of the Marriott.
Thanks again
Bill
Barbara I have walked, swam and played on the entire beach a number of times, but my comment about the water was last November in front of the Marriott.
Thanks again
Bill
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