Need a recommendation for lodging and beaches on Big Island
 

My son and his family (2 adults, 1 9-year-old child) are planning their first trip to Hawaii this summer. They're planning to stay on the Big Island for part of the trip, and are looking for nice (as opposed to low budget) lodging with good swimming beaches. Either coast (Kona or Hilo) would be fine, and either stand-alone hotels or resorts would also be okay.
It's been a few years since I've been to Hawaii, so any suggestions I might give them would certainly not be current.
Any recommendations would certainly be appreciated.
Thanks.

Waikoloa Village area is great for a stay with nice condos, hotels and great beach "A" Bay. [Anaehoʻomalu ]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waikoloa_Beach

We like Sea Village, a condo complex just south of Kona. It's low-rise, well-kept, not extravagant, direct ocean front views from most units. No elevators, but we still like the third floor units for views and quiet.

It's not on a swimming beach, but you can go just a few blocks south to the Disappearing Sands beach, which has great snorkeling, public facilities, and a snack bar at the hotel.

Posted too soon.

Meant to also say that Sea Village rentals are found on VRBO. They vary by owner, so take a look at each one to decide if you like. We have paid very reasonable amounts for a 2 bdrm/2bath oceanfront condo.

I believe DebitNM means Waikoloa Beach Resort. Waikoloa Village is a residential community about 10 - 15 minutes uphill from the resort.

I'd also suggest Mauna Lani Resort, a few miles north, which like Waikoloa Beach has hotels and a number of condo complexes and other vacation rental properties. Plus, it has two of the best snorkeling beaches in the state.

Both resort areas are on the south Kohala Coast, north of Kailua-Kona town.

Are you thinking of Kaluhu'u, tabernash? Disappearing Sands/White Sands/Magic Sands has a pretty bad shore break.

I'd also recommend the Mauna Lani. There is a good beach for snorkeling and swimming. You're also closer to Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches.

The problem with Magic Sands/White Sands is that it has kind of a rough shore break. I'd be nervous with a nine year old. I got pounded head first into the sand while boogie boarding there. It made me more cautious about paying attention to shore breaks.

I was referring to Waikoloa as a general area to stay; not any specific hotel or condo as there several. I like that area, especially think it is good with a kid.

I think the best beach for swimming is Hapuna Beach, but the Waikoloa area has lots more to offer in way of easy to get to shops, family style restaurants etc.

We stayed at Hapuna Beach Prince a while ago [pre hurricane] and it was wonderful.

http://www.princeresortshawaii.com/h...otel/index.php

I would definitely stay on the Kohala Coast and not in the Kona area. Better beaches, more reliable sunny weather and, most importantly in summer, AC!!! I would avoid Waikoloa Village and instead focus on Waikoloa Beach Resort or the Mauna Lani area and look for a condo in one of them. There are hotels in each (Hilton, Marriott, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Fairmont, Hapuna) but with a family, a condo is often a more economical choice while also offering lots of space.

In terms of beaches, my favorites are Hapuna, Kuana'oa, Waialea, Makaiwa in Kohala and Kikua and Kukio in North Kona.

There really aren't many great or even very good beaches on the Hilo side. I would stick with the Kohala although definitely double book a night and visit Volcano and VNP. It is a long drive and lodging in Volcano is reasonable so it makes more sense to either fly into one side and out the other or just double book a night there.

Thanks for all the replies. They'll definitely be helpful.

taitai, that's good information about the drive to Volcano NP. It's one of my son's must-see destinations, and might influence his choice of location.

I'm not sure if I have the name of the beach wrong. I'm thinking of a cove that is calm water. A public beach that gets more locals than tourists. I'll ask DH.

Have them consider staying in the park at the rustic, but nice Nāmakanipaio cabins (reserve through http://www.hawaiivolcanohouse.com/cabins-campsites/); you can even dine at the military camp (http://kilaueamilitarycamp.com/food/)

p.s. I agree with the Waikoloa Resort area (not the village, 7 miles inland); it has the Hilton, the Marriott, and many condo options, shopping, plus casual (even a food court) to fine dining. A-Bay is an ok beach, and there are other beaches nearby.

The Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach Prince hotels have the two best white sand swimming beaches on the island. The island is relatively young so there are few white sand beaches, especially in South Kona.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/0...n_6550864.html

This article lists the supposedly most "deadly" and most "injury-prone" beaches in Hawaii. It calls Hapuna Beach #2 in the most "injury-prone" category:

"This month, the DOH released a report categorizing the instances of spinal cord injuries on Hawaii's beaches. It found that a third of all SPIs in Hawaii happen in relatively rough ocean -- when people are tossed by waves, body surfing or body boarding, or diving into the ocean. Seventy-eight percent of these ocean-related SPIs were sustained by visitors."

It does go on to say that, "for the most part the high totals reflect a high number of visitors for these beaches, including many older, at-risk swimmers.”

To answer my own question above, I was correct that Disappearing Sands is the beach we went to many times, while staying at Sea Village.

"Over the years, the unique characteristics of this beach have been reflected in a number of different names, the most popular of which are Disappearing Sands Beach, Vanishing Sands Beach, Magic Sands Beach, and White Sands Beach. The County of Hawai'i prefers the last of these names, so the site is called White Sands Beach Park."
http://oceansafety.ancl.hawaii.edu/v...&bch=whitesand

Forgot to post that we also stayed at the Mauna Lani for a week one visit. It has a lovely beach, and a very short walk takes you to a nice snorkel cove. Gorgeous property, if you can splurge.

Funny thing was that we moved down to Sea Village for the second week of our vacation. Our kids took a surf lesson, and in the locals at the shop, they told us the snorkel spot we'd been using all that previous week, is notorious for having sharks because that's where the baby turtles are released that time of year. Eeeeek.

Tabernash2

Interesting article about the dangerous beaches. The article lists Magic Sands/White Sands Beach as #5. It's Hawaiian name is La'aloa.

taitai, thanks. You're right. So many confusing names!

I wonder if I am remembering this spot: "Just south of White Sands Beach Park is a small rocky cove. Snorkeling and nearshore scuba diving offshore the cove are excellent."

From what lifeguards have told us, and from a personal experience there 20+ years ago that almost drowned me, the gentle dropoff at Hapuna is what accounts for most swimming fatalities and serious injuries. You can go way, WAY out and still be in water only neck-high, and then the shelf abruptly ends altogether, with the ocean currents carrying you even further out.

The other problem is that, especially during winter months, long periods (15-20 minutes) of smaller waves can be followed with sets of MUCH bigger waves. If you enter the water at the wrong time, you may get lulled into a false sense of security about surf conditions. This one has bit me in the rear end as well over the years.

Bottom line: Never turn your back on the ocean. :)

amen fdecarlo! I was recently pummeled at Hamoa Bay in Hana Maui by a set that hit my just after entering the water - diving into monster waves and pummeled into the sand.

No need to get defensive DebitM, you simply misspoke. The Village is far different then the beach resort and two separate areas when considering rentals. Clearly your intention was to suggest the Beach Resort area.

Tabernash, are you thinking of Honaunau Bay? Sometimes referred to as Two Step? That is on your list as well but I think as long as you go when the water is calm you are fine. The entry and exit is a tad tricky.