Also known as A-Bay — Waikoloa Resort Beach
Water quality status and bacteria risk rating
📍 Waikoloa, Big Island — Sheltered bay, beginner-friendly
Anaehoomalu Bay — universally called A-Bay — is one of the cleanest and calmest beaches on the Big Island. Located on the dry Kohala Coast near Waikoloa, the beach benefits from minimal rainfall and almost no agricultural or urban runoff. The natural reef that partially encloses the bay protects swimmers from open-ocean swells while allowing good water circulation.
The surrounding landscape is ancient lava field — there are no streams, no farmland, and no significant runoff sources that typically cause bacteria spikes at other Hawaiian beaches. DOH monitoring data shows that A-Bay consistently maintains excellent water quality, with bacteria violations being extremely rare.
Two ancient Hawaiian fishponds (Kuʻualiʻi and Kahapapa) sit just inland from the beach. These historic features are protected and add to the cultural significance of A-Bay. Green sea turtles frequently rest on the beach, and the bay offers excellent snorkeling along its rocky edges.
Based on: Dry lava coast with no stream runoff, natural reef protection, DOH Kohala Coast monitoring data
Even on the dry Kohala Coast, heavy rain can temporarily affect water quality. The DOH recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain. A-Bay's excellent drainage and lack of runoff sources means it recovers quickly, but the rule still applies.
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Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings on this site are estimates based on publicly available testing data and geographic analysis. They are not real-time measurements and may not reflect current conditions.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
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When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙