Ranked by water quality and conditions
| # | Beach | Coast | Water | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Makalawena Beach 15 min hike required, pristine |
Kohala | Low ● | Low |
| 2 | Kua Bay White sand, limited access keeps crowds down |
Kohala | Low ● | Low |
| 3 | Green Sand Beach Long hike, unique green olivine sand |
Kaʻu | Low ● | Low |
| 4 | Pololu Valley Beach Steep hike down, black sand, remote |
Kohala | Low ● | Low |
| 5 | Waipio Valley Beach Steep access, wild and dramatic |
Hamakua | Moderate ● | Low |
Uncrowded beaches are best visited on weekdays. Many require hikes or remote access. Always tell someone where you are going when visiting remote beaches.
The Hawaii Department of Health recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water looks clear. Bacteria and pollutants from runoff can linger in the water longer than the brown color does.
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⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, Big Island beaches, or any government agency or hotel brand. 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. “No DOH Alerts” means no advisory is currently posted — it does not mean the water was tested and found safe. DOH only monitors a fraction of Hawaii’s beaches, and some areas have no regular testing at all.
Always verify current water quality conditions with the Hawaii Department of Health Clean Water Branch before entering the water. This site is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for any swimming decisions.
This site is a work in progress and we want to make it better. If you notice something that isn’t working right, have a suggestion, or want to share local knowledge about a beach, please reach out.
When in doubt, don’t go out. 🤙