Data-driven beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | 2 day |
| Island | Big Island |
| Beaches | 3 beaches covered |
| Best For | All experience levels |
Start at the Big Island’s best swimming beach. Hapuna has a half mile of wide, white sand with clear blue water. The sandy bottom slopes gently, and morning conditions are usually calm and glassy. In winter months, check the surf forecast — the shore break can become powerful during large west swells. Lifeguards are on duty, and the park has restrooms and showers. $5 entry for non-resident vehicles.
A-Bay offers a different experience — a palm-fringed crescent with ancient fishponds and lava rock snorkeling areas. The water is calmer than Hapuna during elevated surf, and sea turtles are common along the rocky edges. A food stand and equipment rentals are available on the beach. Time your visit to include sunset — A-Bay faces due west and delivers some of the best sunset views on the island.
Water quality note: Check Hapuna Beach conditions. The dry Kohala Coast has rare advisories, but verify after Kona storms.
| Hapuna to A-Bay | 15 min south on Queen Kaʻahumanu Hwy (HI-19) |
| Best schedule | Day 1: Hapuna 7–11 AM, explore Kohala Coast resorts for lunch. Day 2: A-Bay 9 AM, snorkel/swim, sunset on the beach |
| Parking | Hapuna: $5 state park fee, fills by 10 AM. A-Bay: free lot, rarely fills |
| From Kona airport | 30 min to Hapuna, 20 min to A-Bay |
Snorkel gear: A-Bay has good reef snorkeling along the lava rock edges. Bring your own or rent from the beach stand. Hapuna is better for swimming than snorkeling (sandy bottom, less reef near shore).
$5 cash for Hapuna: State park entry fee for non-resident vehicles. Have it ready to avoid delays.
Cooler with drinks: The Kohala Coast is hot and dry with limited shade at Hapuna. Bring water and snacks. A-Bay has a food stand, but Hapuna does not have food vendors.
Winter: Hapuna gets powerful shore break during west swells. Check the forecast. A-Bay stays calmer and is the better choice when Hapuna has elevated surf. Whale watching from the beach is possible December through April.
Summer: Peak swimming season on the Kohala Coast. Calm conditions, warm 80°F water, and excellent visibility. Manta ray night snorkel tours run year-round from nearby Keauhou Bay.
After heavy rain, wait at least 72 hours before entering the ocean. Check each beach’s water quality page for live advisory status.
5-7 days minimum — the Big Island is huge (4,028 sq mi)
Start on the Kohala Coast (resorts), then Kona, Volcano, Hilo, and back. Do not underestimate driving distances.
Rain alternatives on Big Island: Volcanoes National Park, Hilo farmers market, Kona coffee farms, Imiloa Astronomy Center. Also check our brown water advisory guide — avoid the ocean for 72 hours after heavy rain.
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Free alerts when advisories change at your beach.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — it is not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health, any entity mentioned on this page, 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.
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 does not recommend or advise anyone to swim at any beach. We share government data and geographic analysis so you can make your own informed decisions. By using this site you accept full responsibility for your own safety. See our Terms of Use for full details.
When in doubt, donʻt go out. 🤙