Data-driven beach plan with water quality checks
| Duration | Weekend |
| Island | Big Island |
| Beaches | 3 beaches covered |
| Best For | All experience levels |
The Big Island’s premier beach — half a mile of white sand on the dry Kohala Coast. The water is exceptionally clear with a gentle sandy bottom that slopes gradually. Mornings are calmest. In summer, conditions are typically excellent for swimming; in winter, check the surf forecast as shore break can be powerful. Lifeguards on duty daily. State park entry fee of $5 per vehicle for non-residents.
Spend the morning at Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay), a crescent of white sand that stays calmer than Hapuna during moderate surf. Public parking is limited to 30 spaces — arrive before 8 AM or you will be turned away. In the afternoon, head to A-Bay (Anaehoʻomalu) for sunset — the palm-fringed beach faces due west and has excellent sunset views. Snorkeling is decent along the lava rocks at the south end.
Water quality note: Check the Hapuna Beach page for current conditions. The Kohala Coast is the driest part of the Big Island, so water quality advisories are rare. Kona storms are the exception — check after westerly rain events.
| Hapuna parking | $5 state park fee. Lot fills by 10 AM on weekends. Arrive early |
| Hapuna to Mauna Kea | 5 min north on Queen Kaʻahumanu Hwy. Only 30 public parking spots — arrive before 8 AM |
| Mauna Kea to A-Bay | 15 min south on Queen Kaʻahumanu Hwy. Free parking at A-Bay lot |
| From Kona airport | 30 min to Hapuna, 35 min to Mauna Kea, 20 min to A-Bay |
| Island tip | Stay on the Kohala Coast for beach days. The Hilo side is 2+ hours away and often rainy. Save Hilo and Volcanoes National Park for a separate trip |
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.
Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
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. 🤙