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HAWAI'I ISLAND · KOHALA COAST

Hapuna Beach

Water quality status and bacteria risk rating

Note: Beach 69 (Waialea Bay) is a separate beach just south of Hapuna

📍 On the Kohala Coast between the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Westin Hapuna

Checking live advisories…
30-Day Water Quality History
30/30 days advisory-free · no DOH advisories posted in the past 30 days
Aug 29 · No active advisoryAug 30 · No active advisoryAug 31 · No active advisorySep 1 · No active advisorySep 2 · No active advisorySep 3 · No active advisorySep 4 · No active advisorySep 5 · No active advisorySep 6 · No active advisorySep 7 · No active advisorySep 8 · No active advisorySep 9 · No active advisorySep 10 · No active advisorySep 11 · No active advisorySep 12 · No active advisorySep 13 · No active advisorySep 14 · No active advisorySep 15 · No active advisorySep 16 · No active advisorySep 17 · No active advisorySep 18 · No active advisorySep 19 · No active advisorySep 20 · No active advisorySep 21 · No active advisorySep 22 · No active advisorySep 23 · No active advisorySep 24 · No active advisorySep 25 · No active advisorySep 26 · No active advisorySep 27 · No active advisory
Aug 29 through Sep 27
EPA recreational threshold: 130 CFU/100mL enterococcus
Trend: — stable
advisory-free Brown Water Advisory Beach Advisory (bacteria)
Historical Pattern · 3-year monthly
January — 99% advisory-free historicallyFebruary — 79% advisory-free historicallyMarch — 100% advisory-free historicallyApril — 100% advisory-free historicallyMay — 100% advisory-free historicallyJune — 100% advisory-free historicallyJuly — 100% advisory-free historicallyAugust — 88% advisory-free historicallySeptember — 100% advisory-free historicallyOctober — 100% advisory-free historicallyNovember — 100% advisory-free historicallyDecember — 100% advisory-free historically JFMAMJJASOND
Historically most advisory-free in March (100% advisory-free) and most advisoried in February (79% advisory-free). Current 30-day window is tracking about average for September.
Source: Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch · Updated 2026-09-28
⚠
If It Looks Brown, Don't Swim
Never enter the ocean when the water appears brown or murky, even if no advisory is posted. Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories — not every beach is monitored. After heavy rain stops, avoid affected water for 72 hours as a precaution. Clear-looking water or elapsed time does not clear an active DOH advisory.
Learn more about brown water advisories →
Historical Bacteria Risk
⚠ Historical rating — this is based on long-term testing data, not current conditions. The state of Hawaii is often slow to test beaches and update advisories. Always check the water yourself and avoid brown or murky water.
Low Risk 1 / 5

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area is on the dry Kohala Coast of Hawaiʻi Island. Rainfall, runoff and wastewater exposure can vary even along this generally dry coast.

The 1/5 rating above is historical context, not a current bacteria measurement. It does not establish present water quality or override current DOH advisories, posted signs or local conditions.

Based on: DOH Tier 1 beach monitoring, dry climate, no stream discharge, open ocean exposure

⚠️ The 72-Hour Rain Rule

As a precaution, avoid affected coastal water for 72 hours after heavy rain stops, even if it looks clear. Elapsed time does not clear an active advisory: check current DOH notices and posted signs. Strong shore break and currents are separate hazards; ask lifeguards about local conditions.

Hapuna Runoff Context

These geographic factors help explain possible runoff exposure. They do not measure present bacteria levels or guarantee clean water:

🌦️
Dry leeward climate
The Kohala Coast is generally dry and leeward. Storms can still produce runoff carrying pollutants to the ocean.
💧
No permanent stream mouth
Hapuna has no permanent stream mouth. Stormwater can still reach coastal water during rain, so this does not rule out runoff contamination.
🌊
Strong ocean circulation
Open-ocean circulation can disperse runoff; it does not guarantee that bacteria or other pollutants are absent.
🏙️
Low population density
The Kohala Coast is less densely developed than urban Waikīkī. Development patterns are exposure context; wastewater pollution can still occur.

How this compares: Waikiki Beach has nearby Ala Wai Canal runoff concerns. Kailua Beach has nearby Kawainui Marsh drainage. Each beach needs its own current advisory and local-condition check.

Seasonal Rain and Surf Patterns
☀️ SUMMER (May–October)
Summer often brings drier weather and smaller north swells. Check current DOH advisories, posted signs and local surf before entering; the season does not establish water quality.
🌊 WINTER (November–April)
Large north and northwest swells can produce powerful shore break and strong currents. Check current DOH advisories as well as surf conditions, and obey lifeguard instructions.
⚠️ KONA STORMS (Rare, Any Season)
Kona low-pressure systems bring unusual south and southwest winds with heavy rain to the normally dry Kohala Coast. These are rare but can temporarily reduce water quality anywhere on the island. After heavy rain stops, follow the precaution above and keep observing any active DOH advisory.
Hapuna vs. Nearby Kohala Coast Beaches

The Kohala Coast stretches along the Big Island's dry leeward shore, home to several resort beaches. Each has its own current advisories, runoff exposure and ocean hazards:

Hapuna Beach
Largest white sand beach on the Big Island. Open ocean, strong shore break in winter.
Low
Spencer Beach Park
Calmer, reef-protected. Better for small children. 5 minutes north.
Water Quality →
Puako Beach
Rocky shore, world-class snorkeling. 10 minutes south.
Water Quality →
Kua Bay (Maniniowali)
Pristine turquoise water, smaller beach. 20 minutes south.
Water Quality →

Full comparison: Hapuna vs. Kua Bay → Spencer vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→ Makena vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→ Wailea vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→

Hapuna Beach Area Hotels — Historical Beach Water Quality
🏨 Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Directly above Hapuna Beach
Hist. Low
🏨 Mauna Kea Beach Hotel
Adjacent beach · Kauna'oa Bay
Hist. Low
🏨 Mauna Lani Resort
South Kohala · separate beach
Hist. Low
🏨 Fairmont Orchid
South Kohala · Pauoa Bay
Hist. Low
Book Tours & Activities

Top-rated experiences near this beach. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.

Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel
View this nighttime manta-ray snorkeling trip in Kona. Review operator requirements and current conditions before booking.
Viator
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel
View this nighttime manta-ray snorkeling trip in Kona. Review operator requirements and current conditions before booking.
Viator
Big Island Circle Tour
Full-day tour including volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastline
Viator
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel
View this Sea Paradise manta-ray snorkeling trip in Kona. Review operator requirements and current conditions before booking.
GetYourGuide

Tours listed via Viator and GetYourGuide. Safe to Swim Hawaii may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Beach Guides
🏖 Kahaluʻu Beach Park
30 min south · Kona · Popular snorkeling
3 / 5
🏖 Spencer Beach Park
5 min north · Kohala Coast · Calm family beach
2 / 5
🏖 Magic Sands Beach
35 min south · Kailua-Kona · Bodyboarding
2 / 5
Related Guides
Brown Water Advisory Guide
Guide →
Big Island West Coast Beaches
Hotel →
Puako Beach Water Quality & Snorkeling Guide | Big Island Hawaii
Hotel →
Is ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay) Safe to Swim Today? Water Quality & Bacteria Risk
Hotel →
Big Island Beach Guide
Island →
Hawaii Water Quality Today — All Islands
Guide → Hazards at Hapuna Beach — What to Know→ Kohala Coast Area Guide — Beaches, Water Quality & Tips→ Hapuna Vs A Bay — Water Quality Compared→ Hapuna Vs Magic Sands — Water Quality Compared→ Hapuna Vs Mauna Kea — Water Quality Compared→ Hapuna Vs Mauna Kea Beach — Water Quality Compared→ Hapuna Vs Poipu — Water Quality Compared→ Hapuna Vs Spencer Families — Water Quality Compared→ Kaanapali Vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→ Ko Olina Vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→ Kua Bay Vs Hapuna — Water Quality Compared→ Waikiki Vs Hapuna — Water Quality Deep Dive→
Hapuna Beach Water Quality by Month
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Activities at Hapuna Beach
🤿 Snorkeling at Hapuna Beach→ 🏄 Surfing at Hapuna Beach→ 👶 Swimming with Kids at Hapuna Beach→ 🛶 Kayaking at Hapuna Beach→
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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 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. “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.

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When in doubt, don't go out. 🤙

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