Water quality status and snorkeling guide
📍 Kohala Coast, Big Island — Hidden gem, excellent snorkeling
Waialea Beach sits on the sunny, dry Kohala Coast where rainfall is minimal and there are no significant streams or runoff sources. Open ocean circulation maintains excellent water clarity and very low bacteria levels year-round. One of the cleanest beaches on the Big Island.
Stay out of the ocean for 72 hours after heavy rain. The Kohala Coast rarely sees significant rain, but when it does occur upslope, any runoff reaching the bay can temporarily affect quality.
Waialea Beach is a small, crescent-shaped bay tucked between the resort beaches of Hapuna and Mauna Lani. Its local nickname "Beach 69" has stuck for decades. Shaded by kiawe and coconut palms, it has a more relaxed, local feel than the manicured resort beaches nearby.
The snorkeling is excellent, particularly around the rocky points at each end of the bay. Hawaiian green sea turtles (hōnu) are regularly seen, and the reef supports healthy populations of colorful reef fish. The water is crystal clear with visibility often exceeding 60 feet.
Top-rated experiences near this beach. Check water quality above, then plan your trip.
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The nickname comes from a now-removed telephone pole (pole number 69) that marked the unpaved access road before GPS navigation. Early beachgoers would give directions by referencing the pole number. The road has since been paved and the pole replaced, but the name stuck. The official name is Waialea Bay Beach Reserve, but locals and visitors universally call it Beach 69. When searching DOH records or official maps, look for Waialea or Puako.
Turn off Highway 19 onto Old Puako Road (between the Mauna Lani and Hapuna Beach resort areas). A marked parking area is on the left after about a quarter mile. The lot holds roughly 20-25 cars and fills early on weekends and holidays. From the parking area, a shaded 3-minute walk through kiawe trees leads to the beach. The kiawe thorns are brutal on bare feet, so wear shoes for the walk. There are portable restrooms at the parking lot but no other facilities. Bring all supplies including water, food, shade, and snorkel gear.
The best snorkeling at Waialea is along the rocky points at either end of the crescent bay. Enter from the sandy center of the beach, then swim toward the rocks on the right (south) side for the most diverse marine life. Green sea turtles are regularly seen grazing on algae. Visibility on calm days often exceeds 60 feet — the Kohala Coast's dry climate and lack of stream runoff keep the water remarkably clear. Morning conditions before 10 AM are typically calmest with the best visibility. Afternoon trade winds can create surface chop that reduces visibility but does not affect safety for strong swimmers.
Waialea sits between two of the Big Island’s most popular beaches: Hapuna Beach (1 mile north) and Mauna Lani Beach (1 mile south). Hapuna has a much larger sandy beach with lifeguards and stronger wave action — better for body surfing. Mauna Lani is a resort beach with more amenities. Waialea fills a niche as a calm, intimate snorkeling beach without the resort infrastructure. If Hapuna is too wavy or crowded, Beach 69 is the natural backup. They share similar water quality characteristics as both sit on the dry Kohala Coast with minimal runoff.
Free alerts when water quality changes at your beach.
Hawaii’s Department of Health monitors approximately 57 beaches statewide through regular bacteria testing. However, with over 300 swimmable beaches across the islands, many popular spots have no regular testing program. Water quality varies significantly based on rainfall, stream proximity, coastal development, and ocean circulation patterns.
After heavy rain, streams and storm drains carry bacteria, sewage, pesticides, and sediment into coastal waters. The DOH recommends staying out of the ocean for at least 48 to 72 hours after heavy rain, even if the water appears clear. Brown or murky water is a visible sign of contamination, but bacteria can be present in clear water near stream mouths.
This site aggregates data from six sources — DOH advisories, USGS stream monitoring (25 stations), NOAA tide and temperature data, NDBC wave buoys, NWS weather alerts, and City & County of Honolulu water testing — to provide a more complete picture than any single source.
The 72-hour rule is the standard guideline from the Hawaii Department of Health: avoid swimming for at least 72 hours after heavy rain stops, especially near stream mouths, canal outlets, and areas with brown or discolored water. This applies to all beaches across all islands.
Bacteria from urban runoff, agricultural land, and aging cesspool systems enters the ocean through streams and storm drains. Hawaii has approximately 88,000 cesspools — more than any other state — many of which leak untreated sewage into groundwater that eventually reaches the coast. Beaches near known cesspool contamination areas carry higher risk, particularly after rainfall.
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii DOH. Ratings are estimates, not real-time measurements.
Always verify with the Hawaii DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
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, don't go out. 🤙
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Safe to Swim Hawaii is an independent passion project — not affiliated with the Hawaii Department of Health or any government agency. Water quality ratings 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 DOH Clean Water Branch before entering the water.
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, don’t go out. 🤙