When most people search for the best beaches on the Big Island, they expect white sand, calm water, and coconut palms. The Big Island delivers that, but it also has black sand beaches formed from cooled lava, sheltered coves perfect for snorkelling, and rocky shorelines where sea turtles come to rest. We’re always amazed at how different each beach feels, sometimes within just a short drive of each other.
The catch for families is that not all Big Island beaches are created equal. Some look stunning in photos, but have currents that make swimming (especially with little ones) a bad idea. Others are calm, shallow, and so good for snorkelling that the kids won’t want to leave. We’ve done the legwork so you can plan your beach days around where you’re staying and what your family actually wants out of a beach day.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- An honest breakdown of the best beaches on the Big Island, organized by area of the island
- First-hand recommendations from a family who has explored these beaches with young kids
- Which beaches suit small children, older kids, and teens
- Key details like facilities, parking, entry fees, and what to watch out for at each spot
- A few spots that are worth knowing about even if they’re not a classic family beach day
Let’s get to it…
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Planning Your Full Big Island Trip?
This post covers the best beaches on the Big Island, but if you’re still working out the rest of your itinerary, we’ve got you covered there too. Here’s everything we’ve put together to help you plan:
- Hawaii Travel Guide for Families — everything you need to know before you go
- How Many Days Do You Need on the Big Island? — figure out the right trip length for your family before you book
- 5-Day Big Island Itinerary — a focused, action-packed intro to the island
- 7-Day Big Island Itinerary — the sweet spot for many families
- 10-14 Day Big Island Itinerary — for those who want to see it all
- Kona Manta Ray Night Dive and Snorkel — one of the most unforgettable experiences on the island
Kohala Coast Beaches
The Kohala Coast, roughly 30 to 45 minutes north of Kailua-Kona, is where you’ll find the Big Island’s most classically beautiful beaches. This is the resort corridor, but public access is protected by law at every beach in Hawaii, which means you don’t need to be a resort guest to enjoy them. We made the drive to this area multiple times on our trip, and it was worth it every time.
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Best for: Families with kids of all ages, swimming, boogie boarding, a full beach day.
If there’s one beach on the Big Island that checks nearly every box, it’s Hapuna. This is a wide, white sand beach with calm water in summer and enough space that it doesn’t feel crowded even on a busy day. Winter brings big swells and large waves, which makes for some epic boogie boarding, but can be a bit much for younger kids.
We’ve visited Hapuna in both seasons. Years ago, before our own boys, we came in winter with our nieces who were a baby and young toddler at the time. The waves were insane and the boogie boarding was fantastic, but it was intense for little ones. Our nieces were content playing in the sand, which turned out to be the right call.
On our most recent visit in spring, we spent a full afternoon here with our boys. The waves were decent for little adventurers (they actually wanted them bigger). It was one of those easy, happy beach days where the kids were content and the adults got to relax. Every parent knows that combination is rare.
We haven’t snorkelled here as conditions weren’t right on any of our visits, but you can apparently snorkel further out along the rocky edges and find fish without having to swim far.
Facilities include showers, restrooms, a small snack stand, and a reasonable parking area. Note that there is a $10 parking fee and $5 per person entry fee for non-residents.
Location: About 30 minutes north of Kailua-Kona on the Kohala Coast.
Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna’oa Bay)
Best for: Calm swimming, snorkelling, a slightly quieter crowd than Hapuna.
Just north of Hapuna sits Kauna’oa Bay, better known as Mauna Kea Beach after the resort above it. The crescent of white sand here is some of the most photogenic on the island, and the water is almost always calm and clear. We spotted sea turtles close to shore without even having to swim out far.
Public access is available, but parking is limited. It’s at least free if you can get a spot so you’ll need to arrive early or, from our experience, around lunch time when the morning beach crowd heads on. The bay is sheltered, the snorkelling along the edges is excellent. This is a quiet, laid back spot to spend the day.
If your kids are comfortable in the water, this is a great spot to introduce them to snorkelling in near-ideal conditions. We spent all afternoon here with zero regrets.
Location: About 33 minutes north of Kailua-Kona, just past Hapuna on the Kohala Coast.
Beach 69 (Waialea Bay)
Best for: Snorkelling, a more local feel, families who want to explore beyond the resort strip.
Beach 69 gets its nickname from the old highway marker at the access road. It has the feel of a find even though it’s well known to locals. The sand is white, the water is a bright clear blue, and on a calm day the snorkelling along the rocks is some of the best on the Kohala Coast.
You park along the road and walk a short distance in through a grove of trees, which adds to the sense that you’ve discovered something off the beaten path. Facilities are minimal with basic washrooms and showers, so come prepared with water and snacks. It tends to be less busy than Hapuna and draws a local weekend crowd that keeps things relaxed and easy.
Location: About 35 minutes north of Kailua-Kona, accessed off Old Puako Road near Kawaihae.
Hilton Waikoloa Village Lagoon
Best for: Small children, nervous swimmers, families who want a calm and controlled ocean experience
The lagoon at Hilton Waikoloa Village is not a public beach, but it earns a spot on this list because it’s one of the most family-friendly water experiences on the entire Kohala Coast. The lagoon is a sheltered saltwater inlet connected to the ocean. Here you’ll find real marine life in a calm, safe environment that even the smallest kids can enjoy without any of the unpredictability of open ocean swimming.
We spotted sea turtles, fish, and eagle rays during our visit, which genuinely surprised us given how accessible and relaxed the setting is. Our boys were in their element. The snorkelling here is excellent for young or nervous snorkellers because the water stays calm and shallow in areas, and you can cover a lot of ground without feeling like conditions are working against you. We also rented a paddle boat and explored the lagoon that way, which was a big hit with the kids.
If you aren’t staying at one of the associated Hilton properties, day passes are available and cover access to the lagoon as well as the resort pools. It’s worth every penny for a guaranteed great water day, especially if conditions at the public beaches aren’t cooperating or you just want a more relaxed experience with little ones.
Location: Hilton Waikoloa Village, 69-425 Waikoloa Beach Drive, Waikoloa. On the Kohala Coast roughly 25 minutes north of Kailua-Kona.
Kailua-Kona Beaches
The beaches closest to Kailua-Kona town are convenient and easy to fold into a busy itinerary. They’re not the most dramatic on the island, but a couple of them are among the best for families anywhere on the Big Island. We kept coming back to this stretch on our trip because of how quickly you can get in the water from wherever you’re staying in Kona (which is where we usually stay for part of our trips to the Big Island).
Magic Sands Beach (La’aloa Beach Park)
Best for: Boogie boarding, a quick beach fix, watching local surf culture.
Magic Sands earns its name. The white sand here disappears almost entirely in winter swells and reappears when the water calms down in spring. This makes it a bit unpredictable, but a lot of fun to visit when conditions are right. On a calm day it’s one of the most accessible beach experiences close to Kona town, just a few minutes south of the strip.
Our boys had a blast at Magic Sands. Our 6-year-old loved boogie boarding here. It was his favourite spot to boogie board on the entire island. He’s fairly confident in the waves, which helped on the days the waves picked up. Our 4-year-old had more mixed feelings; on some days the waves were a bit more than he (and we, for him) felt comfortable with. You know your kids best, so factor in their confidence level before committing to a full afternoon here.
This beach gets busy fast given its small size and limited sand entry. We recommend arriving early, as it stays consistently busy throughout the day and gets even livelier after school hours and on weekends when local families arrive. Facilities include restrooms, showers, and a small parking lot that fills up quickly.
Location: About 4 miles south of Kailua-Kona town on Ali’i Drive.
Kahalu’u Beach Park
Best for: Snorkelling with kids, beginner snorkellers, seeing sea turtles close to shore.
If snorkelling is on your Big Island bucket list and you have younger or less confident swimmers in your group, Kahalu’u might be your best beach day on the island. The reef is close to shore, the entry is easy over flat rock, and the fish life is remarkable. We spotted sea turtles on every single visit, often just a few feet from the shoreline. Our boys still talk about the turtles they saw here.
The beach itself is small and the sand is dark, so don’t come here for a classic sunbathing afternoon. Come to snorkel. Gear rentals are available right at the beach if you don’t have your own, which makes it easy to visit without hauling equipment across the island. Restrooms, showers, and a small parking area are on-site.
One thing we’d pass along: the entry over the reef can be slippery. Water shoes are a good idea, especially for kids who are still finding their footing in the ocean.
Location: About 5 miles south of Kailua-Kona town, easy to reach from most Kona-side accommodation.
South Kona Beaches
The South Kona coast sits between Kailua-Kona and the southern tip of the island and has a quieter, more rugged feel than the resort beaches to the north. The beaches and snorkel spots in this section are worth the drive for the right family, though they suit older kids and teens better than little ones.
Ho’okena Beach Park
Best for: A quieter, more local experience, snorkelling, seeing spinner dolphins.
Ho’okena takes a little more effort to reach, which is exactly why it tends to be less crowded than the beaches closer to Kona. The drive down is steep and winding, and the first time we made it we wondered if we’d taken a wrong turn. We hadn’t, and the payoff is a charming, low-key beach park with grey-black sand, calm water in summer, and a community atmosphere that feels completely different from the resort corridor to the north.
Spinner dolphins frequent the bay, and we found the snorkelling to be pretty decent. Facilities are basic: restrooms and outdoor showers. Camping is available here too if you’re looking for a beautiful spot to pitch your tent.
This is not a polished resort beach. It’s a real, local community beach park, which is part of what makes it worth the trip. When we left, we caught the most epic sunset while driving back up from the shore. It was one of those moments that catches you off guard and stops you in your tracks. This is probably one of our top three favourite beaches on the island so far.
Location: About 22 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Follow Highway 11 south and watch for the signs down to the bay.
Two-Step (Honaunau Bay)
Best for: Snorkelling and reef exploration for older kids, teens, and confident swimmers.
Two-Step is one of the most famous snorkel spots on the Big Island, and for good reason. The reef here is spectacular, the fish life is abundant, and spinner dolphins are regular visitors to the bay. The name comes from the two natural lava ledges that serve as the entry and exit point into the water, which makes getting in and out surprisingly easy once you know what you’re doing.
That entry is also why this spot is better suited to older kids and teens rather than small children. There is no sandy beach here, just lava rock, and the two-step entry requires some coordination and confidence in the water. For a young child or a nervous swimmer it can feel intimidating and the rocky surroundings leave little room for error. For an older kid or teen who’s comfortable in the ocean, it’s an absolute highlight of the Big Island.
Two-Step sits right next to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge), so it’s easy to combine both into a half-day trip down the South Kona coast.
Location: About 22 miles south of Kailua-Kona off Highway 160, adjacent to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park.
Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument)
Best for: Snorkel tours, confident swimmers, families with older kids who want world-class reef.
We know, we know. There’s no beach here. But Kealakekua Bay comes up in almost every Big Island conversation for good reason, and we’d feel like we were leaving something important off the list if we skipped it entirely.
The bay is widely considered one of the best snorkel spots in all of Hawaii, and the reef and marine life here genuinely live up to the reputation. The water is clear, the coral is healthy, and the fish life is incredible. It’s the kind of snorkel experience that sticks with you.
Access to the bay is either by kayak (a popular half-day rental option that paddles you across the bay to the monument), by booking a snorkel tour that drops you directly in the water, or by hiking the steep 3 km (1.9 mi) trail down to the shoreline and jumping in from the rocks. The hike back up is no joke, especially in the heat, so factor that in if you’re bringing kids along.
For families with older children or teens who are strong swimmers, a guided snorkel tour here is one of the best experiences on the island. For families with little ones, we’d skip it and spend the time at Kahalu’u or Carlsmith instead. There’s no shame in saving this one for a future trip when the kids are ready for it.
Location: Near Captain Cook town, off Highway 11 on the South Kona coast. Kayak rentals and snorkel tours depart from Napoopoo Road.
South Coast Beaches
The southern end of the Big Island is the most geologically active part of Hawaii, and the beaches here reflect that. Black sand, lava shorelines, and a raw, dramatic landscape that doesn’t look like anywhere else on earth. Swimming is limited at most spots down here, but as scenic stops and family experiences they’re pretty amazing. We built an entire afternoon around this stretch and it became one of our favourite parts of the trip.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Best for: Seeing sea turtles, photography, a uniquely Hawaiian landscape experience.
Punalu’u is unlike any beach your family has probably ever seen. The sand is jet black, formed from cooled lava, and the contrast against turquoise water and green palms has to be seen in person to fully land. We watched our kids’ faces when they first stepped onto the sand and it’s one of those travel memories that sticks. The whole place feels otherworldly.
Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) come here regularly to rest on the shore. You will very likely see them. It’s tempting to get as close as possible, but remember to keep at least 3m (10 ft) away and definitely don’t touch them. We reminded our boys of this before we arrived so there was no confusion when we spotted the first turtle just metres from where we were standing.
Swimming isn’t recommended here due to strong currents and surge. This is a scenic stop, not a swim beach. Plan 45 minutes to an hour, bring your camera, and it will absolutely deliver.
Location: On the southeastern side of the island, roughly halfway between Volcano and the southern tip via Highway 11.
Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)
Best for: A bucket-list landscape experience, older kids who can handle the hike, families who want something truly one of a kind.
Green Sand Beach is one of only a handful of green sand beaches in the world, and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. The sand gets its remarkable olive-green colour from olivine crystals eroded from the surrounding cinder cone, and the contrast against the deep blue of the ocean and the raw lava coastline is unlike anything we’d seen before. It’s the kind of place that makes you stop and wonder if you’re actually still on Earth.
Getting here is part of the experience. You either hike a rough 4 km (2.5 mi) each way over uneven lava terrain in the open sun, or pay for a bumpy ride in a local’s truck (unofficially organized at the trailhead). There’s no shade, no facilities, and no sandy shoreline waiting for you at the end. Swimming is not recommended due to strong surf and exposure, so this is a scenic stop, not a beach day.
Whether it belongs in your family itinerary really depends on your kids. If yours are young or easily tired, this one is probably better saved for a future trip when they’re older. But if you’ve got kids who can handle a solid hike in the heat and get excited about seeing something genuinely rare and unusual, it’s absolutely worth it. We think the right age and the right attitude makes all the difference at a place like this.
Plan an hour to an hour and a half to account for the journey in and back. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and solid footwear for everyone.
Location: Near South Point (Ka Lae) on the southern tip of the island. Follow Kalae Highway south and watch for the signs to the trailhead.
Hilo Side Beaches
The Hilo side of the Big Island is wetter, greener, and far less visited than the Kona side, which means the beaches here tend to be quieter and less polished. We found the east side of the island had a completely different character from the Kohala Coast, almost like a different island altogether. If your itinerary takes you to Hilo, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or the Puna region, it’s worth knowing what’s available.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Best for: Calm snorkelling, younger kids, seeing sea turtles
Carlsmith is one of those under-the-radar finds that locals love and visitors often miss entirely. We almost skipped it ourselves and we’re glad we didn’t. The beach itself is small and rocky rather than sandy, but that’s not the draw.
The draw is the series of spring-fed, sheltered pools that stay remarkably calm even when conditions outside are choppy. The cool spring water seeps up through the sand. For younger kids who aren’t ready for open ocean swimming, this is about as gentle an introduction to snorkelling as you’ll find anywhere on the island.
Sea turtles come here regularly, and because the water is so calm you can observe them without any strong current to navigate (although visibility isn’t always the best from the spring water mixing with the ocean water). Our kids were completely absorbed for well over an hour. The park has restrooms and a grassy picnic area, and it doesn’t draw big crowds, which made the whole morning feel easy and pretty chill.
Location: Just east of downtown Hilo, off Kalanianaole Avenue.
Kehena Black Sand Beach (Puna) – Worth the Stop if In the Area
Best for: Adventurous travellers, strong swimmers, those OK with clothing-optional environments
Kehena is one of those places that’s hard to categorize. The black sand beach sits at the base of a steep lava cliff in the Puna district, accessed by a narrow path down the rock face, and the setting is dramatic and beautiful in a way that’s completely different from anywhere else on the island. The devoted local following it has says a lot about how special it is.
That said, we want to be straightforward here: Kehena may not be a beach for your family. The beach is clothing-optional and in practice clothing is rarely worn. Strong currents and surge make the water unsafe for children and for adults who aren’t very confident swimmers. The access path is steep and over sharp lava rock, which can rule it out for young kids and anyone who isn’t steady on their feet.
We have spent time relaxing on Kehena Beach before kids. Now with kids, we only stopped here and walked down to the rocky outcrop that overlooks the beach and coastline. The view from up top is quite stunning and worth the short walk for that alone. But we kept it at that with our little ones in tow.
Location: Off the Kalapana-Kapoho Road in the Puna district, south of Pahoa.
A Note on Beach Safety
Big Island beaches can have strong surf, currents, and surge depending on the season and swell. We always checked conditions before each beach day and it made a difference more than once. Look for posted signs, watch how locals are (or aren’t) swimming before you get in, and when in doubt, stay out. The beaches in this guide are generally family-friendly, but conditions change and it pays to be informed.
The state of Hawaii posts ocean safety information at ocean.weather.gov and local surf reports are easy to find online. It’s not worth your family’s safety if the conditions are poor. Instead, spend the day checking out non-beach sites, playing in the pool at your accommodation (if available), or just play in the sand. There’s always another beach day on the Big Island.
Our Favourite Beach Gear
To make our beach days the best they can be, these are our must-have items.
- Compact folding wagon: This is our favourite beach accessory, and honestly one of our favourite travel accessories full stop. It’s surprisingly compact but holds a ton of gear and has a high weight capacity. We use it for beach days, in airports, and anywhere we need to haul a lot of stuff or a tired kiddo.
- Pop-up tent: A pop-up tent that fits into a large suitcase is ideal for bringing to beaches with limited shade. Ours has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.
- Small Cooler: We originally bought a small Coleman cooler in Costa Rica after realizing we’d forgotten to pack a collapsible one. Now it comes with us as a carry-on on every beach holiday and road trip.
- Sunscreen: A good mineral (reef safe) sunscreen is a must. We like Blue Lizard as it doesn’t leave you overly ghostly looking.
- Rash guards: Essential for days when you’ve had enough sun or are trying to get your surf on. We bring them for the whole family.
- Body Glove Paddle Pals: Our little ones have worn these all over the world and we’ve always felt comfortable with them in the water.
- Water shoes: We always carry water shoes to the beach, just in case. They are great for protecting feet in rocky environments.
- Adult full face snorkel: A game-changer for anyone who doesn’t find a traditional mask comfortable. Makes long snorkel sessions so much more enjoyable.
- Kids snorkel set: If your kids are anything like ours (part fish), good quality snorkel sets will get them started off right.
- Adult snorkel set: If you are also part fish, a quality mask and snorkel mask are essential.
The Big Island Has a Beach for Every Kind of Family Beach Day
The Big Island has a spectacular variety of beaches. In a single trip we went from the smooth white sand of Hapuna to the remarkable black sand of Punalu’u, with turtle sightings and excellent snorkelling in between. You don’t need to visit every beach on this list, but planning a few dedicated beach days, matched to where you’re staying and what your family enjoys, will make the most of your Big Island itinerary.
If this guide helped you plan your Big Island beach days, feel free to pin it on Pinterest, save it for later, and share it with anyone else dreaming of a Hawaii trip with their family.
You haven’t been to paradise if you haven’t been to Hawaii.
Bruno Mars
