Samuel Spencer Beach Park   The water here is almost always calm so it is a good choice for families and is very popular with locals.  This is one of the nicer beach parks where camping is allowed.  There is often no lifeguard on duty.  Located on highway 270 just past the intersection with highway 19.

Kauna'oa Beach  Located at the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, it is questionable as to whether this or the neighboring Hapuna Beach is the best beach on the island.  It is long, with fine white sand and a gentle slope.  The public access end is shady if you prefer.  If you love laying on the beach, you will have difficulty ever finding a more idyllic setting than this.  Enter through the gate to the Mauna Kea Beach Resort off Highway 19 and ask for public access parking.  Public parking is limited so you have to get there early or just after someone else leaves to get a parking place.  

Hapuna Beach State Park  

Boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach

To us, this half-mile long crescent fine, golden-sand beach is tied with Kauna'oa Beach as the best on the Big Island, if not in all Hawaii.  In summer there is good snorkeling along the rocks at either side of the beach.  Snorkeling is very good on the right side of the beach fronting the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in a tiny horseshoe cove.   Snorkel the coast line beyond the cove among the many inlets that cut into the reef and enjoy sun bathing.  There are also tide pools for kids to play in.  Signs restrict the use of surfboards and similar beach equipment, but boogie boarding is very popular.  The surf can be dangerous in winter and lifeguards aren't always present.  Rest rooms and a snack bar are adjacent to the parking lot.  Between Mauna Kea Beach and Mauna Lani resorts off Highway 19 about 27 miles north of the Kona airport near mile marker 69.

Anaeho'omalu Beach   Located at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort this long crescent-shaped course white sand beach is also known as A-Bay.   It is excellent for swimming and sunbathing.  We've also read about good snorkeling, but in the half dozen times we've visited A-Bay it was o.k. at best.  Equipment rental and instruction can be arranged at the hotel's concessions, but they are relatively expensive.  The hotel has preserved the adjacent ancient fishponds and Petroglyphs.  Exit at Waikoloa Beach Drive.  Turn left at the stop sign near the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Resort and follow the signs to parking and beach right-of-way to the south of the resort.

Holoholokai Beach Park   This is a rocky beach of black-lava rock formations but it is o.k. for snorkeling and sunbathing.   Bathrooms, picnic tables, and barbecue grills are available in a well maintained area.  Just before the beach park is Puako Petroglyph Park.  The trail is 3/4 mile through brush to the area of lava containing ancient Hawaiian etchings.  Off Highway 19 at Mauna Lani Hotel and Bungalows.

Kona Coast State Park  The access road is pretty rough from Highway 19 but this is a nice spot for swimming and snorkeling.  

Old Airport State Recreation Area   This is a 120 acre site with a white sand beach and several small inlets that make it great for children.  Tide pools contain varied ocean life.

Laaloa Beach Park   Also known as Magic Sands or White Sands beach.  It is also known as "Disappearing Sands" because it loses its sand during the winter when high surf occurs.  But, the sand returns in the Spring to again produce a white sandy beach.  There is always a lifeguard on duty and showers and bathrooms are available.  Located on Alii Drive about 4.5 miles South of Kona.

Kahalu'u Beach Park   Next to the Keauhou Beach Hotel at mile marker five south of Kailua-Kona on Alii Drive.  Some claim this is the best place for  snorkeling on the Big Island and you will almost always see turtles, but it can be very crowded.  A strong rip current occurs during high surf so you must be cautious.  There are rest rooms, showers, and a lifeguard here, but parking is limited.  This beach was frequented by King Kalakaua whose summer cottage is on the grounds of the Keauhou Beach hotel adjacent to the park.

Keauhou Bay  A small quiet beach where you can picnic and swim.  While it is o.k. if you are staying nearby, we prefer several other beaches on the island.

Punalu'u Beach Park   This is the most easily accessible black sand beach on the island (ignoring the approximately 60 mile trip from either Kona or Hilo).  Cold fresh water springs just off shore feed it from the bottom and fresh water rises in the salt water.  There are many sea turtles in the bay which can be easily seen from the picnic area to the right.  Other than a souvenir shack used by several vendors at the back of the beach, the site is very picturesque.

Onekahakaha Beach Park   This white sand beach is protected which makes it a favorite for families with small children.  Lifeguards are on duty year-round.  There are rest rooms,  showers, and picnic pavilions.  During high surf though it may be unsafe for swimming.  Follow Kalaniana'ole Avenue east along the ocean about 3 miles south of Hilo.

Ho'okena State Park  This is not a family swimming spot.  It is down a narrow road.  The beach is gray sand and water shoes are a must.  However, fish are plentiful and snorkeling is good.  

Leleiwi Beach Park  This beach is adjacent to the Richardson Ocean Center.  There are showers, rest rooms, and lifeguards.  2349 Kalaniana'ole Avenue; follow Kalaniana'ole Avenue east along the water about four miles south of Hilo.