8 Best Beaches in Hawaii Island: Paradise Found on the Big Island

Hawaii Island, often called the Big Island, offers some of the most diverse and stunning beaches in the entire Hawaiian archipelago. From pristine white sand shores to unique black and even green sand beaches, the Big Island delivers an unparalleled beach experience for every type of traveler. The island's volcanic origins have created a spectacular coastline where visitors can witness the powerful relationship between land and sea.

Whether you're seeking family-friendly swimming spots, secluded romantic coves, or unique geological wonders, these 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island provide unforgettable experiences that showcase the island's natural beauty.

Let's explore the 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island that should be on every visitor's itinerary.

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1. Hapuna Beach

Hapuna Beach is widely regarded as one of the best beaches on the Big Island for swimming. This half-mile stretch of pristine white sand is regularly voted among the "best beaches in the world."

This top-rated beach for both locals and visitors has frequently ranked as one of the top beaches in the US according to Conde Nast Traveler magazine. The wide golden sand, which can reach up to 200 feet in width during summer months, slopes gently into crystal-clear waters, creating perfect conditions for swimming and water play. While the northern and southern ends offer excellent snorkeling opportunities around rocky outcroppings, the central area is ideal for bodyboarding and swimming.

As a state park, Hapuna Beach provides excellent facilities including restrooms, showers, picnic areas, and even food concessions. The beach does tend to get crowded, especially on weekends, but its generous size usually ensures enough space for everyone to enjoy.

While Hapuna Beach offers the classic white sand beach experience that Hawaii Island is famous for, our next destination provides a more intimate setting with equally stunning waters.

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2. Kua Bay (Manini'owali Beach)

Located about 20-30 minutes north of Kailua-Kona, Kua Bay is definitely one of the island's favorite beaches. Its gorgeous blue water and location in a cove surrounded by lava rocks create a stunning setting for beach days. Once difficult to access, the beach became much more accessible after the government invested in paving a road through the lava field, making this gem easy to enjoy.

The beach offers full facilities, including restrooms, showers, barbecues, and picnic tables. While the water is often calm and perfect for swimming, conditions can change rapidly, making it occasionally hazardous when waves pick up. Local surfers and boogie boarders frequently take advantage of the waves, creating an exciting show for beachgoers.

For the best experience, try visiting on weekdays when the beach is less crowded and parking is more readily available. The contrast between black lava rock, white sand, and turquoise waters makes for stunning photos, so don't forget your camera.

From the bright white sands of Kua Bay, let's journey to one of the most unique beaches in Hawaii Island, where volcanic activity has created something truly special.

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3. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is the most accessible black sand beach on the island. This beautiful beach is lined with palm trees, giving it a tropical paradise vibe, and doesn't require a hike to reach—a huge bonus for those wanting to visit a black sand beach without much effort.

Located thirty miles south of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this famous black sand beach is also one of the best places to see honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) basking on the shore.

The contrast between the jet-black sand and the green turtles creates a mesmerizing scene unique to Hawaii Island. While swimming conditions can be unpredictable due to strong currents, the beach remains popular for its scenic beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. The beach park includes facilities like restrooms and picnic areas, making it suitable for family outings.

If you're willing to venture a bit off the beaten path after experiencing Punalu'u, one of the 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island awaits those who don't mind a short hike.

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4. Makalawena Beach

Like anything worthwhile, Makalawena Beach makes you work a little to enjoy it. The secluded white sand beach requires about a 20-minute walk across a lava field, but the path is well-worn through the a'a flow.

While tougher to get to, Makalawena Beach is absolutely beautiful and significantly less crowded than other beaches in the area due to the effort required to reach it.

This hidden gem features multiple coves with extremely soft white sand and incredibly blue, clear water. The beach offers a more authentic, untouched Hawaiian experience compared to more developed beaches. There are even wild chickens and palm trees framing the dunes at the northern end.

One important note: there are no restrooms or showers at the beach itself, though the parking area does have portable toilets. Be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection for the exposed hike both ways.

Speaking of beaches that require some effort to reach, our next destination on our list of 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island offers perhaps the most unique sand color you'll ever encounter.

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5. Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Known as Green Sand Beach or Pu'u o Mahana, Papakolea Beach truly deserves its name. The olive-like color of the sand comes from the presence of a greenish, semi-precious stone called olivine. The erosive force of the ocean washing into the base of the Pu'u o Mahana cinder cone has extracted olivines from the cinder, depositing them on the sand and giving it a green tint.

This beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the entire world! The others are in Guam, the Galapagos, and Norway. While the beach may appear more like a golden-olive color than bright green, it's still a remarkable natural phenomenon worth experiencing.

Accessing this unique beach requires commitment—about a 2.5-3 mile hike each way along the coast from the parking area. The trail is relatively flat but fully exposed to the sun and sometimes strong winds. The effort is rewarded with not just the uniquely colored sand, but also beautiful ocean views throughout the hike.

From one hiking adventure to another, the next of our 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island offers dramatic cliffs and volcanic landscapes that tell the story of the island's formation.

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6. Pololu Valley Beach

Pololu Valley is a gorgeous part of the Kohala Coast, overlooking endless cliffs toward the Hamakua Coast, a valley, and the ocean below. The black sand beach is accessible via a trail from the valley overlook, descending about 0.6 miles and losing around 420 feet of elevation. T

The black sand beach is secluded and offers great views, though the beach more often than not consists of large, fist-sized stones. The water is frequently murky with strong currents, making it unsuitable for swimming or snorkeling.

What makes this beach special is the combination of the journey and destination. The hike down provides spectacular panoramic views the entire way, with the beach as the rewarding finale. The steep cliffs surrounding the black sand create a dramatic setting unlike any other beach on the island.

For those who prefer their beach experiences to be more accessible, the next on our list of 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island is conveniently located near Kailua-Kona and offers its own magical surprise.

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7. Magic Sands Beach (La'aloa Beach)

Magic Sands Beach (officially called La'aloa Beach) earned its nickname for a fascinating reason—during winter months, the surf can become so strong that it actually removes the sand from the beach, exposing the lava rocks below. Also known as Disappearing Sands, this white sand beach is located on Ali'i Drive just south of Historic Kailua Village.

Despite being one of the smaller beaches on the list, Magic Sands delivers a quintessential Hawaiian beach experience with its palm trees, bright blue water, and golden-white sand. The beach is great for splashing in the surf, body surfing, and bodyboarding, though waves can be rough at times.

The beach offers restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic tables for visitors' convenience. A lifeguard is also on duty, providing an extra layer of safety for swimmers. Its convenient location makes it perfect for a quick beach stop while exploring Kailua-Kona.

To complete our tour of the 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island, our final destination offers excellent snorkeling in a more secluded setting with a local vibe.

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8. Waialea Bay Beach (Beach 69)

Waialea Bay Beach, also known as Beach 69, is a secluded white sand beach. When surf conditions are calm, it's an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling, though it can get somewhat crowded on weekends.

This less commercial beach offers a more local experience with plenty of shade from trees lining the shore. The beach features several coves and pockets of sand, allowing visitors to find their own semi-private area to relax. The bay's protected waters host diverse marine life, making it one of the best snorkeling spots on the island.

Beach 69 has a more natural, less developed feel compared to some of the other beaches on this list. While it does have basic facilities, its charm lies in its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful natural setting.

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Conclusion

Hawaii Island's beaches offer something truly special for every visitor. From world-famous white sand beaches to unique geological wonders like green and black sand beaches, the Big Island showcases nature's diversity in spectacular fashion. These 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island represent the finest coastal experiences the island has to offer, each with its own distinct character and appeal.

Whether you're seeking adventure, relaxation, unique natural phenomena, or family-friendly fun, these 8 best beaches in Hawaii Island deliver unforgettable experiences that embody the spirit of Hawaii.

As you plan your Hawaiian getaway, make sure to include several of these magnificent beaches in your itinerary—they represent some of the most beautiful coastal areas not just in Hawaii, but in the world.