Carlsmith has no sandy shoreline. Instead, a grassy lawn runs down to calm, protected water that's good for swimming and snorkeling. There are restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a pavilion.
Why we love it
Some of Hilo's calmest swimming water, with a lawn for your towel and no sand in your bag.
What to expect
There’s no sand at Carlsmith. A mowed lawn dotted with picnic tables runs right down to the water, so bring a chair or towel. Lava rock and a reef wall enclose most of the inner lagoon, and the water stays calm on all but the windiest days. For this lava coast, the bottom is unusually smooth and sandy. A few cooler pockets mark spots where fresh water seeps up. Turtles feed along the reef edge and are easiest to spot when the surface is glassy. Richardson, a short drive east, is the better pick if you want a beach to sit on.
Know before you go
- Parking
- Park next door at Kealoha Beach Park, about a 100-foot walk away. Both this park and nearby Richardson get very busy on weekends.
- Lifeguards
- The state ocean-safety site and a 2026 local guide list lifeguards daily, 9:30 a.m.–4:45 p.m., but older Go Hawaii listings say weekends and holidays only. Check that the tower is staffed when you arrive.
- Getting in
- You enter the water over rock, not sand, so water shoes help.
- Water conditions
- Big east-side swells can change conditions, so check HIOCEANSAFETY.COM’s surf report and hazard signs first.
- Honu
- Turtles are regulars in the lagoon. Stay at least 10 feet away, in the water and on land.
- Facilities
- There are restrooms, a shower, drinking water, picnic tables, and a pavilion.
Photo: dronepicr via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
