Big Island · Beaches
Swimming Beaches on the Big Island
Long, sandy, and swimmable on calm days — the family-friendly picks.
Swimming BeachesKohala Coast
Hāpuna Beach
Wide, soft, and watched by lifeguards, it's the easiest big-beach day on the Kohala Coast. Come early, when the water is calmest and the lot still has room.
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Swimming BeachesKohala Coast
Kaunaʻoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach)
This is the postcard Kohala beach: a gentle slope, soft sand, and resort polish, all without a room key. You just have to show up early enough to get a pass.
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Swimming BeachesKohala Coast
ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay)
Easy parking, gentle water, and real history a few steps from your towel make it a great first-day beach for families. Mornings are calmest, and the wind picks up in the afternoon.
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Swimming BeachesKona
Maniniʻōwali Beach (Kua Bay)
The water color alone is worth the stop. On a flat summer morning it's one of the best swims on the Kona side. On a big winter day, enjoy it from the sand.
Read moreKona
Lāʻaloa Beach Park (Magic Sands)
It has a lifeguard, it's close to town, and it's genuinely fun when the waves are small. This is the Kailua-Kona beach for a quick late-afternoon session.
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Swimming BeachesHilo
Carlsmith Beach Park (Four Mile)
Some of Hilo's calmest swimming water, with a lawn for your towel and no sand in your bag.
Read moreKohala Coast
Spencer Beach Park (ʻŌhaiʻula Beach)
It's the Kohala Coast's best bet for small kids, with gentle water and picnic tables. Pair it with the short walk to Puʻukoholā next door.
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