A half-mile of sand right beside the highway north of Kapaʻa, with a sandbar break that draws bodyboarders and surfers. The calmest swimming is at the north end, where a breakwater, a remnant of the plantation-era landing, shelters the water.
Why we love it
It’s the east side’s best beach to simply look at and walk, with lifeguards, a bike-path connection and a breakwater corner for a dip on calm days.
Current conditions: Open in Oct. 2026, but listed under the islandwide brown water advisory reissued Oct. 3, 2026. Check the DOH map before swimming.
What to expect
Expect an open, windswept beach with waves breaking over a sandy bottom. That’s great for watching bodyboarders, less so for a relaxing swim. When the water is calm, the north end behind the breakwater is the spot. The rest of the beach can have strong currents when swells are up, and trade winds can whip the whole coast into chop. Lifeguards are on duty, and the coastal bike path runs right past, so it makes a natural turnaround or picnic stop on a ride from Kapaʻa.
Know before you go
- Lifeguards
- The county Keālia tower is staffed daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Where to swim
- The north end, where the breakwater shelters the water. Elsewhere, expect shore break and currents.
- Wind
- Trade winds usually pick up in the afternoon. Mornings are calmer.
- Brown water
- The post-Lowell advisory covered Keālia in October 2026. Check the DOH map after rain.
- Parking
- Free lot off the highway, and the coastal path passes the beach.
Photo: dronepicr via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0
