Beaches on the Big Island

There are so many beaches to visit whilst on the Big Island that you will be spoilt for choice when looking for that perfect sunbathing spot for your Hawaii Big Island holiday or honeymoon. The Hawaiian Big Island is also home to one of two green sand beaches in the USA; Papakōlea or Green Sand. This remote and beautiful beach is well worth a visit but be warned it is not easily accessed! Visitors must first drive to South Point (where you will see locals braving cliff dives into the ocean below, park up and then complete the 1-hour hike to the beach. The hike is long but not particularly challenging and along the hike you will see lots of interesting features such as ancient temples and beautiful landscape. Another interesting beach to visit on the Big Island is the black sand beach Richardson Beach Park – the beach is the closest black sand beach to Hilo and the number one place to snorkel south of Hilo! The beach has showers, bathrooms, picnic areas and a lifeguard – this is a great family beach as the water here is calm due to natural lava rock protecting against breakwater.

If you’re looking for the perfect protected beach where you can snorkel on your  Hawaii Big Island holiday or honeymoon, then you’ll want to visit Carlsmith Beach Park – this beach has its own resident turtles you may be lucky enough to see and there are plenty of fish in the lagoons for snorkelling! If you want to visit a picturesque white sand beach on your 2023 Big Island holiday adventure, then you’ll want to stop by Mauna Kea beach (Kauna’oa beach) located in front of Mauna Kea Resort. This beach is a beautiful crescent shaped white sand beach perfect for families, snorkelling, sunbathing, swimming and relaxing! This beach is also easily accessible, and visitors can use the resort facilities like having food and drink! This beach is also an ideal place for spotting Manta Rays at night as the resort turn on flood lights to attract the Mana Rays to feed.

One of the best white sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii is Maniniowali Beach – this beach is great for snorkelling and swimming as it has crystal clear blue waters and is very secluded! This secluded beach is not very touristy so visitors should bring their own food and drink as they may not have access to it otherwise. Visiting one of the prettiest white sand beaches in Hawaii is a true reward as visitors will have to hike 1 mile beyond Mahai’ula Beach Park to access it. Those willing to complete the hike will be greatly rewarded though as they will be able to relax and enjoy a beautiful white sand beach lined with palm trees. There are so many beaches to explore and relax on whilst on you Hawaii Big Island holiday but be sure you have a plan for which beaches you want to visit and how to get their safely – talking to our expert travel advisors is a great way to ensure you get to see all the beaches you want to on your Hawaii holiday.