Want to explore black sand, green sand, and classic white-sand beaches all in one trip? In our 6 years living on the Big Island, we discovered the island's best spots. I lived within walking distance of Ai'opio Beach which I recommend for snorkeling (get there early in the winter before the water gets choppy). Pack running shoes and you can go for a jog around the fishponds (there is plenty of shade and usually a nice ocean breeze). These beaches offer volcanic drama, crystal waters, and unforgettable coastal adventures.
Best Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii:
Endless sand and rolling surf at Hapuna Beach - 30-minute drive from Kona
Hapuna Beach opened wide like a welcome. Long stretches of soft white sand met gentle, rolling waves, and it felt like the kind of beach you could stay on all day without moving. I remember thinking, "This is what most people picture when they dream of Hawaii—and it’s even better in real life."
What I Loved Most: Swimming in the calm morning surf and then stretching out in the shade under a lone palm tree with nowhere else to be.
My Highlights? A fresh poke bowl from Kohala Burger and Taco on the drive back—ahi, shoyu, scallions, and a little sesame oil over warm rice. I ate it on a bench facing the sea, still a little sandy, still smiling.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Kailua-Kona: ~45 minutes north
- Vibe: Open, classic, family-friendly
- Highlights: Swimming, bodyboarding, long beach walks
- Best Time to Visit: Morning for calm surf and sun
- Cost: $5 parking fee (non-residents)
- Hours: 7am–sunset
- Address: Old Puako Rd, Waimea, HI
Tidepool tranquility at Carlsmith Beach Park - 15 minute drive from Hilo
Carlsmith was where lava met lagoon—where shallow tidepools wrapped around black rocks and felt more like a hidden spa than a beach. The water was impossibly clear and the vibe completely peaceful. I remember thinking, "This is where the world quiets down." The ocean felt like glass, the lava warm underfoot.
What I Loved Most: Wading from pool to pool and spotting sea turtles resting beneath the surface, totally unfazed.
My Highlights? A tropical smoothie and sandwich from Sweet Cane Café in Hilo—papaya, coconut milk, ginger, plus a grilled veggie wrap. Clean, colorful, and full of sunshine.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Hilo: ~10 minutes
- Vibe: Serene, crystalline, family-friendly
- Highlights: Tidepools, turtles, picnic lawns
- Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning to early afternoon
- Cost: Free
- Hours: 7am–7pm
- Address: 1815 Kalanianaole St, Hilo, HI
Playful pauses on Coconut Island - walk from Downtown Hilo
Coconut Island felt like a tiny escape within the escape. Just a quick walk across a footbridge, and suddenly I was surrounded by water, lava ledges, and kids jumping joyfully into the ocean. I remember thinking, "Joy can be small and spontaneous." There was something freeing in how unassuming it was.
What I Loved Most: Jumping from the stone tower into the sea and floating with my eyes closed while the island buzzed gently behind me.
My Highlights? A chilled lunch from Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine: fish tacos with pineapple slaw and a hibiscus iced tea. I brought it to-go and sat under a palm tree with ocean views all around me.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Hilo: ~5 minutes
- Vibe: Playful, lively, local
- Highlights: Swimming, jumping platforms, picnic areas
- Best Time to Visit: Afternoon for sun and energy
- Cost: Free
- Hours: 7am–7pm
- Address: Coconut Island (Moku Ola), Lihiwai St, Hilo, HI
Pebbles and tidepools at Holoholokai Beach, Mauna Lani
Holoholokai wasn’t your typical white-sand beach—it was something wilder. Pebble-covered, framed by lava rock, and lined with trails that felt like stories. I remember thinking, "This is the Hawaii most people don’t know to look for." Every sound—the ocean, the birds, the breeze—was a little louder, a little clearer.
What I Loved Most: Exploring the nearby petroglyph fields and feeling connected to something older than I could name.
My Highlights? A grab-and-go lunch from Island Gourmet Markets in Waikoloa: grilled chicken bento and a can of guava nectar. I found a shaded rock and let time stretch out beside me.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Waikoloa: ~10 minutes
- Vibe: Wild, cultural, textured
- Highlights: Lava rock, snorkeling, petroglyph trail
- Best Time to Visit: Sunset or early morning
- Cost: Free
- Hours: 7am–7pm
- Address: Holoholokai Beach Park, Puako, HI
Secluded sands at Honokaope Beach - 20 minutes by car from Waikoloa
Tucked behind a resort, Honokaope Beach felt like a whispered secret. Black lava framed soft golden sand, and the whole beach felt intimate and hushed. I remember thinking, "This is the kind of beach you don’t share—except maybe with someone you love." The waves rolled gently, and time unraveled with them.
What I Loved Most: Lying in the sand listening to the surf and watching the sun shimmer off black rock pools.
My Highlights? A beachfront brunch at Napua at Mauna Lani Beach Club: taro pancakes with coconut syrup and Kona coffee. It was warm, decadent, and utterly unhurried.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Kona: ~35 minutes north
- Vibe: Secluded, romantic, gentle
- Highlights: Soft sand, lava edges, swimming
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or sunset
- Cost: Free (limited public access)
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Address: Off South Kaniku Dr, Puako, HI
Quiet reflections at Aiopio Beach - 15-minute drive from Kona
Aiopio Beach felt ancient and sacred. Protected by a curved rock wall, the waters were still, and the entire space felt like a quiet corner of the island reserved for listening. I remember thinking, "I don’t need words for this." The gentle lap of water against stone and the fish darting in the shallows said everything.
What I Loved Most: Floating in the tide and watching sea turtles glide in like guardians of the cove.
My Highlights? A packed lunch from Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill: fresh ahi sandwich with a side of taro chips and lilikoi iced tea. I sat in the sand and let the flavor and the silence linger.
Travel Tips:
- Drive Time from Kailua-Kona: ~10 minutes
- Vibe: Sacred, calm, protected
- Highlights: Turtles, snorkeling, fishpond remains
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning or late afternoon
- Cost: Free
- Hours: 7am–7pm
- Address: Honokohau Harbor, Kailua-Kona, HI
Review:★★★★★ " Ai‘opio Beach is great for snorkeling in the summer. There are sea turtles (something they swim near you when you snorkel). Check out the fishpond nearby."
The Stillness I Took with Me
The beaches of the Big Island didn’t just offer beauty—they offered presence. Each one brought me closer to something quiet and true, whether it was the hush of a tidepool, the warmth of lava stone, or the freedom of floating in still water. I left with sand in my shoes, salt on my skin, and a stillness I didn’t know I needed—but now won’t forget.
More to Explore
Jump to a Spot...
- • Endless sand and rolling surf at Hapuna Beach - 30-minute drive from Kona
- • Tidepool tranquility at Carlsmith Beach Park - 15 minute drive from Hilo
- • Playful pauses on Coconut Island - walk from Downtown Hilo
- • Pebbles and tidepools at Holoholokai Beach, Mauna Lani
- • Secluded sands at Honokaope Beach - 20 minutes by car from Waikoloa
- • Quiet reflections at Aiopio Beach - 15-minute drive from Kona