Hilo Magazine -- Diving, Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo, Hawaii		Alula Beach
		Go north from Kona on Highway 19. Turn left between Mile Marker #97 and 98 on Harbor Road. Go to the south parking lot of the harbor and park. Walk the short distance south to the beach. Small beach, sand and rocky areas. Protected providing some safe swimming most of the year. Good scuba and snorkeling. Large collection of colorful fish can be viewed here. No facilities at the beach. No lifeguards. Some shade. Restrooms and other facilities located at the harbor.

Hilo, Hawaii		Anaeho'omalu Beach
		Take Highway 19 north from Kona toward the Kohala Resort Area. Turn left at Mile Marker #76. Turn left at the road across from Kings' Shops. Parking for the beach is at the end of this road. Salt and pepper sand beach, perfect for swimming, diving and snorkeling and is fairly well protected from strong surf due to the offshore reef. Great place for take sunset photos. Resort facilities, shopping center, restaurants nearby. Picnic areas. No lifeguards on duty.

Hilo, Hawaii		Crystal Cove
		Take Highway 270 north from Kawaihae. Just before Mile Marker #5 turn right on the dirt road leading to the ocean. Jeep travelers can drive the dirt road to the beach. Otherwise, the walk is about 100 yards. Crystal cove is small cove. Wonderful coral and fish variety, water is crystal clear, great scuba diving. Usually calm during summer months. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Hapuna Beach
		Take Highway 19 north from Kona. Turn left at the access road just before Mile Marker #69. Go to the end of the road, turn left and then take an immediate right. Follow this road to the parking. Wonderful sandy beach. Crystal water and beautiful scenery. Good swimming and boogie boarding, snorkeling is great at the south end of the beach where the fish are varied and there is a coral reef. Full facilities, picnic tables, picnic pavillion, food concession, equipment rental. A-frame tent cabins available. Lifeguard sometimes on duty.

Hilo, Hawaii		Honaunau Bay
		The bay is located 20.6 miles south of Kailua-Kona, accessible via State Highway 160. Honaunau Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii has some of the best underwater sights. Rare fish and sea turtles can be seen with colorful coral reefs. Especially location for swimming, snorkeling, diving and Kayaking. Lifeguards aren’t always on duty. Restrooms, showers and beach shops are located further back along the shore.

Hilo, Hawaii		Ho'okena Beach Park
		The beach is located 23.5 miles (38 km) south of Kailua-Kona. Head south on Highway 11. Continue onto Ho'okena Beach Road. Ho'okena Beach is located at the northern end of Kauhako Bay. White sand with black detrital sand giving it a gray color. The shoreline is rocky, but there are a few sandy entry and exit points to get in and out of the water. The waters are generally calm here, but strong currents can occur during times of high surf. The shore is a good picnic and camping area.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kahalu'u Beach Park
		Take Ali'i Drive south from Kailua-Kona. This beach is located at Mile Marker #5, south of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Kahalu'u Beach Park is dark-grey sand beach, next to St. Peter's Catholic Church and Ku'emanu Heiau. Great snorkeling, surfing, boogie boarding place. A reef lies just offshore, good swimming inside the reef. Outside this area tuna, marlin, and dolphin can often be seen jumping. Facilities: Picnic tables. Rental concession. Lifeguards. Restrooms. Showers.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kahuwai Bay
		Take Highway 19 north from Kona. Turn left just past Mile Marker #87. At the Four Seasons Resort guard house ask for a "public access pass" to the beach. Turn right at the intersection and follow the road to the parking area and Public Access trails to the beach. Kahuwai Bay the best beach area is located in front of the Kona Village Resort. There's some green sea turtles on shore. Well-guarded secret of the Big Island diving community. But poor swimming conditions due to rough waters and difficult ocean access due to a slippery lava shelf, also no lifeguards. Beach offers nice sunset views and plenty of shade, ideal for picnics and relaxation.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kapa'a Beach Park
		Take Highway 270 north from Kawaihae. Turn left at the road just past Mile Marker #16 to the beach parking area. Kapa'a Beach Park is a rocky beach is good for snorkeling and scuba diving. The water is clear and usually calm. Offshore there are good views of the neighboring island of Maui. Sunsets are great. Facilities: Picnic tables. BBQ grills. Restrooms. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kapoho Tide Pools
		Take Highway 130 south from Pahoa. When it dead ends at Highway 137, turn right. Just before Mile Marker #9, turn left on Kapoho Kai Road. Take the next left on Kaheka and then right on Waiopae. The pools stretch for 1 mile along the coast. This large collection of tidepools and spring fed pools with volcanically heated. It stretches almost a mile down the coast and extend up to 200 yards out into the ocean. A wide variety of fish, good snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing. No Facilities. Keep off of private property.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kealakekua Bay
		Kealakekua Bay is located about 30 minutes south of Kailua-Kona. The only access by car is to Napo'opo'o Beach, which is located on the bay's eastern shoreline. From Kailua-Kona, take Hwy 11 south to the Napo'opo'o turn-off (about 18 miles), then turn right and drive 4 miles to the bay. Ka'awaloa Cove, at the bay's northern end, can be accessed only by boat, and a number of dive tours operate in the area. lakekua Bay settled over a thousand years ago, the surrounding area contains many archeological and historical sites such as religious temples, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii in 1973 as the Kealakekua Bay Historical District. The bay is a marine life conservation district, a popular destination for kayaking, Scuba diving and snorkeling.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kekaha Kai State Park
		From Kona, take Highway 19 north. Between mile markers 91 and 90, make a left turn onto the rugged, semi-paved road. Drive straight ahead for 1.5 miles (2.4 km) to the beach. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended, but most regular cars can handle it as well. The parking area is at an unpaved lot a short walk (5 minutes) from the beach. Note: There is a gate, which is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm, but is closed on Wednesdays. Kekaha Kai State Park on the Big Island's west coast encompasses a handful of secluded bays and sandy beaches. The most beautiful ones are Mahai'ula Beach, Makalawena Beach and Kua Bay (also known as Manini'owali). Coastal trail connects the beaches. Good place for a variety of water activities: Swimming, snorkeling, diving, bodyboarding, surfing, kayaking. Facilities: Picnic tables, Restrooms. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Kua Bay
		The park entry road is located between Mile Markers #88 and #89 on Highway 19. Note: The gate is open from 9 am to 7 pm and is closed on Wednesdays. Kua Bay (Manini'owali) is part of the Kekaha Kai State Park, salt-and-pepper coastline. Swimming and snorkeling conditions good during calm days . Diving, bodyboarding, surfing are good. Facilities: picnic tables, showers, restrooms. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Mahukona Beach
		From Kawaihae, take Highway 270 north. Between Mile Markers #14 and 15, take the road that leads to the ocean. Mahukona Beach is not a real beach, but an abandoned commercial harbor run by the Kohala Sugar Company. Ocean floor is littered with discarded equipment from old sugar mill that is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef and a plethora of marine life. Good for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, boating. Facilities: showers, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilion, camping area, parking. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Makalawena Beach
		From Kona, take Highway 19 north. Between Mile Markers #89 and 88 take the dirt road to the left. The first portion of the road is decent, but it later becomes very bumpy. Alternately you can hike to the beach. It takes about 15-20 minutes. Makalawena Beach is accessible via 4-wheel drive or 20-minute hike. The best place for swimming is in the largest inlet, snorkeling, scuba diving, bodyboarding, winter surfing are also good. An ancient Hawaiian fishing village used to be located here, Opae'ula Pond is located inland, it is an important shoreline bird sanctuary. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Manini Beach
		Coming from State Highway 160, turn onto Manini Road. Manini Beach has a rocky shoreline consisting of white coral rubble and black lava rocks. Good conditions for snorkeling and diving when the ocean is calm, The surfing conditions are sometimes good here. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Napo'opo'o Beach Park
		From Kailua-Kona, take Highway 11 south. At Captain Cook (near Kealakekua Bay), turn right onto State Highway 160 (Napo'opo'o Road) and follow it to the end. Napo'opo'o Beach Park located at the southern end of Kealakekua Bay. This is where Captain James Cook first set foot on the Big Island of Hawaii on January 17, 1779. The Hiki'au Heiau (ancient Hawaiian temple site) here, a temple dedicated to Lono, the god of agriculture and fertility of the land. Shoreline is rocky, good for snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking. Facilities: showers, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilion, BBQ grills, parking. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Old Kona Airport State Park
		North of Kona take Highway 19 and make a left turn on Makala Boulevard, before reaching Mile Marker #99. At the end of the road, turn right on Kuakini and drive to the old runway. Plenty of parking is available. Old Kona Airport State Park is old airport turned into a beach park, beach is long and wide, but rocky. Best place for swimming is at the southern end of the beach. Snorkeling, scuba diving and surfing are good. Facilities: showers, restrooms, picnic tables, pavilion, BBQ grills, drinking water, parking. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Pahoehoe Beach
		From Kailua Kona, drive south on Alii Drive. The beach park is located between Mile Markers #3 and 4. Pahoehoe Beach is a rocky beach, poor swimming but good for fishing and scuba diving. Also good spot for picnicking, relaxing in the park or ball games. Facilites: showers, restrooms, picnic tables. No parking lot. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Pauoa Bay
		Pauoa Bay is home to one of the healthiest coral reefs in Hawaii, Here you'll find green sea turtles and a large population of reef fish, including eels, rays, puffer fish and butterflyfish. In the winter, you may even spot a few dolphins and whales. The natural seawalls keep out high surf, making the bay calm and perfect for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Pine Trees Beach
		Pine Trees Beach is located south of the Kona airport just off of Highway 19. Getting to the beach requires a 4WD vehicle. Take the road just south of mile marker 94. This road is paved and leads to the Wawaloli tide pools, which is another popular barbecue site. To continue to Pine Trees Beach, make a left turn where the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii road leads to a “T” in the road (the paved part continues to the right). Continue for about a mile. There's no parking lot, but it's safe to park along the road or between the trees. The beach is mainly visited by local residents, good for surfing, scuba diving but poor swimming conditions. Good for BBQ, camping needs permit. Few portable toilets there(there are restrooms and showers near where the 4WD road begins)

Hilo, Hawaii		Puako Bay
		From Kona, drive north on Highway 19. Before mile marker 70, make a left turn onto Puako Road. There are six public access trails, located by telephone poles #106, 110, 115, 120, 127 and 137. Puako Bay on the Big Island’s northwestern coast has a rocky shoreline with many tide pools, inlets and coves. A long and narrow white-sand beach. Good for tidepooling, snorkeling, scuba diving and Fishing. A trail leads from the beach to the petroglyph site. No facilities. No lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Spencer Beach Park
		From Waikoloa Village, take Highway 19 north to Highway 270. Continue onto 270. Make a left turn at the access road between mile markers 2 and 3. There is a parking area at the north and south ends of the beach. Spencer Beach is one of the few white-sand beaches on the Big Island. It is protected by a reef and the harbor breakwater. Sandy, usually calm water, ocean bottom slopes gently, good for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. Facilites: Showers, Restrooms, BBQ grills, Picnic tables, Pavilion, Volleyball, basketball and tennis courts, Camping (with permit), Parking, Lifeguards.

Hilo, Hawaii		Waialea Bay Beach
		From Kona, drive north on Highway 19. Before mile marker 70, make a left turn on Puako Road and then turn left at the next road. Park near telephone poll 71. The trail to the left leads to the beach. Waialea Bay Beach is one of the few beautiful white-sand beaches on the Big Island. Ocean bottom drops off gradually, good for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, surfing and kayaking. Facilities: Showers, Restrooms, No lifeguards.

Copyright 2012 Hilo Magazine