Top Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii

The most famous of the Big Island’s beaches, Punaluu is also known simply as the Black Sand Beach thanks to its distinctive black lava-rock sand. Easily accessible from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it’s also a popular spot for sighting wild green sea turtles. Use caution if swimming here, as currents can be strong.

If your idea of a beach paradise features an expansive swath of soft, white sand surrounded by a verdant tropical landscape, head to Hapuna Beach. A Big Island rarity, its powdery texture is ideal for sunbathing, while reliably great water conditions invite swimming, snorkeling, and other watersports. Plenty of parking and convenient facilities make Hapuna a great choice for families with kids. 

Known by locals as the City of Refuge due to its ancient history as a sanctuary, today Honaunau Bay is one of the Big Island’s top snorkeling and diving spots because of its protected location and great visibility. Don a mask and fins to explore coral gardens teeming with tropical fish and sea turtles, and savor the photogenic backdrop of palm trees swaying above the sandy shores. 

Venture just north of Hapuna for the postcard-worthy Mauna Kea Beach—a large, graceful crescent framed by greenery and a reef rock that provides a natural barrier from currents. Guests staying at Mauna Kea Resort are just steps away, while other visitors may have to arrive early to snag limited parking at this deservedly popular swimming and sunbathing spot.

Locals and visitors alike love this family-friendly beach conveniently located right in Kailua-Kona. Clear, calm water protected by a rock wall create prime snorkeling conditions to view dozens of varieties of fish. Surfers often catch waves farther out in the bay, and ample facilities make it a great spot to linger for a sunset barbecue.