Great beach to boogie board or snorkel with fine white sand. When I was here there were a few sea turtles swimming around, which was very cool to see. YOU NOW HAVE TO PAY TO ENTER!!! Many reviews I see from late 2025 say it's free, but you now have to pay through credit card or Apple Cash. It's ~20 dollars for 2 people. read more

This is an easy beach with convenient parking and restrooms. There are a couple little trails and some tide pools to explore. It's pretty easy to find a spot here. read more

Most recent update after hurricane: This beach was one of our favorites on the big island. However, we went to enter today and there is a fee (which is new from 2023). And we immediately turned around bc the gate keeper explained that the recent hurricane washed away all the sand so it's only rocky shoreline. (Not good for our toddler). Sorry we didn't drive in to see for ourselves. Just FYI if you're making a trip there read more

Almost every beach we went to on the Big Island was so rocky but we found this one on our last day. White sands, clear water. It was just picture perfect. It was crowded but we found a slightly isolated patch of sand to play in. Free parking, showers and restrooms. read more

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Maniniʻōwali Beach, also known as Kua Bay, is a popular white-sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii, known for its clear turquoise waters, ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and body surfing, especially in the calm mornings. This beach is in my top 5. We experienced the most beautiful sunsets on the island of Hawaii here! Parking, toilet with changing room, shower, lifeguards. Parking is available with a gate that opens at 8 AM and closes at 7 PM. The water is blue, the sand is white, and the parking lot is almost full, but we always found a spot. Small steps lead down to the beach. The lava rocks create an unforgettable atmosphere and allow you to relax and unwind. The entry into the water is gentle, making it perfect for children. My daughter loved surfing here, although it's more like paddling a board for now. We'll definitely be back! read more

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Beautiful beach with soft sand. Lots of lava rocks surrounding it, and going into that water making for some good snorkeling too. Some days there are dolphins swimming here too. Get here right at 8 if you want a shot at a parking spot--it fills up before you expect it, but there is some parking along the road. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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The first beach stop in Kona did not disappoint. Everyone says get there early because the parking lot fills up and they're right. People start parking along the side of the road afterwards. Be wary there's some volcanic rock you have to walk over to get to the beach. They have showers and clean restrooms and a lifeguard. The sand was white and beautiful and the water was turquoise. The day we went, the water was a little rough so we only went in knee deep but it was stunning. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

One of the most interesting and scenic beaches in Kailua-Kona! The parking lot itself is small, but you can park along the dirt sides of the road; just be aware of very uneven surfaces, as you do not want to get stuck trying to get out as I saw with one man and his Nissan Altima (a family had to help bail him out). There are restroom facilities and showers close by. The beach has lots of lava rock so it's not an all sand beach. Waves were pretty moderate and I did see lots of people swimming and playing in the water. It was crowded when I stopped by, so with the lava rock throughout the area, it is hard to set up an umbrella or canopy unless you happen to be one of those early-goers. There is practically no shade anywhere on the beach. Overall, great beach and you can enjoy some really nice scenery while you are there! read more

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This white beach with volcanic rock leading up to the beach is worth visiting. The sand was very fine. Although the beach was populated nicely there it didn't feel overly crowded. The water was absolutely gorgeous. A local commented the water color hasn't been like this in a long time. We lucked out by coming today. The wave action was relatively pretty minimal. I could float on my back pretty well without worrying much. read more

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Really picturesque beach! It is also free to go to this beach. There's white sand and black volcanic rocks. Water is crystal blue. There's also benches for people to sit down on and showers. Bathrooms were clean. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

This was the best beach that we went to on the Big Island. It was a true white sand beach, crescent-shaped inlet...a classic Hawaii beach. The parking lot is quite small, but there is plenty of parking along the road. The beach is pretty big, but it does slope and there are big areas of jutting rocks sprinkled throughout the beach which make it hard to find a spot to set up a large shade tent. There is a relatively large flat area, but those spots seem to be taken pretty early in the day. The current and tides are quite strong, so smaller kids and those who are not strong swimmers should wear life vests. There isn't a reef which makes the waters very clear, but there is less sea life to see. There are facilities, including bathrooms and showers and foot wash stations. read more

This beach is on a super bougie property. Enter through a guard gate and tell them you're just there for the beach. They'll ask you to make a U-turn around the guard house and give you a beach pass. Proceed to exit and make the first right and follow signs to parking. Then take the paved path up and it'll lead you to the beach. Restrooms: very clean! The whole property gives you a Disneyland vibes and the bathroom has automatic faucets and pretty thick paper towels! Beach: excellent for the keikis (kiddos) with a clear, expansive wading pool. Lots of sand and trees to go around (but be careful posting up too close to the trees due to fire ants). Snorkeling: water gets less clear into the middle but great snorkeling past the tall rock formation. Take caution though-there are shallow reefs and it's easy to get stuck. We def found ourselves stuck along the right side facing north due to fear of scraping up against the coral. Deeper, protected lagoon as you go out further though! Nice beach, but the shallow reef was enough to keep me from going back out. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

We went to three beaches in Hawaii-- two on the Big Island and one in Maui. I would have to say that I had the most fun at this one. It was one we just came across after our flight landed. We wanted something nearby in Kona and many of the places I had bookmarked were a 30+ minute drive away. This seemed to fit the bill based on the reviews. Parking was full around 3p on a Friday, but there are lots of folks who park on the side of the street, which is what we had to do. There are restrooms located at the head of the parking lot. The walk down to the beach is really rocky. It's almost like you need hiking boots instead of flip flops, so be careful! There isn't too much room to sit down, but we found a spot. It was pretty busy and this is more of a "cove" than a spread out beach area. I had sooooo much fun going into the water and catching the waves. I haven't laughed like a kid in such a long time. And I haven't actually swam in the Pacific since I was a kid (it's normally too cold!). But although the water initially felt cold, it warmed up really fast. The waves were so much fun. At one point, a little boxer puppy came up to me as I was toweling off and started kissing my face. I was giggling like a kid. Just so much fun and many great memories! Also, a bonus that they had a shower station so that you can wash off before heading to your car. The other two beaches we went to did not have that. Some factors that make this Beach lose a star are the limited parking, rockiness and limited seating in the main beach area. Don't let the rockiness scare you away though. Once you get in the water, it's not as rocky as on the way down to the beach. Definitely enjoyed and would love to go back sometime! read more

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We found this beach to be pretty crowded - prepare to have to park along the road. The surf and water are great. Public restrooms are clean. But the reason you should go here is that it's a FANTASTIC area to spot whales playing off the coastline. This was totally a thrilling way to spend a couple of hours. Pack your binoculars when you're heading to Hawaii because there's a lot to see that doesn't require dropping $$$ on a boat tour. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Beautiful beach!! Small pools near shore for you to sit in, but overall not somewhere to swim. Bring a towel to lay in the grass and enjoy the view. Parking is hard but many people going in/out. Worth it to wait for spot. read more

This was the first white sand beach we discovered on this side of the island and we come here multiple times when we are on the Big Island. Parking is free and easy as long as you don't mind parking off the side of the road on the shoulder (drive all the way down and maybe you'll get lucky with a real parking spot but we never have yet that hasn't deterred us - even in a rental car mini van we have no trouble parking on the side of the road off the road). They have restrooms and they recently (in the past year or two) redid the walkway and rinse off station. This beach isn't as crowded as others and what we like best about it is the silky soft white sand. It is also possible to find shells and rocks easier than other beaches too. The waves can be variable here. We have been here many time and most of the time the waves are medium - not too little but not too large. However we have been here a lot and about 3 times the waves were gigantic and we got pummeled (and it was gorgeous weather - not windy, not a storm = nothing!) so just be warned the waves can be variable based on tides, etc. but most of the times they are nice medium waves which are more fun for the adults in our group than the calm bay like beaches with hardly any waves. I had my kids wear their floaty vests though just to be safe up until they were 6 years old at this beach just because the waves can get big. The waves are fun though and we always have a blast here! read more

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Luxurious white sand, crystal clear ethereal water, and just a touch off the beaten path - what more could you look for in a beach? Well, a private beach with a jet skis, a personal Pilates instructor, and free mai tais might be nice. But, barring those lofty requirements, Manini'owali Beach is a gorgeous little beach in the Onizuka airport vicinity, about a 25 minute drive north from downtown Kona and requires just a short trek over black lava rock from the (free) parking lot. The water's incredible clarity allows you to see even individual grains of sand beneath you, and the fairly active surf keeps you on your toes, and is great for boogie boarding in the south portion of the bay (the north portion is a little too rocky). At least when we were there, snorkeling was pretty sparse and the surf was too active to do it safely anyway. The sand is wonderfully fine and white and perfect for sunbathing. However, the beach isn't particularly expansive and does become crowded fairly quickly - we got there about 8:30am on a Friday, and by 10:30 it was pretty packed. It's a pleasant crowd overall though - not a ton of screaming children or people blaring misogynistic music. The 50m or so trek to the north end of the beach stays the least populated for the longest amount of time. Bathrooms are uncharacteristically well-kept and clean, parking is free, and there are two picnic tables in the shade overlooking the beach. There is construction at the entrance to the walkway leading to the beach, but none of this unsightly stuff is visible from the beach itself. All in all, would highly recommend for a half day beach trip! read more

Rocky beach and not really for swimming. Although there is a walk path which seems interesting since I saw a lot of plants and shrubs with variety of flowers. read more

Fantabulous! Easy short drive from Waikoloa. Parking lot was short walk from the beach. White soft sand contrasted by black lava rock formations. Awesome place to snorkel and boogie board and body surf though it does have dangerous shore breaks. Stars of the show---- sea turtles!!!! Easy to find because the are everywhere like literally only a few feet. read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

We enjoyed this beach a lot. Fine, soft sand. Clear blue waves that are easy to wade in. Lots of locals here boogie boarding. There isn't any shade, no trees, so you should definitely slather on the SPF and consider bringing an umbrella or tent if that's your jam. There are restrooms available, and there are also outdoor showers and by the parking lot there's a separate foot wash station. The parking lot is quite small so overflow parking can extend all along either side of the road leading up to the beach lot. We also watched the sunset here. Really enjoyed our afternoon beach outing! read more

Our family of five from Texas and Oklahoma visited Oahu and the Big Island for Spring Break! After a day of touring the island and visiting one of the National Park sites we took our grandsons to Manini'owali Beach to play for a little while. The beach has a lot of lava rock and some sand (not a sand beach). The waves were very big coming in so we did not let the boys get in the water much, but they loved playing in a little cove between lava rocks! They met several new friends while there! We were treated with the most spectacular sunset, the Best one of our entire trip!! Absolutely gorgeous!! We did see a couple whale while we were at the beach!! There were working bathrooms at this beach! Would definitely recommend this beach for the views and scenery, not so much as a beach if you have little ones with you!! read more

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This gorgeous beach, also known as Kua Bay, is top-notch for boogie boarding and chilling. We've been twice, once in September and again in December, and this beach does not disappoint. Parking is limited, so expect to park on the sides of the driving path, but the beach has plenty of space to accommodate the crowds who visit, public restrooms, and a picnic table next to some showering stations. The right side of the beach is where most people settle, and there's a short walk to a nice volcanic rock overlook overgrown with greenery and occasional whale sightings. The left side is much less crowded and has a few small areas of shade within the shrubbery, though we found our shady area full of ants. Fortunately, we were able to rent a beach umbrella from Boss Frog that came very handy. Come for the soft sand, gorgeous waters, and stunning views, and leave only when the sun sets and forces you to go. read more

I meannnnn, where do I start. Probably one of the most beautiful beaches I've been to. White sand, gorgeous blue water, I mean it was just breathtaking. See for yourself, photos are unfiltered! Getting to the sand does require traversing some jagged rocks so be careful. There was a good number of people there, mostly tourists, but not crazy crowded. Had a great beach day! read more

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Prettiest beach we went to during our stay! Definitely bring an umbrella as there are no shaded areas

Such spectacular views, beautiful turquoise waters and fine white sandy beach!! It seems to be quite popular, we got there at 10:30am and there weren't many people yet. As for the beach itself, once you walk down a few rocks, the sand is flat. There is no shade so bring an umbrella. I'd also recommend bringing chairs. There are public restrooms and like other reviews said, parking is limited. We found a spot easily since we got there early. The water is so nice and clear. You can easily spend the day here, next time I will bring a picnic lunch. It is such a great spot for families!! My kids had a blast in the water. I also saw a man catch a bunch of fish by spear fishing, that was really cool! read more

Fairly decent sized beach with probably some of the clearest water you can find on the Big Island. Also something not very common on this island that's here: white sand! Kua Bay (as it's often called) is a white sand beach, so you can walk barefoot and in the water without having to worry about stepping on sharp volcanic rocks. The waves here are moderately strong, just about perfect enough to play in (I recommend bringing a boogie board or something). There isn't too much sea life or anything interesting to see in the water, so no snorkeling here (plus the waters are too active for that). Not too crowded, really great place to relax, play, and enjoy a few hours! read more

Great beach for playing in the water. Parking can be a challenge on busy days. Not a lot of shade, so make sure to bring an umbrella. They do have proper bathrooms and not a very long walk to the beach. Has sand, rocks before you get to sand. read more

This beach was recommended to us as we visited the Four Seasons resort. Look for the Vetarans Cemetary ..take the street across the road and go down the hill to this awesome beach ... you will see two large hills we called the boobs :) anyway this was a nice white sand beach with picnic tables and restrooms. If you like snorkeling head over to the black rocks. read more

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This is a great beach for swimming, playing in the ocean, and chilling in the sun. There isn't much shade around, so bring your own umbrella & sun gear. From the parking lot, the walk way to the beach is on the right (past the rinse off station and two picnic tables). Many folks go boogie/body-boarding in the water. The beach is clear of sharp rocks, so this would be a perfect place to bring family/friends. read more

Great beach with smooth white sand and beautiful water. The water is nice and warm too as the beach is pretty shallow. The waves get pretty intense at some points so wouldn't recommend snorkeling here. There isn't much shade so you'll need to have an umbrella if you want some cover. There's a bathroom and shower. Parking can probably fit up to 30-40 cars at most. Nice hidden gem, although it could get crowded. read more

This is a fine little beach. Nice sand, relatively calm waves. And lots of people. Have fun parking. You will probably have to wait for someone to leave before you get a space. There are showers and restrooms, so that's good. But the crowding does detract from it somewhat. There is a little shade by the shower, and also either one or two (I forget now) picnic tables there. That's it. If it's not crowded I would rate this a great little beach. But it is a little beach, and there are lots of people (or there was when we were here), and the crowding makes it more difficult to really enjoy it. read more

This is the best beach in Kona! It's a pretty decent size and the water is crystal clear. The reason I love the beach so much is because the majority of it is rock free. (I like that when I swim!) The walk down to the beach is extremely easy however is a bit rocky so if you bring a cooler it would be better to carry it- not roll it. The beach does not have much shade so bring an umbrella. This beach has tons of reviews on trip advisor- not sure why there isn't any here yet! We need to change that, so if you go- review it! read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Poppin extremely soft white sand beach. Better bring your big person pants on or boogie board because the waves are gigantic.

This is such a beautiful beach. The water is crystal clear, the sand is white, and sea turtles are floating around. The beach is not usually crowded, it is a little difficult to get to down from the parking to the sand but definitely manageable for most. This is my favorite beach! Bring water shoes! read more

Manini'owali Beach - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

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Beach is a nice white sand beach, good for bodysurfing. Not much snorkeling nearby. Little bit rough for kids! Beach is equipped with shower, toilet, benches. Paved road all the way to the end. Some parking, in the lot with more parking possible up the road. Not much shade- bring an umbrella! read more

Manini'owali Beach - Great beach!!! - Beaches Near Me - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

Had a fabulous four hour "dip" in these turquoise clear wavy blue waters! My favourite beach of my Big Island trio. Gorgeous sunset. Saw whales. Amazing!!! read more

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One of the Big Islands finest white sand beaches. It was always clean but can sometimes get pretty crowded. Perfect for boogie boarding.

The best beach on the Big Island! Beautiful water and sand. Also, there is free parking which is great.

Ranked one of the top beaches in the world, I can see why. Beautiful crystal clear turquoise water, fun waves, shallow sand ridges, beautiful mountains in the back with clouds that never reach the beach. However, I was surprised at how small this beach is. There are rocks in many places, so there is only a central area where laying out in the sun and playing in the waves makes sense. It was also FULL of people. My friend got kicked in the face while trying to body surf. There are simply too many people here because it is well-known. If you come on a weekday or off-season, you will have a much more enjoyable time, I'm sure. While it's easy to just lay in the sand or play in the water, don't forget to go beyond the beach to a small elevated rock platform to take some photos. It looks like paradise on Earth. Parking is pretty easy, surprisingly. Cars are parked in the lot as well as all long the road leading up to it. I think it's worth it to pull up to the parking lot since people are always coming and going. You may get yourself a great spot. If it's too busy, may I suggest a beach that is just 3 minutes north, called Kikaua Point Beach. It's a bit secluded, and you need a pass to get in (free), but may fit your needs if you're looking more for a view than playing in the water. read more

One of the key beaches to snorkel or chill at. White sand, blue ocean water and lava rocks...beautiful. There are many giant green turtles to see...but stay 10' away from them. This may be as nice as Hapuna Beach. Maybe. Mahalo. read more