Located within Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, Honokohau Beach is the less visited of the two sandy beaches.
Not only does Honokohau Beach offer a less crowded sandy beach for visitors to enjoy, but it also passes by numerous shallow pools that are used by sea turtles that come to feed.
Honokohau Beach, a hidden gem in Hawaii, is accessible in a number of ways, all of which involve a quick stroll. The Ala Kahakai Trail, a 175-mile ancient coastal path that runs along the Big Island, is the easiest route to take, and visitors can choose to walk along the shore or follow its stone road.
Hiking in any direction takes you past some of the ancient archeological ruins scattered around the grounds of the historic park.
The actual Honokohau Beach is a sandy crescent that divides the sea from the ‘Aimakapa Fishpond‘ just inland.
When walking towards the beach from the south or the park visitor center, you will pass by a level stretch of stone that serves as a common swimming and feeding area for sea turtles.
The turtles are not very graceful and just push themselves over the shallow coves, munching away with their faces down. It can be a comical sight to watch. You may be able to see dozens of turtles here depending on the time of day.
Honokohau Beach is accessible from the park visitors center via a trail that travels 1.3 miles round trip, or from the central gravel parking lot at the end of Kealakehe Parkway, which is about 0.8 miles round trip.
Honokohau Beach does not have restrooms or water, although neighboring Alula Beach and the visitors center do have restrooms. Honokohau Beach is free to visit and open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Honokohau Beach: Nearby Adventures
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park
An 1160-acre preserve called Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park is devoted to preserving and showcasing aspects of traditional Hawaiian living in what could otherwise seem like a harsh environment of black lava rock.
Established in 1978, the park showcases numerous instances of individuals flourishing in this particular setting. Located directly off Highway 19, the visitor center would be a fitting place to start.
The bleak blackrock terrain gives the impression that nothing could possibly be here. The visitor center offers gifts, informational displays, and question-and-answer sessions with rangers.
From the parking lot to the visitor center, there is a paved route. From the back of the visitor center, there is another route that eventually turns into a dirt trail that goes to the beach areas. Parking spaces are available at the other park locations for those who would rather drive.
The area’s natural freshwater springs are protected by a rebuilt rockwall erected by assembling stones without the use of cement at Kaloko Point and Kaloko Fishpond, which is located to the north.
The pond serves as a fish breeding location. Here, fishing is still allowed, and you can frequently see residents out fishing.
The park is bounded by the 175-mile Ala Kahakai Trail, which stretches along much of the island’s coast and allows hikers to access any beach. Honokohau Beach, a crescent-shaped sandy beach halfway down, is a decent substitute for people looking to get away from the beach throng.
Throughout the park, there are several other archaeological ruins, both smaller and larger than the heiaus. It costs nothing to enter Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, and admission is free. Every day from 8:30 am to 5 pm, the park is open.
Alula Beach
Located just north of Kona in the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, Alula Beach is a well-liked sandy beach for families.
Families with small children would love this beach because it is shallow and has a lava cove protecting it. Additionally, the beach features a small, protected cove that’s ideal for snorkeling and easing into deeper waters.
The beach is frequently the starting point for divers and snorkelers who want to explore the deeper seas.
Numerous important historical buildings may be found on or near the beach, including Pu’uoina Heiau, which dominates the southern portion of the beach.
There’s a shallow rock shelf to the north where sea turtles often come to feed. Visitors may be able to stroll along the shore and get up close and personal with the turtles because the stone shelf is right next to the sand.
It’s a terrific place to sprawl out in the sand. Alula Beach is beautiful and quite accessible, but it does get quite busy at times.
Honokohau Beach is a short stroll to the north if you’d want to spend some time away from the crowds. The closest place to park is at Kealakehe Parkway’s central gravel lot.
From there, it’s a short stroll to the beach. Alula Beach is free to visit and is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm because it is a part of the national historic site. At the southernmost point of the beach, there are outhouses.
Kona Dog Beach
Kona Dog Beach is a pet-friendly beach located around 3.5 miles north of Kona’s downtown.
Situated on the southern side of Honokohau Marina, the beach is a peaceful cove. Parking in the gravel is available for visitors.
After pulling out right outside the gate, they can walk the short stony path that descends to the cove to the south. The beach is a little crescent-shaped stretch of sand with patches that provide some shade.
Although Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park officially owns the Dog Beach, locals frequently bring their dogs to romp on the beach because the park doesn’t keep much watch over the region.
However, the beach can feel a little remote because of the absence of supervision. Owners are in charge of picking up after their pets and taking out any rubbish because there are no facilities like water, restrooms, or trash cans.
Because of the crystal-clear waters, snorkelers also like this small cove. There are also a few ancient ruins near the beach, although none of them have a sign or any further details.
In the mornings, you might find the beach all to yourself if you bring your pet. Weekend afternoons might be particularly busy because so many people are walking their pets.
Weekday beachgoers seeking a peaceful beach may also find the beach intriguing. Beach hours are from dawn to dusk. Do not forget to pick up after your pet and to bring your own bags.
Nearby Lodging + Camping
Kohanaiki Beach Park
Kohanaiki Beach Park, also known as Pine Trees Beach, is a gorgeous, broad beach that front a golf course. During the day, it gets quite busy, so just let the guard know you’re going to the beach and follow the road that skirts around the north side of the property.
However, campers have the entire beach to themselves after hours. Campsites in this Big Island beach park are not reserved; instead, campers are allowed to choose their location based on availability.
Although there are campsites all along the beach, campers usually stay in the area closest to the entrance since there are many of trees there to provide shade and cover.
Although the sand is usually flat around the trees, a little distance from the ocean, camping is allowed on this beach. Because of its beauty and closeness to Kona, this beach park campground is one of the most popular on the western side of the island, yet there is still plenty of space to enjoy some privacy from your neighbors.
Every night from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., the beach park is closed, therefore campers must enter the gate before 9 p.m. To receive an overnight pass for your vehicle at the guard shack upon entering the beach, you must display the online reservation confirmation you made before coming.
The popular camping area has outhouses and no water, but a short walk into the middle of the beach park leads to a contemporary bathroom structure with water and showers. Weekly camping is allowed from Thursday to Monday.
Camping reservations can be made online at Hawaii County’s website for $21 per non-resident and $5 per Hawaiian resident per night. The beach park is guarded around-the-clock. It is not allowed for campers to sleep in their cars; they must all have tents.
Kīholo State Park Reserve
On the whole Big Island, the campsites at Kīholo State Park Reserve are probably the most sought-after. If you wish to camp at Kiholo, you must be prepared to reserve the spots online one month in advance at 12:00 a.m. Pacific Island time, as there are only eight seats available Friday through Monday.
If you wait until 12:05 a.m., the dots usually disappear. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find last-minute Sunday places because locals often only book Friday through Sunday.
Why is this campground so well-liked by both residents and tourists? There’s plenty to do in the Kīholo Reserve to keep one occupied. Snorkeling is excellent in calm waters, and dolphin pods are frequently spotted “resting” in the bay.
Whale breaches can be seen all day long in the winter. Furthermore, there are a lot of worthwhile walking-distance attractions throughout the entire shore. If you are prepared for the chilly waters and have a headlamp, exploring the brackish water cave known as the queen’s bath can be an exciting experience.
Ho’Okena Beach Park
Located on the grounds of Ho’Okena Beach Park, a peaceful park in a historic fishing community off the usual path along the western side of the Big Island, is Ho’Okena Campground.
Campers can pitch their tents on a first-come, first-served basis in the expansive, sandy coastal area with palm-shaded dirt clearings.
The campground is equipped with grills, tables, and showers. There are two portable restrooms in the nearby parking lot, but the more contemporary beach park restroom structure, with flush toilets and basins, is only a short stroll away.
The campground, which is run by Camp Ho’Okena and the Friends of Ho’okena Beach Park, has seasonal food stands, kayak and snorkel rentals, and pay internet.
For non-Hawaiians, camp fees are $20 per person per night; for residents of Hawaii, camp prices are $5 per person per night with a valid state ID. The campground asks that guests register online via their website at least 72 hours in advance.
Any remaining places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of arrival, cash only. Pets are not permitted. Pets are not allowed in Tent camping.
Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park
Any campground is worth mentioning on an island when there aren’t many publicly accessible public camping options.
While it may not be very impressive, the campground at Samuel M. Spencer Beach Park offers all you need for a comfortable stay. Throughout your visit, you’ll be comfortable with showers, potable water, and lots of picnic spots. An evening security officer will also assist keep things secure.
Of course, it is difficult to top the fantastic beach access and the convenience of fishing and snorkeling. For breathtaking sunset views from the comfort of your own camp, reserve a spot by the water.
The huge open space at the south end of the park is divided into small pieces that serve as campsites; these portions are not numbered nor well defined.
Every site has grills and picnic tables, and for parties who don’t need much seclusion, the middle area is perfect. On the other hand, some campers choose to set up tarps as a visual partition between campsites, which can create a really unpleasant atmosphere.
Although there are occasionally issues with cleanliness and order in the camping area at Spencer Beach Park, the beach and day use area are usually very welcoming.
Conclusion
Among the beaches that comprise the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park is Honokohau beach, a hidden gem in Hawaii .
The 1,160-acre park contains some of the best archaeological sites and artifacts in Hawaii, including trails, home platforms, temples, ancient petroglyphs (rock carvings), burial sites, and fishponds (Aiopio, Aimakapa, and Kaloko), all of which suggest that the area was once home to a Hawaiian settlement.
For more engaging and educational fun in the park, pick up the junior ranger guide at the Visitor’s Center ahead of time if you have children.