Hawaii Surf Beaches Map & Guide

Green Sand (Papakōlea / Mahana Bay)

Mahana Bay, Kamaʻoʻa–Puʻueo, Kaʻū (South Point area)

Facilities: No lifeguard; no on-site services
Break: Exposed open-ocean shorebreak
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not recommended except tiny days; very exposed
Access: Long coastal hike from South Point Rd; high-clearance 4×4 tracks exist but may be restricted—check rules
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Sand; steep drop-off
Rip Current: Frequent/strong; hazardous
Snorkeling: Poor (exposed)
Restaurants: None nearby (remote)
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Trailhead area at South Point
Special Access: Respect access limitations; do not trespass or ride unauthorized shuttles
Type of Sand: Green olivine sand pocket
Skill: Advanced coastal hikers; ocean entry discouraged
Dog Friendly: Leashed only; remote area
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Remote sea cliffs and cinder cone embayment

Halapē

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes NP backcountry, Kaʻū

Facilities: Backcountry campsite; no lifeguard; limited water
Break: Exposed shore/reef energy
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not a recreational surf spot; remote
Access: Long hike on park trails; permits required for camping
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Sand/rock
Rip Current: Strong; remote hazards
Snorkeling: Poor–fair when calm; remote
Restaurants: None (backcountry)
Bathrooms: Backcountry facilities only
Parking: At trailheads (not at beach)
Special Access: NPS rules/permits
Type of Sand: Tan pocket beaches
Skill: Experienced hikers/backpackers
Dog Friendly: No (park backcountry rules)
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Volcanic backcountry coastline

Hāpuna Beach (Hāpuna Bay)

Lalamilo, South Kohala

Facilities: Restrooms, showers, lifeguards, picnic areas
Break: Wide sandy beachbreak; seasonal shorebreak
Surf / Body / Boogie: Great bodyboard/bodysurf on small–moderate days; avoid big shorepound
Access: State recreation area lots/paths
Family / Baby: Yes on calm days
Bottom: Mostly sand
Rip Current: Rips during larger swell
Snorkeling: Fair near ends when calm
Restaurants: Resort corridor / nearby centers
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Large public lots (can fill)
Special Access: State park rules/fees may apply
Type of Sand: Fine white sand; wide strand
Skill: Beginner (small) / Intermediate (bigger)
Dog Friendly: No (state park)
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: State recreation area; resort region

Honokane Iki Bay

Honokane, North Kohala

Facilities: None; no lifeguard
Break: Exposed; powerful shore/reef energy
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not a standard surf venue; hazardous
Access: Steep/rough trail along Kohala coast (check current access)
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Rock/reef with cobble/sand pockets
Rip Current: Strong; remote
Snorkeling: Poor (exposed)
Restaurants: Hawi/Kapaʻau (drive)
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Trailhead only
Special Access: Respect private lands; verify trail status
Type of Sand: Small pocket beaches
Skill: Advanced hikers; not for ocean entry
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Remote cliffed coastline

Hoʻokena Beach (Kauhako Bay)

Kauhako, South Kona

Facilities: County beach park; restrooms, showers; camping (check)
Break: Beach/reef mix; moderate shorebreak
Surf / Body / Boogie: Bodyboard/bodysurf small–moderate; occasional surf
Access: Beach park road/lot
Family / Baby: On small days; near shore
Bottom: Sand with coral/rock
Rip Current: Moderate with swell
Snorkeling: Good when calm
Restaurants: Captain Cook / Hoʻokena area
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Beach park lot
Special Access: County park rules
Type of Sand: Gray-tan
Skill: Beginner (small) / Intermediate
Dog Friendly: Leashed per county rules
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed (check camping regs)
Land Context: County park in rural bay

Kāwā Bay

Hīlea Nui, Kaʻū

Facilities: Limited; no lifeguard
Break: Exposed, wind-swell prone
Surf / Body / Boogie: Occasional sessions; generally rough
Access: Local shoreline roads; cultural sensitivity area
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Mixed sand/rock
Rip Current: Strong with swell
Snorkeling: Poor (exposed)
Restaurants: Naʻālehu (drive)
Bathrooms: Limited/none
Parking: Roadside pullouts (varies)
Special Access: Respect cultural sites and closures
Type of Sand: Dark sand/cobble
Skill: Intermediate–Advanced (when workable)
Dog Friendly: Leashed; observe posted rules
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Undeveloped shoreline with springs

Kehena Beach

Keauohana & Kehena, Puna

Facilities: Very limited; no lifeguard
Break: Steep black-sand shorebreak
Surf / Body / Boogie: Bodyboard/bodysurf only on very small days; hazardous otherwise
Access: Roadside pullout + steep stairs/trail
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Black sand; sharp rock near edges
Rip Current: Strong; sudden surges
Snorkeling: Poor (exposed)
Restaurants: Pāhoa area
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Roadside (limited)
Special Access: Respect local community norms
Type of Sand: Black sand pocket
Skill: Advanced ocean awareness; small days only
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Lava cliff pocket beach

Maniniʻōwali (Kua Bay)

Maniniʻōwali & Kukio 2, North Kona

Facilities: Restrooms, showers (day-use); no lifeguard
Break: Clean white-sand shorebreak; trades can affect surface
Surf / Body / Boogie: Excellent boogie/bodysurf on small–moderate days
Access: State day-use road/lot; short paths to beach
Family / Baby: Yes on small days; avoid shorepound
Bottom: White sand; some rock fingers
Rip Current: Moderate–strong with swell
Snorkeling: Good near points (calm)
Restaurants: Kona resorts / services (drive)
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Day-use lot (fills quickly)
Special Access: State day-use rules/hours
Type of Sand: Fine white sand
Skill: Beginner (small) / Intermediate
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Dune-backed white-sand cove

Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay)

Kaunaʻoa Bay, ʻŌuli, South Kohala

Facilities: Restrooms, showers; resort adjacent; no central lifeguard
Break: Gentle beachbreak; reefs on sides
Surf / Body / Boogie: Family boogie on tiny days; mostly swim/snorkel
Access: Public shoreline access through resort; limited public stalls
Family / Baby: Yes on small days
Bottom: Soft white sand
Rip Current: Low–moderate; heed flags
Snorkeling: Very good near rocky points (calm)
Restaurants: Resort area
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Limited public parking—arrive early
Special Access: Public shoreline access through hotel
Type of Sand: Powdery white sand
Skill: Beginner (small)
Dog Friendly: No (resort/public access rules)
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Resort frontage with public access

Nāpōʻopoʻo Beach (Kealakekua Bay)

Kealakekua, South Kona

Facilities: Limited park facilities; no lifeguard
Break: Primarily a calm bay; rocky entries
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not a main surf spot; paddling/snorkel hub
Access: County/state park access; parking limited
Family / Baby: Better for paddling/snorkel than surf
Bottom: Rock/reef
Rip Current: Generally low; boat traffic
Snorkeling: Excellent clarity (outside surf days)
Restaurants: Captain Cook area
Bathrooms: Yes (check status)
Parking: Small lots/roadside; fills early
Special Access: Marine conservation rules; respect closures
Type of Sand: Mostly rocky shoreline
Skill: Beginner paddlers (calm) / not for surf
Dog Friendly: Leashed per rules
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Historic bay with marine protections

Pololū Bay

Pololū, North Kohala

Facilities: No lifeguard; limited pullouts; no services
Break: Exposed black-sand shorebreak
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not recommended; heavy conditions common
Access: Steep trail from scenic overlook
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Black sand with cobbles
Rip Current: Strong; sudden surges
Snorkeling: No
Restaurants: Hawi/Kapaʻau
Bathrooms: No
Parking: Roadside at overlook (limited)
Special Access: Trail etiquette; respect closures
Type of Sand: Black volcanic sand
Skill: Hikers only; avoid ocean entry
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Valley mouth with sea cliffs

Tiki’s (Kahaluʻu Bay)

Kahaluʻu Bay, North Kona

Facilities: Restrooms, showers at bay park; no central lifeguard
Break: Reef peaks; inside learner waves; named takeoff zones incl. “Tiki’s”
Surf / Body / Boogie: Surf all levels on small days; bodyboard inside
Access: Bay park lots/paths along Aliʻi Dr
Family / Baby: Protected inside when small
Bottom: Reef/rock—reef shoes helpful
Rip Current: Channels and tide flow; mind reefs
Snorkeling: Popular snorkel bay (respect reef)
Restaurants: Aliʻi Dr corridor
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Public lots (busy)
Special Access: Marine rules; no standing on coral
Type of Sand: Small sand pockets over reef
Skill: Beginner–Intermediate (small)
Dog Friendly: Leashed, check bay rules
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Urban bayfront park

Waialea Bay (Beach 69)

Lalamilo, South Kohala

Facilities: Restrooms, showers (day-use)
Break: Small beachbreak; reef fingers off points
Surf / Body / Boogie: Fun bodyboard on tiny days; mostly swim/snorkel
Access: Day-use road/lot; short path
Family / Baby: Yes on small days
Bottom: Sand with lava outcrops
Rip Current: Low–moderate; channels near points
Snorkeling: Very good along reef fingers (calm)
Restaurants: Waikoloa resorts (drive)
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Day-use lot (can fill)
Special Access: Day-use rules/hours
Type of Sand: Light white sand
Skill: Beginner (small)
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Tree-lined white-sand cove

Waimanu Bay

Waimanu, Hāmākua

Facilities: Backcountry campsites; no lifeguard
Break: Exposed shore/reef energy
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not a recreational surf venue
Access: Muliwai Trail (long, strenuous); permits for camping
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Black sand/rock
Rip Current: Strong; remote hazards
Snorkeling: Poor (exposed)
Restaurants: None (wilderness)
Bathrooms: Backcountry facilities
Parking: At trailheads only
Special Access: Permit/backcountry rules
Type of Sand: Black volcanic sand
Skill: Advanced hikers; ocean entry discouraged
Dog Friendly: No (backcountry rules)
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Remote valley coastline

Waipiʻo Bay

Waipiʻo, Hāmākua

Facilities: No lifeguard; limited services
Break: Powerful black-sand shorebreak; river mouth
Surf / Body / Boogie: Not advised for casual visitors; heavy conditions common
Access: Steep valley road/trail; access rules/closures change—check current status
Family / Baby: No
Bottom: Black sand; rocks near river
Rip Current: Very strong; river outflow
Snorkeling: No
Restaurants: Honokaʻa (drive)
Bathrooms: None/limited
Parking: At overlook/trail area; restrictions apply
Special Access: Observe county access restrictions
Type of Sand: Black volcanic sand
Skill: Advanced terrain; avoid ocean entry
Dog Friendly: Leashed where permitted
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Large valley mouth with river

White Sands Beach (Laʻaloa) — Point Break

Laʻaloa, North Kona

Facilities: Restrooms, showers at park
Break: Reef/point setups near lava shelves
Surf / Body / Boogie: Surfable on the right swell/tide; advanced takeoffs over reef
Access: County park lots/paths off Aliʻi Dr
Family / Baby: No during swell
Bottom: Lava reef with sand patches
Rip Current: Channels and shorepound
Snorkeling: Fair nearby when calm; watch surge
Restaurants: Aliʻi Dr corridor
Bathrooms: Yes
Parking: Public lot (busy)
Special Access: County beach park
Type of Sand: White sand over lava shelves
Skill: Intermediate–Advanced (reef)
Dog Friendly: Leashed per county rules
Fire Pits / Fires: No / Not allowed
Land Context: Urban beach park

White Sands Beach (Laʻaloa) — Shorebreak “Magic Sands”