One of the best things to do on the Big Island! The Maunakea Summit at sunset is absolutely breathtaking. Watching the sun dip below the clouds from over 13,000 feet is an unforgettable experience. The sky lights up in incredible shades of gold, pink, and purple, and being above the clouds truly feels like standing on top of the world. I will definitely go again—it’s easily one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen!

Great place for sunrise and sunset views. Definitely recommend to visit at 14000 ft. I did visit both morning and evening, noticed that evenings are generally cloudy so less chances of getting a good 360 view of the island. However, mornings are clearer and had good sunrise views. Also a lot less crowded in the mornings than in the evenings. When you come down, your break temperatures are checked, and needs to be less than 300 F otherwise you would need to spend a few minutes at the visitor center check in for the breaks to cool off. You break more often in the evening because of the crowd and end up with heated breaks requiring to stop on your way back. Altitude sickness is generally not much of a concern but one has to be cautious if any prior healt concerns exist. One would need to be at leat 1 hour at ahead ( 30 minutes at the visitor center to acclimate to the altitude and then another 30 minutes drive to the top). If you use a jeep 4X4 , they recommend to keep your drive train at 4LWD up and down, however, there are spots where there is a thar road and in those spots going at 4HWD is also fine and no problems if the weather is dry. Definitely worth a visit

It was a place to go once but if I have the chance to go again with snow on the mountain would. I do have asthma and did okay so just beware if you have it. It was fun to see the top of the clouds and the visitor center was nice, especially since you have to wait there for 30 minutes for your body to adapt to the altitude. The people who work there are very nice and have a great sense of humor as they tell you what and how to drive the car up there. You do need either a 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive they say but it would be best to have the 4 wheel drive. All in all it was worth going once just to say you did it.

We visited Mauna Kea about a week ago, and it was an incredible experience! Be prepared — it gets very cold at the top, around 2°C at just over 4,000 meters, so warm clothes are a must. The view, however, is absolutely breathtaking — you can see above the clouds, and the sunset is truly unforgettable. There are quite a few tourists, so you won’t be alone, but it’s still worth every moment. A useful tip: check online beforehand to see if the road to the summit is open, as it can sometimes be closed due to fog, snow, or safety conditions. Overall, an amazing and unique experience — highly recommended for anyone visiting Hawaii!

Unbelievable experience, the view is like no other. I was short of breath for a few minutes while my body acclimated to the change in oxygen level and it was 38 degrees farenheit ar the summit whereas it was 80 at the beach, layer up or bundle up. 😂. We stayed there till night and got some amazing photos

Must visit when on Big Island. We visited for Sunset. Keep 60 mins before Sunset for the drive up. They make you acclimate for 30 mins at the visitor centre before the drive up. No visitors are allowed up with 30 mins left for sunset so don't be late. It is 0c at the top so go prepared. Need a 4x4 to go up, the road is really tough terrain.

By far one of the coolest experiences of my life. I love the stars and space and getting above the clouds and learning what the observatory looks for is so cool. The show put on by the visitor center is great and getting to the top of the mountain was amazing. Bring a jacket!

This beach is absolutely stunning, offering a fantastic experience for families with children. The sand feels incredibly soft, like finely ground powder beneath your feet. It's also an ideal spot for various activities such as snorkeling, swimming, or simply lounging around. You can discover the beauty of marine life or just unwind and soak up the sun. Overall, it's a place where I want to keep coming back to! plus, there are showers and bathroom nearby! Parking- better to come early as it fills up quickly

Great beach. Snorkeled and saw a turtle along right side by rocks. Many fish. White sand, clear water and good waves for body boarding. Arrive early or late, or you will not get a parking spot.

This is a faily large and beautiful sandy beach. It's busy even on a Friday so I can't imagine what it would be like on the weekends but it wasn't hard to find a spot. Would have been amazing in the sun so that we could see the color of the water but it was great either way. The waves are rough (but do some cool curls), so be careful if you're not use to it and are going to stay in the water close to the sand where they break. Luckily there is a lifeguard here. A turtle quickly stopped by to say hello.

Best beach in Kona. We visited about 8 beaches on Big Island during our trip. This was by far the best (maybe we got a good day). Clear blue water, decent Snorkel, nice waves and not too busy. There's not a lot of parking.

My favorite beach for chilling and enjoying the beautiful view. Come early the waves are perfect

This beach is known for snorkeling and swimming. Parking is free and public restroom. There are showers ourside. There was a lifeguard on duty. We went just before a storm, and it was very windy. Nevertheless, there were people swimming. It is rocky to get to get to the sandy beach. I was glad that I wore water shoes. We spotted whales though far away.

Great white sand spot, nice waves but not to rough. Fairly busy on a Sunday afternoon

Visited the plantation on a cool rainy day last weekend and loved every minute of our tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the coffee production process and was even kind enough to answer my questions on some of the other random plants you can find around the plantation and nature trail. The coffee though…11/10, I purchased the peaberry after the tour and have found it to be the only coffee I have ever been able to drink black. Take the time and visit this place ASAP! Also, drop the extra $ and get the peaberry it is awesome!

Thank you for the wonderful tour and experience! We learned a lot about coffee during the free tour, makes me appreciate my cup of joe even more! We also decided to take the paid Natural Trail ($10 per party). The self guided tour book was so helpful, it explained each plants or scene along the way, you can really take your time and enjoy the nature while filingl in with some knowledge. Of course you cant miss the free coffee tasting and the gift shop! And if you're lucky like us lol, you'll have a chance to play and take some picture with Mr.Kitty while he is not asleep! 😻❤️

We visited the Thunder Mountain Coffee Plantation while visiting the Big Island. They're neat and organized business really fits the agra/ tourist model. They were doing free tours while we were there, and had a small store showcasing their products. I picked up a bag of their whole bean Expresso Dark which has good flavor , is very smooth, only not as bold as I would have imagined. Good stop while visiting , very nice landscape and flowers.

On a warm, rainy Thursday afternoon, we decided to explore Mountain Thunder Coffee—and what a hidden gem! Tucked up in the mountains, it was noticeably cooler than down by the coast, creating a refreshing and peaceful escape. The moment we arrived, we were welcomed with a tasting station offering four delicious coffee samples. The hosts were warm, inviting, and incredibly knowledgeable. Even with the rain, they had us covered—literally—with free umbrellas and $2 ponchos available in the gift shop. Our short walking tour was informative and fun, as our guide walked us through the process of making coffee from start to finish. We especially enjoyed seeing the roasting shed. And the best part? The tour was completely free. We didn’t get to explore the full coffee grounds due to the downpour, but there's clearly more to discover next time. There's a cozy lunch area, clean bathrooms, and a gift shop filled with great coffee and collectables. Between the misty jungle atmosphere, the cooler mountain air, and the genuine hospitality, it felt like a Jurassic Park adventure—in the best way possible. We’ll definitely be back. Mountain Thunder Coffee is a must-visit—great coffee, friendly staff, and a one-of-a-kind mountain experience. 5 out of 5! ☕🌿

Visiting this coffee farm in America’s only cloud forest was nothing short of magical. The free tour was incredibly informative — we learned all about the coffee-making process from passionate guides and got to sample some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. There’s a small shop where you can buy beans and local goods, and for just $10, you get a charming booklet and access to a peaceful trail through a garden that ends at a scenic observatory deck. We arrived in the morning with sunshine, and by the time we left, we were literally in the clouds with a light mist of rain — a surreal and beautiful shift that made the experience even more memorable. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s authentic, educational, and absolutely worth the visit.

Fun experience. Coffee tour is free and describes the farming, cultivation, market and sale of Kona coffee. The mill itself was not impressive, but I found the presenters and staff to be true masters of their craft, with a high degree of knowledge. They were all extremely friendly and inviting. There is complimentary coffee that you can taste before and after the tour. Options include the light roast American, French, Vienna and my favorite, the Black & Tan (mix of the American and French). The only costs are the self-guided nature walk and of course any purchases from the gift shop. The tour was honestly quite short and modest, but I would do it again to support the business, and it’s only $10. I also had a bunch of samples, so I was rather eager to just “go.” I could fairly see others concluding otherwise.

We visited Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation in Kona and had such a great time. We took the free tour and it was unbelievably informative. Learned so much about how coffee is grown, harvested, and refined, and it was really cool to see how particular they are with their process. Our guide was amazing. She knew so much and answered every question in detail, even taking extra time to explain things further. You could tell she really loved what she does and made the tour super engaging. The shop was also really nice. We picked up a few coffee candles and they smell incredible. Excited to light them at home and bring a little bit of Kona back with us. If you’re in Kona, definitely worth a stop whether you’re a big coffee drinker or just curious about how it all works.

I visited the Ocean Rider Seahorse farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tour was informative. Jasmine the guide was fun and knowledgeable. Facts about the potential loss of the seahorse were alarming. So were changes in the seahorse from wild to industrial production to "Preserve the Species": 1. Wild seahorses mate for life. Industrially produced products are polygamous. 2. Wild seahorses are hunters and only eat live food. Industrially produced products eat frozen food. Which brings to mind the question, are we saving the seahorse, by industrial production? Possibly, if industrial products go to pet aquariums or to supply alternative medicine, sparing native wild seahorses. If wild seahorses go extinct, will we be left with only industrial product seahorses? The tour was fun. You do get to see and hold seahorses. You see what they are being fed industrially (not what they eat in the wild). Interesting but pricey, in the off season approx. $75/ per adult. No kids go free, $5 discount? More expensive for the deluxe tour where you get to hold more than just one seahorse. The touchy feely tide pool was fun: sea urchins that collect things and decorate their bodies, clown fish, various starfish, the sea cucumber. Fun for kids. Step stools for kids. I saw several families there. Educational experience where you see & touch things. You even get to eat seaweed😬 Flat access with walkways. Handicapped access is fair. May require standing to see what is in large tanks. Some places too narrow for a wheel chair. Plenty of free parking. A bit difficult to find without google maps. Road there is bumpy.🤯 *Check out the photos!

We hesitated to book this one until our last few days on the island, knowing we had to fill out our day after checking out and before our flight. It seemed a bit steep for "holding a seahorse", but we figured where else would we get the opportunity? We booked only a day in advance with no issue. Easy to find out by the airport on the west coast of Kona, it was a small little building and from the front didn't look like much. However, our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and every detail she shared was fascinating. The birthing and growth pools, the feeding, and the displays were all very fun and exciting. I was right, though, holding a seahorse was cool but... it was over in less than 60 seconds (I'm glad I didn't pay for the option to hold one twice - for four of us I think that would have cost an extra $160). I was glad we did it, and would recommend it for sure if you love seahorses and aquatic facts. And it felt good to support them as their initiative is to sell domesticated seahorses to prevent the capture of "wild" ones that are already endangered.

This was such a fun tour. They were so informative and it was neat to see the sea horses at all different stages of development. It was amazing to hold a little sea horse. They do great conservation work here!

We went to Ocean Rider’s Seahorse farm today and really enjoyed ourselves. So interesting to learn more about them and get to look inside the tanks and see them from little babies (fry) all the way up to adult hood. We even got to have a couple wrap their adorable tails around our fingers. They even had some Weedy Seadragons and you just can’t believe that they’re real. If you like seahorses then this is the experience for you!

What a great tour! While it's a bit pricey, I found it to be very informative and their operation very solid. The sea horses are simply amazing and also very healthy looking.

What a lovely find! Friendly employees and cutest gift shop EVER! This may be possibly a core memory for our 5 year old. For the next 4 days she showed everyone how to hold her hands and hooked a little rubber seahorses from the gift shop to her fingers just like her real life experience. While I am a beginner home aquarist myself, it was inspiring to learn of their husbandry practices and see their huge success rate in real life! Maybe one day! 😍 Would love to come back again.

The pricing is absolutely predatory. $48 for a seahorse stuffy!? $300 for a family of 4 for barely one hour!!!? During that hour, only 5 minutes of that was interactive: - 30 seconds of feeding a small cup of shrimp to a vat of seahorses from top down so there wasn’t much to see, - 60 seconds getting your hands ready for a seahorse, - 30 seconds of actual seahorse holding, - 3 minutes of sea urchins in a touch tank. Honestly this could have been just a short talk in the room with display tanks at the end showing shrimp (their food), babies, and adults; and then wash hands and hold the seahorses a few times (not just once). For half the price. However, giving this 4 stars because the kids were delighted that they held a seahorse and I don’t know anywhere else in the world where they can touch a seahorse.

Stopped into Kona Brewing during our cruise and it did not disappoint! I’ve always been a fan of their beers, but having one fresh at the source was amazing. The pizza and pizza rolls were delicious, and the staff was super friendly—top notch service all around. The whole vibe was relaxed and welcoming. Definitely a must-stop if you’re in the area, and I’ll be back for sure!

Large brewery and restaurant in a trendy new area in town. We had a Hanalei IPA brewed with POG that was refreshing but not too fruty and a Black Sand Porter. The porter was very good. We also tried the smash burger, which wasn't so much a smash burger as a pork/beef burger on an ube bun. The ube bun was interest - not the most appetizing color on the outside but super cool on the inside. The flavor of the patty, the aioli and the bun together was great. The kettle chips were good. The fish tacos with the mac salad needed a hot sauce but were tasty, if a bit small. Service here was good.

Stopped in on a Thursday afternoon with a group of 8 and seated right away. Very nice outdoor table area and cozy, tropical vibes inside (smelled amazing). Service was friendly and attentive. Enjoyed our food and cocktails! Decent prices. Daily weekday happy hour from 3-5 PM with $2 off select appetizers, cocktails, and pints. -Pepperoni Rolls (delicious!) -Captain Pizza (good) -Frozen Mai Tai (strong, good) Edamame (nice flavor) Overall, would recommend for a medium sized group to enjoy drinks and food.

We had a wonderful time enjoying lunch at Kona Brewing, a Kona icon! Our family enjoyed two pizzas, beers, and soft drinks. Our server recommended the avocado fries as a starter. It was our first time trying this dish, and it was delicious, along with the other dishes. The service from the staff was also excellent. We felt their aloha spirit, and it made our trip perfect! I regret not buying any merchandise. I definitely want to get a t-shirt on my next visit :)

We love Kona brewing. This is our 2nd visit (first in 2018). The staff are always so free, beer cold and delicious, and the food makes for happy bellies! The kalua pork nachos are the best we've had - get the large (we blew it on the size we ordered, lol).

Kona Brewing Company was just okay overall. The food was decent but nothing mind-blowing — pretty average for the price. Unfortunately, I found a small piece of plastic wrapper in my Caesar salad, which really ruined the experience for me. The staff was friendly, and the beer selection is definitely the highlight, so it’s still worth a visit if you’re a beer enthusiast. Personally, though, I wouldn’t go back for the food.

The tour is fun and reasonable. We came back for drinks and food. No complaints. Our waitress knew we were chilling and killing time before our flight home and the atmosphere was great. The food is pretty average but good. Nachos could've used a bit more chips to finish the toppings. But you can't order extra tortilla chips. Overall, good experience. Would recommend coming if you're a beer drinker.

The only beach park in Kona that has a decent sandy beach. Most beaches consist of lava rock. Not very large and be crowded especially on weekends. The volleyball court takes up some of the space. There’s parking along the road, a small lot on the beach side and a larger lot across the street. Waves could get large at times for boogie boards and bodysurfing. Be careful of rocks near the shoreline.

This beach is absolutely amazing and still a hidden gem that not many people know about. Parking is easy and located right across the street, though it can get busy. The atmosphere is calm, romantic, and perfect for watching the sunset. The waves are gentle and safe for swimming. It’s an ideal place to relax, take photos, and enjoy the view. I watched the sunset here and honestly think it’s one of the best spots on the Big Island. Highly recommended for a peaceful evening by the ocean.

Small beach limited parking but worth every minute spent here. Water was crystal clear, turtles swim next to you. Waves were awesome not to me lion the beautiful sunsets. If you have a chance this is one of the best beaches to visit

An absolutely beautiful beach with soft, fine sand and tall waves. On our stay in Kona we came by this beach three separate times, once in the afternoon to swim in the waves and relax at the beach and twice to watch the sunset. The scenery is beautiful and, luckily, parking is easy enough in the free lot across the street. Please be mindful that the waves here are no joke-- the lifeguard made multiple announcements asking people to be careful due to the high number of spinal injuries that take place. Also, because of the strong waves, I wasn't a huge fan of the snorkeling here (if you want to snorkel I suggest driving another few minutes up the road). If you are a strong swimmer or if you are just looking to relax at the beach, this is a solid spot to visit!

Good wave activity here. Be cautious with your kids under 2 years old; I wouldn't recommend bringing them out. There’s a strong current, and your feet could be touching the ground, and the next thing you know, you’re struggling to keep your head above water—especially if you can't swim. The floor is uneven. So, it's not very safe if you're holding little ones. Trust me, if I hadn't been close by to my wife and son, they both would've drowned. Keep safe.

Mainly for boogie boarding. There were people snorkeling but I’m not sure how great it is! The waves get pretty big so I didn’t feel comfortable letting my little kids go out without someone with them but my husband and oldest kid had fun! I wouldn’t recommend this beach if you have small kids because the waves will pull them into the water. There was a lifeguard there though which was comforting.

We swam here as a family, and it was so much fun! The water was beautiful and warm. My only complaint was that a group of people were getting high by our rental car.

We visited this palace on a Friday in early March and had no crowd problem. It was a very interesting look at how the Royal family lived. The museum was very well done and you could walk around the whole grounds. It took us about 2 hours to see and read everything. Very nice.

We had an amazing experience here, we booked the docent guided tour for about 20 bucks and it was absolutely worth it. Our tour guide had so much knowledge, down to the lineage and relationships of every member of the royal family whose portraits are on the upstairs walls which was very interesting. The tour was just over an hour, and we learned so many things. The upstairs room that houses the dresses shows what incredible style the royal family had. We would absolutely recommend doing the tour instead of the self-guided.

Hulihe'e place is located downtown Kona. It pro ides an historic look at the summer home of the past royalty of Hawaii. Very intriguing furniture and clothing the royalty wore and used. I enjoyed walking through the palace.

Hulihe‘e Palace is a beautiful historic site in Kona with well-preserved artifacts and stunning oceanfront views. It’s a peaceful place to learn about Hawaiian royalty and culture—worth a visit if you enjoy history and local heritage.

Loved the palace, we had a friendly welcome and took the self guided tour by scanning the QR how ever a lady was there to provide more information, I was impressed by the history and the view from this point, we also went during the weekend of the King Kamehameha's parade and there was live music, really enjoyed the visit

Wonderful cultural site in downtown Kailua-Kona. We booked the docent guided tour and we were glad we did. Sunshine was our guide and did an excellent job especially with our oversized group. Sunshine answered all our questions and added anecdotes about each room. Not a big palace but significant in Hawaiian history and culture.

While the interior was somewhat interesting, the space was very small and the price tag was way too high. Unless you're in the area and have nothing better to do, I recommend saving your time and just admiring the exterior instead. It's free!

Gorgeous location. Sensational view of the ocean and of Kona. Warm waters and sandy shoreline. Great area foe snorkeling or marveling at the aquatic life in the Lava-flow ponds. Mild waves in this gulf. While we were there, we saw 2 sea turtles, one of which popped up just a couple feet from us.

First, hot so bring your hydration of choice. And bring some back up H2O just in case.. It’s a seriously understated National park in my opinion. Very sacred space please keep that in mind when looking at how undisturbed the vast terrain appears. Staying on the path you can spot some subtle natural pools coming up from an underground network of water. Nothing h you can drink. But interesting to hear from the teacher that the early days when locals were in need of fresh water, this was the place to drink. The fishing has was “huge” with one of the largest fish pond I hear.

Great location to visit not too many tourists and the beach is nice. The hike is not the easiest on unimproved path with a lot of lava rocks and it very exposed to the sun. Need to bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Came during the gov shut down so the parking lot, visitor center, and restrooms were all closed but at the turn around you can fit ~10 cars along the shoulder.

Beautiful beach and park with a great chance of seeing turtles and other wildlife. THIS IS A HIKE FIRST and a beach second. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes and clothes. Bring beach stuff with you to change into if you want to swim and get your feet wet.

Historical, so nothing like the Volcanos or big park. We had the tripark pass so it was included but I won’t pay 30$ just because I’m not that into even it was beautiful to see. You can’t swim but there is a public beach next to it. The ranger let us keep the car in the parking when we went to the public beach. That was the sun was very hot, not too much shade places. Also not recommend with a stroller.

What a hidden gem. I was just killing time before my flight home and on a whim stopped at the park. I cheated when I saw there was parking closer to the beach, so I moved my car to the marina and walked to the beach from there. The morning time is breakfast for sea turtles. I must have seen 15-20. This was a happy little accident to have this be my last stop before returning home.

Visitor center is well maintained. There’s a small gift shop, information about the area and restrooms to use before your hike to the beach. It is a hot, sunny walk. The fish pond and beach area is beautiful. Restroom facilities near beach, as well.

We stumbled across this around 545pm. A ton of spinner dolphins swam Into the bay. Several snorkelers got to swim next to them. We were watching them jump from the shore. It was awesome.

OK place to snorkel. The reef isn't very healthy but there are some fish. Getting in and out is relatively easy making it a good place for kids.

It's good for even first time snorkelers.

Crowded! Every day this week that we drove by it was totally crowded with no place to park.

Nice but not as nice as other beaches on the big Island.

Parking fee. 12 dollars

This church is rich in history, being billed as the first Christian church in Hawaii. It was undergoing intense remodeling while I visited, so I was not able to freely tour. I do recommend visiting when you can, as it provides a glimpse into Hawaiian history that is rich and intriguing.

This church welcomed us, tourists from Virginia, with open arms. The worship and the community were amazing. The service is definitely more “Pentecostal” feeling (at least I presumed it that way), so if you’re looking for something more traditional, it might not be for you. I personally found the sermon the day I went more of a testimony-style rather than expository, but it was a guest speaker, so I’d imagine with the pastor it’s different. Regardless, it was an amazing experience, full of grace, and I highly recommend learning about the church and the history of how Christianity began in Hawai’i because it is a wild story. Thankful for all who made our experience wonderful. Mahalo!

Worth checking out if you are in Kona. Very cool and super pretty.

Fun place to stop for a quick history lesson Did you know Christianity was introduced to the Hawaiians back in the early 1800s? That was something I learnt. The church is the proof of it. The church is not that big so it will take you 5min although the introduction video by the entry is worth the few minutes. It is impressive to see the structure and learn its history. A fun stop on the big island. Happy travels

Mokuaikaua Church is a must-visit in Kona! Attending the Sunday service was the highlight of our trip—the worship and sermon were so beautiful and uplifting. The church is rich in history, peaceful, and truly makes you feel connected to the spirit of Hawai‘i. Highly recommend stopping by!

I love history and this church is living history. Great service and met real people doing God's work! Every time we come back to the Big Island this is our church home. Always see a multicultural gathering with a strong missions application. The building is beautiful and the people are very warm and inviting. Very blessed to have found this church so far from our church home of 29 years on the mainland.

It was my wife and I's first service which happened to be for Father's Day, and what a blessed community this is! God Our Father Is Good!! God Bless Now & Always 🙏

Such a wonderful and free place to visit with ample parking! Where to begin? This spot has it all! There is an awesome playground in the midst of the ball diamonds and horseshoe pits. Also, a mediocre skate park. Of course, the 0.5 mile stretch of white sand beach is great for swimming and there is even a hidden gem of a sun bathing beach at the north end of the park. But probably the nicest feature is the 0.7 mile loop walking trail that leads through community maintained gardens. The plant life you will encounter here is stunning!

This is adjacent to a park with ballfields and tennis courts and a toddlers area, then, further down the former runway, past pavilion “ Makeo ” is the beachiest strip. People without homes often need to sleep here after the gates close to block cars and during other times of day but generally aren't territory more than a h other cluster of park or beach users. There's an inland non beach walking loop and skatepark in the area too all listed here on maps.

Beautiful, long beach. Amazing botanical gardens along the one mile Maka'eo walking path.

Absolutely love this beach. Really quiet and not very busy. Lots of rocks so water shoes help with walking in the water. Shower there but only port a pottys to use and they don't seem to be well kept. But over all one of my favorite spots to swing by.

Lovely gardens and park to walk around. Just over a kilometre loop around the park. So many different flowers, plants and little gardens. Mongoose like animals and stray cats who are fed and looked after by locals. Peaceful place. Beach is also really nice sign lots of tidal pools to look for fish and cool down. Quiet beach with picnic benches and shaded areas to sit. Portaloos as the change rooms seem to have been burnt down or collapsed. Showers and taps available.

Loved this place. It felt like a hidden gem. Free and easy parking, beach, walking paths, and lava rocks. Very easy to get to and tons of space to park. Seemed to be many more locals than tourists here. I would give it 5-stars but the long-term campers might be uncomfortable for some visitors, though the entire place is very safe and friendly.

One of the best places to watch sunset either when u just landed in kona in the evening or flying out soon!

The only beach park in Kona that has a decent sandy beach. Most beaches consist of lava rock. Not very large and be crowded especially on weekends. The volleyball court takes up some of the space. There’s parking along the road, a small lot on the beach side and a larger lot across the street. Waves could get large at times for boogie boards and bodysurfing. Be careful of rocks near the shoreline.

This beach is absolutely amazing and still a hidden gem that not many people know about. Parking is easy and located right across the street, though it can get busy. The atmosphere is calm, romantic, and perfect for watching the sunset. The waves are gentle and safe for swimming. It’s an ideal place to relax, take photos, and enjoy the view. I watched the sunset here and honestly think it’s one of the best spots on the Big Island. Highly recommended for a peaceful evening by the ocean.

Small beach limited parking but worth every minute spent here. Water was crystal clear, turtles swim next to you. Waves were awesome not to me lion the beautiful sunsets. If you have a chance this is one of the best beaches to visit

An absolutely beautiful beach with soft, fine sand and tall waves. On our stay in Kona we came by this beach three separate times, once in the afternoon to swim in the waves and relax at the beach and twice to watch the sunset. The scenery is beautiful and, luckily, parking is easy enough in the free lot across the street. Please be mindful that the waves here are no joke-- the lifeguard made multiple announcements asking people to be careful due to the high number of spinal injuries that take place. Also, because of the strong waves, I wasn't a huge fan of the snorkeling here (if you want to snorkel I suggest driving another few minutes up the road). If you are a strong swimmer or if you are just looking to relax at the beach, this is a solid spot to visit!

Good wave activity here. Be cautious with your kids under 2 years old; I wouldn't recommend bringing them out. There’s a strong current, and your feet could be touching the ground, and the next thing you know, you’re struggling to keep your head above water—especially if you can't swim. The floor is uneven. So, it's not very safe if you're holding little ones. Trust me, if I hadn't been close by to my wife and son, they both would've drowned. Keep safe.

Mainly for boogie boarding. There were people snorkeling but I’m not sure how great it is! The waves get pretty big so I didn’t feel comfortable letting my little kids go out without someone with them but my husband and oldest kid had fun! I wouldn’t recommend this beach if you have small kids because the waves will pull them into the water. There was a lifeguard there though which was comforting.

We swam here as a family, and it was so much fun! The water was beautiful and warm. My only complaint was that a group of people were getting high by our rental car.

When you exit the parking lot and reach the beach, turn right and walk for about 2.5 miles. You’ll cross a small bridge where turtles are often seen hanging around. On your right, you’ll see the lagoon that’s in the photo. Keep walking and go over the rocks — you’ll find this amazing sea turtle spot with super calm waters, perfect for snorkeling. I saw 13 turtles there that day! Try to go in the morning, because after 2 p.m. the ocean gets really rough, which can make it harder to see them. It’s a long walk but totally worth it!

Check all trails or Google maps for hike in locations. This is an awesome spot to see sea turtles and if you bring snorkeling gear it is great for that. It was best for us to hug one of the banks ( lava rock or rocky / sandy side) to see many animals. Lots of things to see. Hike was easy, maybe best to have shoes so small rocks don't interfere with flip flops.

The place is not clearly marked and the road to the parking lot is very bumpy and unpaved. I recommend to use a 4WD but you can use a rental car. After we parked, we saw several goats walking around. The bay is very pretty but the hike there is long and rocky: about 4-5 miles and I recommend to use water shoes or walking shoes not slippers. If you walk a bit further you will see a monk seal and if you go all the way to the bay and if you are lucky, you will see some sea turtles. The place is not very crowded and has a lot of animal life

We were there twice and both of the times we saw a lot of sea turtles and we also saw a spotted eagle ray.

My favorite place for snorkeling, swimming and watching turtles. Hardly ever many people there so just go there anytime.

The absolute prettiest experience ever! We started at the trail head for the day use and parked our car. Right before the parking spots is a little rocky but we had a jeep so it was perfectly fine. I definitely recommend tennis shoes as the beaches are pebbles and rocks and to get to the lagoon you have to climb over lava rocks and it does not feel great walking on it in sandals. Once we walked down to the trail head you can either go left or right. We did both. We took a right and walked around 2.5 miles one way to find the lagoon. Once you get there it is absolutely beautiful and worth every step. We saw lots of turtles, beautiful fish, a sting ray and beautiful goats. I would definitely recommend bringing snacks and lots of water!

It’s all about the water and this place is magical. Good for snorkeling, will need some rubber shoes but just beautiful.

Arrived via cruise ship, lovely little town to wander through. This cultural heritage site is a very short walk off the pier. Historic temple and royal Tahitian site. Walk through from beach side and respect the signs to not enter areas.

This pier is free and open to public foot traffic. On either side, you will find beautiful, sandy-bottomed beaches with shallow turquoise water, nicely protected from big waves. Although it is used for commercial purposes, like docking tour boats, it's also a fun place for locals and tourists to enjoy the ocean. You will see people fishing, launching paddle boards, and kids jumping off the railings. The water is so astonishingly blue, it doesn't look real! And, the views of Kona and the King Kamehameha temple are stunning.

Came in on a Norwegian cruise ship. Nicest pier in Hawaii so far as most were commercial and warehouses. This pier was like a small town with plenty of shops and restaurants.

Great place to go with kids to a safe secluded beach. It is also a fun site as it is where the Ironman swim is held. The pier itself requires a key to park on but still fun to walk on and view the historic structures. It is also a great place to dive, just make sure to bring a flag and float as it is an active boat channel and ramp.

Beautiful pier. It is a nice place to watch the sunset, watch people fish and admire the ocean views. The water was an unreal shade of blue and there were tons of fish to watch.

I recently experienced the Body Glove Historic Dinner Cruise with Captain Rick, and it exceeded all expectations. The historical insights shared by Captain Rick added a fascinating layer to the scenic journey. The dinner was not only delicious but also served with impeccable hospitality. The combination of a stunning sunset, rich history, and Captain Rick's engaging narration made this cruise a memorable and highly recommended experience.

Its popular for travelers and locals also. Its easy to access from any place in downtown. If you do not want to travel far away for swimming and snorkeling, this place could be one of the best spot for them. There is shower and toilet facility. Parking would be challenging, and you may want to park your car at the public parking lot and walk down to the pier. ABC store is near by the pier and you may want to buy some drink or snack.