Hidden Beach

This is a tiny hidden (and unnamed as far as we can tell) gray sand beach north of Kona. It’s located between Makole’a Point and Mu’ukala Point in an otherwise bleak featureless lava field. However, it does have several shade trees so you can stay a while without getting sunburned.

The main users of this beach are locals with the means to drive to it and eager hikers looking for something to do. Mid-week you’ll probably have this beach all to yourself since it’s so out of the way and not in the same league of nearby beaches at Kekaha Kai State Park. It’s simply an excuse for a coastal hike in the North Kona area.

Note that this beach is the closest to Kona International Airport (just one mile to the runway) so if you like airplanes, this is a great vantage point for watching them.

You can get to this hidden beach from Kekaha Kai State Beach by walking an old 4WD road from the parking area for Mahai’ula Beach (Red House Beach) or by walking the shoreline from Ka’elehuluhulu Beach. We recommend the latter and creating a counter-clockwise loop hike by walking along the shore and returning on the road which is a more direct route back to your car. To do this, park at the lot for Mahaiula or Kaelehuluhulu Beach (they are just a few hundred feet apart) and start walking south along the shore from Kaelehuluhulu. In about two-thirds of a mile you’ll get to Makolea Black Sand Beach which is an excellent spot (no trees however). From there it’s another half-mile walk along the shore to Hidden Beach.

Since you’ve walked this far, you should go another 200 yards to the south where another interesting sandy spot has unique lava formations and tide pools to check out.

If you have a high clearance vehicle and the gumption to drive a crazy rugged road, there is a way to drive to Hidden Beach from Highway 19. This 4×4 road starts north of mile marker 92 and meanders over lava fields around the north end of the airport. It’s not passable by a basic (rental) Jeep Wrangler, but if you see tire tracks at this beach or Makolea Black Sand Beach, this is where they came from.

Address

HI-19
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Other Names

Muukala Point

Owner

Public

Pet Details

Dogs are not allowed in the state park where you begin this hike

Fees

Free parking at trailhead

Activities

Hiking, Beach Exploration

Amenities

Shade Trees, Tide Pools, Trails, No Facilities