Mau’umae Beach

Nestled between Spencer Beach Park and Mauna Kea Resort in Waimea, Mau’umae Beach is one of the best kept secrets on the Big Island. Although the beach itself is underdeveloped and can only be accessed by an old coastal road, its soft sand and calm waters make it an ideal destination for families who want to relax.

Kawa Bay Beach

Kawa Bay Beach is a beloved spot for locals, but most tourists never even hear about it.
Located on the Big Island’s southeastern Ka’u shore between the towns of Pahala and Naalehu, this area is of great spiritual and cultural significance to Hawaiians, so please be respectful. The beach requires a half-mile hike to reach and the trailhead is a bit confusing so see our map to know where to park.

Shipman Beach

Shipman Beach just might be the Big Island’s most underrated beach. To explore it, you’ll have to hike 2.5 miles down a rugged trail, but your reward will be plenty of stunning (and secluded) scenery. You’ll find the trailhead for Shipman Beach at Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP) about five miles from Pahoa Town. Be prepared for a muddy trek as this side of the island gets frequent rain and this flat trail has puddles and stays wet.

Pohue Bay Beach

Recently purchased by the US National Park Service, the future of this epic hidden beach is uncertain, but we just have to let you know about it. This postcard-perfect soft white sandy beach is an absolute treasure. Remote and beautiful with palm trees for shade, Pohue Bay Beach will steal your heart, that is, if you can get to it. Located on the Big Island’s southwest shoreline, this beach is challenging to reach. With a proper 4×4 rig you can get within about a mile, otherwise it’s about a 2.5 mile hike each way in a hot desolate environment.

Makolea Black Sand Beach

If you’re looking for a black sand beach that’s a bit off the beaten path, look no further than
Makolea. This is the only black sand beach near Kona, making it a one-of-a-kind experience. The black sand is the result of the 1801 lava flow from Hualalai volcano, and it often sits forgotten, meaning you might have it all to yourself.

Makolea Black Sand Beach is just a 15-20 minute walk along the shoreline from the end of the road in Kekaha Kai State Park.

Kona Keiki Beach

Just minutes by foot from the Kailua waterfront, Kona “Keiki” Beach is in a hidden spot within a private gated community. The beach itself is public despite being surrounded by lavish homes. You can walk or drive to the local gymnasium and our description will guide you from there. This beach is known for its safe swimming, and you’ll often see families with young children enjoying it.

Ke’ei Beach

Unless you are a local surfer or fisherman, you’ve probably never heard of Ke’ei Beach. This
best kept secret sits beside the well-known Kealakekua Bay, and the popular snorkeling spot known as “Two Step”. Ke’ei Beach has unique white sand speckled with black lava fragments that feels great on the feet. While this isn’t a good beach for swimming, it’s the perfect quiet spot for enjoying a picnic and watching sunsets.

Honomalino Bay Beach

Honomalino Bay Beach is one of the most remote South Kona Beaches, but it’s also one of
the largest beaches in the area. Located 30 miles south of Kailua-Kona, this tranquil beach
boasts a quiet bay with clear water and smooth black and white sand. The short hike to
Honomalino Bay Beach is half the fun as the trail takes you through thick vegetation and past sacred burial grounds before it opens onto black lava flows.

Keawaiki Bay Beach

Keawaiki Bay Beach is better known as Lone Palm Beach for the lonely palm tree in the sand. Located on the western coast of the Big Island, Keawaiki Bay Beach is a strikingly beautiful beach that is perfect for snorkeling when the waters are calm. This beach is never crowded, but that’s because it isn’t easy to find or get to. Just north of mile marker 79 on Highway 19, look for a lava rock road and drive it until it ends. After that, you’ll have a 15 minute walk along a fence to the beach.

Kapana Bay Beach

If you need to get away from it all and you have a reliable 4-wheel drive vehicle, put Kapana
Bay Beach on your radar. Located just west of Keokea Beach Park in the Kohala District, this secluded piece of paradise offers incredible ocean views. You’ll be far away from the tourists, crowds, and all of life’s troubles. Just make sure you don’t swim here, as the lack of lifeguards make it unsafe and the waves can be powerful.

Cape Kumukahi Black Sand Beach

Cape Kumukahi Black Sand Beach appeared after the 2018 eruption of Kilauea’s east rift zone in the lower Puna district. The roads in the area have recently been restored and access to Cape Kumukahi is better, but it’s not as easy as it used to be. You’ll still have to walk about two miles on an old gravel road to get there, but when you do you’ll probably have this place all to yourself. The point at Cape Kumukahi is the easternmost part of the Big Island and definitely hidden from the rest of the world.

Have you ever discovered a secret beach on the island of Hawaii? Did you keep the secret?

The post Hidden Beaches on the Big Island You Should Discover! appeared first on HawaiiBeaches.com.

Akaka Falls

You’ll find this magnificent 442-foot waterfall at Akaka Falls State Park. Take a pleasant, self-guided walk through lush green tropical land to the overlook. It’s only about half a mile in length, and you’ll also see the cascading Kahuna Falls along the way.

Rainbow Falls

In addition to being visually stunning, Rainbow Falls is known for the rainbow that forms in its mist most mornings. Legend has it that the cave beneath the falls was once home to Hina, mother of the demigod Maui. To reach Rainbow Falls, head to Wailuku River State Park and follow the signs.

Boiling Pots

Boiling Pots is located about a mile past Rainbow Falls, along the Wailuku River, near downtown Hilo. The cauldron-looking falls were formed from lava flows, which created huge spaces within that have since created the large cylinders you’ll see today.

Note that, while Boiling Pots is wonderful to see, it’s also dangerous. Flash flooding in the pools is common, and sadly, many people have died here by getting sucked into the water and getting trapped within the concealed lava tubes and caves.

Hi’ilawe Falls

Despite being the tallest waterfall in Hawaii, Hi’ilawe Falls is easily overlooked. It stands at approximately 1,450 feet tall with the main drop being just over 1,200 feet. The waterfall is only visible from the bottom of Waipio Valley, which requires a fairly steep 800 foot descent down a road that requires 4×4 cars or trucks equipped with “four low” gearing. You can also walk this 1.3 mile stretch of road, but be prepared for the steep climb back. From the valley floor, it is a fairly easy 10 minute hike to reach the falls. Keep in mind that the falls often go dry due to water diversion for irrigation. If you do hike out to the falls, make sure to also visit the stunning black sands of Waipio Beach.

Waiulili Falls

Waiulili Falls is also accessible via the Waipio Valley. Admittedly, this is a very difficult waterfall to reach by hike. It requires descending into Waipio Valley, then finding the Muliwai Trail trailhead and hiking another nine miles along a series of switchbacks. Luckily, the waterfall is also visible from Waipio Beach. And if you can swing a helicopter tour, you’ll get some amazing Waiulili Falls views.

Umauma Falls

Located along Old Mamalahoa Highway in Hakalau, Umauma Falls is very easily accessible. You can drive on a concrete road right to the falls and the surrounding tropical garden, and the visitor center is full of great information. The site is open daily until 4:30 p.m.

Kulaniapia Falls

This massive waterfall is set on privately accessible property, surrounded by rustic cabins and an inn on a 42-acre farm. The area has been featured on Netflix’s “World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals,” and it’s a peaceful place to visit when you’re ready to go off the grid for awhile. Purchase a day pass and explore the trails, bamboo gardens, and waterfall views. A limited number of passes are sold each day, so you’ll never have to worry about crowds.

No visit to Hawaii is complete without chasing waterfalls. With proper planning, you can see all these spots on more in a single visit.

The post Enjoy The Best Waterfalls on Hawaii’s Big Island appeared first on HawaiiBeaches.com.