Enjoy Some of the fine Big Island of Hawaii Beaches While Staying at Waikoloa Beach Resort
Sunday, February 21st, 2010The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most diverse places on the earth. Given this, there are a variety of unique beaches on the island that offer something for everyone. From green sand beaches to fun filled state parks, the Big Island has it all.
Green Sand Beach at South Point
The Green Sand Beach is located at the very south end of the Big Island. It is in a very remote location but worth the effort to see. To reach the beach, go down the South Point Road. Follow the road to the left and go to the boat ramp. If the soil is dry and you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you can drive farther. However, we recommend you park near the ramp and walk the mile to the beach. You will have to descend the remains of a collapsed cinder cone to the beach. This is steep and somewhat precarious. The beach is the result of the front half of a cinder cone collapsing into the ocean, leaving a sandy beach. There are no public facilities in this area.A’Bay at Waikoloa Beach Resort
A’Bay is the only sandy beach in the Waikoloa Beach Resort, which is one of the top vacation destinations for families. This crescent moon shaped beach spans over a mile in length and sits just in front of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort giving these guests easy access. The Queens Shops are also a short walk away if you decide to take a break for lunch. Given that this beach sits on a bay, it is great for children and there is very little surf. Ocean Sports has a shack on the beach making beach toys, snorkel gear, and water sport equipment readily available. A’Bay is a five star beach for families with small children.
Black Sand Beach at Pololu Valley
Pololu Valley is one of the most beautiful places on the Big Island of Hawaii. Located at the bottom of the valley is a beautiful black sand beach, which offers a setting for amazing photographs and tranquility. Pololu Valley is a hikers dream. It is about a 30 minute hike down into the valley, which great aerial photographs available along the way. Once you reach the bottom of the trail you will find a beautiful beach along with a lot more landscape to hike. The water at Pololu Vally is typically very rough so you will want to be very cautious if you enter. The Black Sand Beach at Pololu Valley is an excellent beach for photographs and for the adventurous person.
View Directions to Pololu Valley From Waikoloa Beach Resort
Hapuna Beach State Park
Hapuna Beach is the most well known beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hapuna Beach features is one of the largest white sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii. The waters are also very friendly for families, with the exception of the winter months where you can find very rough surf. There are picnic tables, bar b que pits, as well as showers for use while spending the day there. Hapuna Beach State Park is a great beach for anyone.
View Directions to Hapuna Beach State Part From Waikoloa Beach Resort
Mauna Lani Bay
The beach at Mauna Lani Bay is a snorkelers dream. Mauna Lani Bay offers calm waters with a white sand beach just in front of the Mauna Lani Bay hotel. The Mauna Lani Bay hotel has a program where they raise sea turtles and then release them when they are ready. This happens on July 4, Turtle Independence Day. Due to this many sea turtles call the Mauna Lani Bay “home”. While spending a day at Mauna Lani Bay you are sure to see turtles swimming in the waters as well as resting on the beach. Mauna Lani Bay is great for families and snorkelers.
View Directions to Mauna Lani Bay From Waikoloa Beach Resort
A’Bay at Waikoloa Beach Resort
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009Anaeho’omalu Bay, better known as A’Bay, is is a beautiful, crescent shaped white sand beach in the Waikoloa Beach Resort. A’Bay offers some amazing daytime activities and is famous for beautiful sunset settings in the evening.
A’Bay is located in front of the Marriott hotel and Kolea. The white sands are just steps away from both of these locations. This area of the bay is filled with activities. Boats go out hourly for snorkeling, scuba diving, whale watches in the winter, and lunch sails. If you do not want to do a paid excursion, you can rent some fins and snorkeling gear at the shack at A’Bay and enjoy some wonderful snorkeling. Sea turtles are plentiful in this area. You can also rent out kayaks, hydro bikes, and much more.
In the evening, there are dinner and sunset sails that go out. I have had the opportunity to take the dinner sail. The cocktails were complementary and surprisingly the food was excellent. We took a small sail near the Mauna Lani Resort. We anchored there and enjoyed the sunset while we ate and then we went back to A’Bay. It was an easy sail so if you are worried about getting sea sick it should not be a problem. If you do not wish to go out, you can sit on the beach and have a wonderful view of a beautiful Hawaiian sunset.
If the action packed beach area in front of Kolea is too busy for your liking you can walk down the beach almost a mile and find a very peaceful, romantic area of of A’Bay. Since A’Bay is crescent shaped from this area you will be looking across the ocean and lava rocks and see Kolea across the way. The sea turtles love resting in this area of A’Bay. Contact Rob at waikoloavrm@aol.com for any A’Bay activity inquiry.