Spencer Beach State Park is one of the most popular beaches of the families that live on the Big Island of Hawaii. It offers one of the safest beaches for small children and offers an array of recreational activities.
Spencer Beach State Park offers large bathroom facilities. You will find restrooms as well as showers here. Although the waters are calm, there is also a lifeguard in duty. Other amenities you will find nearby are tennis and basketball courts. There are several large trees on one side of the beach that are great for finding shade.
Spencer Beach State Park also is a very popular location for camping. There are a limited number of camping permits handed out daily, but is a great place to camp given it is located on a beach and a short distance from shopping in case something is needed. Nestled throughout the camping sites are barbeque grills. Near the camping site is also a large pavilion on the ocean with restrooms. There are a few power outlets here in case they are needed for cooking, but often times do not work or are taken up by other campers. This pavilion can be rented to use for retreats and things of that nature.
If you hike into the trees along the ocean just south of the pavilion area it will leak you to Mau’umae Beach. The beach is beautiful and well worth the walk. Just like Spencer Beach, this beach offers safe waters and nice snorkeling. Due to needing to hike in, you will typically find less people here. You will not find shade here so it is recommended to bring a beach umbrealla.
**This photo was taken shorty after a brush fire in August 2023 so that is why the land looks more barren behind the beach. It will fill in, but will not offer much additional shade.
Directions to Spencer Beach State Park
If you are traveling north from Waikoloa Beach Resort, when you reach Kawaihae the highway will make a Y. Take a left at this point. Roughly 1 mile down you will see the exit on the left for Spencer Beach State Park. If you make it to the port where there are shipping containers you have gone too far.
If you are looking for a place to stay near Spencer Beach State Park, Ainamalu at Waikoloa Beach Resort offers nice 3 bedroom vacation rentals and is less than a 15 minutes drive from Spencer Beach State Park.