ʻAnaehoʻomalu Beach

From Highway 19, turn onto Waikoloa Beach Drive and follow signs toward the Waikoloa Beach Marriott — the drive takes about 25 minutes from the Kona coast. Free public parking is available on-site; Hawaii law guarantees public beach access regardless of the adjacent resort. If you're flying in, a bus from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) runs hourly and reaches the beach in around 35 minutes. The beach is open daily, and resort paths leading to the sand are paved and generally accessible.

A short walk inland leads to the Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve, where ancient ki'i pohaku — images carved into lava rock — cover a remarkable field near the Kings' Shops, about 2 kilometres from the beach. Watersports rentals are available directly at A-Bay, so you can get on the water without hauling gear. Dolphin Quest Hawaii, 1.2 kilometres away, offers structured dolphin encounters worth considering for curious visitors. If you have a car, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area — the Big Island's most celebrated white-sand beach — is a 10.8-kilometre drive up the Kohala Coast.

Foster's Kitchen, an American spot 0.5 kilometres away, is the closest option for a post-swim meal. Roy's, just 0.6 kilometres out, focuses on regional Hawaiian cuisine and is a reliable choice for something more considered. Charley's Thai Cuisine and the Macaroni Grill are both within 0.7 kilometres if you want to range a little further.

Marriott's Waikoloa Ocean Club sits 0.3 kilometres from the sand — as close as it gets without sleeping on the beach itself. The Shores at Waikoloa and the Bay Club at Waikoloa Beach Resort offer alternatives within 1.2 kilometres, while Kohala Suites by Hilton Grand Vacations Club and Waikoloa Colony Villas round out the options within 1.5 kilometres for those who prefer a villa-style stay.

Shoot from the southern end of the beach at golden hour — the fishponds, coconut palms, and turquoise water align in a single frame that no filter can improve. Early morning is best for glassy reflections on the bay before the afternoon wind breaks the surface.

Hawaii law guarantees your right to be here — the resort cannot restrict public beach access, so don't let anyone suggest otherwise. The fishpond archaeological sites behind the beach are protected: stay on marked paths and do not disturb the structures or their surroundings. No fires are permitted anywhere on the beach. Afternoon winds pick up and can make the water noticeably choppy, so plan your swim for the morning; also stay alert to kayaks, paddleboards, and boats moving through the bay, and be aware that the anchialine ponds nearby can have minor water chemistry effects — don't swim in the ponds themselves.