Waialea Beach

Waialea Beach

Waialea Beach
4.5
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  • 🌍Travel-Uwe🌎
    Cologne, Germany8,662 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful beach to relax
    Pros: Lots of shade, good snorkeling ground But: High parking fee, trees and rocks prevent you from jumping into the sea anywhere Summary: Few beaches on Big Island have that much shade - clear recommendation!
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 3 July 2024
  • Darlene
    Roy, Washington26 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful location
    This beach has just about everything you need. There are plenty of trees for shade, great snorkeling, and lots of sand for sunbathing. Bathrooms are clean and there is a large area for parking. We came with our kids a few years ago and this was their favorite beach so we decided to come again this trip.
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 July 2024
  • Rick S
    San Rafael, California5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Shady beach, awesome snorkeling!
    Perfect little beach we found on our last day in the big island. There’s enough parking g in the lot and plenty of shade areas for our young boys. Didn’t even need to open the umbrella. TONS of fish snorkeling around the large rock right off the shore. Even saw two large tuna swim by. Perfect day to end our Hawaii trip!
    Visited August 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 August 2024
  • laurahM6799OT
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa47 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sun Shade Surf
    This is a great spot that really gives you a tropical Hawaiian feel. Trees are low and near the water to provide some shade. Beautiful waves and sand. Great spot to watch the sunset.
    Visited December 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 29 December 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles327 reviews
Excellent
224
Very good
89
Average
12
Poor
0
Terrible
2

Matthew J
Buena Park, CA542 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
My daughter wanted to visit a sandy beach. There was plenty of parking. We got lucky and did not have to pay $30 ($10 per vehicle and $5 per person) due to the broken ticket dispenser. We spent approximately 2 hours here. We swam, skipped rocks, sunbathed, and took a nap. There were plenty of trees to provide shade on a warm day. This beach was not crowded, and worthy of a visit. There were no snorkelers, divers, or surfers here, just couples and families playing in the surf or lounging on the sand. The beach, shower, and restrooms were all clean.

If you like seafood, visit the Seafood Bar and Grill nearby (before or after the beach).
Written 27 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachel M
Granite Bay, CA19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2021 • Friends
Great snorkeling here. Entry is a bit rocky so plan on wearing water shoes with your fins. We swam out with our 7 yo in full snorkel gear and were blessed to see 2 turtles, many large reef fish and some small eels too. We entered in the rockier part of the beach and swam out to the left along/around the rocky reef which is where we saw all the ocean creatures noted.

It was windy the day we were there but the surf didn’t seem as affect here as it can get on some of the more long stretch beaches below this area.

Note the fee: $10 vehicle parking fee and $5 per person. Pay at the kiosk. And there was an attendant at the kiosk the day we went and she said it’s staffed now as of June 1st since people weren’t paying the fee. But upside is there’s a lot of parking, it’s an easy walk from the lot to beach, showers outside to rinse off were warm and bathrooms decent too. A good spot for sure!
Written 1 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tom B
Salida, CO2,104 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This beach, aka Beach 69, has a lot to offer the beach goer. Depending on what section of the beach you go it will range from rocky areas to a larger sandy open area to a more shady sandy area. Most of the beach does have shade to some degree. Plenty of parking and public facilities are available. The southern section is most suitable for water activities due to being less rocky and would be great for kids most of the time. Some good snorkeling out and around the rocky points and outcroppings. One of the most fabled features about this beach was the rope swing at the south end, but to me and others that feature has been removed permanently.
Crowds vary usually before 10am very few people, but increase as the day progresses. The weekend are definitely more crowded for sure. Going early to stake out your spot is always the best plan.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kara017
Bayport, MN55 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Family
This beach has phenomenal snorkeling! The waves were choppy, and the bottom was rocky, so some skill was helpful. We saw a huge variety of fish, likely die to it being a protected area. We have two teen boys that prefer the waves of Hapuna (your parking ticket covers both beaches), but it’s worth a stop.
Written 12 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Raul R
Anchorage, AK137 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2021
This was a nice experience. There was plenty of parking. There is a facility to change and wash off the sand. There are so many trees close to the beach to give you shade. The water was nice and warm.

The day I went it was a bit turbid and not ideal for snorkeling. My friend who lives in Hilo, he said it is normally a great place for snorkeling.

I heard someone call this play Beach 69.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Milocat007
Santa Cruz, CA336 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Best snorkeling in the Kohalo area. This sits very close to Hapuna beach, and they are VERY different. This beach has a TON of shade and plenty of good snorkeling up and down the beach, though you have to pick the sandiest places to enter. We were there early but like Hapuna, you don't have to show up by 9 or 10 to get parking. Speaking of ... there is a self-pay kiosk and it was $15 for two of us. I THINK it'll also get you into Hapuna if they are manning the pay kiosk there as it's part of the Hapuna Recreation Area. Good showers and clean bathroom and the reef keeps the swells down. If you want to sit in shade and/or snorkel, try it. If you want to frolic in the blazing sun on a fine sandy beach, it's Hapuna. There were a few families with small kids there.
Written 19 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lisa G
Bellingham, WA9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Family
This beach has it all. Shade, sun, snorkeling, gentle waves, scenery, lava, coral, bathrooms, showers, long stretch is beach and more. Pay parking for non residents. Gorgeous colors of blue in the waters and plenty of tropical fish (best snorkeling towards the south near the lava rock outcrop). A wonderful family beach.
Written 11 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelLove886
Philadelphia, PA296 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Family
We came here to check it out before a return visit to Hapuna. We ended up skipping a second Hapuna trip and just staying here. The beach is small but it's nicely shaded with smooth trees to sit on/around. The waves are so much fun, and the sand is very soft. Lots of climbing trees ! It was not crowded at all, and we were able to hang our towels over the low branches. This is most certainly a worthwhile visit
Written 25 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rondella1
Greensboro, North Carolina235 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2022
This by far was our favorite beach! It has everything! snorkeling, beach, shade from the trees and lots of sun. There are areas that are rocky but walking down there are places sandy areas. There is a restroom present and an area to shower off the sandy. Large parking lot stays full. Pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches and snacks. It's a great place to spend the day!
Written 2 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bruce L
Roberts Creek, Canada1,754 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Solo
This beach, known by the local population as "69 Beach", apparently referring to an old numbered utility pole that marked the turn-off, is a terrific spot for shaded picnics or just lounging about as it offers many private & intimate "pockets" of beach area amongst the trees that line this popular waterfront state park. While it is popular with many local residents who enjoy weekend gatherings with BBQs and shade tents, I have often found it empty or at the very least quiet during many of the weekdays I've visited. Located only about a 30-35 minute drive North of Kailua-Kona along the highway, turn left at Puako Beach Rd (between mile markers 71 & 70), then turn right on Old Puako Rd and follow this paved road (it's narrow, so watch for other vehicles) for about a 1/2 mile and you will find the parking lot. It is $5/day (machine takes bills, coins & credit cards) and I understand the vehicles parked here are checked regularly for parking tickets displayed on the dashboard, so be warned (I'm told the fine for not having a ticket is over $100!) The showers, restrooms (with changing areas), toilets and wash-up sinks, along with 3 shaded picnic tables are just a short walk from the parking lot towards the beach. The beach itself, in front of this area is soft sand with lots of trees that offer horizontal trunks & limbs & foilage to provide a feeling of privacy as well as shade. Young surfers are often seen right in front catching the small safer waves as they learn the sport, while a couple hundred yards out and to the South and North you will often see the more experienced surfers as they ride the larger waves in those areas. When the water is calm (and the clarity therefore better) you can enjoy some interesting snorkeling to the North around the area of a small sea arch and the surrounding rocks, about a five minute stroll along the Ala Kahakai trail, that is well marked with signage and leads one behind the few private waterfront cottages in the area (you can also drive most 2 wheel drive vehicles "carefully" to a number of level/cleared areas with shade trees as well in this area just North of the parking lot area). This is where I often go to a treasured little private pocket of sand, surrounded by trees and rocks, just past the sea arch where seated on my beach mat with a good book, I can while away the hours reading and watching the ever-changing waterfront setting in front of me. Today there were surfers catching some great waves here as well as a lone kayaker, a hundred yards or more offshore, drifting amongst a very sizable pod of whales who were constantly rolling and spouting about providing this lucky kayaker a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be so close to these gentle giants as they too playfully enjoyed themselves in his or her company. It seems I could not look up without seeing another fin or tail flukes glistening in the sunshine and it was just another reason that I was glad I packed my binoculars with me on today's outing! I also was witness to a well-tanned (local???) fellow who chatted with me in a friendly manner for a minute or so before walking on. Imagine my surprise when I looked up 5 minutes later to check on my offshore whale friends' antics and was witness to this man, totally nude, carefully stepping into the frothy surf. While I consider myself reasonably well travelled and understand that nudity is considered by some cultures of the world to be "no big deal", being a "modest Canadian", I was nonetheless a little surprised to have a front-row view to this (and mind you, this well-fed individual was no Calvin Klein model either...) but at least he had the good sense to "flaunt his wares" in the quieter Northern reaches of this beach area, away from the families. Regardless, I enjoyed another quiet day on this beach before heading back to my vacation rental in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy.
Written 26 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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