Kahaluu Beach
Kahaluu Beach
4.5
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4.5
315 reviews
Excellent
185
Very good
93
Average
26
Poor
9
Terrible
2
Frank P
Eugene, OR1,135 contributions
Feb 2020
Took our adult son here to Snorkel for the first time. He had a great time. Safe place for a first timer. Easy in and out. life guards, rest rooms, showers and parking. (Though sometimes fills up)
Written 15 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.
RLTF
Ormond Beach, FL719 contributions
This is a great family snorkeling beach, but not a good "laying on the sand" beach.
It is well protected by a lava "reef" which has attracted all sorts of marine life. This will get your kids hooked on snorkeling because as soon as you put your mask in the water you are in a different world.
There are snorkel rental facilites right here on the beach, along with food and drink, etc.
Parking here is also at a premium and the police patrol. The police here are nice and try to find you before they ticket you, but if you are in the water...
It is well protected by a lava "reef" which has attracted all sorts of marine life. This will get your kids hooked on snorkeling because as soon as you put your mask in the water you are in a different world.
There are snorkel rental facilites right here on the beach, along with food and drink, etc.
Parking here is also at a premium and the police patrol. The police here are nice and try to find you before they ticket you, but if you are in the water...
Written 29 April 2005
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.
Michael S
Naperville, IL66 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
This is a small beach that often gets over looked. If you want to swim with sea turtles at no cost and just walking in from the shore, go to Kahaluu Beach. It is off of Alii Drive and a couple of miles up the road from downtown Kona. We have been to the island three different years-time of year, and still were able to swim with three to six sea turtles. Looking at the bay from the road, the left side of the bay is some what protected by a rock formation and offers easy in and snorkeling. Just a few minutes in and you will see turtles just floating along. If you visit during the winter months swimming along the rocks on the left side will give you a view of many different fish, yellow tang, large parrot fish, Sargent majors, and some yellow and black angel fish. It really is like swimming in an aquarium. The sea turtles will glide in and out of this area. If you visit in the winter stay closer to shore and do not venture out to the unprotected (right side) of the bay or get to close to the rocks protecting the left side of the bay. There can be a pretty strong rip tide in those areas. But in reality all the sights are close to the shore and rocks to the left.
Written 17 January 2017
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.
Jonathan C.
Aurora, Canada57 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
My wife and I came here to do some snorkelling. This is a state park so it is free. Parking can be limited at times but we got there at around 11am and there were quite a few parking spots.
The sand on the beach is not your powder sand but there are a lot of marine life to look at.
There is a van that charges you a small fee to provide storage for your stuff and it also sells food. There is also another van that rents snorkel equipment and flotation devices. We didn't know this so we brought our own.
You will need to go over a small rock and wall and it can be slippery. You you wear shoes or fins as there are urchins. There are a lot of different fishes. Tangs, Moorish Idols, Triggers, Butterflies, Parrot fishes, etc. We also saw green sea turtles. The water was a bit rough on the day that we went. There are staff onsite that day to provide information and to watch if people are bothering the turtles. There were also lifeguards.
The beach is not large but has a shaded picnic area and change rooms. Overall, great and cheap way to spend time looking at marine life and close to Kona.
The sand on the beach is not your powder sand but there are a lot of marine life to look at.
There is a van that charges you a small fee to provide storage for your stuff and it also sells food. There is also another van that rents snorkel equipment and flotation devices. We didn't know this so we brought our own.
You will need to go over a small rock and wall and it can be slippery. You you wear shoes or fins as there are urchins. There are a lot of different fishes. Tangs, Moorish Idols, Triggers, Butterflies, Parrot fishes, etc. We also saw green sea turtles. The water was a bit rough on the day that we went. There are staff onsite that day to provide information and to watch if people are bothering the turtles. There were also lifeguards.
The beach is not large but has a shaded picnic area and change rooms. Overall, great and cheap way to spend time looking at marine life and close to Kona.
Written 20 September 2016
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.
GreenThumb331
San Fernando, Philippines2,870 contributions
Nov 2019
Our Kona cruise excursion had this option. The beach was clean and safe. One need not go very deep to see tourist-friendly the Hawaii fish swimming around. The number of fish is abundant considering that there are no corals to be seen near the beach. I had a nice time snorkeling. Bring aqua shoes because the beach entry to the has some rocks.
Written 30 October 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.
Walt S
Boston, MA107 contributions
Dec 2016
Beach is okay, but the snorkeling is amazing.
You can rent gear right there if you didn't bring any.
The beach is well protected from the larger waves.
Lots of coral and rock that attract all types of tropical wildlife.
The beach is mostly under 10-15 feet in depth, lots of water under 5 feet.
The water is pretty clear about 100 or so feet from shore.
Lots of people, which is good if you are a solo swimmer like me. Adds an element of safety.
You can rent gear right there if you didn't bring any.
The beach is well protected from the larger waves.
Lots of coral and rock that attract all types of tropical wildlife.
The beach is mostly under 10-15 feet in depth, lots of water under 5 feet.
The water is pretty clear about 100 or so feet from shore.
Lots of people, which is good if you are a solo swimmer like me. Adds an element of safety.
Written 31 December 2016
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.
WorldTravelerAtoZ
Sausalito, CA90 contributions
Dec 2015 • Friends
Great snorkeling anytime.
Even in wintertime ...as always in Hawaii check tide report ahead of time and check currents before entering water.
Lots of fish here to see and turtles.
Also lots of people entering and exiting water so take your time getting in and out.
Even in wintertime ...as always in Hawaii check tide report ahead of time and check currents before entering water.
Lots of fish here to see and turtles.
Also lots of people entering and exiting water so take your time getting in and out.
Written 6 October 2016
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.
Saranath N
London, UK45 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This is a fantastic place for snorkeling! We had a really bad day because our Kayak & Snorkel tour was cancelled due to heavy winds. Wherever we went, the water was choppy and it was turning out to be a sucky day before Kahaluu Beach saved the day! I haven't seen so many varieties of fish since our snorkeling in the Bahamas. Agree with all the reviews below and summing it up here:
1. Very good for beginners because water is nice and shallow
2. Very rocky entrance to the water so watch your step - wear water shoes (skip fins if you can)
3. Does get crowded but you can park by the highway if the parking lot is full (free parking)
4. Even in choppy weather, the snorkeling is fantastic because the a large section of the water is protected from the waves and currents
5. All the necessary facilities on the beach - shower, restrooms, and even food
Overall, really good snorkeling - watch your step though (rocky entrance and fairly shallow water).
1. Very good for beginners because water is nice and shallow
2. Very rocky entrance to the water so watch your step - wear water shoes (skip fins if you can)
3. Does get crowded but you can park by the highway if the parking lot is full (free parking)
4. Even in choppy weather, the snorkeling is fantastic because the a large section of the water is protected from the waves and currents
5. All the necessary facilities on the beach - shower, restrooms, and even food
Overall, really good snorkeling - watch your step though (rocky entrance and fairly shallow water).
Written 31 December 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.
baejhee
Seoul, South Korea39 contributions
Go only if you want to snorkel. Kids can't build sand castles here. Snorkeling is amazing and perfect for children snorkeling and beginners. Saw sea turtles and colorful fish. It's crowded so be prepared.
Written 21 December 2012
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.
Lenni
Majorca, Spain29 contributions
June 2012 • Couples
I have been spending 2 afternoon snorkeking with my husband in this area. It's such a beautiful place with tourtles and colourful fishes, a paradise except one thing. The truck located there that sells food. The woman who runs the wagon or food truck (blonde and short hair, blue eyes) was very unpolite to us, unrespectful, and with lack of any kind of consideration. I am a foreign tourist and never were treated like that. I order two cheeseburgers (the cost is $4,45 each ....and after a long pause...she said, what?...and I repeated again and she made me repeat again...then she said do you mean deluxe hamburger? Which cost 7.75 approx. each and then I said no...just the two cheeseburgers....well the situation was completly weird and unconfortable because it was a very simple order. Then, she said...do you mean the plain hamburguer?..so I looked to the board and it was a different hamburguer named just "hamburguer (plain) and also the one named for all the american and rest of world "cheeseburger"...finally, after she was that rude, I said ok, the plain but with CHEESE! Which part of cheeseburger it wasn´t clear enough?
Well, I wanted to shared this with you guys. So, if you have the chance don´t buy there, just buy your own food and drinks in some other place and enjoy the beach. You have a picnic area right there and there are also barbacues.
Well, I wanted to shared this with you guys. So, if you have the chance don´t buy there, just buy your own food and drinks in some other place and enjoy the beach. You have a picnic area right there and there are also barbacues.
Written 4 July 2012
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.
Can I walk here from the Kona Coast Resort? Can I rent snorkel equipment at the beach?
Written 6 July 2018
There is snorkel equipment for rent. I don’t know where Kona Resort is so can’t answer that question. Check with your resort about distance.
Written 6 July 2018
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