Makalawena Beach

Address: Kohala Coast off Highway 11, Big Island, Hawaii

Hours: 24/7

Additional Info: Parking off main highway

Directions: Off Highway 19 (Queen Kaahumanu Highway) on the Kohala Coast just a short drive from Kona Airport. Please be prepared to hike over the lava fields.

Additional Resources for Makalawena Beach:

Big Island Hikes - Makalawena Beach

Big Island Guide - Makalawena Beach

Trip Advisor - Makalawena Beach/Pu'u Ali'i

Hawaii's pristine and unspoiled shoreline of yesteryear as it was naturally meant to be. Not as easily accessible as other Big Island beaches, Makalawena Beach is for that reason, a hidden gem and secret all rolled into one. This beach is not the most user friendly when it comes to getting there. A 30 minute hike over the lava fields is the price to pay but according to all of those who have done it, it was well worth it. Upon your arrival be prepared to have your breath taken away. A very secluded and scenic white sandy stretch of the most pristine shoreline ever imagined. A dream come true and worthy of a novel to be written. There are two options to get to this beach, option 1 is to park at the top of highway 11 and walk all the way down. The second option is to drive down to Kekaha State Park and take a second stroll hike that way.

The multiple and multitude of swimming opportunities at this beach are endless. Most days especially if you go early in the morning you will end up having the entire beach to yourself. At other times you may see just a handful of people who typically made the hike down. The drive down requires a 4 wheel drive would really good clearance and has been called nasty by many of those who have done it. Word from the wise is that it is better to do the hike instead. The simple fact that it is not easy to reach actually a little bit tricky, will give you much satisfaction when you finally get there. Not a place packed with tourists making it that much more adventurous and exhilarating. In the end, this is a world class destination that many people in this populous world could only come to dream about. For those of us who make it to Makalawena, it is just another incredible check mark on our ever growing bucket list.

There are no lifeguards here so caution in and around the beach are must. Water safety is super important as well. There are picnic tables present here and walking, reading, and exploring are certainly encouraged. A fascinating place along the mystique shores of Kohala Coast Big Island. One of the last great places left in the middle of the ocean with original Hawaiian feel of how it all used to be. Makalawena Beach offers the best snorkeling and body boarding around when the waves and winds pick up. It is one of those places that you simply cannot miss if you are just visiting. A secret place so special that many of the local residents have never even been there. A day trip to come here is something that should be well thought out, especially if you are looking for a beach that is away from all of the tourists and crowds. In the distance during the winter months humpback whales can be seen escalating furious jumps out of the pacific coastal waters. The heaven on earth is the only way to describe this big time wonder.

Photos of Makalawena Beach: