Based on
154 reviews
About Kamakahonu Beach
Kamakahonu Beach offers exceptionally calm, clear waters protected by the nearby Kailua Pier, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling year-round despite its small size. The beach sits directly in front of the historic Kailua-Kona town center, giving it a vibrant local vibe with easy access to shops and restaurants rather than the secluded resort atmosphere of other Kona beaches. Frequent sea turtles and tropical fish attract snorkelers, while the backdrop of Hualalai volcano and proximity to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park make it a cultural anchor point for understanding Kona's Hawaiian heritage.
Visitor Reviews
For a small beach, in an urban setting, it sure is beautiful! There's loads of white sand, palm trees, striking turquoise water, and dozens of species of tropical fish (some of them quite large.) Sure, it gets crowded, but it never loses its appeal. I think the iconic temple of Kamehameha the Great, looming just off-shore, is what gives this beach such a cool vibe. Nothing screams, "Dude, you're in Hawaii," louder than giant tiki statues in front of grass-thatched hales! And, its free with restrooms and an outdoor shower close-by.
Such a great little beach area to swim and relax in. There is plenty of beach area along with a larger area to swim, snorkel and just spend the day. It does get quite crowded in the afternoon because it’s one of the calmest places to get in the ocean. Kona Boys is located on the beach and rents out umbrellas, beach chairs, snorkeling gear and other water related gear. Grab your towel and head over!!
Very small public beach with soft sand--a rarity in Kona. It's directly in front of the hotel and there are restrooms. There is paid parking at the hotel. The snorkeling is actually pretty good! A wide variety of fish, and really a lot of fish within a small area. Visibility was decent. It's very protected so a great place for kids.
I like hanging out here because there are no big waves to push one down... or rocks to trip on or hurt your feet.
By far the calmest beach! Getting to it is a little tricky, it’s part of a resort but open to the public. You can find free public parking about a 5 minute walk away so it’s not too bad. We loved snorkeling, playing the sand, and swimming in the waters. It is very family friendly. The snorkeling was great there, lots of beautiful bright yellow fish to see as well as some others! The waters are so clear.
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