Manini Beach

I hesitated to review this spot as I'm nervous it will become overrun,but it's a gem! This little hidden park near beach is a serene spot to stop and take in the beauty of Hawaii. Coral shores mixed with lava rock makes for a beautiful shoreline. There is a little park, so bring a towel and book and relax (quietly). The vibe here is quiet and serene. If you bring that,then this is a secret gem. There are a few hammocks and small grassy area to read and relax. There was a groundskeeper at entrance warmly greeting folks. He sets the vibe in my opinion ❤️. The park is clean and there is a porta potty. Please pack out any trash and keep this park the clean hidden gem it is. I had wished we had more time here,but we had to get a motorcycle back. If you're looking for a quiet spot off the beaten path this is one. Just do your part to keep that vibe consistent. Enjoy

Perhaps one of my favorites snorkeling gems without the crowds. There is very limited parking onsite next to the entrance gate-more street parking is available within a very short walk. What is interesting is the story, as told to me by the conservation steward onsite: that the access to the shaded grassy area is granted by the founders of Kona Brewing Co. and Kettle Chips through the Healy foundation. Through these conservation efforts, the philanthropists wish to demonstrate their appreciation and gratitude to the Hawai’i community. Snorkling: we saw the corals restoration efforts in the form of corals growth and diversity. The fish, while not as abundantly congregating in schools can be found grazing along the lava rocks formations near shore. We also saw a pair of octopus being curious about our presence with a full display of shapes and colors. Best to come early in the morning when the ocean waters are calmer. If you happen to be in luck, you might also catch an impromptu performance by the steward and his buddies. Enjoy and Mahalo!

Beautiful and convenient place to enjoy sitting by the surf and also good snorkeling. The drive down to the area has small windy roads and some at the end are single shared lane. Felt very comfortable there. Parking is available at the access point and also parallel along some of the roads.

Manini Beach was a fun short beach trip when we were in the Captain Cook area. Note that this beach is located in a neighborhood so you have to do a bit of walking from where you park. It’s small but clean and they have good snorkeling. It is located next to homes so be respectful, don’t litter and don’t overstay. On our trip, we even saw a sea turtle for a while and did not get in the water to give it plenty of space since it was near the shore. Don’t harass locals and respect their space. There’s a ton of lei flowers on the trees for great pictures, but do not pick flowers, they do not belong to you. It’s a beautiful spot for a quick stop or dip in the water. It has. Grass and rocky areas and a few picnic tables for guests. There was a lady at the entrance, I believe a resident welcoming people and telling us the rules. She was super nice and gave us oranges! We stayed for maybe an hour or two to ensure we left room for other visitors. We did not bring many items except towels, snorkeling gear and our towels so we had no trash to throw away. It was incredible to see this hidden gem but it’s definitely not a beach where you can linger or spend all day. There are no bathrooms or places to get water or eat so make this just a pit stop and be sure to respect the space of locals. DO NOT block their driveways or homes. This beach is also more suitable for adults than kids since it can be wavy and is very rocky.