Exploring the Wild Kohala Coast: Hapuna Beach, the Crown Jewel of Hawaii

by Donald B. MacGowan

The Hapuna Prince Hotel at Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan

There are many wondrous, enigmatic and fascinating attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii, some better known than others, many out of the way and generally off the beaten track.  Tour Guide Hawaii has produced an encyclopedic collection of the most up-to-date information, presented as short GPS-cued videos, in an app downloadable to iPhone and iPod Touch that covers the entire Big Island, highlighting the popular and the uncrowded, the famous and the secluded, the adventurous and the relaxing.

Awesome, Sumptuous Hapuna Beach

Aerial photo by Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Always rated in the Top 10 of American beaches, Hapuna Beach with it’s crystalline turquoise waters is the premiere beach destination on the Island of Hawai’i. A half-mile long, wide arc of phenomenal coral sand, it has everything one dreams of in a Hawai’ian beach: abundant sun, surf, clean, clear and quiet snorkeling water, palm-tree shade and well-maintained facilities.

Hapuna Beach early in the morning, Kohala Coast, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

North of Kailua Kona along the Kohala Coast, the turnoff to Hapuna Beach is immediately south of the 69 Mile Marker on Highway 19. Follow the signs down to the end of the road, turn left and then right to parking. Parking is impossible after 10 a.m. on weekends and not much better on weekdays. Get there early!

Hapuna is the ultimate family beach on Hawaii, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

The center of the beach is for wave play and boogie boarding, the north and south coves are quieter, for snorkeling or gentle floating. There is a small coral garden leading to amazing underwater topography and a large reef around the point on the south end of the beach.

Hapuna Beach, Kohala Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Although most of the shore is relatively free of currents, only experienced snorkelers who are strong swimmers will want to snorkel around the south end of Hapuna, past a sea arch and to the reef and cove of Waialea Beach (Beach 69)—a long, but rewarding swim with some of the most incredible underwater vistas available to the snorkeler in the word.

Sunbathing at Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

As with all Kohala Beaches, it tends to get windy in the afternoon and there is generally a cloud cover by 2. Don’t fret; go take a hike around the rocks on the south side of the beach to the sea arch, take a nap in the shady grass fields, cook a big barbecue lunch—just be sure to stay here until sunset. I’m not joking. The sunset from Hapuna Beach, with Haleakala on Maui glowing golden-purple in the sea, is by itself worth the price of first class airfare to Hawaii. Do not forget your camera.

It's a long hike from the parking lot to Hapuna Beach, plan ahead, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Within the park exist several pavilions, barbecues, picnic tables, restrooms, showers and a small vendor with some food and beach supplies. Don’t use the restrooms by the upper parking lot nor the ones on the south side of of the beach. Trust me. There are small camping cabins for rent behind the parking lot available for $30 a night. If you rent one, be prepared to thoroughly swab it out before you occupy it. Lifeguards are on duty sometimes, even though the sign on the north lifeguard tower says “No Lifeguard on Duty”.

Hapuna is Hawaii's Most Popular Beach, Kohala Coast, Hawaii: Photo by Donald B MacGowan

Although most patrons must walk about 100 yards down a path from the parking lot, Handicapped Parking exists right on the beach. If you arrive with a lot of gear, it is permissible to drive to the handicapped lot, unload your gear (and leave a person to watch it) then go park in the regular parking.

Lost in translation, Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Photo by Donnie MacGowan

To see the new iPhone/iPod Touch App, please visit http://www.tourguidehawaii.com/iphone.html. The best of Tour Guide Hawaii’s free content about traveling to, and exploring, the Big island, can be found here.

For more information on traveling to Hawaii in general and on touring the Big Island in particular, please also visit www.tourguidehawaii.com and www.tourguidehawaii.blogspot.com.

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All media copyright 2010 by Donald B. MacGowan. All rights reserved.

Playtime at Hapuna Beach, Kohala Coast Hawaii: Graphic from Photo by Donald B MacGowan