Kahaluu Beach Park
Kailua-Kona, HI
Kahaluu Beach Park sits along Alii Drive just south of Kailua Kona, where a natural lava reef arc turns the bay into a calm, shallow pool that's become the most reliable place on the Big Island to snorkel with sea turtles. Honu feed on the shallow reef most mornings, close enough to spot from the sand before you even get in the water.
The turtle sightings are about as close to guaranteed as anywhere in the state, but the tiny lot means locals plan around getting there early or not at all.
How we score beachesGet there before 9am. The free lot is small and fills fast, and once it's full the closest legal parking is a genuine walk down Alii Drive.
A free county lot sits right at the park but is small and fills early, especially on weekends. Once it's full, expect to park further down Alii Drive and walk in.
A paved path and gentle sandy entry connect the lot to the water, with lifeguards on duty daily from roughly 9:30am to 4:45pm.
Dogs are allowed at Kahaluu Beach Park, though leashes are required as they are at every county park.
The lava reef keeps the bay calm nearly year round, making this one of the more consistently swimmable spots on the Kona side regardless of season. Summer brings the clearest water for snorkeling.
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