Pahoehoe Beach Park
Kailua-Kona, HI
Pahoehoe Beach Park is a small grassy stop along Alii Drive, three miles south of downtown Kailua-Kona, named for the smooth lava rock that makes up its shoreline instead of sand. There's no easy way into the water here, so locals mostly use it for sunset, a picnic, or a quick cast off the rocks.
A reliable, low key sunset stop with real ocean views, but there's no sand and no real swimming to speak of.
How we score beachesShow up around 5:30 or 6pm depending on the season. The grassy edge faces open ocean west, and it's one of the better free sunset spots without a resort in the way.
Roadside parking along Alii Drive serves the park, along with a small lot, usually easy to find outside of sunset hours.
A flat, paved path leads from the road to the grassy shoreline, an easy walk, though the rocky edge isn't built for wading in.
Trade winds keep the park comfortable most afternoons, and the sunset view holds up regardless of season.
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