Waiakalua Beaches
Kilauea, HI
Two adjacent coves east of Larsen's Beach share the Waiakalua name, split by a short rocky point and each reached by its own unmarked trail through what was once agricultural land. Waiakalua Nui is the wider, easier of the pair, while Waiakalua Iki is smaller and quieter still, and locals who make the trip down tend to treat both as a package.
The reward is two genuinely uncrowded coves most visitors never find, but the unmarked, overgrown trails and complete lack of facilities mean this isn't a casual stop.
How we score beachesGo for Nui first if you've never done this hike. The trail is shorter and less overgrown, and it's a fair test of whether the walk down is worth it for you before attempting Iki.
Roadside parking along Koolau Road is limited to a handful of cars near each unmarked trailhead, with no lot or signage.
Both trails are unpaved, overgrown in places, and moderately steep, genuinely not manageable for strollers, wheelchairs, or anyone unsteady on uneven ground.
Summer's smaller surf and lighter rain make the trails easier to manage and the water calmer for wading. Winter's bigger swells and wetter trail conditions make both coves harder to reach and less safe to swim.
This isn't one entrance, it's a stretch with a few. Here's where locals actually meet up.
Waiakalua Nui Beach
The larger and more open of the two coves, with a wider strip of sand and an easier trail down that makes it the more forgiving introduction to Waiakalua.
Parking: A short unmarked trail begins at a roadside pullout on Koolau Road.
Local tip: The trail here is shorter and less overgrown than the one to Iki, a reasonable first attempt if you're unsure about the hike.
Get directions →Waiakalua Iki Beach
A smaller, more secluded cove just east of Nui, separated by a rocky point and reached by a steeper, more overgrown trail that keeps visitor numbers genuinely low.
Parking: A separate unmarked pullout on Koolau Road serves this trailhead, a short walk east of the one for Nui.
Local tip: Wear closed toe shoes. The trail here is steeper and brushier than its neighbor, and the payoff is one of the quietest coves on this coast.
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