Hawaii Hapuna Beach Guide

A one-half mile long band of white sand that is over 200 feet wide in the summer months plus clean, clear water would describe anyone's perfect imaginary beach. In winter, wild, thundering waves pound the shoreline. Fortunately, Hapuna Bay, on the Big Island's west side, is for real and it is the most popular beach on the island. The ivory sands slope gently into a shallow sandbar that extends approximately 25 yards into the ocean. Swimming and boogie boarding conditions are excellent. Abundant fish and coral make for superb snorkeling and the wide beach is just right for frolicking and sunbathing.

Hapuna's popularity is due in part to shaded grass and picnic tables that attract visitors and locals alike. No matter how packed the parking lot is, the big beach seldom seems crowded, but you can find even more seclusion by walking north around the rocks to the gorgeous arc of sand fronting the Prince Hotel; look for good snorkeling around the rocks at the north end of that beach when the water is calm.

We like going to Hapuna Beach to admire the sheer beauty of it. The foot path leads you through the lush green vegetation, under the shady trees surrounding the white sand. The contrasting barren lava rocks, white sand, and greenery make for a vivid panorama.

More Information:

Good swimming
Boogie boarding
Snorkeling
A-frame tent cabins available
Lifeguard sometimes on duty
DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 19 north from Kona. Turn left at the access road just before Mile Marker #69. Go to the end of the road, turn left and then take an immediate right. Follow this road to the parking.

How to Get There
One can drive from the Kohala Mountains or maybe from the black lava coast to this destination. The nearest airport is Kona international airport which can be reached through Queen Kaahumanu highway. You will most likely be provided with transportation for internal travel from your hotel or resort. You may also get many private operators who can arrange as per your wish to see nearby sightseeing locations.

Accommodation
Great accommodations are available at Hapuna Beach. The major hotel here is the Hapuna Beach Prince hotel where you find good comfort and various activities to keep you busy including good sport facilities and other such activities. It has open air hotel fronts and also has its own white sand beach in the resort. The Hapuna Beach Prince hotel has a golf course, pools, fitness and health centers etc to offers you luxurious accommodation.

Another is the Manuna Kea Beach hotel which is also an international destination resort. It has also good facilities like luxurious suites, golf course, tennis club, children’s activities, and even a museum with a quality collection.

When to go
The weather is very consistent and hardly has major changes in temperature throughout the year. All year it is warm sea surface temperature that keeps the overlaying environment warm. Summer months are from May to October and winter from November to April. Average day time summer temperature is around 85 F and in winter about 78 F. Any time you wish to go is a great time at Hapuna Beach.

Attractions
This beach is known as a family beach and has many recreation facilities. It has pure white sand where you can really enjoy your vacation. You can lazily lie all day and watch the beautiful Hawaiian sunsets, you can go swimming, surfing, snorkeling and fishing. Other than regular water sports you also find other sports activities in near by resorts.

You can enjoy playing golf at the Hapuna Prince golf course, designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay; it is a well designed golf course. It is ranked in the top 100 resort courses in the world.

Other activities include the teen jump, shrieking and laughing from Ilhumoku. There is also cliff jumping if you are adventurous. Hapuna is a great place for picnics. You can good picnic pavilions here and the children like to play in the small safe bay at the mouth end of the beach.