Beaches of Big Island's Hilo Coast : Bayfront ~ Keaukaha Beach

From Bayfront to Keaukaha Beach, these are the beaches of Hawaii Big Island's Hilo Coast. Read this "Star-Bulletin" article about beach safety in Hawaii.

Hilo Bayfront Park

Hilo Vicinity, Big Island Hawaii. A three-thousand foot stretch of black sand, Hilo Bayfront was once considered to be among the most beautiful on the island. Unfortunately, sewage and industrial waste dumped into the ocean nearby resulted in widespread pollution of the beach. And though a reclamation effort was able to pretty much clean the beach up, the water remains cold and cloudy and sees little tourist activity. The beach is, however, quite popular with both the canoing and surfing crowds.

Location :: Just east of Hilo, along Kalanianaole Avenue.

Access :: Kalanianaole Avenue.

Services :: None.

Notes :: Though the swimming is decidedly poor, Hilo Bayfront Park remains a perfect site for a family picnic or a bit of fishing. Beware of the water: the chilly water may ward off recreational swimmers, but cold water is no deterrence to sharks.

Coconut Island Park

Hilo Vicinity, Big Island Hawaii. The only decent swimming park in the Hilo vicinity, Coconut Island is a popular family destination, as scattered groves of coconut and ironwood trees provide shade for a picnic, and a naturally sheltered swimming pool is perfect for the children.

Location :: East of Hilo Bayfront Park, along Kalanianaole Avenue.

Access :: Reached by a footbridge from a spit of land outside the Liluokalani Gardens.

Services :: Restrooms, picnic tables, diving tower, pavilion.

Notes :: Coconut Island Park was once the site of a puuhonua, a place of refuge found opposite a human sacrificial heiau.

Reeds Bay Beach Park

Hilo Vicinity, Big Island Hawaii. Reeds Bay Beach Park boasts good swimming, but swimming is made somewhat difficult because of a nearby freshwater spring that flows constantly, keeping the water notoriously frigid.

Location :: East side of the Waiakea Peninsula, at the end of Banyan Drive.

Access :: Banyan Drive.

Services :: None.

Notes :: The beach is most often visited by picnickers and local fishermen.

Keaukaha Beach Park

Hilo Vicinity, Big Island Hawaii. The first in a series of beaches heading east on Kalanianaole Avenue, Keaukaha is probably the poorest of the lot. But don't tell that to the locals. Keaukaha enjoys much popularity among Hilo residents, many of whom come to swim at nearby Cold Water Pond, a spring-fed pool towards the head of Puhi Bay.

Location :: East of Hilo on Puhi Bay, along Kalanianaole Avenue.

Access :: Kalanianaole Avenue.

Services :: None.

Notes :: A sewage treatment plant fronts the beach and destroys and scenic value the beach may have one had. Might be better to skip this one.