Ranked – Best family-friendly beaches in Big Island

Pololu Valley Beach is located on the northern tip of the Big Island, offering a more rugged and scenic experience for families. The beach itself is surrounded by steep cliffs and lush tropical landscapes. While the beach can be difficult to access due to a steep hike, it’s a great place for families with older kids who enjoy exploring. The black sand beach is ideal for picnicking, exploring tide pools, and taking in the natural beauty. Kids will love the adventure of getting to the beach and playing in the serene environment.

Manini’owali Beach, also known as Kua Bay, is one of the best beaches on the Big Island for families. It has clear turquoise waters, soft white sand, and a shallow shoreline that’s perfect for kids to swim and play in. The beach is well-maintained, with facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, and showers. The surrounding area is also great for exploring and enjoying the stunning views. Kids can splash in the gentle surf, look for fish while snorkeling, or simply enjoy a peaceful day at the beach.

Mahai'ula Beach is located within Kekaha Kai State Park and offers a calm, clear bay that’s perfect for families with young children. The beach has soft sand, clear shallow waters, and plenty of space for kids to play. The shallow areas are great for swimming, and there’s often little to no surf. Families can enjoy a day of sandcastle building, swimming, and picnicking, with scenic views of the ocean and the nearby lava fields. Restrooms and parking are available nearby.

Spencer Beach Park, located near the Waikoloa Resort area, is an excellent choice for families. It has calm, shallow waters that are perfect for children, and there’s plenty of soft sand to play in. The beach also has a great picnic area with tables, grills, and restrooms, making it easy to spend a full day. The park is known for being family-friendly, and it has a large, open space for kids to run around. It’s also a great spot to introduce kids to the joys of swimming and snorkeling, as the waters here are clear and relatively calm.

Kaimu Beach is located on the Big Island's southern coast near Kalapana. It’s a quieter, less crowded beach perfect for families. The beach has gentle waters that are ideal for young swimmers, and there’s a black sand shoreline that offers a unique experience for kids. This beach is also a great spot for picnics and family relaxation. There are restrooms and showers nearby, making it a convenient option for a full beach day.

Hapuna Beach is one of the Big Island’s most famous beaches, and for good reason! It’s a wide, crescent-shaped beach with soft, white sand, and clear, calm waters ideal for children to swim and splash around. The shallow water near the shore makes it a safe choice for young swimmers, and the beach is equipped with picnic areas, restrooms, and lifeguards. There are also rental shops nearby where families can rent snorkeling gear, boogie boards, and more.

Kukio Beach, located near the exclusive Kukio Resort, is a beautiful and peaceful spot for families. The shallow waters here are calm and protected, making it an excellent place for children to swim, snorkel, or just splash around in the surf. It’s not as crowded as some of the other beaches on the island, so families can enjoy the serene environment. The beach is equipped with picnic tables and restrooms, ensuring that families can relax and spend a comfortable day in the sun.

Located on the east side of the island, Hilo Bayfront Beach Park is a great place for families looking for a more relaxed beach experience. While it’s not a traditional sandy beach, it has calm waters that are perfect for swimming and wading. The park has grassy areas, picnic tables, and restrooms, making it a comfortable spot for a family outing. Kids can enjoy walking along the shoreline, exploring the small beaches, and swimming in the calm waters. It’s also a great place for a peaceful afternoon with beautiful views of the bay.

Ka Lae, also known as South Point, is located at the southernmost point of the Big Island. It offers a rugged, beautiful coastline, and families can enjoy a fun, less crowded experience. While the waters can be strong, there are tide pools that kids can explore and see marine life such as crabs and small fish. It’s an adventurous spot for families who want to explore more remote areas of the island. Make sure to bring water and snacks, as amenities are limited.

Green Sand Beach, also known as Papakōlea Beach, is one of the Big Island’s most unique and memorable spots. The sand gets its rare green hue from olivine crystals, a volcanic mineral found in the surrounding cinder cone. Reaching the beach requires a 2.5-mile hike each way across rugged, open terrain. While the hike isn’t steep, it can be hot, windy, and uneven, making it best suited for active families with older kids. Once there, the payoff is a stunning, secluded cove where kids can explore the unusual green sand and take a dip in the refreshing waters, weather permitting.

Located on the Kohala Coast, Anaehoʻomalu Bay, often called A-Bay, is known for its calm, clear waters and sandy beach. This is an excellent beach for families with younger kids, offering gentle surf that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Kids will love exploring the tide pools, and the area is great for picnics and playing beach games. The bay is also a popular spot for canoe rides and dolphin watching, adding even more excitement for the whole family.

Punaluʻu Beach is one of the Big Island’s most unique spots, famous for its black sand. The beach is located near the South Point area and offers an incredible experience for kids who are visiting for the first time. While the waters can be a bit rough at times, the beach itself is a great place to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles basking in the sun, and kids can learn about the area’s history and wildlife. The beach is also ideal for picnics under the shade of palm trees.

Honomalino Bay is a secluded, quiet beach that offers crystal-clear waters and black sand, which gives it a unique charm. The water here is calm and shallow, ideal for children to swim and explore. The surrounding area is lush with tropical trees, providing plenty of shade for families to relax. While the beach is a bit off the beaten path, it’s worth the effort for families looking to experience a more private and peaceful beach day. The surrounding area also offers some beautiful scenic views.

Mahukona Beach Park is a hidden gem in the North Kohala area. It’s a small, relaxed beach with calm waters that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is often quieter than some of the other beaches on the Big Island, which makes it an ideal spot for families seeking a more private experience. Kids can enjoy the shallow water, look for fish, or play in the sand. The park also has picnic areas, restrooms, and a little harbor, providing convenient facilities for a full day of beach fun.

Kauna'oa Bay, located near the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, is a picturesque and family-friendly beach with gentle waters and soft sand. The calm, shallow waters make it a great place for kids to swim, snorkel, and play. This beach offers an amazing environment for both relaxation and adventure, as it’s surrounded by tropical trees and has incredible views of the ocean. There are also showers, restrooms, and food options nearby, making it easy for families to enjoy a full day at the beach.

Kealakekua Bay is a popular spot for families who enjoy water activities. The bay offers calm waters that are ideal for snorkeling, and kids will love exploring the marine life, including colorful fish and Hawaiian sea turtles. While the bay is accessible by boat, there is also a small beach area where families can relax. The area is historically significant, and families can learn about its importance in Hawaiian history. The surrounding environment is tranquil, making it a peaceful spot for families to spend the day.

Kahalu’u Beach Park is one of the best places for families who want to introduce their kids to snorkeling. Located near Kailua-Kona, this beach has calm, clear waters that are teeming with fish and sea turtles, making it a perfect spot for beginner snorkelers. The shallow waters make it a great place for young kids to swim, and there are lifeguards on duty for added safety. The beach is also equipped with picnic areas and restrooms, so families can make a day of it. Kids will love exploring the underwater world here!

Wawaloli Beach Park is located on the Kona coast and is a great family spot for swimming and picnicking. The beach has calm, shallow waters, making it a safe option for kids. The park is relatively small but offers a grassy area where families can relax and have a picnic. The nearby waters are perfect for beginners to practice snorkeling, as they are clear and full of marine life. Families can enjoy both the sand and the water while keeping an eye on their kids in this quiet, scenic environment.