Hilo is not known for its beaches but if the sun is shining and you want to go to the beach there are a couple of good options.
The best (easiest to visit) beaches in Hilo are located in a string of beach parks that are located towards the south/east side of Hilo. All beaches are well suited for swimming, snorkeling and / or a picnic.
Table of contents
The beaches we discuss on this page are:
Table of Contents
The beaches we discuss on this page are:
- Coconut island (Moku Ola)
- Reeds bay beach park
- Onekahakaha beach park
- Kealoha (James) beach park
- Carlsmith beach park
- Wai’Olena beach park (Leleiwi)
- Richardson beach park
Our favorite two beach parks in Hilo are Carlsmith beach park (four mile) and Richardson beach park.
All beaches in Hilo are east of the downtown area. Adapted from google maps
You can find a summary of the larger beach parks in Hilo (from west to east) below. We list the main characteristics (Lifeguards, restrooms, shower, snorkeling, picnic tables) below. See this website for more information.
1: Coconut island (Moku Ola)
Mostly rocky shoreline with pockets of sandy beach, park accessible via footbridge from parking lot.
- Lifeguards: None
- Restrooms: Yes
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Snorkeling: No
Read more about coconut island on our website.
Mokuola (Coconut island) is a small park in Hilo just offshore from Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens.
2: Reeds bay beach park
White coral sand and lava rock beach along East side of Banyan Drive.
- Lifeguards: None
- Restrooms: Yes, portable restrooms
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Snorkeling: No
3: Onekahakaha beach park
Popular beach park at the end of Onekahakaha Road that contains a sheltered sandy swimming lagoon and a rocky shoreline. Hazardous waves and currents outside protected swimming area.
- Lifeguards: Weekends/Holidays, 9:30-4:45 p.m.
- Restrooms: Yes
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
4: Kealoha (James) beach park
Rocky shoreline with tide pools. Hazardous auto traffic, waves, currents and footing.
- Lifeguards: None
- Restrooms: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Snorkeling: Yes, under favorable conditions
5: Carlsmith beach park (four mile)
Excellent beach park with anchialine (a landlocked body of water with a subterranean connection to the ocean) ponds and a protected white sand lagoon along lava shoreline. Also known to locals as “four mile”.
This is one of our two favorite beaches in Hilo. For more information and pictures see our full description of the Carlsmith beach park.
- Lifeguards: Weekends/Holidays, 9:30-4:45 p.m.
- Restrooms: Yes
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Snorkeling: Yes, under favorable conditions
Carlsmith beach park in Hilo
6: WaiʻOlena beach park (Leleiwi)
Rocky shoreline with tide pools. Hazardous waves, currents and footing.
- Lifeguards: Weekends/Holidays, 9:30-4:45 p.m.
- Restrooms: Yes
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Snorkeling: no
- Swimming: Yes
7: Richardson beach park
Popular beach park with many picnic tables. There is a seawall that runs along much of the rocky shoreline, limited (but good) beach access. Also an “almost” green sand beach. Hazardous waves, currents and footing.
For more information and pictures see our full description of the Richardson beach park.
- Lifeguards: 7 days a week, 9:30-4:45 p.m.
- Restrooms: Yes
- Outdoor Showers: Yes
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Swimming: Yes
- Snorkeling: Yes, under favorable conditions
The black sand at Richardsons is mixed with olivines, making it an “almost green sand beach”. If you do make it out to Richardsons take a close look at the sand to see all the green crystals in the sand.