The island of Hawai’i (commonly known as the Big Island) is, geologically speaking, a very young island. As a result of fast-flowing lava from Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Big Island is constantly expanding, covering old beaches and creating new ones along its coastline.
Hilo is the largest settlement on the island of Hawai’i , and was once a busy farming and fishing area. It has since evolved, housing Hawaii’s only tsunami museum, the famed Imiloa Astronomy Center, several shopping centers, restaurants, hotels and of course, unique beaches.
You won't find miles of white sandy beaches like those on Oahu, Maui, or any of the other Hawaiian Islands. Instead, you’ll be greeted with beaches made of black sand, rough white sand, green coral, and newly developed lava rocks.
Here are five beaches you should check out when visiting Hilo to get a true slice of Hawaiian paradise.
Reeds Bay Beach Park
Located on Banyan Drive (the road where most Hilo hotels are located), Reeds Bay Beach Park offers a calm and shallow swimming area for children. Named after William H. Reed, a prominent businessman who arrived in Hilo in the 1840s, it is a wonderful place to have a picnic, launch a kayak or paddle board. There are a lot of facilities to enjoy a beach day with your family.
Reeds Bay is a small beach that many tourists don’t know about. Locals refer to it as "ice pond" because of its refreshing, yet freezing cold water. This is attributed to the spring water that bubbles up from the ocean bottom and mixes with the salt water.
It’s a little hard to find, but once you’re there, you’ll realize it was all worth it. A total hidden gem.
Onekahakaha
Onekahakaha Beach Park is located on Onekahakaha Road off Kalanianaole Avenue before Kealoha Beach Park. This is a great place to bring your family for a full day of swimming and picnicking, and especially if you have toddlers.
The beach is shallow (2ft deep or less), with a sandy-bottom and is shielded by breakwaters. There’s also a shave ice truck to cool you and your family off when it gets too hot. There are lifeguards on weekends and holidays, as well as restrooms and showers near the picnic areas.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Also known as Four Miles by the locals, Carlsmith Beach Park is one of our favorite places to swim and snorkel in Hilo. Located on Kalanianaole Avenue its a short drive from downtown Hilo. The lava and reef protect the swimming area, making it almost like a swimming pool, perfect for kids.
If the water is calm this is a good place for snorkeling. Turtles often visit this beach, but take note that Hawaiian sea turtles are a threatened species and protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act and Hawaii state law. If you do encounter one nearby, keep your distance. It is illegal to feed, touch or harass a turtle.
There is a lifeguard on duty on weekends and holidays between 9:30am and 4:45 pm, and there are restrooms, a shower, drinking water, as well as a picnic area nearby.
Richardson Beach Park
Richardson Beach Park, located near the end of Kalanianaʻole Avenue, is Hilo’s best all-around black sand beach. The shoreline is enhanced by a natural spring creating brackish water that is calm and safe. The black sandy beach may be small for some, but snorkeling here is wonderful for kids.
The beach and swimming area are protected by a natural lava rock breakwater. During calm surf, the protected waters are popular for swimming and snorkeling, with frequent sightings of friendly sea turtles (remember to keep your distance). We happened to witness a turtle rescue and release here during our visit. High surf attracts local bodyboarders.
Shaded by lots of coconut trees, the beach also makes for a sweet picnic spot.
Kealoha Beach Park
Kealoha is a great family beach with lots of open space and a rocky shoreline. It is good for snorkeling, swimming, and fishing with a large picnic area and restrooms. But, beware of strong rip currents during high surf!
Kealoha Beach Park is also known as 4 Mile Beach because it is (not so literally) 4 miles away from downtown Hilo on Kalanianaole Avenue.
The park’s western side is open ocean and much rougher, with locals surfing here in the winter or net fishing. The eastern side of the beach is best for older kids and snorkelers as it contains a deep, protected basin with generally calm, clear water and pockets of white sand.
This article was originally published on Pint Size Gourmets here.