My Top 30 Best Beaches and Snorkeling Spots on the Big Island of Hawaii (Black Sand & Green Sand)

www.jordanoutside.com/big-isl... We just got back from our 8-day trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and we are going to share our top 30 best beaches/snorkeling spots. We stayed in Kailua-Kona on the west side, so we started our adventures north of Kona up on the northwest side of the island. We then headed south along the west coast of the Big Island. From the southernmost point we headed east along the southern coast. Here’s a list of the beaches and snorkeling spots in order. We also have a full video for each destination. We didn’t make it to Hilo and that side of the island so we will have to do a different video for that side when we go back. This list should help you maximize your time on the Big Island of Hawaii if you are staying on the west side by Kailua-Kona. Enjoy!
1. 00:27 Kapa’a Beach Park • Kapa'a Beach Park on t...
2. 01:02 Mahukona Beach Park • Mahukona Beach Park on...
3. 01:38 Spencer Beach Park • Spencer Beach Park on ...
4. 02:07 Mau’umae Beach • Mau'umae Beach on the ...
5. 02:53 Mauna Kea Beach • Mauna Kea Beach on the...
6. 03:49 Hapuna Beach • Hapuna Beach on the Bi...
7. 05:04 Waialea Beach • Waialea Beach on the B...
8. 05:35 Puako Bay • Puako Bay on the Big I...
9. 06:31 49 Black Sand Beach • 49 Black Sand Beach/Ho...
10. 07:31 A-Bay Beach • A-Bay Beach/Anaehoʻoma...
11. 09:21 Kiholo State Park Reserve • Kiholo State Park Rese...
12. 11:24 Kukio Beach • Kukio Beach at the Fou...
13. 12:26 Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay) • Manini'owali Beach (Ku...
14. 13:25 Makalawena Beach • Makalawena Beach on th...
15. 14:22 Mahai’ula Beach • Mahai'ula Beach at Kek...
16. 15:10 Kekaha Kai State Beach • Kekaha Kai State Beach...
17. 15:51 O’oma Beach • O'oma Beach on the Big...
18. 17:03 Kohanaiki Beach Park • Kohanaiki Beach Park o...
19. 17:52 Pine Trees Surfing Beach • Pine Trees Surfing Bea...
20. 18:50 Magic Sands Beach Park • Magic Sands Beach Park...
21. 19:43 Kahalu’u Beach Park • Kahalu'u Beach Park on...
22. 21:02 Captain Cook Monument Hike and Snorkeling • Captain Cook Monument ...
23. 22:22 Two Step Beach • The Best Snorkeling at...
24. 23:53 Ho’okena Beach Park • Ho'okena Beach Park on...
25. 24:33 Pebbles Beach • Pebbles Beach on the B...
26. 25:16 South Point Cliff Dive • South Point Cliff Dive...
27. 25:56 Papakolea Green Sand Beach • Papakolea Green Sand B...
28. 26:53 Punalu’u Black Sand Beach • Punalu'u Black Sand Be...
29. 27:41 Kehena Black Sand Beach • Kehena Black Sand Beac...
30. 28:05 Pohoiki Black Sand Beach at Isaac Hale Beach Park • Pohoiki Black Sand Bea...

[@MattOdomcreative]

So much work to make this video! Thanks for sharing this with anyone who wants to visit the Big Island!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Matt! The Big Island was amazing just like you said it would be. 😃

[@kayserlein]

Wow!! From me also. Way the best, most comprehensive, clearest BI video tour I've seen! Hope to be there in the next couple of months.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks! We had no idea how much we would love this island. We had been to Maui and Kauai, but no one was really talking about the Big Island. I still can't choose a favorite, but the Big Island is amazing.

[@johbob5l]

Best BI beach video I ahve watched so far. Have been to "most" of the beaches you show but this best overview and guide - bar none. EXCELLENT for BI beach and snorkling fans. 30 thumbs up Jordan !

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much. It took a lot of work to put this together, but we were so blown away with how amazing this island is, I just had to do it. Thanks again 😃

[@jillfaulkner768]

Wow. This is one of the best videos I have seen about the beaches! Great job. We are headed there in April. 9 days. Thank you for sharing.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Jill. I appreciate the kind feedback. Have a great trip 😃

[@jazzymartinez6211]

I can't thank you enough for all the work you put in to make this video. Just got back from a trip to the Big Island and your videos were a life saver. Best Big Island videos on KZbin by far. Love the format, tips and recommendations. Cant wait to see where you go next!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Jazzy! I really appreciate the feedback. We are heading to Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean this month. We are so excited 😃

[@user-hu2jn7yt6g]

My wife and have been watching your Big Island videos. We're beach bums and are headed there in May. Jordan, this is by far the best video we've watched to hopefully every spot we'd like to visit! Mahalo for you taking the time to make and share this with us! We're even more excited after watching this!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much Paul! I really appreciate the feedback. We are so excited for you. You're going to love it 😃

[@suemaas7943]

By FAR the BEST viewing and description of all 30 beaches….great tips and information for directions! Thank you so much for your time and efforts this documentary of the best beaches is a keeper !!!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much! Your feedback means a lot. Such an amazing place to explore 😃

[@denisevulliet7332]

Hapuna Beach is one of my favorites ❤️

[@JordanOutside]

Me too, Hapuna Beach is so beautiful 😃

[@jayzeedeezee2837]

Fantastic comprehensive Big Island beach guide. Great drone shots, too!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much! Such an amazing place to explore 😃

[@juliancoker1902]

I love the big island and still have seen so little. Going in May. I’m studying this video. A big help.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks! I love the Big Island too. Have a great trip 😃

[@stevenross6088]

Great job on this video

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Steven! Such an amazing place to explore 😃

[@perryquinn709]

Two Step Beach and the Captain Cook Monument are two of the best anywhere.

[@JordanOutside]

So true! Such amazing places 😃

[@Jack51971]

We have made like 5 trips to the Big Island. After watching this video I see just jow much we have missed! Great video! We like the Big Island more than the other islands. All are good!😊

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Jack! The Big Island is so amazing 😃

[@asael_a.c.]

WOW... Fantastic video!!! Thanks 👍🏼👍🏼

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback 😃

[@airbrushincorporated]

This is an AWESOME video! My wife and I will be visiting some of these beaches during our very first trip to BI in May. Thanks to you, it’ll be easier for us to narrow it down to around 10 since we also plan to experience many other activities while on the Island.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks for feedback. I'm so glad it helped. I'm excited for you, you're going to have an amazing time. It's such a beautiful island to explore 😃

[@klimzjabowa.1950]

Thank you for your presentation, very helpful.

[@JordanOutside]

You're welcome 😃, thanks for the kind words and feedback.

[@user-pj9xy3cz8b]

Wow just one of the most influential and powerful videos so well and professionally produced ❤

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Marcos, I appreciate the kind words 😃

[@stevenross6088]

Most of my family is in south kona. I am stuck in nor cal. I will try some of your snorkeling spots. Thanks for the great work.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks, the snorkeling was awesome!

[@robert8668]

That by far is the best Big Island beach tour video to date , wife and I have been to Big Island three times and looking forward to next visit🤙🇨🇦

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much Robert, that means a lot to me. It's such an amazing place to explore. I had been to Maui and Kauai, but no one ever talked about how awesome the Big Island is. We still can't choose a favorite, but the Big Island is up there for us 😃

[@robert8668]

@@JordanOutside we went to Oahu in 2023 for a couple weeks,It was ok but I will never go there again . Most memorable part of Oahu was the people, we meet a gentleman at a road side lunch spot he was the nicest guy and ended up inviting use to watch him play at Dukes Waikiki that night. His name was Keale, always the unexpected and unplanned are the most memorable! It’s hard to explain to people the beauty of Hawaii, most just think I’m nuts🤙🇨🇦

[@robert8668]

@@JordanOutsidewe were very fortunate to have been to the Kapoho tide pools in 2016

[@julieodom5493]

Such a fun trip

[@JordanOutside]

I totally agree 😃

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

Sweet work! Love new beaches!!!

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much. Beach days are the best 😃

[@BasicBeachCommunity1]

@@JordanOutside Agree

[@thomastice9209]

Good Job! ill share this with my B&B guests.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Thomas! We had such a fun time exploring this beautiful island 😃

[@suemaas7943]

I subscribed because you rock and this is THE BEST VIDEO THANK YOUUUU!we are going to the Big Island 1/25-2/5/2024

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much! You are going to have an amazing time.

[@joankilburn2462]

Wow, what a terrific job. One would never know there are so many wonderful beaches on the Big Island. Thank you so much for sharing. Warm blessings from AZ. I can't wait to get back there. It's been 7 years.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Joan, I really appreciate the kind feedback. We were blown away with the Big Island 😃

[@joankilburn2462]

@@JordanOutside For sure. It's one of God's amazing creation. So many different climates, etc. Enjoy

[@nnxmediagroup5049]

Perfect Video, exactly what the traveler needs to know. We’ll think and well done video. That’s exactly what I’m looking for. BTW: subscribed already :)) 😊

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much. I appreciate the feedback and thanks for subscribing 😃

[@stephaniegentry78]

Thank you for this video! I've been planning and watching videos for our Hawaii trip in April 24. I appreciate the maps and where to park and prices. Great video.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks Stephanie! You're going to love it. Such an amazing place to explore 😃

[@10kamonth92]

Omg how beautiful big island is! Im planning a trip asap 😂

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks, I totally agree. Such an amazing place to explore 😃

[@brandongreen697]

Kehena is our favorite beach on earth thank you

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks! Such an amazing place 😃

[@repentUsinner]

Oh this is not fair! I used to live in Kona(6) years!

[@JordanOutside]

Wow, what an amazing place to live 😃

[@repentUsinner]

@@JordanOutside Sure was!

[@brie1812]

Just returned from Kohala Coast (Jan/24). High surf has resulted in major sand depletion from Puako and Kua Bay Beaches. They will come back.

[@JordanOutside]

Wow, that's crazy. Hopefully it comes back soon.

[@BigB932]

Mauna Kea Resort. Just valet park tip 5 bucks. No pass at gate you are there for lunch.

[@JordanOutside]

Thank you! I wish I had known this before. Thanks for sharing 😃

[@UnannouncedFart]

Thanks for making this very informative video! I bookmarked it and will use it to take notes for my upcoming trip in a couple weeks. Did you go during January? I'm a little concerned about high winter surf, but based on your videos, it doesn't look bad at all.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it. We were there in the middle of November. It took me till January editing to get it posted on KZbin. Not sure what the winter surf is like right now. Hope that helps 😃

[@arnieburgertime]

Thanks for this comprehensive review. What are your top favorites?

[@JordanOutside]

That's a tough question, but here are my top 8. A-Bay Beach, 49 Black Sand Beach, Manini'owali Beach, Makalawena Beach, Mahai'ula Beach, Two Step Beach, Ho'okena Beach Park and the Papakolea Green Sand Beach.

[@karmaries7]

love this video! were you there early morning for #13 Kua Bay? I want to take my kiddo here but we live Hilo side, so trying to plan it!

[@JordanOutside]

Thank you! We got there around 8:30 am.

[@prodigy26cap]

What an amazing video. How long did it take you to go through all of these beaches? I'm going in July just want to have an idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks so much. We were there for 8 days. Have a great trip in July 😃

[@Vesparado]

Mahalo. And btw, a lot of words with a "w" are pronounced like the letter "V" , as with Makalawena Beach(pronounced makala-vay-na).

[@JordanOutside]

Thank you. I didn't know that 😃

[@erikh9991]

Can you recommend a good scuba/snorkel beach?

[@JordanOutside]

Thank you! A great scuba/snorkeling beach is Two Step Beach. Here's the full video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJPbYZhmlM2qqZosi=lSHdLN_v433HP4FW

[@andreannegoudreault5846]

sharky

[@JordanOutside]

Thanks 😃

[@Tunadavis]

Jordan, what are you using for the underwater filming?

[@JordanOutside]

I'm using my GoPro Hero 11. Hope that helps 😃

[@Tunadavis]

Yes, thanks. Just bought one because of your vid!

[@JordanOutside]

@@Tunadavis Awesome, you're going to love it!

[@Tunadavis]

@@JordanOutside Did you use the widescreen option or something more focused? I'm new to the camera and am pretty clueless.

[@JordanOutside]

@@Tunadavis I shoot in Wide at 5.3K at 60 fps (Frames Per Second) with hypersmooth on. I don't use Boost as for underwater it doesn't work as good.