Kua Bay Beach (Manini’owali): Big Island White Sand Beach
Wondering where to find Kua Bay Beach and what to expect when you get there? I got you!
When I lived on the Big Island for a year, I liked to stop at this convenient white sand beach on the way to Waikoloa.
Kua Bay beach, or Manini’owali Beach, is one white sand beach that is popular with both tourists and locals. It has soft, white sand for your toes and dreamy crystal-clear turquoise water for swimming.
Let me tell you all about it!
Where is Kua Bay Beach?
Kua Bay is just one section of the Kekaha Kai State Park.
Kekaha Kai State Park is a beach park, previously named Kona Coast State Park, and consists of three main beaches: Manikin’owali (Kua Bay), Makalawena, and Mahai’ula. All have various points of access.
Within the park is Ala Kahakai Trail, a 4.5-mile coastal trail connecting these three beaches.
Also within the park is a 12-acre wetland, ‘Ōpae’ula Pond, designated a national natural landmark. It is one of the last known nesting grounds for Hawaiian stilts and Hawaiian coots; and the only known breeding area for black-crowned night heron in Hawaii.
Directions to Kua Bay Beach
Location: Between Mile 88 and 89 on Hwy 19
Hours: 8am-7pm 7 days a week.
Admission: Free
Kua Bay beach is only 7 miles north of the Kona airport on Queen Kaahumanu Hwy, or Hwy 19. While it’s close to the city, it feels like worlds away due to the seclusion of the area.
Your first clue to arriving is the rising pu’u (cinder cone) you’ll see silhouetted against the shore. Soon a sign for a road turning west will appear and you’ll turn on Kua Bay Access Rd, directly across from the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery.
Take the winding paved road about 1.5 miles down until it ends at the Kua Bay parking lot.
If the parking lot is full, which it very easily could be, park along the gravel shoulders of the road. Just be aware of any steep edges that could hit the bottom of your car.
There is a “secret” path to the beach from the road, just outside the parking lot. Look for a sandy trail over a lava flow through the bushes. This will bring you to the south end of the beach.
Kua Bay Beach Amenities
Restrooms
Indoor plumbing restrooms are available and handicap accessible.
Showers
A row of outdoor showers is available for rinsing off.
Lifeguard
There is a prominent lifeguard shack on the beach should you need assistance.
Picnic Tables
A few scattered picnic tables are around. Only one has any shade.
Shade is scant on this beach. There are only like three trees that offer shade, and only one is on the beach. The others offer shade on the sidewalk pad overlooking the bay. Bring an umbrella or canopy for a reprieve from the scorching sun.
No drinking water fountains are on the property.
Food at Kua Bay Beach
There is no food and drink for purchase at the beach, unless a food truck luckily shows up.
The nearest towns to purchase a picnic lunch or takeout is either:
Kona – 14 miles away
or
Waikoloa Beach – 15 miles away
Either city will have resources to fill your nibbly needs. Grocery stores to create a personalized picnic of bread, meat, and cheese. Take-out restaurants for poke, burgers, or sandwiches. Or perhaps hit up a market for local produce and homemade goodies.
Kua Bay Beach Activities
Swimming
The glowing blue waters call irresistibly. The water is as clear as pool water and the temperature is always perfect.
The waves can get intense and intimidating. They break pretty large right on the shoreline. Use your best judgment when deciding to swim, especially with young children.
Boogie Boarding
The large waves breaking on the beach create a great setup for boogie boarding.
Snorkeling
On calm days it’s possible to snorkel the waters. I wouldn’t classify it as a snorkeling beach, but it’s possible. The best areas are near the rocks as fish and turtles cruise the area.
There are no water sports rentals on the beach. You could rent snorkel and boogie board gear from Snorkel Bob’s in Kona or Mauna Lani. Or purchase your own gear at Costco or Walmart in Kona.
Sunbathing
Grab a book or podcast and relax on the powder-soft sand. It’s a great location for rotissering your Hawaiian-made tan.
A Day on Kua Bay Beach
You can spend as much or as little time as you like at Kua Bay beach. It’s set up for an easy photo-op stop or an all-day affair.
From the parking lot, it is a short distance on the sidewalk to the viewing area overlooking half of the beach. This is good for handicapped people who wouldn’t otherwise get to experience a sandy beach.
There are stairs leading down to the sand and from there the beach is free-range. To the left and right are different pockets of sand intermixed among lava rocks.
The beach is covered in soft, barefoot-walkable sand but there are a couple of areas where you will have to step over some lava boulders to access different areas of the beach.
Pick an area that looks right for you to “make camp”. As with most beaches, the earlier you arrive the better the beach spot. Kua Bay can get pretty crowded, especially on the weekends.
Now that you’re set up, enjoy yourself!
Watch the magical blue water crash on the sand. Bask in the blazing sun. People watch humans visiting from all over the world.
Keep an eye out for green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and humpback whales. Or you might make friends with a goat on shore.
On the northernmost end of the beach are lava rocks that rise about 10-15 feet above the beach. A small trail leads up and gives a great vantage point looking down the entire sandy bay.
Sunset on the beach is a quintessential Hawaiian activity. But due to the park hours, you won’t always be able to stay for sunset. During the winter the sun sets before the park closure at 7pm so you’ll be able to see it then.
Hike Pu’u Kuili
Before you start playing in the ocean, you might want to do a quick hike up Pu’u Kuili. It’s right before you get to the beach and you’ll get a nice view from the top.
The looming 342ft cinder cone is your distraction as you drive Kua Bay Access Rd towards the beach parking lot.
The trailhead is unmarked and if no one is parked by it you could miss it. About 0.6 miles from the highway you will see a 15mph speed limit sign and white painted boulders on either side of the road. Right before these landmarks is the trail start.
You can choose to park on the gravel shoulder here or park closer to the beach and walk back up the road.
The trail start has zero signage, it is just a narrow, red gravel footpath through the bushes that immediately start ascending the pu’u.
The climb is short but steep. There is absolutely no shade and the desert-esque sun can get scorching hot. So take the necessary precautions (water, sunscreen, hat, etc.).
Once you reach the top you’ll get a sweeping 360° view of the blue ocean, Kekaha Kai State Park, and the beautiful sloping mountains.
When you have had your fill of scenery, backtrack the way you came. If you want to continue on, the path going south leads to the 4.5-mile Ala Kahakai Trail.
Last Words on Kua Bay Beach
For all the variety of beaches on this island, Kua Bay beach ranks pretty high due to its accessibility, Instagram-able water, and lack of pebbles under your bare feet.
Make Kua Bay/Manini’owali Beach, a must-stop on your Big Island beach bingo.
Read about other Big Island beaches:
Magic Sands Beach
Makalawena Beach
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
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YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular. I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental, as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work on the Big Island?
PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
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For Big Island hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
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I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
