Things to Do at Magic Sands Beach Park: White Sands in Kona
Looking at visiting the white sands at Magic Sands Beach Park? Let me tell you all about it!
I lived on the Big Island for a year and always liked visiting Magic Sands Beach park to see the ever-changing conditions and grabbing a bowl of poke for an al fresco lunch.
On the south end of Ali’i Drive in Kona lies the legendary Magic Sands Beach. The official name is La’aloa Beach County Park and it’s also known as White Sands Beach. But most tourists and locals who love to flock to this cove just call it Magic Sands Beach.
For how popular and crowded this beach can get, it’s unexpectedly small. But it is also the most convenient and closest white sand beach to downtown Kona.
What’s so Magical about Magic Sands Beach?
Besides white sands being magical in and of themselves, Magic Sands Beach is so named because it actually does do a magic trick.
During the winter months, the surf can get large enough that it can wash away the beautiful grains of sand away practically overnight…a vanishing trick if you will. What’s left are large, black lava rocks scattered where only soft sand once lay.
But don’t worry, when winter is over eventually the current washes in a fresh “batch” of fresh sand to replenish the beach.
Where is Magic Sands Beach?
Address: 77-648177 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 7 days a week 6am-11pm.
Magic Sands Beach is about 3 miles south of the Royal Kona Resort. I consider the resort the edge of the touristy part of Ali’i Drive. It’s also about 2.5 miles north of the Outrigger Kona Resort.
The beach sits in the middle of a mostly residential area of Ali’i Drive making it a semi-odd location. But who are we to tell nature where to put a beach?
Parking at Magic Sands Beach
Just south of the beach is a small parking lot that will most likely be full.
Across the street from the beach is ample parking. The lot is split into a paved section and then a larger gravel section. It’s free to park here.
There is also free street parking but only on the makai (ocean side), so you’ll have to be driving south. Street parking fills up faster than the parking lot, which is weird because the lot is directly across the beach and easy access.
If people get street parking directly above the beach sometimes they will just set up camp from their vehicle. Not a bad view for tailgating.
Amenities at Magic Sands Beach
A lifeguard is on duty, keeping beachgoers safe.
Restrooms are located at the south end of the beach underneath the trees.
Outdoor showers by the restrooms for washing off the sand getting in all crevasses of your body.
A couple of picnic tables sit under some shady trees.
The beach itself doesn’t have much in the way of shade. If you can set up against the rock wall that’s going to be your best spot for a bit of sun respite while still sitting on the sand.
A volleyball net always seems to be set up. Not sure if it’s the city’s or what but bring a ball and start up a game!
Water Activities at Magic Sands Beach
Of course playing in the clear, turquoise water is half the reason to hang out at Magic Sands Beach. Just be careful! Those waves can get enormous and dangerous on high surf days.
Swimming can be done on calmer days. Even experienced swimmers can have a hard time in the surf or get caught in rip currents. Keep an eye on the littles.
Because of the intensity of the waves, boogie boarding is a great sport for these waters. In fact, it’s rated as one of the best beaches for boogie boarding on the Big Island. I even understand that there used to be a Magic Sands Bodysurfing Championship, the only one of its kind on the island.
Boss Frog’s up the street rents boogie boards for $8/day or $24/wk. Or you could buy one at Walmart for about $25.
Snorkelers and scuba divers like to go by the rocky cove at the south end of the beach, as long as the waters are calm. The nooks and crannies in the lava rocks provide great homes for sealife.
Biking at Magic Sands Beach
A bike share kiosk is located in the parking lot across from the beach. Consider biking to or from Magic Sands Beach as a romantic way of beach transportation.
Hawaii Island Bikeshare (HIBIKE) has 7 stations around Kona. Pay at the kiosk station, unlock an available bike, ride it up and down Ali’i Drive and beyond, and return the bike to another docking station in 30 minutes or switch it out for another available bike and continue on your pedaling way.
The price programs for the bike share are:
A 30-minute ride is $3.50
Unlimited 30-minute rides all-day is $10 (bike must be returned to a kiosk every 30 minutes or be charged a “late” fee*.
300 minutes to use whenever you’d like, for as long as you’d like is $25. Valid for one year.
*Overage, or late fees, are $4.50 per 30-minutes of being late.
Helmets are not included, nor available.
Historical Significance of Magic Sands Beach
La’aloa means “very sacred”. So La’aloa County Beach Park is technically a very sacred beach. On the south end of the beach is Haukalua Heiau, thought to be about 800 years old. No one is certain what the heiau was used for but it is sacred to Hawaiians nonetheless.
The platform where the heiau is now was not its original location. It was moved here to build the south end parking lot.
There’s been much controversy about this over the years. For some time the parking lot was even closed as they decided what to do.
Other historical features located on this site are a kuula (fisherman’s god stone), a canoe landing, a papamū (Hawaiian checkerboard), poho palu (bait mortars), and a wall marking the boundary between Pahoehoe and La’aloa.
What to Eat at Magic Sands Beach
As I mentioned before, Magic Sands Beach is in a residential area of Ali’i Drive, but there are still some food options.
Magics Beach Grill (& Beach Shack)
Address: 77-6452 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 10am-3pm; HH 2pm-6pm; Beach Shack 7 days a week 8:30am-3pm;
The most obvious option for food is the restaurant directly adjacent to Magic Sands Beach, Magics Beach Grill and Beach Shack.
Order takeout from the Beach Shack for breakfast or lunch. For breakfast order a burrito, acai bowl, or some baked goodies. Lunch offers items like burgers, fish tacos, or a smoked ahi chowder.
Magics Beach Grill has dine-in options either inside or outside on the patio with a view of the beach from your table. Their menu expands on the Beach Shack menu with foods like fish ‘n chips, ahi steak, mushroom pasta, and salads.
Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner.
Kat’s Kau Kau Hawaiian Shave Ice
In the paved part of the parking lot across Ali’i Drive from the beach you’ll see a wooden shave ice cone sign for Kat’s Kau Kau Shave Ice. This converted food van serves a refreshing treat from the Kona sun. Choose up to three flavors on your cone for $9.00
Da Poke Shack
Address: 76-6246 Ali’i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Hours: 7 days a week 10am-4pm
About a mile north of the beach is the ever popular Da Poke Shack. They only serve poke bowls to-go, so you might as well take it to da beach.
For $17 you get a scoop of white or brown rice, two choices of poke, and a side.
Choose from a seemingly endless row of poke flavors. Not only do they have nine different flavors of ahi poke, they also have seven “other seafood” poke like octopus, scallops, and cod fish.
Thirteen different sides taunt you while you try to decide which one you want: potato/mac salad, calamari, kimchi mussels, seaweed salad, sesame garlic edamame….
If seafood isn’t your thing they also offer a lunch plate of lau lau or kalua pork.
The line is known to get pretty long. I got there at about 11am and only had one person in front of me.
Picnic
Of course there is always the picnicking option. 2 miles south of Magic Sands Beach is a KTA Superstore where you can find all the ingredients to make an ideal picnic. Sandwich fixings, chips, desserts, and drinks…whatever a grocery store has to offer.
Where to Stay by Magic Sands Beach
There are a surprising amount of private rentals available at Magic Sands Beach via Airbnb. The closest are the Kona Magic Sands condos above Magics Beach Grill. Or there is also an entire home rental a few yards down from the beach that has an ocean view.
Of course, you could stay at resorts only a couple miles away like the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa to the south or Royal Kona Resort to the north.
More White Sand Beaches Near Kona:
Makalawena Beach
Kua Bay Beach
Epilogue: Magic Sands Beach
If you want to take a day off from roadtripping around the Big Island, come spend some time at Magic Sands Beach. This little white sands beach is perfect for those looking to relax and have fun all while staying within city limits. Whether you stay for an hour or all day, there are plenty of things to do here that will make your memories magical!
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
🚨 Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?
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🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?
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.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?
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.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?
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.
