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Big Island Hawaii: best beach nearby Kona Airport?

Replies: 8 - Last Post: Jun 4, 2012 9:42 PM Last Post By: waveguide

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waveguide

waveguide avatar

May 22, 2012 7:16 PM
Posts:  8

Big Island Hawaii: best beach nearby Kona Airport?

Hi,

We are travelling to Big Island Hawaii with a toddler, and we arrive around 2pm to Kona Airport.

We intend to continue to Hilo, but we want to wait till the evening so that the kid will fall asleep sleeps in the car during the drive.

What is the best beach nearby the Kona Airport where we can spend a nice afternoon?

Thanks in advance!

Midwesterner

Midwesterner avatar

May 22, 2012 8:54 PM
Posts:  658

1

Remember that both you & the child will notice the time zone shift. 2 PM in Kona will be 5 PM on west coast USA, 8 PM east coast time. Are you planning on a 2.5 hour via the north route? Look at photos of beach at some of the nice hotels along that route - a portion of their beaches must be open to the public.

tilos

tilos avatar

May 23, 2012 8:48 AM
Posts:  430

2

There is a beautiful beach just down the road from the airport, but it involves driving down an extremely bumpy lava-gravel road to the parking area, then walking maybe a mile to get to the beach itself. There are no facilities.

If you are taking the N. route, why not drive into Kona, get a bite to eat, then go to one of the beaches closer to it? There really isn't much by the airport in terms of restaurants, facilities, or the like.

drewmeister_sd

drewmeister_sd avatar

May 23, 2012 8:57 AM
Posts:  28

3

Hapuna beach. It is rated one of the top beaches in the US. Bear in mind that it is usually windy in the afternoon.

tilos

tilos avatar

May 24, 2012 3:46 PM
Posts:  430

4

Hapuna beach is more than 20 miles from the airport. Not exactly close.

section8

section8 avatar

May 27, 2012 7:01 PM
Posts:  2,761

5

Wawaoli Beach Park is immediately south of the airport. It has a large, sheltered pool, bathrooms, shade trees, and some interesting tidepools. It's about perfect for a toddler. Take the road that goes into OTEC.

My favorite toddler beach is about 5 miles north of the airport in the most southern resort cluster (it's a relatively new development - sorry, I can't remember the name of it). You have to check in at a guard shack and get a parking pass. The toddler beach area is man made but it's a great spot for little kids.

section8

section8 avatar

May 27, 2012 7:03 PM
Posts:  2,761

6

I just googled it: it's Kukio Beach. Take a left turn at Kukio Nui Dr. as you are driving north from the airport. You'll have to walk a few hundred yards, but it's a nice paved path so you can use a stroller. There's bathrooms and showers.

drewmeister_sd

drewmeister_sd avatar

May 28, 2012 1:08 PM
Posts:  28

7

Tilos, Hapuna is on the way and it is spectacular when not overly windy.

section8, I've been to that beach. It is nice. The guard was pretty surly when I was there, but gave me a parking pass.

waveguide

waveguide avatar

Jun 4, 2012 9:42 PM
Posts:  8

8

Thank you all for the suggestions!
We are already back, and indeed, we went to Hapuna beach in accordance to your recommendations - it was very nice, and worked perfectly well with our schedule! The kid was very excited about the sand, even after such a long flight! Thanks a lot!
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