This seaside park offers a covered picnic area with welcome shade, few people and public toilets. It is simple and clean, with nice coastal and Maui views and a little scalloped bay of blue water. The water is often clear, but the coast is rocky; thus, fishing, snorkeling and diving are popular, but swimming is not recommended. Beware of lots of mosquitoes and kiawe thorns. Camping by permit. Turn at mile marker 16.
Kapaʻa Beach Park
North Kohala
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.39 MILES
If what you're after is an almost deserted, postcard-perfect scoop of soft, white-sand beach cupping brilliant blue-green waters, head to 'Maks.' Although…
27.91 MILES
This sublime crescent-shaped white-sand beach is fronted by sparkling waters in alternating bands of pale cyan, deeper turquoise, and rich blue. Kua Bay…
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
15.37 MILES
Hapuna Beach is world famous for its magnificent half-mile sweep of white powder sand and fabulously clear waters. In summer, waves are calm and allow…
Puʻukohola Heiau National Historic Site
12.92 MILES
By 1790 Kamehameha the Great had conquered Maui, Lanaʻi and Molokaʻi. But power over his home island of Hawaiʻi was a challenge. When told by a prophet…
16.04 MILES
This lovely powdering of white sand is a local favorite but remains somewhat off the tourist radar. Both family-friendly and gay-friendly, its calm,…
14.67 MILES
Crescent-shaped Kaunaʻoa Bay (nicknamed 'Mauna Kea Beach' after Rockefeller built his landmark hotel on it) is blanketed in powdery white sand, with clear…
21.45 MILES
Located at the end of Hwy 240, this lookout offers a jaw-dropping view of Waipi‘o's emerald amphitheater, black-sand beach and pounding surf. Feast your…
13.89 MILES
What’s not to love about Mauʻumae (pronounced Mao-oo-my)? It has white sand, teal water, shady trees and protected waters – and is even more private than…
Nearby North Kohala attractions
1. Lapakahi State Historical Park
2 MILES
This park was a remote fishing village 600 years ago. An unshaded, 1-mile loop trail traverses the 262-acre grounds, passing the remains of stone walls,…
3.96 MILES
A series of low stone walls overlaid on windy grassy fields is all that is left of the birthplace of the most famous monarch in Hawaiian history. Located…
4.05 MILES
It's off the beaten path, but this heiau (temple), near ʻUpolu Point at Hawaiʻi's northernmost tip, is among the oldest (c AD 480) and most historically…
5.2 MILES
All of the funky, organic, crunchy goodness of North Kohala is sold by all of its funky, organic, crunchy characters at this weekly farmers market, held…
6.96 MILES
The Institute is an nonprofit that runs educational and preservation programs on 2400 acres that include the ʻIole ahupuaʻa (traditional land division),…
6. Kamehameha the Great Statue
6.96 MILES
The statue on the front lawn of the North Kohala Civic Center has a famous twin in Honolulu, standing across from Iolani Palace. The Kapaʻau one was the…
6.97 MILES
This county park includes a huge pool (call for opening hours), tennis courts, gym with basketball courts and weight room, and playground. It's a great…
7.09 MILES
In 1855 Protestant missionaries Elias and Ellen Bond built this church on their vast estate. It's not a must-see, but the towering banyan trees and…