The Big Island’s coastline stretches over 260 miles, but not all its beaches are marked on maps or lined with sun umbrellas. Some are tucked behind lava fields, others require a bit of hiking, and a few feel like they were never meant to be found at all. These hidden spots often trade crowds for quiet—making them worth the extra effort.
Here’s a list of 15 secluded beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island that fly under most travelers’ radar.
Makalawena Beach
Getting here takes a bit of effort—first, a bumpy drive down a rough road, then a 20-minute walk across a lava field. But the payoff is white sand, turquoise water, and rarely more than a handful of visitors. It’s untouched in the best way possible.
Honokohau Beach
Located inside Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, this beach mixes cultural significance with coastal beauty. Sea turtles often rest onshore, and the nearby fishponds hint at ancient Hawaiian engineering.
It’s peaceful, wide open, and often missed by those rushing to nearby resorts.
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Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Though the main area is more popular, a short walk south along the coast reveals smaller coves with fewer footprints. The water here turns electric blue under full sun, and the waves stay gentle most of the year.
Great for a quick swim and some solitude.
Ke-awa-iki Beach
Also known as Black Sand Beach, this remote stretch north of Waikoloa offers jet-black sand, white coral, and green vegetation—all in the same frame. It’s a 20-minute hike in, so it stays quiet. Bring shoes with a grip—the lava rock can get slick.
Waialea Bay (Beach 69)
while it’s not a secret, this beach often gets passed over for its flashier neighbors. Tall trees provide plenty of natural shade, and the snorkel conditions are solid on calm days. Locals come here to relax, not to show off.
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Pololū Valley Beach
Reaching the sand requires a steep descent into the valley, but the views on the way down are almost worth it alone. The beach itself is raw—dark sand, cliffs, and crashing waves. It’s not for swimming, but for standing still and feeling small.
Kaimū Black Sand Beach
This beach was born from lava—literally. It’s one of the youngest on the island, created after a 1990 eruption. The trees haven’t fully taken over yet, so it feels wild and wide open. Waves here can be aggressive, so swim with care—or not at all.
Ho’okena Beach Park
Quieter than it used to be, this beach still offers good snorkeling, soft sand, and an old Hawaii feel. Local families often gather here, and spinner dolphins sometimes cruise past the shore. There’s enough space to spread out without feeling exposed.
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Makaiwa Bay
Hidden behind the Mauna Lani resort, this beach can be accessed via a coastal trail that skirts old lava rock and tidal pools. It’s small, tucked into a natural curve, and rarely busy. You’ll find shade under the trees and calm water for floating.
Leleiwi Beach Park
A series of lava rock pools near Hilo, this spot is more about relaxing and tide-watching than swimming. The lava forms natural barriers that trap warm water, and fish dart between pockets of coral. It’s calm, quiet, and surprisingly therapeutic.
Shipman Beach (Ha’ena Beach)
This one’s for those who don’t mind the journey—a 5-mile round-trip hike through the forest and along the coast. But the remote, reef-protected beach that awaits feels almost prehistoric. Sea turtles nest here, and you’ll likely have the sand to yourself.
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Ka’alualu Bay
Way down in the south near South Point, this beach is tough to access and completely off most tourist paths. It’s rocky, windswept, and atmospheric in a moody, powerful kind of way. It’s not great for swimming, but ideal for watching nature without interruption.
Puako Hidden Cove
Near the more well-known Puako Beach, there’s a series of smaller coves behind the trees—walk the shoreline, and you’ll find them. The reef is close to shore, and turtles often drift by. It’s a good snorkeling spot if you enter carefully.
Kawiki Beach
This black sand beach near Waipi’o Valley is not officially marked, and it takes a bit of local knowledge (or careful navigation) to find it. Once you’re there, the cliffs and forest make it feel sealed off from everything else.
You won’t get a cellphone signal—and that’s part of the appeal.
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‘Awini Landing
North of Pololū, a rugged trail leads to this narrow, wild beach. It’s more popular with fishermen than sunbathers and strong currents make swimming risky. Still, the energy here is undeniable—sharp cliffs, wide skies, and no one around to block the view.
Where Lava Meets Quiet Sands
The Big Island’s hidden beaches aren’t for convenience—they’re for connection. Each one tells a different story: of eruptions, erosion, or centuries of quiet tide shifts.
If you’re willing to go a little farther or walk a little longer, you’ll find places where the island still feels untouched—and that’s where Hawaii gets personal.
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