Honomalino Bay

Honomalino Bayis on the island's southwestern coast. The nearest major town is Naalehu, HI. This lovely black-and-white sand beach is not well known. It's 90 meter or so long, backed by scads of coconut trees, decent swimming when calm (which is often), usually deserted, and a 20-minute walk from your car. Though one of the larger south Kona beaches, it eroded considerably during the 20th century. The parking area is at Miloli'i County Park and you have to hike in from there. It's a great snorkel area. Swim out a ways, and wait. If you're lucky, the dolphins will come right up to you and swim under, around, and beside you. To get there, start at Miloli'i Beach Park. Go to the end of the road, and you'll see bathrooms and a yellow church (Hauoli Kamanao Church). The public access is between them. (A left fork is private property; the right fork is yours.) If it's high tide, you'll get your feet wet near the beginning. Don't be intimidated by the dizzying array of Keep Out and No Tresspassing signs at the trailhead. About 3-4 minutes into the trail after some tide-pools and a palm-backed spit of sand, reacquire the trail at the back part of the sand and continue south for 15 minutes. There may be a few fallen trees to hop over. The snorkeling on the right side of the bay is interesting when calm in the cluster of rocks. There is a small cave there where a 6-foot white-tipped reef shark often rests.