Kahalu'u Beach Park

Kahalu'u Beach Park (also known as the Snorkel Beach,Turtle Beach, or Children's Beach) is a wonderfully popular park for sunbathers, snorkelers, and beginner divers. It is fed by a fresh water spring, up to 30 000 kiloleter per dayThe fish are plentiful, and the turtles are abundant. It has been reported over 100 species of fishes have been counted in Kahalu'u Bay. In the days of the Hawaiian kings, with many of the islands' beaches having dangerous surf and riptides, King Kamehameha wanted a safe place for his family to enjoy the ocean. He had his workers construct a seawall in the surf to protect a small cove on the sunny side of the Big Island. This cove today is known as Kahaluu Beach Park. Facilities are excellent. Shady trees surround this beautiful sandy beach. Facilities include a pavilion, rest rooms, showers, a lifeguard tower, and limited parking. The best snorkel route is to head to the southwest, towards the lava rock breakwater - this keeps you swimming against the current. Swim against the current on your way out, that way you are swimming with the current on your way back to shore. Try to head out to the lava rocks into as shallow water as possible - once you get into about 0.5m or less of water, the coral reef is pristine and the underwater life is spectacular. The coral reef is most prolific out here, in the shallow water adjacent the lava break water. Caution to beginners ... there often is a sweeping northerly current - so constantly monitor your position. Directions: Kahalu'u is a mere 5 and a half miles south of Kailua-Kona, on Alii Drive. You'll find Kahalu'u Beach Park at mile 4.8 on Ali'I Drive, just South of Kailua.