Old Kona Airport Beach

A popular weekend relaxation spot less than 5 minutes from Kona town. There is plenty of parking on the old asphalt runway that stretches the length of the beach. Showers, restrooms, water, and picnic tables and covered halua with picnic tables. A short walk east from the path to the beach. No drinking water or restrooms on the beach. If you want shallow water, stay near the coastline. If you prefer deeper wate r, the drop off is not far from shore and to the right. The water entrance at the beach is shallow, about 1-2 feet deep. (Abundance of Black Urchins just off the beach entrances) Waves breaking across the bay entrance are long when the surf is up; much white water. Don't dive here durin g periods of high surf. Heavy surf breaks on the lava shoreline east and west of the beach when there is a high surf from the south, southwest and west. These conditions could cause problems when exiting along the shoreline. Best advice is do no t scuba or snorkel this area when the waves or surf break is more than half a meter or winds are blowing more then 3 km per hour. South, southwest and west winds will cause high surf, making the area unsafe. (CAUTION! DO NOT DIVE or SNORKEL THIS SITE AFTER 1:00 PM BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABLE AFTERNOON WINDS.) Usually no currents, but strong westerly winds that generate high surf will cause an eastward current. Best advice is do not scuba or snorkel this area during strong winds. There is a nice arch just South of the beach. Lot's of reef fish with decent coral. The lave formations are fun, the entry is easy. An interesting sea arch can be found at 9 meter and lava fingers at 18 meter. To the north is a wall dive, made up of finger coral, sand and rubble that drops to a sandy bottom at 30 meter plus. For more bottom time with the colorful reef fish, stay in about 9 to 15 meter. Gloves are highly recommended. Lava arches to the left, deep dive with garden eels if you go straight out. At the south end there is an access right next to the hockey rink, off a lava shelf. Directions: The entrance is a very short drive, just North of Kailua. Drive to the North end of Kuakini Road just a mile or so out of town, take a left and follow the road toward the ocean until you reach the entrance.