Makolea Beach  | Hawaii |  | Hawaii County |  |
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Address Queen Kaahumanu Highway Kailua Kona, HI |
Hours Sun-Tues 9:00am - 7:00pm Thurs-Sat 9:00am - 7:00pm |
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Take Queen Kaahumanu Hwy. (#19) 2.6 miles north of the airport. Turn left down the Kekaha Kai State Park access road.
Description:
It’s the only black sand beach in Kona and no one knows about it. Aside from some local shoreline fisherman, Makolea beach is a dark sandy haven for the solitary beach-goer and snorkel enthusiast. To access the beach, visitors take the Kekaha Kai State Park road. The access road is considered unimproved and can be slightly cumbersome for low-sitting cars. When drivers come to the first parking lot at there is a four-way intersection. Most visitors will be traveling straight or right to Mahaiula beach, but the left hand turn, heading south, marked by metal posts, leads to Makolea. At this point those driving in cars should park and only those with four-wheel drive should continue as the road becomes exceedingly more difficult. The lava rock road travels parallel to the ocean, across the Huehue (Hualalai) Lava flow of 1801. Make sure to look back up the mountainside of Hualalai and glimpse at the impressive winding trail of the lava flow and its lasting impression on the landscape as it made its way to the sea. About 7/10 of a mile (or 20 minutes by foot -- the going is a bit slower) there is a faint road on the right side of the road. It is marked with small white coral rocks. Those driving can take this road about 800 yards to the sea and park their vehicles. This parking spot is not clearly marked but there are tire marks and small palm trees that indicate spaces. There is a small, marked path along the shoreline that heads south to the beach. Those traveling on foot can either opt for this trail or keep walking along the road until another, shorter trail, also marked with white coral, leads directly to the beach. A clearing of black sand in a cove and a grove of trees define the beach. The trees are also visible from the parking location. The beach is small and the swimming is difficult close to shore as there are large lava rocks in the murky water. However, swimming further out provides a great place to snorkel. Since this is a relatively undiscovered beach, the coral reef is untouched and it is asked that those snorkeling in this location be cognizant of its pristine state and treat it with respect. It’s best to enter the water at the sandy spot in the middle and swim out and north. Be careful of tides and currents.
If you make the journey out to Makolea you will most likely find the place to yourself. Aside from the fishermen who sometimes leave their rubbish the beach is relatively clean, definitely quite and secluded.
For a change of scenery on the return trip, there is a second path to the beach that travels along the shoreline and is accessed at the north end of the beach. It leads back through the parking location and further up along the coast. This trail is less noticeable but still marked by white coral on either side. Keep following the coral as the trail sometimes bends away from the water. This path is interspersed with both sand and rock and where the trail becomes more difficult it is best to walk along the smooth pahoehoe lava. Along this path there is a cove with a black sand beach, which is a good spot to take a dip, as the swimming is easier here. The path continues and is met with a sandier trail. The path exits at the south end of Mahaiula beach, near the public bathrooms.
If you start out on this path, make sure to note that at the beginning where the trail seems to end at lava rock, turn left and follow the white coral until it picks up the sandy trail.
Written By: Hadley Catalano
Features
Parking
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Shady Areas
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Snorkeling
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Swimming Areas
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Kid Friendly
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