Activities & Adventures

Punalu'u Beach, black lava sand beach with jungle vegetation and palms on the right

Hawaii's Black, White, Gold & Green Sand Beaches

On the diverse Big Island of Hawaii you will find pristine white, gold, green and black sand beaches. This stunning black sand beach, Punalu'u Beach, is at the Southern end of the island and easy to get to by car.

See a slide show of some of the Big Island's most unique beaches.

A Bay in Waikoloa Beach Resort with red and many yellow rental boats on the beach between the palms

Ocean Sports at A Bay in
Waikoloa Beach Resort

Our pristine sandy beach at Anaeho'omalu Bay or A Bay is just 5 minutes away from Hale Pele or Hale Wailele. You will find outrigger canoeing, kayaking, diving and authentic luaus. Ocean Sports beach hut at A Bay is headquarters for these sports rentals.

Blonde surfer girl walking toward the ocean with red boogie board under her arm

Even Beginners Boogie Board in the Gentle Waves on the Kohala Coast

Swim, snorkel, boogie board, surf or just relax on the lounge chairs provided for our beach resort guests. Grab a boogie board, snorkel gear, beach towels, sun umbrella or sand toys from our garages at Hale Pele and Hale Wailele and head for a day at the beach.

Underwater photo of yellow, white and black striped flat fish and black fish in bright aqua water

Snorkel in Warm Ocean Waters

A vast array of friendly tropical fish and giant turtles greet you at many great local snorkel spots all along the coast! Kahalu'u Beach Park near Kona offers spectacular snorkeling even for novices. Take the sandy path near the lifeguard, not over the lava, to easily get out to play among the sea life.

Sunset over the ocean with a palm tree in the foreground on the left and a sailboat at Waikoloa Beach Resort, Hawaii

Cruise or Sail Through the
Tropical Hawaiian Sea

Take a sunset cruise or jump on board a glass bottom boat, submarine, or luxury catamaran and coast through the warm waters. From November until April you can see pods of majestic Humpback whales. Most rentals are available right here in Waikoloa Beach Resort.

Farmer's Market under tent with a young Hawaiian woman selling an array of tropical fruit and vegetables

Farmers Market, Huihee Palace Museum

Kona Farmers' Market is a great place to pick up island bananas, papayas, pineapple, guava, purple potatoes, inexpensive tropical flowers and unique local souvenirs. Find it on the corner of Ali'i Dr. and Hualalai Rd., open 7 - 4, Wed. - Sun. At Kona's Huihee Palace, a historical oceanfront museum, you may catch a free concert or authentic Hawaiian dancing.

Small town feeling, Blue Ginger colorful clothing and gift shop in a quaint blue one story building

Explore Coastal Towns &
Tour Kona Coffee Farms

Head South to explore quaint old sugar plantation towns with charming shops and tour Macadamia nut or coffee plantations. Sample free coffee and take a historical tour at Greenwell, Hawaii's largest Kona coffee farm.

Ancient Place of Refuge South of Kona

Place of Refuge is an important historical site 46 miles down the coast at Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Nat'l Historical Park. Here you encounter fierce tikis, early Hawaiian arts and may see craftsmen building canoes in the traditional way. This is a restored complex of temple buildings where Hawaiians who broke a kapu, ancient law, would seek forgiveness for their sins and refuge from certain death.

The Painted Church & Captian Cook's Monument

Sightseeing includes Captain Cook's Monument in beautiful, historic Kealakekua Bay, which is also popular with dolphins and giant sea turtles.

Overlooking Kealakekua Bay is St. Benedict's Painted Church, a little country gem with Sistine Chapel aspirations. From 1899 to 1904 Father John Berchmans Velghe, a self-taught artist, painted biblilcal scenes in loving detail. This was important in a time when many people didn't read. Donations help maintain this historic landmark and active parish.

Looking down on Green Sand Beach, greenish aqua surf, with surrounding barren high cliffs

Rare Green Sand Beach at
South Point, Hawaii

Secluded Green Sand Beach lies at the most Southern tip of the island and of the US. One of the most stunning beaches on the planet, it's worth the rough one hour hike after driving as near as possible in your rental car. The beach is accessed by climbing down a rope onto the rugged lava rocks. Take lots of water and wear hiking shoes for this adventurous trek.

Amazing Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes are Hawaii's most dramatic attraction. Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes Nat'l Park is the world's largest active volcano with lava oozing into the ocean. This US Geological Survey movie shows an Oct. 12, 2008 explosive eruption. The glowing lava on the hills is viewed best at night from the end of Chain of Craters Road. Check today's volcanic activity.

Thurston Underground Lava Tube in Volcanoes Nat'l Park

Explore Underground Lava Tubes &
Hike Over Lava Craters

At Volcanoes National Park you can hike through ancient rain forests, over a still steaming lava crater and into underground lava tubes. Take jackets, hats, walking shoes and flashlights. The Visitor Center and Jagger Museum & Observatory offer documentary movies, interesting exhibits, books and maps.

Close-up of a white and black striped tiger on a green lawn behind a chain-link fence

Pana'ewa Rain Forest Zoo in Hilo

Children will enjoy the Pana'ewa Rain Forest Zoo featuring a rare white tiger. One popular exhibit has a wire mesh people walkway going through it with lots of animals roaming around and overhead. The world's only zoo in a tropical rain forest, it is small with no admission fees.

Big Akaka Falls drops into a pool below, surrounded by jungle vegetation in the moist air

Spectacular Hawaiian Waterfalls

Akaka Falls is a stunning 420 foot waterfall, an easy hike through a tropical jungle less than a mile off the road.

Helicopter tours over waterfalls and volcanoes lift off from a helipad 10 minutes away or you can ride a horse through luxuriant wild ginger and bamboo forests to see incredible 1,000 foot waterfalls that ring Waipi'o Valley.

Beautiful lush Waipio Valley with two women on a white horse and a brown horse in a standing in a stream

Ride a Horse Through Waipio Valley or Visit Parker Cattle Ranch

Tour mystical Waipio Valley by horseback along jungle trails with lush flowers, towering palms, fresh water streams, taro fields and incredible 1,000 foot waterfalls.

Parker Ranch is a175,000 acre working ranch surrounding Waimea. You can find friendly cowboys, horseback or ATV rides, tours, a museum & Parker Ranch Grill. For fantastic grilling steaks look for Ranchers Renaissance & Country Natural Beef at Waikoloa Village Market.

A Bay beach at sunset with many beach goers and palms silhouetted

Relaxing Days and Magical Nights

Unwind with a leisurely day of shopping at Kings Shops and Queens MarketPlace, spa treatments, or massage. Then join your friends and neighbors at for a drink and the local evening ritual of watching glorious sunsets at A Bay in Waikoloa Beach Resort. See more spectacular island sunsets.