Is Makalawena the best beach in Hawaii? We want to know what you think about this Big Island beach carved through a glassy field of volcanic rock (lava).
Hawaii, a state in the US, boasts over 100 beaches across its many islands, and we are going to review one of them (Makalawena) in this article so that you can answer our question about the best Hawaiian beach.
Review of the Makalawena Beach and all you need to know
Makalawena is a scenic or photo-op beach in Kalaoa, Kekaha State Park, on the Big Island of Hawaii, US. This pristine and beautiful seaside gem is ideal for hiking, snorkeling, and outdoor fun activities.
Location and direction: Finding Makalawena could be daunting since it is a beach in a secluded area. Perhaps you’ll find it with our direction or guide in the next paragraph.
Kona International Airport is closest to Makalewena, while it is between Maihaula Beach and Kua Bay (beach). You should drive down Hwy 19 at mile markers 90 and 91 through Maihaula Beach, where you’ll see a rough road with potholes.
Follow it until you come to the parking lot area by the beach. Recall that it is several miles north of Kona International Airport.
Location: Hl- 19, Kailua- Kona, HI 96740, USA.
Features, Facilities, or Amenities at Makalawena Beach
This stunning recreational destination, cemented as one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii island (Big Island), has little to no facilities or amenities. Still, it can boast very nice features that make your stay worth it. Some of them are:
- Excellent Snorkeling
- Pristine sand
- Crystal clear water
- Black lava shoreline
- Hiking trails
- Wildlife viewing
- Toilets at the parking lot
- Limited parking lot
Despite having limited amenities, Makalawena, a sandy beach in a quiet area, is a top contender for the best beach in Hawaii. Now let’s look at how it compares to a few other beaches in Hawaii to tell if (Makalawena ) is the best among them.
Comparing Makalawena Beach to a few other beaches in Hawaii (similarities and differences)
Hawaii boasts over 100 beaches, but we will compare it with a few of the most popular or frequently visited ones, like Waikiki, Ka’ anapali, and Poipu Beaches.
Similarities with other Hawaiian beaches
| Makalawena beach | Waikiki beach | Ka’ anapali Beach | Poipu Beach |
| White sandy beach |
White sandy beach | White Sandy beach | White Sandy Beach |
| Has Calm waters ideal for swimming | Has Calm waters ideal for swimming | Has Calm water is ideal for swimming | Has Calm waters ideal for swimming |
| Is a family-friendly seaside gem | It is a family-friendly seaside gem | It is a family-friendly seaside gem | It is a family-friendly seaside gem |
Now, let’s get to what differentiates Makalawena and others.
Most Asked Questions
Can you walk from Kua Bay to Makalawena?
You can walk from Kua Bay to Makalawena because of the proximity.
From Kua Bay, hike south, climb the cinder cone, and then walk to Makalawena Beach.
What is the largest beach in Hawaii?
Polihale Beach is the largest and longest beach in the state of Hawaii. It is located at the end of Highway 50 and can be accessed through an unpaved old cane haul road.
Makalawena is unarguably the most beautiful and picturesque beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is in a secluded area with many amazing features, like snorkeling and hiking trails, but it has limited amenities.
Before we forget, is this (Makalawena) the best Hawaiian beach?
If you haven’t visited yet, please do. Tell us about your experience because ranking the best beaches in this US state, which boasts over 100 of them, would likely be based on personal preferences.
