Honokaope Beach - Beaches On Big Island Waikoloa, Hawaii

Honoka'ope Beach is mix of black sand and regular sand and you'll find it located between Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection. If the ocean is calm, the swimming and snorkeling can be okay but nothing great. If the ocean is less than calm then both will be bad.

It likely won't be too crowded most days, which is good because the parking only holds 18 or so cars. For the best luck, arrive early. It's only a short walk across the street from the parking lot to the beach. Beyond parking, there are no facilities here.

On that note, if you're driving in turn onto Mauna Lani Drive from the main highway (Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway / Highway 19). When you hit the roundabout, you want the third / last exit (on your left) which will be South Kaniku Drive. Follow that until you find Honoka'ope Place and make a left. Take that almost to the end of the road where you'll see the parking lot.

The other option is to enjoy a hike along the Fisherman's Trail which runs along the coast from the Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection to Honoka'ope Beach. If you do the trail plan on a 45-60 minute walk. It might be worth it as the scenery along here is incredible.