Aiopio Beach

Located on the west coast of the Big Island, Aiopio Beach is a small crescent-shaped white sand beach with many lava rocks. Aiopio Beach is situated just north of Honokohau Harbor within the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. There is an ancient Hawaiian fish pond named Aiopio Fish Trap that is enclosed by a manmade stone and coral wall along the shoreline. It was built by ancient island inhabitants to catch fish that came in at high tide and got stranded at low tide, making it a simple catch. In addition, there is a Hawaiian temple (heiau) with a thatched roof structure near the beach. Visitors can also see Hawaiian green sea turtles (called honu) resting on the beach.

Although Aiopio Beach does not have lifeguards, it does offer several other amenities including showers, restrooms, and shady areas. Dogs are not allowed here, and the beach is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 

Aiopio Beach offers many fun activities including sunbathing, snorkeling, tidepooling, swimming, fishing, and surfing. If you like tidepooling, there are tide pools near the beach that can be explored during low tide. The beach is protected by offshore reefs that form a shallow lagoon, making it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. Snorkelers can explore coral reefs and see a large variety of colorful tropical fish, as well as Hawaiian marine life. If you are planning to fish in the waters near Aiopio Beach, please ensure that you comply with the local fishing regulations. If you enjoy surfing, there is a surf break about 200 yards north of Honokohau Harbor's entrance. The offshore reef produces strong waves and is considered an advanced surfing site. In addition, Aiopio Beach is perfect for visitors seeking a quiet experience as this beach sees fewer visitors than other nearby beaches.

Getting to Aiopio Beach is easy - the beach has a paid parking lot located at 74-380 Kealakehe Parkway, which is easily accessible from Highway 19. After parking, you need to walk east for around ten minutes to access the beach.

There are many attractions near Aiopio Beach. Hulihee Palace was originally built out of lava rocks and was a former summer house for Hawaiian royalty where they came to unwind and relax. The palace has been turned into a museum that features a gallery displaying Victorian artifacts including koa wood furniture, portraits, sculptures, kapa, feather work, Hawaiian quilts and artifacts from Hawaii's royal heritage - it also offers an interesting guided tour and self-led tours. Kiholo Bay has a black sand beach that offers many fun activities including snorkeling, swimming, hiking, camping, and fishing. Visitors can spot green sea turtles near the beach. It has a few amenities including portable restrooms. If you are looking for another attraction near Aiopio Beach, Kikaua Point Park(also known as Kikaua Point Beach Park) has a small white sand man-made beach with a sea arch and many lava rock formations. The park offers many fun activities including snorkeling, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and sunbathing. It also offers several amenities including restrooms, showers, and drinking water.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants near Aiopio Beach. Huggo’s is an upscale waterfront restaurant that serves incredible salads, shrimp, seafood, pasta, steaks, short ribs, and sashimi. Foster’s Kitchen Waikoloa serves shrimp, bruschettas, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, flatbread pizzas, poultry dishes, steaks, chops, tacos, and desserts. Honokohau L & L Hawaiian Barbecue serves amazing shrimp, seafood, loco moco, saimin, musubi, burgers, barbecued pork, and barbecued poultry dishes. If you are looking for another good and affordable restaurant near Aiopio Beach, the modestly priced Killer Tacos serves incredible salads, tortillas, fajitas, burritos, tacos, nachos, salads, enchiladas, quesadillas, and seafood.

If you are looking for a hotel near Aiopio Beach, there are many great nearby options. If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 5-Star beachfront Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is 23 minutes away by car and offers many amenities including seven pools, several hot tubs, an oceanfront 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a fitness center, a spa, tennis courts, and three restaurants. Another upscale option is the beachfront 4-Star Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa which offers many amenities including a spa, a fitness center, an outdoor pool, hot tubs, and a restaurant. A more affordable hotel is the oceanfront 3-Star Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel which offers many amenities including an outdoor pool, a hot tub, a fitness center, a spa, and a Hawaiian restaurant. If you are looking for another good and affordable hotel near Aiopio Beach, the modestly priced 2-Star Kona Seaside Hotel offers a few amenities including an outdoor pool and a restaurant.