Waialea Beach Reviews

This beach has it all! In addition to the nice sandy beach, there's shade under the trees, sun, great snorkel areas, bathrooms, showers, and calm waters. What more do you want!? I highly recommend going here. It wasn't too crowded. The paved parking area is small but there's plenty of parking in the dirt areas surrounding that lot. You do need to pay at the kiosk, per car and per person and put your ticket in your vehicle.

I snorkeled the areas around the lava rock and saw plenty of fish and even a sea turtle. It was a very, very windy day when we went but the foliage near the beach blocked it all and the waters were calm. No rolling waves which made snorkeling easy.

My wife and I checked out the beach at Waialea (also known as beach 69 because of the nearest mile marker on highway 19). We should have paid a $5 non-resident parking fee but the machine was out of action. We decided to head to the south section of the beach, finding a spot between the trees. The beach was a very coarse grade of sand. There was considerable wave action, with the surf crashing against the rocky shore. There was a white sandy section but that was much more heavily populated. In the afternoon the surf became significantly higher, with very few people in the water. The only facilities were the clean rest-rooms.

When we pulled up to this beach it was like looking at a postcard. Clear water with amazing sea life. Tree line gives shade if needed. Even a rope to swing on into the water. Perfect beach for kids to play and explore. Best beach on the big island. Come back at night for a picture perfect sunset.

This beach is easily reached off the Old Puako Road. It's well-known to locals as Beach 69. Parking costs five bucks for tourists, Lots of shade and various alcoves to hunker down. Decent swimming. As with most places, snorkeling is better early, before surf churns up the visibility. Lots of dead coral, and a variety of fish if you wander out far enough. A few picnic tables. Bathrooms and shower are adjacent to the beach. Given the shade, it's a good beach to visit early in your vacation.

Great beach with easy walk from parking lot. A $5 parking pass gives you a full day of fun! Adequate trees for shade or sit in the sun and ramp up your tan a few notches!

We wanted to do some snorkeling and this was a good place, just behind the reef (beach side) on the other side of which the surf was crashing. There are coral reefs and lots of fish. The beach itself is OK but there are many places where there are rocks - seems that the sand is shifting regularly. There are nice shaded places where you can lay your tatami or chair and relax without fear of a sunburn!

Lonely Planet's Big Island travel guide seems to have outdated info, even though I bought the Sept. 2017 edition... Despite what they say (park on the road at pole 71 and walk the rest), there is a parking lot that appears to have been there for awhile, toilets and showers to remove the salt water and sand. Seems to be part of Hapuna Beach State Park.

This beach has it all. Shade, sun, snorkeling, gentle waves, scenery, lava, coral, bathrooms, showers, long stretch is beach and more. Pay parking for non residents. Gorgeous colors of blue in the waters and plenty of tropical fish (best snorkeling towards the south near the lava rock outcrop). A wonderful family beach.

Nice beach. Limited parking. Lots of shade. Saw wildlife. We saw a turtle about 20 yards from shore and a very colorful eel.

A couple of days ago my husband and I were trying to decide between Hapuna Beach and this one...boy I'm glad I chose this little beauty. Gorgeous blue water and lots of shade if you need it. I kept reading the best snorkling was on the North side of the cove, but the water was just choppy enough to make the slog over there unappealing. Fear not! There are loads of fish along the rocks sticking out from the middle of the beach, including several large puffer fish (just be safe and keep an eye out for the rocks when the water is choppy). It's $5 to park in the lot (free if you're a Hawaiian resident), but it's worth it.

Also known as Mike Marker 69 Beach, this beach is wonderful! The trees provide natural shade, so that you don’t even need an umbrella to protect you from the sun! The water feels great. They have bathrooms! Lovely! Highly recommend!

Honestly, it's a beautiful little spot but I hate the fact that it now has a paved access road and parking lot. Only because it used to be so secluded and private, never more than a couple dozen people on the beach. Now it's a circus every day. I never go there anymore.

Gorgeous beach with lots of trees with low branches providing shade. The coral reef is centered more to the center of the beach. The waves were a bit strong, but we saw some fish close to the reefs. The showers have warm water which was very pleasant. Lots of people were floating in the water versus snorkeling!

I was quite shocked at how average this beach was. Hapuna Beach up the road was better but I still don't think it is worth the $5 entry fee. Had it been free to visit I probably would have said if you are in the area looking to kill time and go for a swim then go and check out Hapuna Beach and Beach 69 but I wouldn't pay for the pleasure - again...

There are a lot of nice, free, beaches to visit in the area so why would you pay $5 to visit these beaches, particularly Beach 69 which is tiny! Head to A'bay or the fishponds and beach area at Mauna Lani - much nicer and free!

This beach worked well for my wife who like shade. The beach appears to be set up in zones, north for the kids, mid point for those who plan to stay for the day and the south end where the locals hang out. the beach itself is not wide, but there is plenty of shade, restrooms, showers, etc. The water does get deep fairly quickly,but it is generally safe. There are a few rope swings, and we saw people boogy boarding. We also went to Hapuna Beach and Spencer Beach. those were nice as well, but give this one a try. It is not clearly marked off the highway. Look fore a green sign that says Puako, 1 mile and turn Makai to find it.

We spent our last day on the Big Island swimming and snorkeling at this incredibly beautiful beach. Lovely white sand made for an easy entry into the water for snorkeling. Both sides of the beach are good for seeing loads of fish, great coral formations, and even the occasional sea turtle. This is a fantastic place to learn to snorkel since the entry is so easy. There's even a little rocky island close in for beginners to snorkel around. A real plus was the shade provided by the trees along the beach. Full facilities here for showering, changing, etc. Lots of families with kids. $5.00 fee for parking, and it's totally worth it. Highly recommended for a wonderful day at the beach.

Sheltered bay, so waters are usually quieter here. Sea turtles frequent the rocks in the center section, and the coral gardens behind those rocks, and to the northern end both have good coral and fish live. My wife went from snorkeling novice to having to drag her out of the water. Oh - did I mention the sea turtles? We saw at least 1 on every snorkel we did here (7 different times)

My cousin and I came hear about an hour before sunset on our first full day to the Big Island. We were originally going to swim at Hapuna Beach but the gate attendant told us to come here instead. I am so glad she did. If you pay at Hapuna you do not need to pay again at this beach. There is no one working here to collect money buy a pay station box. There are bathrooms and showers. The showers did not work the first day we were here. We decided on our last day on the island we would come back to this beach, and we did. What a great place. Lots of shade and white sand. Many people were snorkeling. The showers worked the day we left. Good think because we washed our hair before heading to airport! This by far was my favorite place. If I went here again I would spend more time at this beach.

Beach reviews to me all depend on whether you like to bake in the sun or like shade. I prefer shade, and this beach has it, with many great places to set up a little area for yourself and the family. If you like baking, you can do that too. The snorkeling was great, the reef is beautiful with tons of fish. Beach is very close to parking, so no super long hauls with snorkel gear, chairs etc. It was a great place to spend an afternoon.

Used to be a great beach before they built the parking area . Now it is truly packed most days. Say hello to Neil Young if you see him stroll by.

Every time we go to the Big Island we go to this beach. It is pretty quiet/not so crowded. We pack a cooler, bring some towels, chairs and snorkeling equipment. It is so relaxing and the blue water is amazing. Love this beach!

Beautiful beach with plenty of shade and good snorkeling. We saw turtles, parrot fish, etc. it was the first snorkeling experience for my 7 year old and he had a blast! Water was crystal clear, even on a windy day.

If you go to a beach and theres rubbish everywhere and you dislike it, then why not grab a bag or something and fill it up!!! Maybe if everyone did this there wouldnt be so much rubbish. Not much help to complain and not actually take any to the bins! Did you just walk away empty handed debbie m?

Great snorkeling here. Entry is a bit rocky so plan on wearing water shoes with your fins. We swam out with our 7 yo in full snorkel gear and were blessed to see 2 turtles, many large reef fish and some small eels too. We entered in the rockier part of the beach and swam out to the left along/around the rocky reef which is where we saw all the ocean creatures noted.

It was windy the day we were there but the surf didn’t seem as affect here as it can get on some of the more long stretch beaches below this area.

Note the fee: $10 vehicle parking fee and $5 per person. Pay at the kiosk. And there was an attendant at the kiosk the day we went and she said it’s staffed now as of June 1st since people weren’t paying the fee. But upside is there’s a lot of parking, it’s an easy walk from the lot to beach, showers outside to rinse off were warm and bathrooms decent too. A good spot for sure!

While in Hawaii we snorkeled at KoOlina in Oahu but there were few fish, we went on a snorkel boat tour on the big island and got sea sick, and we found Beach 69, which we loved. We snorkeled there twice, each time comfortable with the surf and rocks that support a great reef! We saw turtles, puffer fish, and parrotfish, plus many more. We loved that it was not busy and there was shade! We loved this beach!!!

One of the most beautiful beaches in the world!!! Boogie board, drift on the waves, walk and swim with honu yoga on the beach! All amazing!

We rented a house on this beach and were treated to some wonderful waves one day (great for boogie boarding) then calm waters other days, beautiful snorkeling in the morning (I think the snorkeling here is amazing), white sand, clear water, safe gently sloping beach for the kids. There is shade and people tend to be relaxed.

Recommended to us, and we would pass on the recommendation, snorkelling was a bit choppy depending on the waves, but lots of fish and a good variety. Beach was much better at hapuna just a few hundred yards away, so we often combined the two.

Such a beautiful, peaceful beach. Just the image you picture when you think of Hawaii. Easy parking, small fee of $5.00 for the entire day, cash or card. Sandy beach, with a swimming and snorkeling area. Was not crowded at all during our visit, the rocky area was great for snorkeling and seeing fish with a large area to the right without rocks that is good for swimming, with sandy beaches and trees for shade. Bathrooms and outside shower between beach and parking lot. Great alternative to the busy beach resort areas.

Beautiful spot with bathroom facilities and parking - easy to get from parking to a place to sit and watch waves and whales - if I were traveling with someone with challenges getting around, this would be a great stop. This is not a big sandy sit all day under your umbrella beach - more of a climb on the rocks and watch waves crash beach - at least at high tide in January. The major attraction was the whales - visible spouting and rolling in the distance. Locals we talked to said sometimes they come in closer, but even at half a mile or more, they're pretty spectacular - and given the cost of whale watches, seeing them for free on your own schedule is pretty great. Didn't use the facilities, but they're there.

I like to spend the whole day here in the shade of the trees, swimming and swinging on the rope... lunch and sunset.

Locals told us this would be a good place to snorkel and it was. We arrived mid to late morning and the water was clear and calm. We enjoyed surface snorkeling near a rocky area and were amazed at all the fish we were able to see without venturing far from the shore. After we had been there a while the water started to get rough and we knew it was time to quit. There are excellent shade trees on the beach and though the beach was fairly crowded, we were able to find a place in the shade to set up our chairs. There are outdoor showers for rinsing off and the restrooms were pretty decent.

While not a stereotypically "perfect" beach like Hapuna which is just to the north, this beach is much more quaint. The beach has trees that produce great shade coming down almost to the water's edge, meaning you can spend the whole day there without getting too hot or getting badly burned. The beach is sandy and great for playing in the low surf and swimming. To both the north and the south of the beach, there are interesting reefs which provide lots of fish to see while snorkeling. Over the two days we spent here, we probably spent 6 hours snorkeling in these waters and were never bored. Lots of different fish to see, some in large schools and some species were larger than those we had seen at other spots.

Locals seem to frequent this beach and bring their kids to play. It seems like a great beach to bring children, and the surf was never very high while we were there.

The beach has washrooms, showers, change rooms, and water fountains.

We had a great visit to Waialea Beach (beach 69). We missed the pole sign but ended up there just the same by following the state park road to the southern end where you will find the parking lot, change rooms and showers. We were lucky enough to visit on an overcast day when there was virtually no one there, and even sighted a large manta ray while snorkeling. The manta ray did not stick around long, but it made our teenagers day.

My partner, two daughters, and I spent two blissful days at this beach. Get there early and grab a spot in the ample shade before the parking lot gets full and other tourists show up.

The waves can be high enough for young children to buggy board, but not too high to prevent swimming. My partner and I also snorkeled and found a few turtles and plenty of tropical fish in the coral reef about 30 meters from shore. There is definitely better snorkeling out there, but it's tricky to find a beach with something for everybody.

There are toilets and a rinse shower near the parking lot, but no other services. We packed our lunches and brought plenty of water so we could spend a full day. Parking was $5 and well worth it to not have to shlep your stuff too far.

This beach is part of the Hapuna Beach State Park and your entrance fee will be good for both parks. Waialea is interesting as you can find a secluded spot on the sand with trees around you or you can choose to be in more rocky areas or just on the open beach. We enjoyed our time here at what was a pretty empty beach at 10am. We walked the stretch, climbed around the rocky areas, and laid out to sun for awhile. On this day though, the waves were tumbling some pretty good size rocks and the people that were there were all staying out of the water. So, nice location, but if you are on a vacation calendar like us, we moved on to check the action elsewhere.

We loved every beach we went to in Hawaii for different reasons, but this was our favorite! We visited in June with small children and this beach is just incredibly family friendly. The water was so gentile and clear. There are interesting twisted, gnarled trees that grow close to the water that provide great shade to set up under for the day and you're literally 15 feet from the water. The sand was perfectly soft and silky! Our kids loved to play on the trees and we could set towels and gear on them to keep them out of the sand. It felt nice to let our older kids play in the water, knowing we were set up and watching from so close by. The snorkeling was just okay, other beaches were better for that. This was the only beach we visited where we were required to pay to park, but we paid it again because it was so perfect for our family!

Great beach! It was our favorite of the Big Island. Perfect for just relaxing on the beach or snorkeling.

Great beach to end vacation! Visited this beach as was close to the resort we were staying in for the week. Different than most beaches I have visited. Definitely different than the Jersey shore. Warm water (salty though) and super soft sand! Ocean floor a bit rough as my foot kept knocking into stones and lava. Great trees for some shade and provided some privacy.

Arrived at the beach around 4pm and left just before sunset (6:10pm). It became more crowded over the 2 hours but not overly so.

Cost $5 for non-Hawaii visitors. Facilities available.

Will visit again!

This was my favorite beach on the Big Island. Having lived in the Caribbean, I am picky about beaches and prefer a smaller, private feel with plenty of shade and blue water. This beach matches my desires with trees canopied right up to the water's edge, a gentle slop, a bay cove to keep the swells/waves down, a rugged outcropping of rocky points on each end - just a very tropical feel. The few others there had a good vibe and everyone was just so relaxed. I could have napped on this beach - or read a book all day. Bring a cooler and plan to stay - this is THE ONE!

My daughter wanted to visit a sandy beach. There was plenty of parking. We got lucky and did not have to pay $30 ($10 per vehicle and $5 per person) due to the broken ticket dispenser. We spent approximately 2 hours here. We swam, skipped rocks, sunbathed, and took a nap. There were plenty of trees to provide shade on a warm day. This beach was not crowded, and worthy of a visit. There were no snorkelers, divers, or surfers here, just couples and families playing in the surf or lounging on the sand. The beach, shower, and restrooms were all clean.

If you like seafood, visit the Seafood Bar and Grill nearby (before or after the beach).

I dont know Way but we had this fantastic Beach nearly for ourselves. Exelent snorkling and no current. We Will be back.

Not as crowded as Hapuna Beach (just a mile away) and even more beautiful. It's secluded and is great for snorkeling. Don't expect a lot from the restrooms, but you're there for the beach.

This is actually part of the Hapuna Beach park. It had a lovely sand beach, plenty of shade, and the best snorkeling that we experienced. (Our adult children said the Place of Refuge had better snorkeling, but it required walking over rocks to get to it, and they thought I'd have trouble with that part.)

We've been to this beach before and enjoyed its laid back atmosphere. But this was the first time we went snorkeling and we really enjoyed it! We followed the shoreline rocks to the North/right and saw turtles, as well as good fish and coral. After a break we snorkeled the middle of the bay around the rocks. Even better! TIP: the water is clearer in the early morning and when calm.

Our Top not to be missed Big Island beach picks
1. Mauna Kea beach/Kauna'oa -- Blue Ocean, Soft Sand
2. Hapuna -- Just WOW
3. Kahalu'u /South Alii -- Snorkeling & turtles too
4. Mahai ule bay/ Kekaha Kai Beach Park --Ahhh Nice Beach
5. Manini owali/ Kua Bay -- Amazing azure blue water
6. Honanaunau. -- No beach just good snorkeling
7. Maka lawena short walk across lava path/ Swim, Snorkel, Sun bathe
8. Beach 69 - Soft golden sand, good snorkeling
9. Kikuau -- Sun Swim Shade good facilities
10. Wawaloli Beach Park /natural Energy Lab -- Best place to watch big waves

Beautiful, low-key beach just north of Waikoloa, with incredible snorkeling scenery.

Pros: great snorkeling, tons of shaded area, not too crowded, stunningly beautiful protected bay.

Weaknesses: very narrow beach (so not ideal if you're looking for a traditional, wide and sandy beach for laying-out); mostly rocky entry into the water (again, not ideal for the day-at-the-beach body-surfing experience).

If you want good snorkeling, and a low-key, shaded experience to relax, this beach is ideal.

Note that there is a self-service kiosk to pay for parking, but you can use this parking payment to also visit Hapuna beach (just a 3-5 minute drive down the access road). Hapuna beach is a great companion to Waialea Beach, as Hapuna is the traditional wide, sandy, body-surf beach.

lots of trees up to the shore, so you get plenty of shade.
very pretty
nice snorkel around the rocks

My husband and I spend quite a bit of time on the Big Island and really love this beach. It is quiet, offers both sun and shade and has bathrooms, showers, etc. Parking is $5 for non-residents. Snorkeling here is great. If the surf is high, it can be a bit murky but there is still plenty to see. The reef is in good shape and all sorts of fish, octopus, and turtles are easy to see. The road from the highway to the beach is narrow, so proceed slowly.

Great for little kids, calm almost flat water, trees provide plenty of shade. Other reviews state waves, not our experience when we visited in November 2015. Lots of fish to see, got a great video of a turtle rising to the surface

Beach 69 is a really cool beach due to all its lava rock formations and plentiful trees, some with ropes attached so you can swing into the ocean. If you go on a weekday, you can set down under a shady tree and enjoy this striking, beautiful beach. There are only a few areas good for swimming though. On the weekend it can get crowded which is a problem due to not a lot of room to swim nor to put your stuff down, so if the parking lot seems jammed, you may want to save your $5 for another day.

This was recommended to us by a local. It's a beach with shade and is nice to sit during the day as well as watch the sunset. Very much worth checking out!

This was a super busy beach, but we had a wonderful time. Great to see people from all around the world. Beautiful water and very clean white sand. The waves were perfect for boogie boards, little kids up to full grown men were enjoying it. This is more of an activity beach than a resting one.

69s Beach was our 2nd favorite beach on the big island. It isn't very big but it is secluded due to the beautiful trees growing over the sand and into the water. It creates private little areas where couples or families can hang out without people right beside them. There are rocks 100 yards out that provide decent snorkeling. On the north end of the beach it is beautiful sand with little rocks and is protected so it is ideal for families with small children. Highly recommend this beach for a day's outing.

Yes! So rare to find! This is a beautiful little beach with both. No signs, so thank you fellow reviewers or we would have never known. We spent two lovely days enjoying this beach. A real gem!

This small beach has some unique lava rock formations and trees. The trees will give you shade and natural privacy. There were a lot of people stand up paddling and boogie boarding.

This is a smaller beach with many shaded areas. Nothing too out of the ordinary to discuss, but worth a visit if you are a beach enthusiast. There is a fee for this beach, I think $5, but I'm not sure how strictly this is monitored as there was no attendant on duty when I was there, and you just pay an automated machine at the beach entrance near the bathrooms.

I believe that paying admission at this beach grants you free access to other local beaches for the same day, so if you visit another beach in the same day, ask the attendant about that before paying again, just in case!

As a very pale person, this has been one of my favorite beaches on the Big Island-Kona side so far! There are these wonderful little nooks created by trees your group can sit in for a little privacy and shade. We also found the waves to be calmer here than other Kona-Side beaches, which was nice for those of us that just wanted to swim vs. riding the waves. There is an outdoor shower here to get off sand before heading out. There are also bathrooms for changing.

Really, this beach has it all: sand, shade, rocks/coral/fish. The best snorkeling is to the north and south, and sandy swimming in the middle. Not as many turtles as areas further south along Puako Beach Road, but you will likely see one if you spend an hour in the water where there are rocks to feed on. Cost is $5 for non-residents to park, but the machine is currently broken.

Just a beautiful, family friendly beach. Trees for shade, few, if any, waves, snorkeling opportunities - very close to resorts near Waikaloa. I think only. $5 fee - a definite for families with small kids.

Smaller and quieter than Hapuna Bay but just as lovely a place to swim. Some nice white sand but also some rocky areas where people were snorkeling. Not sure what they were seeing as we didn't have our equipment with us.

One thing I really like is that there are trees and shade very close to the water. I am on a drug that makes me very sensitive to the sun. At this beach, I could be close to my wife and friends who were still in the water after I came out.

There was plenty of parking when we were there. It costs $5, is good for the whole day and is also good at Hapuna, Spencer Bay and other nearby beaches.

It's SO beautiful here. Plenty of shade. Wonderful snorkeling. Bathroom and shower facilities. The best days in Hawaii are always spent here.

We went to the beach for a couple hours this morning. It was quiet and relatively secluded. The only problem: there are many pebbles in the ocean, so walking 2-5 feet away from shore is difficult on one’s feet. There aren’t any big waves here.

Out of the several beaches we visited while on the Big Island, this was our favorite. It has nice facilities, clear water, calm surf and an abundance of beauty. Even those in our group who aren't fond of the ocean enjoyed taking pictures and walking the shore.

It did get crowded as the morning went on, so I recommended getting here early (no later than 8am) to experience the solitude. It truly felt like a deserted island...

Beach 69 is a fabulous beach. It has plenty of trees near the water so you don't have sit in the sun. It's not nearly as crowded as Kua Bay and Hapuna. Most of the people on the beach are locals. There are changing facilities. Many people leave during the day and head to nearby eateries like Cafe Presto and bring back lunch to the beach.

It took us a while to figure out how to get here. You go to Hapuna and then instead of going into the parking lot you keep heading south on a narrow hilly paved kinda road. Eventually you get to 69's. It's funky because it seems like it's popular with the locals but we certainly didn't experience any kind of locals only vibe. It'sjust not that easy to find unless you know where it is. Tourists are not going to just stumble across it. It's scenic in it's own out-of-the-way charm. The waterline is sprinkled with lava outcroppings and whatnot. And there's plenty of trees back behind the beach for shade. And the beach is kind of in sections, like a section here to lay out or over there because of the rocks in the water. Here's the thing though you REALLY have to know what you're doing if you go in the water. There's HEAVY rip everywhere. And it's crazy rip like it'll pull you in different ways at the same time. I saw a kid on a body board ride a short wave until it closed out then catch another wave going in a DIFFERENT direction! SO, unless you're really comfortable with your water knowledge stay on the beach and get some sun. I just kind of stood in WAIST high water and had to use the INCOMING rip to stay in place! And lots of lava rocks on the bottom, ouch if you're not careful. Real pretty place, very much a plain ol' regular Big Island chill spot.

Great beach and good snorkelling! 2step might be a little better but if your staying up north this is much closer.

Don't tell anyone .....this is a great beach. Repeat don't tell anyone..so will be less crowds. There is a small island off the beach that offers great snorkeling and coral reef.

This beach is a great spot. The trees give it a completely different feel that you don't get at other beaches. There is a ton of shade and some snorkeling. Nice for kids.

We did not spend a lot of time here, just a park and walk. There are so many good beaches in Kohala and we only had 5 days. The $5 parking pass from Hapuna is good here so you do not have to pay twice. This beach is very scenic with lots of trees, alive and dead, and black lava and golden sand. Lots of families. The trees provide good shade and help separate people. I found it more interesting than the main Hapuna beach.

Bob's snorkel pointed us to this beach as we were first time snorkelers and had some in our group not interested in snorkeling. We had such a good time we came back the next day too! Parking pay station machine was broken - but the beach was clean and had a nice mix of other families and others snorkeling. Some shade which made it delightful even for people who were not in the water.

A cool "pocket" beach park on Kona and one of the areas where they have alot of white sand versus the black lava along most of the Kona side shore.

This little beach is a nice area with trees for shade, cool rocks with tropical fish for snorkeling, bathrooms and shower. Yes there is a $5 parking fee for visitors, it goes towards upkeep so it's like you are participating in keeping the place beautiful. Water clear and crisp. Makes for a nice beach day.

This beach offers great shade, nice teal blue water, snorkeling areas (we did not do but saw many undertaking). My family and I prefer this beach over Hapuna Beach (North on Old Puko Rd). Be sure to make this your FIRST stop while in the vicinity. Short walk from the parking lot (which is not very big). Great relaxing area. To the right of the entrance the water seems calmer for little swimmers adjacent to the rocks, to the left of the down white tree the water constantly crashes on the shore line and can easily erode your footing (but gentle). There is a little rocky area to take little kids to soak their feet, look at crabs and few stray fishes. Overall offers something for everyone.

Note: Make this your first stop on your way to Hapuna you won't regret it. Very intimate feel of nature.

This isn't comparing apples to oranges, this is the Kona side of the island of Hawai'i, where sand beaches reachable by the general public can be counted on two hands. Several of those are crowded or require a substantial hike over hot lava trails. The guy who whined that water came up under the trees so there was no shade did not check a tide chart. Yes, much of the beach is awash at high tide, but for several hours each side of that moment, there is a lot of sand and shade under the overhanigning trees. And the visitor who suggested that he thought you could just skip the $5 parking fee probably dumped his empty Longboard bottles in the trash and used both the bathrooms and showers before he left. Thanks, come again any time, cheapskate. I'm coming to your house for a shower next time I'm in East Podunk. Sorry for the snark, but this is my favorite beach and I'm loathe to rave on it too much that I can't find a ($5) parking place next time I visit. Aloha

Great beach and great snorkeling. The scenery is awesome! It is what you think of when you think of a tropical beach

This beach is fairly small, but it has everything! There is sun and there is shade. There is silky sand bottom for swimming in the middle and there are rocks and corals on both sides that make for amazing snorkeling. The only downside, is that there is not a whole lot of sand surface, especially at high tide, so the beach can get crowded. On weekdays in November it was never a problem though.

The beach is well protected, so it is less windy and has smaller waves than others around (such as the main Hapuna beach that's one mile to the North).

This beach is technically in Hapuna park, but to locals and to Google Maps it is known as "Beach 69". There is a small parking lot off of Old Puako Road, where it cost $5 to park all day. The parking machine takes cash and cards.

I'm only going to repeat what others said. Great beach, good snorkelling, and LOTS of shady places to sit. The parking lot is small so the beach never got really packed. Will definitely be our go to spot.

Plenty of parking, bathrooms, showers and life guards. Area of shade. Its perfect. And if your there early in the year the whales might put on a show like they did for us.

This is a smaller beach south of the much larger Hapuna. It has quite a few rocks but a nice spot with a lot of shade.

Out of the way sandy beach with a good snorkeling reef, and easy ingress and egress. The beach is divided into many different alcoves of relative privacy. Sandy beaches are hard to find on this island, but this is one of them. $5 to park if the machine is working. Showers and restrooms (not outhouses). Mornings are better for snorkeling visibility.

This spectacular beach was my favorite of our two week vacation, both for snorkeling and just relaxing. Lovely white sand entry to the water. Downed trees along the back of the beach make shady alcoves, almost little private pockets of beach, all day. Plenty of room out on the beach for sun-worshippers, though. About 30 yards out in the bay there is a lava pile, creating a circular coral reef area quite close in and very easy for the beginning snorkelers or the young. Both ends of the bay have coral reefs too, you can't go wrong here. We went back three times during the two weeks. We saw turtles twice. I cannot come up with anything to criticize about this beach. Not as long and broad as Hapuna or Mauna Kea, more intimate, but plenty big enough to have fun in and out of the water. Bathrooms are typical beach bathrooms, there is an outdoor shower. Small parking lot, though. We were there before 11a all three days, and there was plenty of room, but by the time we left cars were waiting for others to leave. Small fee for non-residents to park. If you like beaches, this one is a must-go.

Spent the day snorkeling. What a hidden jem.
The beach is lined with huge trees that provide lots of shade but also has lots of sun to get that Hawaian tan.
Both ends are sandy and calm with the beach in between very rocky. The ends are great for those that just want to swim and play in the sand and gor those that just want to float and watch the fish go by. The rocky parts are great for finding all the colorful fish. We saw all kinds of beautiful fish and other marine life.
An added bonus they have picnic tables (we brought sandwiches and ate before hitting the beach), bathrooms and outdoor showers.
Lots if parking but there is a $5 parking fee that you pay as you enter via a payment machine that takes exact change or also accepts credit cards. Once you pay it gives you a ticket to put on your dash.
Great day at the beach.

Soft sand, nicely shaded beach. Not big so get there early. Nothing to buy so bring your own food and drink, chairs and bogey boards

Beach 69 is a little hidden gem. It is located off the beaten path but has a free parking lot and facilities. The beach is small but not very crowded as Hapuna Beach catches the crowd right down the street. Drive past Hapuna Beach to where the road turns to a one lane poorly blacktopped road and its about 1 mile. The beach has a lot of shade for those not wanting to sit in the sun for a full day.

The first glimpse of turquoise water beyond gnarled trees is a hint of how exceptional this small bay is. In April, the large coral bed at the south end of the bay was best for snorkeling; surf was crashing on the beach at the north end. We've been there in Nov. when conditions were the opposite, so compare both sections before settling in! Early in the day is calmest. Turtles are usually in this water, sometimes nibbling at coral beds in fairly shallow water. $5 day use fee for non-residents (machine accepts credit cards).

We were told by locals that this is the beach to go to with small children. They were right! A beautiful beach with lots of shade to relax under. There is a $5 charge to park. There are also showers and bathrooms. The shoreline does have a few rocks but there are places that are sandy for the little ones. Snorkeling is great as well. Something for the whole family.

Bring some thing to drink and your beach chair. Hanging out under the beautiful trees literally feet away from the surf.

The snorkeling was pretty good, saw turtles, lots of multi colored tropical fish and coral.

Great for the day. Soft sand and some rocks off shore.

No BBQ on beach though.
This is the dry side of the island.

We have been to Beach 69 several times now and it remains our beach of choice. There are a ton of trees that give plenty of shade to those like me with a tendency to burn rather than tan. The trees form dividing "rooms" of sorts that makes everything feel a bit more private and less crowded. Although there is plenty of beautiful sand to frolic in, there are also areas of lava and coral if you are a snorkeler. My children reported a bunch of colorful fish to be seen.

There is a $5 fee to park here if you aren't local, which isn't a big deal and I'm happy to pay. Just be forewarned that at least one of the folks that cares for the machines has a less than friendly attitude. *ahem*. We had just walked up to the machine and she was standing in front with her key in it and fully acted like we were trying to steal. Have a snickers lady.

Other than the surly staff, the beach is fantastic. We plan on spending many more hours relaxing and playing here!

We have stopped in to visit beaches all along this shore and this one is our favorite. Lots of shade, areas for easy access into the water and good snorkeling. Restrooms where you can change and an outside shower to get the sand off! Beautiful water.

Good snorkeling, calm waters to swim in, good tree shade and beach access. Showers and bathrooms. parking is 5$. Get there early if you can.

We spent a morning at this beach. We were looking for some nice shady trees to sit under when we weren't in the water enjoying the snorkeling. $5 parking fee as it's a state beach. Well worth it.

It is worth visitors having to pay $5 for parking- that money helps maintain the showers and bathrooms, etc.
My family favorite because of the shade trees- be careful to not get kiawe tree thorn in your feet- very common and not deadly. Great snorkel beach, picnic tables available, occasional wedding takes place here. It our little get away and has great sunsets. NO LIFEGUARD so don't swim out beyond the bay.

Great beach. Has picnic tables around. Trees too so there is shade available. We were there on a Saturday at sunset for a wedding & it was a gorgeous setting. We returned later & my wife snorkeled

This is a gorgeous beach with shade and great snorkeling, but unfortunately someone stole our backpack while we were snorkeling and after reporting this to the Hawaii police department and the local park personnel we found out 3 other families reported having their bags stolen the same day at different times. I advise not leaving anything of value unattended on this beach even for a quick dip in the water.

When I say "fantastic" I am referring to a nice combination. Surf, shade, snorkeling are all very nice at this beach. So there is something for everyone.

Snorkeling is very good straight out and to the left hand side (beyond the fallen tree). Frolicking in the water, boogie boarding is best to the right. The area is smaller than Hapuna but there is something for everyone here.

Beautiful small white sand beach with calm, clear water and good snorkeling. Nearby trees provide shade and a sense of sanctuary. There is now a 5$ parking charge charge for non-residents, which you can pay by credit card at the "parking box." I am told they can tell visitors by the license plate number on the rental car, so don't cheat! Besides, this such a small price for such beauty and the well-maintained facilities.

A nice beach for snorkeling but too rocky to be a beach to play in. Was slightly crowded on the weekend that we went but was nice to have shade.

Locals call this Beach 69. That's because of the number on a utility pole, OK? Yes, this beach did once also have a reputation as a nude beach (nude beach does not equal sex), but those days are long past.

Some of the great things about this out-of-the-way beach are the abundance of shade under the trees that line the beach and the usually gentle waves, making it popular for families with keiki (children).

Be aware that there is an apparently honor-system parking fee for non-residents of Hawaii. It's not clear how that's enforced, but just do the right thing and keep Tūtū Pele happy.

I visited Waiakea beach after having been to both Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches. It's not a typical wide sandy beach, but there is abundant shade which is great because it was really hot when we were there. It's rocky in some spots and sandy in others, but the water was a gorgeous blue with gentle waves coming in. If you like to snorkel start at the most Northern rock wall and head towards the sea arch and you will find some nice reefs and abundant fish in less than ten feet of water. The beach is part of the Hapuna state park so you have to pay 5 bucks but there is a nice bath house with showers outside to rinse the sand off after your visit. So if you want shade and don't care that there's not a wide sand area (overrated after walking across long HOT sandy beaches and burning my feet like at Hapuna) then this is a great choice for you.

This is a great beach for snorkeling. The trees all over the beach and the rocks were beautiful. There is one part of the beach that did not have a lot of rocks which would be good for kids. The showers had a lot of bees when we were there, so bring epi pens if you are allergic (just in case). Parking is $5 honor system unless you're a HI resident.

Great beach, good calm water with some snorkeling. Best part was there was plenty of open beach to get some sun and lots of shady areas if you did not. Bring a picnic and stay the day. The parking area is small, 25-40 cars so get there before 11am.

If you want a break from the hotel beaches this is a great place. Also, if it is windy and waves are higher, this beach tends to stay calmer

My wife and I snorkel a lot, had tried Puako Bay and found a lot of brown coral and not too many fish. We came to Waialea to look and thought it probably would be the same as Puako with regard to the fish/coral etc. However it turned out to have a lot of fish, particularly parrot fish and angel fish, yet a variety was seen. Best to go to the south end around the "island" of rocks and over to the south end of the bay. Plus you have to go out more than 25 yards or so to get past the silty water from the sand. If you want to swim or lay out there is a nice sandy beach with some shade from overhanging trees. We went on a Sunday and there were lots of people yet plenty of room for all and we did not feel crowded. Parking is plentiful and there are bathrooms and outdoor rinse yourself off type showers. We plan to go back.

Recently visited this beach for the first time and loved it! Plenty of shady areas, picnic tables, not crowded, calm water for swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding, beautiful scenery, perfect! And please respect the $5 parking fee, as it seems to be on the 'honor system'. As a tourist, I don't mind paying to park at some of the beaches because it's used to keep them clean and maintained for our use. We saw plenty of cars pull in behind us, unload their stuff, and walk right past the pay box...so disrespectful. If you can afford to travel to Hawaii, then you can afford a measly $5 parking fee. Aside from that, pack a cooler, bring a book, and relax for the day on one of the nicest beaches on the island. Aloha!

we spent a few hours at this lovely beach! white sand, plenty of shade (even close to the water) due to the trees. snorkeling was OK the day we went, but we used it as a day to practice with our newly rented equipment, and just enjoy the beautiful water and beach.

clean restrooms were a plus and that along with the clean beach was worth the small parking fee.

Will visit again, next time we're on the Big Island.

Of all the beaches that I've visited on the Big Island, Beach 69 has become my favorite. It has easy access over paved roads and a great parking area. The parking kiosk even takes credit cards for the $5 visitor fee. Walking past the substantial restrooms and shower area, an incredible scene of liquid blue and inviting sand beckons through the parting veil of beach evergreens, and I feel like I've come home. The water was crystal clear, and shady areas beckoned on the golden sand. Snorkeling was fantastic! I swam with a turtle, saw a ray below, and a school of non threatening Big fish swam by us twice! The coral was fascinating and of course the colorful circus of Hawaii's marine life was very entertaining, It amazes me that except for minor squabbles all of the thousands of fish seem to get along- no one eats another fish! I felt very safe snorkeling and look forward to my next visit.

This beach is smaller than Happuna, but it didn't feel crowded. Indeed the families and couples
enjoying the beach just added to my own contentment. A truly special and beautiful spot!

We spent a week on the big island finding things to do. This beach was recommended since I wanted a beach that I could walk into the ocean. This is a very clean area and beach. It's very family friendly with a lot of shade. The snorkeling was ok, but not as good as other beaches we visited. I would definitely visit this beach. I would bring a beach chair unless you want to lay flat on the sand.

We visited this beach after we've been to Hapuna and Mauna Kea, and this is our favorite.
Here are our reasons:
1. It's gorgeous. The rocks, trees and dead wood make for greate scenery and photos.
2. Clear, calm water for swimming.
3. Great corals and fish right off the shore.
4. Trees for shade, climbing on and swinging from.
5. Easy access.

Perfect.

My son and I went snorkling here and loved it. This place is not for beginners of snorkling! I loved the whole experience cause there are not a lot of people. The locals wish to be left alone but will talk to you and give some advice if you will listen. Like most of the Hawaiian beaches were some surf shoes or old tennis shoes cause the rocks will cut you like a knife. This has an old school vibe to it right down to a guy selling coconuts out the back of his truck chopping on them with his machete. My favorite part is that the trees grow down to the edge of the water. If I was 20 years younger I would take a date here. I am sure the locals won't care what goes on....

This is a beach to bring everything you might need for the day and settle in under the shade of the cabanas created by nature; the trees grow horizontally towards the water creating a canopy over the sand. If you want to sunbathe, just move out a bit. The snorkeling is perfect. We had turtles swimming under us, and up to us. If you fancy a break, go to the nearby Hapuna Prince Hotel for a sit down lunch; then come back for an afternoon nap under the trees. Perfect to sit and watch the kids and just relax. Paradise.

We came here after relaxing sometime at the hapuna beach. My husband tried to do some snorkeling here, but the water was rough and it was after 5. So we just enjoyed a nice romantic sunset. And the fun started afterward when we got ourselves locked out of the car :). So this beach is unforgettable for us!!!

This is actually one of the nicer beaches we visited, in that it's quite long and you can actually go for a beach walk here. Entry and exit to the water are relatively easy although I'd call the bottom gravel more than I'd call it sand. This entire trip, seas were moderately high making the surfers happy but not so much the rest of us, and at this beach that means somewhat murky water so the snorkeling was good but not great. I did see several turtles and a variety of fish, though, just not as clearly as I'd have liked. You have to pay for parking here, I think it was $5 for the day, not unreasonable, but that said, you'd think they could fix the permanent restrooms which sound like they've been out of order for a very long time, or at least empty the portables which were about as disgustingly full as they can get. Aside from that, there are plenty of shady spots to choose from and I'd happily visit this beach again.

Grab some snacks from Puako General Store, a mat, and your snorkelling gear and find a spot under a tree (note that there's lots of beach to the left of the entrance). You're going to have a great day. Perfect for early in your trip when you're susceptible to sunburn. Water shoes are a good idea (some entry areas are rocky) but not absolutely necessary.

This is one of the few white sand beaches on the big island. There are some rocks in the water. There is decent snorkeling around the large lava rock, where there is coral. As the day progressed, the water was too rough to snorkel. I did see a turtle, so I was jazzed. I enjoyed the trees that almost come up to the shoreline. It was nice not baking in the midday sun. The dead trees are bleach out, and make for lovely scenery, almost like stationary driftwood. The water can get pretty choppy, so be aware of that. Also, the road to get to the beach is a narrow secondary road. But, it is decently paved, but still take your time on it. This is my favorites beach on the island. If you are staying in Kona, it's about 40 minutes away. Bring supplies (food, water, etc,) as there is not much around.

Wailea has gone from undiscovered beach to County Park where parking costs 5 bucks, but it retains an unspoiled feel. There are good snorkeling opportunities in calm, dry conditions, but rain can cause cloudy water conditions, and a big swell can turn it from a swimming to a boogie-boarding destination.

In any case, the shady sandy margins provide a nice spot for a picnic.

Nice beach with cool trees and lots of fish. Better than Hapuna if you are just a few people. Lots of sun an shade places and its minutes from Hapuna.

My idea of a perfect beach,
No jet Skis or banana boats, No hotels or noisy bars
Just great sand, great water and lovely shady trees that wrap around giving you your own private area. Also quiet even on the busiest of days
Its half way around the world from us, but we would go again at a drop of a hat

White sand beach with plenty of shade from nearby trees. Great for swimming on both ends while the middle section is perfect for snorkeling safely within rocky terrain. Parking nearby in a lot and less crowded then some of the other larger beaches. Overall beautiful, relaxing, and worth exploring.

A local recommended this beach during my 10 day stay on the big island. I had fabulous snorkeling experience - saw a plethora of colorful fish, coral and even swam with sea turtles!
Bring everything you want/need/ there is nowhere to buy drinks, food, sunblock, etc.
There was plenty of sunny areas as well as shaded areas and plenty of parking. Restrooms were close by and clean.

My wife is very sun sensitive and this was her favorite beach due to the extensive shade it offers right next to the water. As a result there is not a wide swath of sand, but still enough to enjoy. When we were there the waves were perfect for swimming. Not quite breaking, but still enough action so you know you are in the ocean. Parking and access is good.

We stopped at this beach to cool off while driving around the island. It was a nice salt and pepper sand beach, which was unusual from most we had seen. The water entry was less rocky than we experienced at other beaches. We snorkeled a bit, but did not see anything. Clean restrooms and showers on site.

We discovered this beach by accident as we turned off earlier than we should have to go to Hapuna Beach Park. I actually thought they had re-paved the access road. But then when we arrived, it turned out to be a very lucky mistake. The parking lot is fairly small - maybe 40-50 cars maximum? But it was still empty enough at 11 am on a weekday. The restrooms and showers are a very short walk from the parking lot and the beach itself is another very short walk from there.

The nicest thing are the trees along the beach area. You can sit under a tree for shade and still be right on the beach. Or you can move up a couple of feet and be in the sun. There are some rocks (after all it IS the Big Island, the one with an active volcano...so a few rocks are expected). We brought floats and spent a lot of time just lounging in the water kicking enough to keep us relatively in one place.

We found a little niche among the trees and set up our chairs. The water was warm, and sandy with a gradual entrance into the water. Lots of keiki (young children) were playing in the water. I also saw a number of snorkelers who said it was a good spot to see fish (we hadn't thought to bring our masks).

Bring a cooler with waters and lunch - you will be all set!

Some Big Island beaches have no trees and no shade like Manini owali, and some are almost like a forest touching the sea : this is the case of the small scenic Waialea beach. Inside the Hapuna beach park, located but further south, with less tourist as without coast watch, the Waialea beach is a little jewel, beautiful and quiet.

We stopped in for some swimming, the surf was up and most beaches we visited were to rough to get in the water with snorkel gear, this beach is more protected, and the swimming was great, the water was not very clear however as the water was fairly bumpy. This beach seems very popular with the locals and that says a lot, sort of a hidden Jem, worth stoping in on any trip! There is a $5 fee for non-Hawaiian residents.

This is a sandy with some rocks. Nice shades areas to put down towels to make it a all day outing. Long beach, middle is more rocky with the sides being sandy. Waves not bad on the day we went.

This beach has phenomenal snorkeling! The waves were choppy, and the bottom was rocky, so some skill was helpful. We saw a huge variety of fish, likely die to it being a protected area. We have two teen boys that prefer the waves of Hapuna (your parking ticket covers both beaches), but it’s worth a stop.

$5 parking fee but the beach is beautiful. It's not very crowded and has plenty of shades for those who want to sit on the beach and enjoy a book. The water is clean and you can see some swimmers and people snorkeling. Bathroom and shower also available for convenience. The beach is also called beach 69.

Adjacent to Puako Bay is what has always been called 69 beach. It is reached by taking the first right turn on the road leading down to Puako. Paved parking, nice restrooms, and an idyllic beach with lots of available shade. The right side is easy-access for swimming while the left side has better snorkeling around a central island. Even though the parking lot may look full, the beach is never crowded. Highly recommended.

You can find a nice picnic spot if you get there early enough in the morning or go later in the afternoon. The surroundings are so pretty and just sitting there doing nothing was a very beautiful experience.

This is a very scenic beach that is very popular with locals as well as tourist. There is a daily parking fee of $5 for non-residents, there are bathroom, showers and changing facilities. There are no lifeguards but normally very safe swimming. There is a small island off the beach that offers great snorkeling and coral reef. It's a great place to introduce young kids to snorkeling as schools of fish are easily seen in less that 2 feet of water right off the beach. There is plenty of shade, very scenic, some picnic tables, definitely bring a cooler and plan to spend the day. Well worth trip from resorts.

We travel over 6,000 miles (from coastal VA) to spend a week or two on this beach whenever possible!!!!! We rent a home here now after our initial visit in 2007. Cheaper than renting a house at the Outer Banks in NC when we get free airfare (which we normally do). Colorful reef fish, moray eels, green sea turtles, and mantas all inhabit this beautiful small bay. Have rented a kayak elsewhere and stored it on the beach for a week and took morning excursions as the wind is calmer, water clearer, etc. We also have our own snorkel gear so this beach is practically perfect. Gorgeous sunsets in the evenings for martinis and small talk, and breathtakingly peaceful for morning coffee. The locals are usually friendly, but even though I have seen Neil Young on Highway 19 in his Linc Volt, I have not seen him here....I can only hope that I have experience at one point in my life. What a great excuse for many more future visits. And if you noticed, my TA photo was taken here!!!!!

This beach had soft white sand but I didn't care much for it. There is a fee to get in and there are prettier beaches that are free entry. If you like a lot of shade and trees it's ok but there were a lot of debris from the trees in the sand. It wasn't crowded at all when we went.

We stopped by this beach (known as Beach 69) in the afternoon and are so glad we stayed through sunset! It is absolutely gorgeous with white sand, huge trees and rocky outcroppings. It is small and you can swim, especially on the far end. It is next to better known Hapuna beach, so you can hit both in one day. A gem, don't miss it!! Avoid going on a weekend as I imagine it gets busy.

Came here to visit on our trip through the Big Island.

Stayed the full day and had a great time.

The beach is great and it was not that busy at all.
Coming early gives you the best spot.

Do not forget to pay for your parking ticket.

We loved the beach and will come back!

We turned off one road too soon looking for Hapuna Beach (coming from Kona) and found this beach which is part of Hapuna Park, but not Hapuna Beach. Hapuna beach is better for long stretches of sand, but this beach (if you go to the left from the parking lot) has lots of trees coming close to the water, so there is shade and lots of little private spots. A nice change form some of the other beaches on the island.

A secluded beach with good snorkelling and a backdrop of shady trees. Get there early because it gets crowded. Also water is calmer in the morning.

Lots of shade and rocky coast with easy sandy access to ocean. Great snorkling and wave playing. A nice alternative to Hapuna but not as many services available.

Fairly secluded scenic white sandy beach with plenty of shade tree options. This beach has become our top pick for most of our beach activities. When the bay is calm and the water is clear this place offers some of the best snorkeling to be found. Numerous fish species can be seen in or around the many rock outcroppings that are present. The shore break is not too bad allowing for such activities as swimming, floating, paddle boarding and kayaking. No lifeguard on duty.

Did not get to spend a whole day here but what I saw makes me want to come back! There were many fish and water entry was pretty easy which is not always true about Kona beaches with good snorkeling. Shade trees, bathroom, rinse shower and a few tables are here. Many local families as well as tourists, but it is spread out so it did not feel too crowded.

This place was really neat - it had plenty of shade and was definitely family friendly. There was just enough surf for a boogie board, but a little too much for snorkeling (as is to be expected in the winter).

You do have to pay to park here, as it is technically located in Hapuna Beach State Park. It is $5 for non-residents. However, the plus to this is that you can then drive up to Hapuna Beach itself and the pass will apply there, as well. Overall, a lovely beach that is not too crowded and has nice, soft sand.

Too much sand stirred up and a rocky shore can sneak up on you. Watch December weather closely before attempting! Nice locals and lovely Puako town will be a return for us.

They have a restroom, parking lot, and feet washing station. Lots of shade trees along the whole beach, and the sand was smooth (no rough pebbles to hurt your feet)

We found this beach on our last day on the island. Warm water, clean restrooms, and a shady spot to watch the water and people. This will be a place we return to!

The trees mean you won't burn and sweat all day plus they are gorgeous. There is awesome snorkeling and the warm, clear water makes you want to stay in all day for swimming. There were great bathrooms and showers, though no food available. We saw all sorts of fish and primarily snorkeled the northern portion of the cove and beyond the cove, though it was as good when we went to the center and south. This was the only place on Big Island that I saw a ray - a big one just swam past me, during the day. We didn't see turtles here, but endless varieties of fish and a few eels. We also had amazing snorkeling experiences at Keauhou and Honaunau.

The beach is kinda on the smaller side due to trees close to the shore but the shade is kinda nice and you’ll see some cool birds too. You can find sun if that’s what you want though and the snorkeling was great. Definitely check this one out.

It was a bit windy the day we went. Not great for snorkeling but did it anyways. Some fish visible. Founds some shells and about 10 pieces of sea glass in vaired colors (green, orange and clear). Plenty of trees to provide shade. Restrooms/changing rooms and shower to rinse off. When you walk down the path head to the left for picnic tables, to the right for a smaller cove/bay. Parking is $5 in a paved lot. Lots of space to spread out. Not overly busy.

This beach has just about everything you need. There are plenty of trees for shade, great snorkeling, and lots of sand for sunbathing. Bathrooms are clean and there is a large area for parking. We came with our kids a few years ago and this was their favorite beach so we decided to come again this trip.

Best beach in the area if you want to just hang out or snorkel. Lots of parking, but get there early, if you will be there during the weekend. Head down to the left if you want shade and a home base to snorkel. If just there for sun and sand, head to the right. Entry for snorkel is sand / rock (pretty easy) head out to the outcrop and swim around.

Fun beach..no waves so great for families. White sand..but a short drop through rocks at surf line. Lots of fish to see for snorkelers..and mellow current and waves so very family friendly. Restrooms out of order..portolets were available but no thanks ;) Great stop on trip to Kona side of island from Hilo.

69 beach is a state park, so you pay $5 to park. Parking is in and out, so you can go away and come back without paying again (according to the parking attendant--so ask to be sure)...

It is worth it. The beach is well maintained, there are lifeguards, and $5 is nothing after having flown all the way to Hawaii.

There was a lot of interesting snorkeling along the shore to the north of the beach. It can sometimes be choppy, but the coral formations and the shoreline are beautiful and going to 69 beach is always worth it.

It's much smaller than the sprawling Hapuna to the north, but you can go to both. Hit 69 in the morning and then go have lunch before heading to Hapuna.

The beach is nice and there is plenty of parking and restrooms. There are some rocky outcroppings that allow for some photography of the wave action. There is shade on the beach so you can get away from the sun a little.

We rented snorkeling equipment for under $20 for the day from Snorkel Bob's (highly recommend) and saw tons of fish at Waialea. There's some really interesting reef towards the north end of the beach, just make sure you lift your head and see where you are every so often, as it is easy to follow the fish waaaay out. We saw goatfish, wrasse, parrot fish, Moorish idols, a flounder, and the biggest pufferfish I've ever seen in both the spiny and non-spiny varieties. Only thing that kept it from a five star rating for me was that, being a smaller beach, it gets very crowded on shore (we went on a Friday afternoon).

This is one of our favorite beaches, because it has it all, white sand, great swimming and even some great snorkeling if you get there early in the morning before the waves pick up. Easy parking, restrooms, and showers. Over the years has gotten much more attention and is very crowded on weekend with tourists and locals.

I don't know where to start. The experience was Amazing. I'm not going to lie, I went there about 5 times and every time I liked it every time. The snorkeling is one of the best on the island. There is a turtle that hangs out there and is very gentle but big. Make sure not to touch the turtles because it is illegal and it can hurt them. Most of the time the water is clear and calm and you can see a lot. Other times though it can be rough. There is plenty of shade and many places to hang out. When you get into the water it is very rocky until you go out to a point that is not. My favorite activity is the big rope-swing. The rope-swing is really fun but if you don't know how it can be kind of hard to climb the tree. If you don't feel comfortable then I recommend you don't try it because it can hurt if you fall. When you swing perfectly it's so satisfying and addicting. There are also many climbing trees. A lot out of land and a lot in the water. At beach 69 (the name the locals call it because of the number on a utility pole) there is something for everyone!

Perfect little beach we found on our last day in the big island. There’s enough parking g in the lot and plenty of shade areas for our young boys. Didn’t even need to open the umbrella. TONS of fish snorkeling around the large rock right off the shore. Even saw two large tuna swim by. Perfect day to end our Hawaii trip!

This is a great beach for families and snorkeling! This beach offers shade, great snorkeling holes and not too many waves for the kids. Great spot!

This is a wonderful beach. It has a great sandy area for swimming and also several places for snorkeling. We have done both there. The big difference between Hapuna beach, right next to it, it the shade. Hapuna is all beach with very little shade, where 69ers has tons of places to sit under shade trees. The parking lot here is quite a bit smaller, so try to get there on the earlier side or you will be parking pretty far away.

Soft sand, relatively secluded, great snorkeling out at the point to the north. When you hit the beach after walking down from the parking lot (toilets and shower are there), turn right, walk until you hit the wall, and you are there. Warm water, families (locals and tourists), and just a great place to wile away a half day. Some shade if you need it, great sun if you want it.

Also known as beach 69. Includes toilets and showers. Slopes gently into the water. Nice swimming conditions. More used by locals. Has lots of trees giving nice shade. Also some residence at the back.

This was a great beach. So many interesting trees providing lots of shade. Great for making sand castles. Parking was 5$. Easy walk to the water. Snorkelling was okay. But we were there early afternoon and there wind really picked up, causing the water to be rough which made us leave earlier than we would have normally.

Nice useable beach, decent enough snorkelling, some shade to the back. Good facilities make this an easy choice for the day or a couple of hours. Parking charge.

I don't understand why a public beach would require non-residents to pay for parking. Only 1 parking lot.

Beach is nice and post card pretty. Not very big but seemed calm. About an hour from Kona.

Hard to pick out the favorites on a snorkel trip, but this beach was very much worth stopping at.. Beach is very nice also if you like just sitting on the beach.

This beach is located just south of Hapuna Beach and we went think that the snorkeling would be good. I think we must have gone on a bad day, because we did not see many fish and the water wasn’t as clear as other beaches we visited. I do have to note that we did go in the afternoon, so morning may be better. There is a $5 charge for non-residents and it is based on the honor system (i.e., there is a machine that you can put bills or credit cards into). Access is via a dirt road, but it is well kept, but somewhat narrow.

The reason for the name is because it is by the milemarker 69. I have been going to this beach for the last 30 years. It is fabulous and now there are facilities such as bathroom, showers, tables, etc. The parking lot is run by the County and there is a $6 charge to park if you are not an island resident. Worth every penny, you will absolutely enjoy this one.

We came here to check it out before a return visit to Hapuna. We ended up skipping a second Hapuna trip and just staying here. The beach is small but it's nicely shaded with smooth trees to sit on/around. The waves are so much fun, and the sand is very soft. Lots of climbing trees ! It was not crowded at all, and we were able to hang our towels over the low branches. This is most certainly a worthwhile visit

This is where we decided to get married on this beach. It is such a natural place with driftwood scattered around you. Absolutely gorgeous day, we married at sunset so we not only had the sunshine but when we finished the ceremony we turned around and we had a 🌕 also.

Sheltered from big surf (reef protected). Even shade available from many trees right on the beach.
Safe for families with children.
Limited parking. Go early on weekends...locals like it!

Great spot for a day at the beach with littles. Easy and pretty. Bathroom, showers, and parking were easily accessible.

We loved this beach! The area to the right from the parking lot (North) had fun waves to play in, while up from there offered great snorkelling in between the rocky islands. Nice coral and good variety of fish. The shade on the beach was the bonus! Would definitely return! $5 parking fee and clean washrooms and showers.

This beach, known by the local population as "69 Beach", apparently referring to an old numbered utility pole that marked the turn-off, is a terrific spot for shaded picnics or just lounging about as it offers many private & intimate "pockets" of beach area amongst the trees that line this popular waterfront state park. While it is popular with many local residents who enjoy weekend gatherings with BBQs and shade tents, I have often found it empty or at the very least quiet during many of the weekdays I've visited. Located only about a 30-35 minute drive North of Kailua-Kona along the highway, turn left at Puako Beach Rd (between mile markers 71 & 70), then turn right on Old Puako Rd and follow this paved road (it's narrow, so watch for other vehicles) for about a 1/2 mile and you will find the parking lot. It is $5/day (machine takes bills, coins & credit cards) and I understand the vehicles parked here are checked regularly for parking tickets displayed on the dashboard, so be warned (I'm told the fine for not having a ticket is over $100!) The showers, restrooms (with changing areas), toilets and wash-up sinks, along with 3 shaded picnic tables are just a short walk from the parking lot towards the beach. The beach itself, in front of this area is soft sand with lots of trees that offer horizontal trunks & limbs & foilage to provide a feeling of privacy as well as shade. Young surfers are often seen right in front catching the small safer waves as they learn the sport, while a couple hundred yards out and to the South and North you will often see the more experienced surfers as they ride the larger waves in those areas. When the water is calm (and the clarity therefore better) you can enjoy some interesting snorkeling to the North around the area of a small sea arch and the surrounding rocks, about a five minute stroll along the Ala Kahakai trail, that is well marked with signage and leads one behind the few private waterfront cottages in the area (you can also drive most 2 wheel drive vehicles "carefully" to a number of level/cleared areas with shade trees as well in this area just North of the parking lot area). This is where I often go to a treasured little private pocket of sand, surrounded by trees and rocks, just past the sea arch where seated on my beach mat with a good book, I can while away the hours reading and watching the ever-changing waterfront setting in front of me. Today there were surfers catching some great waves here as well as a lone kayaker, a hundred yards or more offshore, drifting amongst a very sizable pod of whales who were constantly rolling and spouting about providing this lucky kayaker a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be so close to these gentle giants as they too playfully enjoyed themselves in his or her company. It seems I could not look up without seeing another fin or tail flukes glistening in the sunshine and it was just another reason that I was glad I packed my binoculars with me on today's outing! I also was witness to a well-tanned (local???) fellow who chatted with me in a friendly manner for a minute or so before walking on. Imagine my surprise when I looked up 5 minutes later to check on my offshore whale friends' antics and was witness to this man, totally nude, carefully stepping into the frothy surf. While I consider myself reasonably well travelled and understand that nudity is considered by some cultures of the world to be "no big deal", being a "modest Canadian", I was nonetheless a little surprised to have a front-row view to this (and mind you, this well-fed individual was no Calvin Klein model either...) but at least he had the good sense to "flaunt his wares" in the quieter Northern reaches of this beach area, away from the families. Regardless, I enjoyed another quiet day on this beach before heading back to my vacation rental in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy.

Small beach with lots of shade. There were plenty of people snorkeling as water is crystal clear. Was easy to find , when it got crowded we went up to road to hapuna

The shade is close to the beach so you can sit in the shade and relax while you watch your kids have fun. Its also nice to snorkel you'll see a variety of fish. It is a small, quiet beach.

Beach 69 is a hidden gem. White sandy beach, lots of shade if you want it, great snorkelling, shower, bathroom and close parking. There is a lot of shade along the shore line not too far from the water's edge so those looking for a break from the sun can still see the water and watch the kids play. The waters get a little choppy in the afternoon which makes for good boogie boarding but the snorkelling is still good if you swim off shore. The sand is great for sand castle building as well. We only found the beach after pulling into the parking lot of Hapuna and asked the parking attendant if Hapuna is a good place to snorkel. She advised to head down the road to Beach 69 and we are so thankful for her help. This is the best if not one of the best beaches we have been to.

I am not an all day beach kind of guy but this beach is so beautiful and secluded feeling that you can't help but spend the day.

A few notes:
1. Sunbathing is not a thing at this site... the trees come right to the waters edge.... so for those of us that are fare skinned this is a great choice to help avoid getting burned.

2. Get there early the space is limited and so is the parking.

3. Snorkeling is good here as it is a nature preserve.

gorgeous scenery, semi private areas, shady trees close to water (i love that), turquoise brillant waters

Our local kayak guide told us about this beach. Said it was less crowded than most and certainly less crowded than Hapuna right up the road. He was right. Less crowded, plenty of shade if you want it. Surf was pretty rough in January but I was still able to swim. Lots of rocks. Very scenic. Free parking, lots of parking and showers. I would highly recommend.

We stayed at Fairmont Orchid, and this little gem was only about 10 minutes away. Great beach with tons of shade and not very crowded, even on a Saturday. Good snorkeling around the large rock. Do watch the ocean conditions, as it can get a little rough. My husband snorkeled all the way around the cove to Hapuna Beach. He almost didn't make it back, as conditions rapidly changed while he was snorkeling, but he is still raving about the octopus he saw and the huge variety of fish. There is a large parking lot, bathrooms, and a shower. A great little beach!

This beach was about a 45 minute drive from where we were staying in Kona, but well worth the drive. It felt very secluded even though it was quite busy when we went. The beach was picturesque and very well-shaded. A perfect spot to spend the day at! Make sure to bring your chairs and a picnic lunch! We went in January, middle of the day, and found the water to be a little too rough for snorkeling. Besides, underwater visibility was not that great and there were a lot of big rocks close to the shoreline. This was definitely the kind of beach to just relax and enjoy the ocean views and marvel at the occasional sea turtle swimming by.

Visited the beach today; just off the highway. $5 parking fee; cards accepted. Nice sandy beach areas, easy to get in and out of water. Relatively calm, bit of a shorebreak. Snorkeling may have been OK but water was cloudy. Great spot for families and fairly quiet.

We love love Beach 69. Our first visit, waves were bigger and boogie baording was amazing. It was a bit calmer to the left, so my daughter could swing on the ropes and enjoy a quiet tide. We went back for more boarding but waves were more chilled out. This time though, the snorkelling was great. Kids could rock jump off the right hand side, and the beach was full of families, Facilities include washrooms and showers. Parking lot is fairly large and accomodating. Sights are just heavenly here. Spent a full day again, and probably more to come

This beach is different in that there are shade trees in the sand where people can sit and lounge. The sand is soft but there are large stones in the water. It makes for a good snorkeling place since there a reefs nearby. There are also restroom and shower facilities here. Overall it was a good beach!

The beach is very sweet and offers plenty of shade. Another plus - restrooms and outdoor showers. The beach can be very busy on the weekends and parking can be tough. We went during the week and found that to be perfect!

This beach is perfect for little kids and was very busy over Thanksgiving break. Hapuna Beach is beautiful but can be too windy. This is the beach with ample shade, practically wind free, and on the north tip you'll find a perfect bit of sandy beach access for kids to play in. There's also fun snorkeling around all the lava rocks, and cliff jumping for daring kids.

This is your perfect family beach in the area.

Easy to get to from our hotel. Clean family beach with restrooms showers etc.

We came for the snorkeling, which was perfect for us. Pretty calm water and lots of fish. Trees w/shade on the beach.

We loved this beach for all the shade, private little coves and lots of opportunity to snorkel. The sand was salt/pepper, but still nice. You can actually go there and check it out before deciding to spend the day and pay $5. Hapuna has an attendant that won't let you pass before paying, this one has a parking machine to pay.

Beach 69 is one of the few white sand beaches with lots of shade. So if you are looking for lots of natural shade, this beach would be good for you.

Waialea Beach (also known as beach 69 because being at that Mile Marker) is very easy to get to, One can turn of for either Puako or Hapuna Beach, find the first road turn right (from Puako) or left (from Hapuna). Be cautious on this road, it is very narrow, winding, and fairly steep hills. There is some paved parking, but these spots are taken up quick, otherwise there is a lot of unpaved parking. Descent shower and bathroom facilities. What we like most is that there are plenty of shady areas (even when busy) to escape the Sun if you wish too. Surf action can be rough, there are certain areas of the Beach much better than others for calm entry. Over the years locals have made rope swings from some of the trees which the kids all get a kick out of. Usually a great place to start off Boogie Boarding.

Great place to snorkel and swim. You will want to arrive early as this beach get many visitors. Plenty of spots for those looking to sit in the shade and the sun. This beach has a secluded beach feel. If you're looking to boogie board this is not the spot, but the snorkeling was awesome and very close to the shore.

Went to this beach as we heard it was "au natural." Little tricky to find. $5 to park. Had bathrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables. The view, when you get to the beach, which is a short walk from the parking lot, is like a postcard. Breathtaking! The beach itself is narrow, but long and curved, flanked by rocks and banyon trees. However, we went mid week, mid morning, and there was no nudity. Semi busy with LOTS of familes and kids. UGH. We only stayed an hour. But worth checking out. Authentic hawaii beach as it gets.

We were looking for a place to swim that didn't have big shore breaks or riptides. A local told us about this beach and we are so happy !!!
It does get crowded on weekends and if you want to get a nice spot nestled amongst the trees (this place has great shade too), try and arrive before 10 AM.
There is some mediocre snorkeling but the draw for us was the shady beach and the excellent safe swimming hole.

What a perfect snorkeling spot for beginners! The wind was howling today, but the bay was protected. It was a wide space to swim but a small beach. The water was crystal clear and we were able to admire so much life including an abundance of coral and even a turtle. We'd go,back to this beach in a heartbeat.

We came here to snorkel exclusively. I thought the entrance was a bit out of my comfort zone, but my husband went out. He said there were lots of fish but a bit murky with lots of debris from the shoreline trees. Epic picture ops for shoreline lava rocks and crashing waves. Picnic tables are scattered along the shore and it would be a nice place for the day. A couple of areas that were calm enough for enjoying the water but not a good surf spot and the sandy beach access areas were small. Mildly alarming sign warning of un-exploded ordinances in the area greeted us at the park entrance, near the restrooms and showers. Seemed like a popular gathering place for tourist families.

Liked it a lot, not so much for swimming but for the opportunity to take pictures with great and various backgrounds. It's a rocky beach so you have to be careful all the time when walking around. There are not too many people. You can relax under a tree. It was great.

Very rustic and natural, driftwood and trees. Swimming was nice and snorking OK near the rocks....picturesque small beaches along the bay.

Green murky water, couldn’t see two feet in front of you. Small beach, mix of rock and sand. Shade available and trees to hang towels on

Unfortunately we only got about 20-30 minutes at this spot because the kids were all burnt out from us being at another beach all day. Though what I did see what great. Beach was cool with many trees and lots of shade. Easy snorkeling was available right off the beach and shore. I would call out that our friend who’s a local highly recommend this beach. While it was our favorite we’d definitely come back and spend more time here in the future.

I am getting to the point that my favorite aspects of going to the beaches in Hawaii is for having interactions with the locals who take their family to the beach, or as a couple.

Tourists are just a bunch of fat annoying imbeciles that are completely clueless in what they are doing and how they are behaving.

Beach 69 has both, you get the locals who are who make it an enjoyable experience. We had a two groups a Russians around us and they about ruined the corner of the beach we were at with their constant yelling and overall asinine behavior. If it wasn't for the locals and watching them interact with being at the beach, the experience would not have been nearly as enjoyable.

The caretaker who was there all day was great guy looking after what was going on in the park. He scooted out some tourist who was flying his annoying drone all over the beach area.

We had a few turtle sightings and a shark was darting through the area just a few yards off shore.

The amount of shade that the trees offer makes a nice setting if you aren't looking for any real sun, we went to the far end and set up early in the morning in the open sunny area, then watching the hordes of imbeciles show up throughout the rest of the day was like watching the tide roll in and out bringing in next crop of morons.

I would recommend the beach if you want to stay out of the sun and just want to swim. The snorkeling isn't great, but there are a few fish here and there.

Trees literally right down on the shore line providing best mix of sun and shade. Crystal clear water however to get to where the fish and turtles hang out need to be confident and sure of yourself in the water, will need to go a little ways out and also around another cove to really see the wildlife, take a buddy! However we did see a couple of turtles right of the beach but with only a few rock outcroppings not many fish as there is nothing for them to eat. Hidden so not busy at all, not even half the parking lot. More than worth the drive. And on the way out stop out the malasada truck as you turn right to head back south to Kona on the main hwy, better than Leonards in Honolulu.

If you want to snorkel go to North end and go in there , go around the point toward the sea arch. You cross an open sand area but the occasional coral mound breaks it up. Please don't go onto the sea arch as its fragile and looks as if its about to fall in! Lots of colorful fish and snowflake eels

Beach 69 is a public park well known to locals for its great snorkeling and white sands - we arrived in early afternoon and it was a bit busy, but there is plenty of space away from the entrance. Snorkeling is great in the calm, clear water - perfect for our kids ages 6 and 9!

Waialea Beach is gorgeous. The sand is soft, the setting picturesque and the surroundings much more serene and less inhabited than the nearby Hapuna Beach.

Though this beach does not offer a wide open sandy beach, like Hapuna, for surfers and boarders, it does have its fair share of sandy space mixed with gorgeous rock formations, reef and intrinsic beauty.

Try a quiet morning there, or a later afternoon, watching the sunset over the distant horizon.

The beach does have a restroom facility and wash off spouts for the sand.

Beach 69 is my absolute favorite beach on the island of Hawaii. The water is pretty clear, and the waves are smaller than Hapuna beach or Mauna Kea beach most days. The sand drops off pretty quickly, so it gets deep fairly close to shore. Also, the beach isn't too busy, which is nice.

We found out about this gorgeous beach from another tourist on another excursion and boy were we glad we did! It was very close to our lodging (Waikoloa Marriott) but a world away from a tourist trap. This beach is frequented by local families. There are many shade trees and although it can get a bit crowded by the afternoon, there is still plenty of room. Great location for snorkeling too! Directions can be a bit fuzzy but just ask the hotel clerk...everyone knows it as Beach (mile marker) 69.

One of the best beaches on the Big Island. Good for swimming, snorkeling, hanging out under the tree shade, exploring the tide pools. Not good for bodyboarding (too few waves, too many rocks).
Bonus point - some of the trees have rope swings attached to them, so if you had a dream of singing over the white sand and turquoise water, it may just come true on this beach for you.

Beach 69 has become a lot busier in the last 10 years, but its charm still stands. The beach is approximately 500 yards long and divided by trees and rocks into a series of seemingly separate beaches, so it feels like you're getting your own private beach.

The offshore waters also have some of the best snorkeling on the island. In particular, the rocky area beyond the northern edge of the beach is host to a variety of coral beds and tropical fish.

Beach 69 does become crowded on weekends, especially in the afternoon, so I would suggest coming early in the morning. The best areas for safe and relaxation are south of the main entrance.

Also, be aware of sea urchins. A few years ago I kicked a rock while swimming in 4ft of water and got dozens of spikes imbedded in my foot.

White sand, shade trees, driftwood, waves rolling in, lava rock formations, and little shady nooks to relax and take it all in. Swim and snorkle too. This is my favorite beach ever. Some brought their own chairs; we leaned against a shady tree. But if you want to go on an easy, long, beach stroll, then drive to the next beach south of here (Hapuna).

We tried snorkeling here, which was not the best. The overall feel of the place was quite acceptable. Some shady spots for those who like to get out of the sun. Swimming was good. Easy sand entry.

Next to Hapuna Beach. Beach 69 is much smaller and rockier. Great place to snorkel. Beach space is sometimes at a premium especially at high tide. Bathrooms and outdoor showers. Fee for visitors; kama'aina free. Hapuna next door is more of what visitors would think of as a traditional, spectacular Hawaiian beach with wide expanses of white sand.

This beach is neither best for children, for swimming, for boogy boarding, or for seeing sunsets. But it is still a great beach with a special feeling. We highly recommend visiting it!

My wife says to tell everyone the beach is terrible so people don't make it too crowded but actually it is a wonderful .great snorkeling best snorkel Beach we found up in Kona

Best beach on big island of Hawaii in terms of sand, beach, and beauty. A great beach for the entire family to snorkel, boogie board, and just watch the sunset.

This beach is off the beaten path but well worth it. The beach itself is relatively narrow and dotted with clusters of trees - some right to the water's edge. Msg there is plenty of shade especially in the morning. There are great sections for kids that are protected by lava formations from breaking waves. There's plenty of snorkeling here and paddle boards, surf boards and kayaks were present. The sand here is very fine grained, soft and cool in the morning due to the shade. There are some picnic tables. There's bathrooms and outdoor showers as well.

If you have a beach chair bring that.

There's a $5 access fee. New hen we were there the machine was broken. Horray!

A local told us to take the extra 2 mile drive from Hapuna to go to the quieter more secluded beach. Not sure if the secret is out, but when we got there it felt busier than Waikiki beach (it was in the late afternoon on a Sunday). There were so many people jammed into the narrow strip of sand, and the swimming was ok. We did some snorkelling which was ok, but overall we were surprised by the crowds. As stated, there is lots of parking, a shower station and bathroom facilities. Would like to go to this beach when there are less crowds, probably would have liked it a lot more.

Having visited a number of beaches, our family agrees this is our favourite. It's smaller and therefore less crowded, there is tons of shade (more than some people want--it's not for sun worshippers!), the waves are a lot of fun without being too big, the sand is deep and soft, and the snorkelling is okay (though not as good as other places). We also had no trouble finding parking.

I can't speak much to this beach as a spot for playing, snorkeling, or all the usual beach activities. What drew us here was the abundance of rocks, trees, and even fallen trees right near the water. This was a gorgeous place to take some of our son's senior pictures in the late afternoon light. I highly recommend it if you're scouting places to get some family photos while in Hawaii.

It did seem like this was a place fishermen like to come, at least later in the afternoon. There were also picnic tables, although I didn't pay close enough attention to how many there are. The facilities seemed okay, and the parking lot kind of small-ish. It's a very short drive (just a few minutes) from Hapuna beach to the North, so if you're in the mood to check out two very different beaches in one day this would be a great way to do it.

This beach, also known as Beach 69, Hapuna Beach- Wailea Section, and Wailea Beach could be considered a hidden gem. However, “hidden “ can be misleading judging by the number of people driving in an out of the parking lot. This not your typical white sandy beach. In fact the shoreline reminds me a bit of small lakes in the Rocky Mountains- interspersed with trees, rocks, and occasional small openings that are suitable for setting up for the day. Sandy sections come at a premium though on the south end there is a nice, small, sandy area that is especially suitable for kids. Lots of shade (trees) is available, and the area is very popular for snorkeling. This beach is very picturesque, though I was surprised that though it is set in a small inlet the water was a little bit rough. For some this beach is ideal for a quiet day or relaxation, though for me I prefer long sandy beaches with lots of sun. I am in now way disparaging this beach, it just that it’s not my flavor.

This beach is adjacent to Hapuna Beach and shares the $5 entrance fee, so you can visit both beaches on one ticket. Hapuna is great for boogie boarding. Beach 69 is smaller but has much more shade than Hapuna. The free swimming area is fairly small and generally calm. This beach is best for snorkeling. The snorkeling is wonderful and the reef is extensive.

Best time to visit is the morning. It's a small beach and can get pretty crowded by afternoon; also, an afternoon breeze often kicks up on this side of the island, making the water choppy and you have to worry about surge. Not dangerous, but definitely more fun when it's calm.

This is by far one of our favorite beaches, though its not a secret gem like it used to be, weekends are busy, but on a calm day it has nice snorkeling by the rocks and on other days its a great relaxation beach to bob in the gentle waves or park yourself with a good book under a nice shady tree (most beaches don't have this luxury) I do hate that they started charging for parking...

I read about this beach online and the concierge at the Fairmont recommended it. It offered some of the nicest snorkeling we've ever seen (2 adults, 2 kids). Slightly difficult to find, it's a huge coral reef with tons of colorful fish. Great for kids. The two sides of the beach offer totally different snorkeling experiences, so try both.

We've been visiting this beach for 20 years and it has always been one of our favorites. The snorkeling can be quite good but like all of Kohala, the wind comes up in the afternoons and visibility declines. Over the years Wai'alea has become more and more crowded - first when the road was paved and then when the restrooms and shower were installed. It can get pretty packed now. Tourists beware that the County of Hawaii has begun charging visitors $5 to park all day.

The beach is beautiful! Unfortunately the day we visited the waves were too strong for snorkeling and too many rocks for playing with the boogie board. Our 10 year old daughter really enjoyed the sand and we love all of the natural shade that was provided. It was a gorgeous beach and we had a great time even though we didn’t necessarily do everything we intended.

When we went the surf was too high for swimming or snorkelling, or even bookie boarding. That didn't spoil it for us... This place is amazing! We grabbed a nice spot under a large couple of trees, right near the water and camped out for the day. The view is spectacular and the amenities are clean and close to the beach.

The best part of this beach is that there isn't a hike to get to it (unlike so many in the area), and the parking is free. It seems like most tourists go a few hundred yards up the road to Hapuna Park, pay to park and get no shade, so take advantage of this little gem!

This beach is getting more and more popular since they added paved parking, restrooms, etc. Still, the beach has been left in a very natural state, with lots of trees and beautiful water. The right side has the easiest entry and most sandy bottom --the left side is more rocky but has better snorkeling. It is a wonderful place -- I wish it were still a secret.

Good spot for those who want to take wonderful pics with dead trees and rocks. Plenty of shade for everyone. Good restrooms and showers. But the surf can be high during winter month, be very careful with kids.
It's not crowded and very romantic. But didn't find good snorkeling spots though.

Nice little beach to check out if you're in the area. Lots of tree and shade - not too much beach or room to lay out in. Ample parking and decent restrooms.

Love the trees that line the beach great for shade and climbing and to hang wet towels from. Very mellow vibe and quiet. Waves are a little intense for kids to swim but sand is so soft and fine that building sand castles is awesome. Definitely recommended if in the area

After visiting lots of beaches with no sun protection this was a welcome change. It is a cute beach tucked away. Good for kids to play in the sand due to shade but surf was still too high to bring the babies in the water

Stopped by this beach after the lifeguards got everyone out of the water at Hapuna Beach due to a Portuguese Man-o-war sighting.

There were many families and kids who seem to enjoy the shade. It was a weekday but quite crowded since school was not in session yet.

I found that the soft sand had lots of dried twigs, cigarette butts and small pieces of trash. The toppled tree trunks were interesting but I was surprised no one ever thought to clear them out so that the beach would feel more expansive.

Most people advise you to go to Mauna Kea to snorkel, but this place is much better and off the beaten track. A small out of the way road to get here but parking is plentiful ($5 fee) and there are nice bathrooms and a rinse off shower. My favorite part is the shady beach -- that's right -- full of trees. Once you enter the water, its pretty rocky, but that's why its great for snorkeling. We saw all kinds of beautiful tropical fish. I highly recommend!

This white sand beach is one of my favorite beaches in the world. The waters of Kona are clean and clear. Beautiful coves and tree's on the beach.

While we have been to Hapuna too many times to mention , somehow we never made it here. .. right next door .
What a wonderful treat.
Gorgeous beach. Lots of shade.
Walk out into water.... and snorkel to your hearts delight. Tons of fish. A honu if you are lucky.
Don't miss this gem of a beach.

The Beach...better than Hapuna Beach State Park. Both are beautiful and clean, but 69 has less people. On that note, this is a favorite beach of locals and tourists. You will find the least amount of people in the morning but by the afternoon, visitors will come. Regardless, we didn't have much issus with being crowded out. Don't get me wrong, this is a beautiful beach, but if you are looking for a white patch of sand for you and four others and no one else, this isn't it and I'm not sure where you will find it.

Puako - Very small town and a great place to get away from Kona if you need to. Snorkeling and diving is available from several locations right off of the town. There are several websites such as shorediving.com that can help you with this. There is a bit of a swim out and the entry can be dicey based on the rocks. Beach 69 is not really a dive spot as it is shallow but the reef activity is nice and I did end up diving there twice. Kohala Divers up the street in Kawaihae runs a good operation where you can dive with them, or rent tanks and weights. I did both. I dove with them and then rented tanks and weights and shore dove to the same spot in Puako several days later.

I don't know of an hotels in Puako but there are resorts near by and homes for rent ranging from very expensive and elaborate to reasonable.

Really enjoyed the beach lots of good entry into the water for kids. Decent snorkeling just an overall fun beach. Lots of shady spots to get out of the sun

Nice beach, clean, good facilities to rent and food/drinks available. The water wasn't that clear or warm and the beaches in Australia are better than this. Lovely for photos and to tick off the bucket list.

Small but shady beach area - sandy beach and footbed perfect for families. We stopped over for just a few minutes and weren't disappointed.

Crowded, but fabulous swimming and snorkeling. A gem of a beach. We'll be back. There are cool rocks that you can hang your towel on, trees for shade, and a lot of different interesting sections, almost like little coves. On a less busy day, it would be pure heaven.

We went here looking for a great place to snorkel but must have gotten there on a off day because the water was really murky and couldn't really see much. But it is a beautiful beach with nice little places for shade out of the sun.

This could be such a beautiful beach but during our visit there was trash everywhere. We visited on a weekend so I'm sure that's why it was crowded but it was a little disappointing nonetheless.

Peter at Snorkel Bob Mauna Lani recommended this beach for snorkeling. The waves were good on this day so the kids spent quite a bit of time snorkeling and boogie boarding. Beach is very family friendly especially for youngsters(I think better than Kua Bay), offers excellent snorkeling and swimming opportunities. It is a small narrow picturesque beach with lots of trees for shade, rocks to explore. Since the beach is narrow we had to retreat our belongings further back when the water came in closer as the day progressed. Despite that, we enjoyed this beach immensely. Also, there is a $5 parking fee.

I kind of don't want to give this a positive review because part of what we loved about this beach was that there weren't a lot of people there! You've got to pay $5 for parking, but that's not a big problem for what you get here. There are plenty of trees so you can tuck in the shade when you start to bake. There are real toilets, there is a shower, there are picnic benches. There are two beaches - a big one to the left and a smaller to the right. On the right you can snorkel and see fish immediately from the shore. Swim out a little further, around the rock to the left and you find live coral with tons of fish! My 7 year-old loved what she could see close to shore where she could still nearly stand up, so it was super safe!

Hit this beach at the right time around 10 in the morning. Saw a group of Manta rays feeding a turtle and general reef fish. This was just to the left center of the beach.

Nice beach, depending on what you're looking for. If you're looking for wide sandy beach to lay out and suntan on you're going to be disappointed. This beach has plenty of shade, a bunch of rocks and shells, and isn't particularly wide. But it has some decent snorkeling and restrooms and plenty of parking so if that's what you're looking for then come on down.

Located besides small private beach. But bathrooms, shower is available. There is bush tree, so we can lay down at the shades. White sand and rock balanced well, so light swimming and skin diving should be best activity here.

Great state park beach right down the street from famous Hapuna beach. Less crowded and full of shade trees and good waves. Small parking lot with public bathrooms available. Soft sand and nice blue water. Some good snorkel spots among the lava rocks.

Called Beach 69 in local parlance for an old utility pole with the number 69 that at least used to be near the parking lot, this beach is a lovely place on the South Kohala coast to spend the day, or at least several hours. We drove north from our place at Mauna Lani, and our GPS gave us the wrong info on Old Puako Road. If your GPS leads you to a closed gate in what is clearly a residential area, it told you to turn one turn too early. 69 Beach is actually an offshoot of Hapuna Beach further north. I recall there being a sign mentioning Hapuna when we turned at the right place. We did not have difficulty parking near the parking lot. The lot itself appears to have paid parking, but I have no idea who checks if you paid. Where we parked, just a bit further out, is free and not at all far. We thought we were in the same lot. The beach itself is has nice white sand and beautiful scenery, with trees providing plenty of shade where you can throw down a blanket and have a picnic. There are restrooms and outdoor showers between the parking lot and the beach, which is really nice, but no lifeguard. The water was calm when we visited, and the snorkeling, especially around the center rock, was lovely. The current as you go around the back side of the rock is a bit strong if you aren't a confident swimmer, but you can see very nice fish to the right and left of the rock, too. You'll see more swimming around it, but don't bother if you're only a confident swimmer in a swimming pool. You can also snorkel on the south and north ends of the beach, but we liked the rock the best on the day we went. On the summer day when we visited, the beach wasn't overly crowded but certainly was not empty. One note: you might want to wear shoes with decently thick soles (thicker than flip-flops) for at least the walk from the parking lot to closer to the water. There are Kiawe trees that drop large (more than an inch long) thorns, and you don't want those thorns in your foot. They mean business and can put you out of commission for a few days. Friends of ours had to borrow pliers from us to take the thorns out of their shoes. We didn't end up with any thorns in our shoes, but I'm glad we didn't chance it.

This is a very nice beach and has a lot going for it, but there are some drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons:
Pro:
Public access, no need to get there early to snag a parking spot
Bathrooms and showers
Very good snorkeling
Plenty of shade
Cons:
Can be crowded
Beach is rocky in places, making walking into the water difficult
Water can be choppy making snorkeling hazardous
Bees by the showers-watch your step!
Overall a nice beach, but not my favorite.

We visited Waialea Beach (Beach 69) as we were touring the area. It was top on my husband's list because of the name-the mile marker should be closer to 70 than 69, but it is what it is. There is a shower, great sand, although if you need a lifeguard there is none. We used the app Big Island Revealed and this is one of the many beaches with a Diamond beside it. Cost to park is $5 for the day. Side note-water shoes are a great investment for getting to and from the beaches and for walking on rough terrain. The beach was uber calm on our visit so it was nice to get in to cool off. There were several sets of snorkelers to the right of where we were.

This beach, aka Beach 69, has a lot to offer the beach goer. Depending on what section of the beach you go it will range from rocky areas to a larger sandy open area to a more shady sandy area. Most of the beach does have shade to some degree. Plenty of parking and public facilities are available. The southern section is most suitable for water activities due to being less rocky and would be great for kids most of the time. Some good snorkeling out and around the rocky points and outcroppings. One of the most fabled features about this beach was the rope swing at the south end, but to me and others that feature has been removed permanently.
Crowds vary usually before 10am very few people, but increase as the day progresses. The weekend are definitely more crowded for sure. Going early to stake out your spot is always the best plan.

This wasn't the best snorkeling on the island (for us, that was 2 Step Beach), but the snorkeling was still nice and the convenient location, scenic sandy beach and plentiful shade make Beach 69 a great package. I can see how it would feel crowded easily, since it's not a huge beach.

It is about a 15 minute drive from the Hilton. It is a secluded public beach with restroom facilities. Locals go here. There are nice lava rock islands just off the shore and the snorkeling is great!

We hiked out to this beach. The shade is welcome. The quiet, too. The trees themselves are like sculptures in the sand. A special place. A nice stop if you're hiking the Ali Kahakai trail.

Best snorkeling spot. Parking, bathrooms, shower.Beautiful spot. Not the best beach for swimming even though they do have a small part you can swim. Went twice it was so good!

This has been one of my favorite beaches for many, many years. Although the road is paved now, so many more people on the beach, but can always find a little quiet spot!

Fantastic experience for our entire family. Courteous and friendly staff at Kohala Divers suggested this beach and boy we were not disappointed.!!!! Very reasonable fees!

The beach is pretty crowded with locals on the weekends which means its a good beach. There isn't a ton of beach space, but plenty to find your niche. The sand is more coarse here than at Hapuna and the entrance into the water is in between lava rock and coral. A good spot to throw your towel down for a few hours.

Pretty for sure. But not meant for snorkeling...way too rough. Lots of trees down, maybe recently had a big storm...we went bc we read there was a rope swing...it’s literally inches above the water. Not useful. Go for the waves and shade, but not snorkeling or the rope swing.

This is my favorite beach in Hawaii. Hidden away (you need to take a small access road from the entrance to Hapuna) with plenty of shade, great coral, beautiful sea life - our family loves to spend time here on our trips to Hawaii. Best thing is that we've seen a turtle (honu) each time we make the trek.

We stayed here for a few hours. The beach was average as there is not much space for everyone. The waves can be fun if you are into that. You have to pay for parking +the number of people with you. We had 4 and it was $30. They have out door showers and bathrooms. I would pass on this beach

Gorgeous beach that we enjoyed fully all day. Great boogie boarding for all ages, nice sand and driftwood, shade from the trees, easy to access from the parking lot. Highly recommended.

69 Beach (near the 69 mile marker on the Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway on the Kohaha Coast of the Big Island) is a fantastic snorkeling beach. And, unlike its neighbor, Hapuna Beach, it has precious shade. The water is very clear and the fish are so abundant! It's best to go in the morning before the wind picks up and the water gets choppy. On a calm day, if you're into swimming, it's fun to swim from 69 to Hapuna and back (maybe 80 minutes at medium speed). You'll see more turtles in the morning as well. There are restrooms and a shower. You can get to the beach two ways: Go in at Puako and take the first right (across from the transfer station) and go north along a narrow winding (paved) road until you see a parking lot on your left - turn in there. Or, you can go in at Hapuna and take the same winding narrow road south until you come to the parking lot. Despite the shade, put on your sunscreen!

Good beach for both swimming and snorkeling...some shade in trees....lots of sand to get into the water....some good rocks and reef to see fish...$5 to park which was OK....nice restroom and showers...

We took two trips to Beach 69, and had different experiences each time. The first time, the water was a little rough, but that made it perfect for boogie boarding. We had a picnic on the north end of the beach, but were constantly having to shoo away mice, so I would recommend eating at the picnic tables located close to the washroom and shower facilities (this is a nice bonus!). The second time we went was on a Saturday, so it was quite a bit busier. We had another picnic, trying a spot a little further south, and there were far fewer mice than before. The water was very rough this day, so we weren't able to get into the water for long. We did enjoy sitting in the large trees that stretch out over the water and letting the waves wash under us though, it's a great spot to get some sun and shade! The pros are definitely the fact that this area has a washroom/change facility and showers, lovely scenery, and is fairly quiet, but be prepared to guard your food from little critters, and pay $5 to park if you are a non-resident. Definitely worth it, it's a beautiful spot!

Amazing beach with lots of shade just not one you want to try snorkeling at unless it’s a calm day!,

A helicopter pilot told us about this beach on our last visit to Hawaii 5 years ago and we checked it out to find a beautiful small beach.

We returned this year and had a fun time swimming in the ocean and relaxing in the shade of the trees nearby.

The great thing about this beach is it is usually quiet, particularly during the week. There is a nice little break offshore to the left for the boogie boarders as well.

We were here on a Saturday morning and it still wasn't too busy! This is my favourite beach on the whole island! It reminded me of the beaches of Maui. It has a beautiful sandy beach, lots of shade, and good snorkeling. Lots of families. I laid in the sun and read (sunny patches are a little hard to find though) and my husband snorkeled. We're going again this trip!

Various Big Island guides talk about this beach as if it's an undiscovered paradise. It gets enough attention that I assumed that it would no longer be as quiet as it had been billed. In fact, it still has that private beach feel about it.

Unlike Hapuna Beach, it doesn't have an enormous expanse of sand stretching hundreds of meters in each direction. The beach itself is narrow, but the sand is soft. Perhaps one of the nicest features is that there are trees that extend almost to the water (in fact, there is a rope swing over the water) that offer much-needed shade during the midday hours. This is a place where you could easily spend an entire day just lounging on the beach.

There's a relatively calm area to the left of the parking lot that has decent snorkeling. Visibility can be affected by the surf and sun conditions.

Remove all valuables from your car when parking here. There's evidence of break-ins in the form of tiny pellets of safety glass throughout the parking lot.

This beach is it! Nice white sand with plenty of shaded areas. Good snorkeling (saw lots of colorful fish!), easy to access. Bathrooms located near the parking lot. Wish we would have had more time to go back.

Absolutely gorgeous beach, great swimming, white sand, shaded spots too. Surrounded by palm trees. Ahhh...

Nice quiet beach to visit if you do not want to be around a lot of people. Many locals come here from what I noticed. Wonderful views and relaxing environment.

Tucked down off the main road. A little bit of a hike but worth it. Beautiful spot. Parking can be a little tough. There are places to get out of the sun and the beach is big enough to accommodate larger groups.

Lots of locals here, but tourists will love it too! Lots of shade trees, fantastic snorkeling, and clean bathrooms.

This used to be a great little spot, with some sand, some shade and lots of good snorkeling. In the past 5 years there has been a rapid decline in the health of the reef and it is just not fun to snorkel there. I think that the recent development nearby has caused fertilizers and other chemicals to go into the bay here, that with the warmer water has pretty much killed off the coral. You are better off going to Hapuna Park's main beach if you want a big area of sand and a place to swim.

For those of us that burn easily it can be hard to spend all day at the beach! This one is for you! Lots of trees create plenty of shade and also cozy little pockets to hang out. Calm water and beautiful private feel compared to other beaches.

Park of Hapuna State Park, Waialea Beach is South of the main Beach. There are black rocks, many trees for shade, restrooms, showers and changing areas. It was nice to hear the crashing waves against the large rocks. There was an area with rope "swings" if you are brave enough to swing out and jump off into the water. No lifeguard on duty.

Pros: Lots of shade, good snorkeling ground
But: High parking fee, trees and rocks prevent you from jumping into the sea anywhere
Summary: Few beaches on Big Island have that much shade - clear recommendation!

This beach was recommended to us by a local as a good spot to snorkel. The snorkeling was mediocre (compared to our snorkel experience at Kahalu'u Beach Park where the fish were more colorful and we saw two turtles) but there were fish and coral. The beach was interesting as there are old trees right up against the water which makes for a scenic view.

There appeared to be several locals who had set up camp with their families for the day.

Parking is $5.

This was a nice experience. There was plenty of parking. There is a facility to change and wash off the sand. There are so many trees close to the beach to give you shade. The water was nice and warm.

The day I went it was a bit turbid and not ideal for snorkeling. My friend who lives in Hilo, he said it is normally a great place for snorkeling.

I heard someone call this play Beach 69.

Black Sand, scenic with rocky shoreline so great beach for pictures. There is a surprising deep drop off when snorkeling not too far from the beach. It made me feel like I was flying high in the air.

Best snorkeling in the Kohalo area. This sits very close to Hapuna beach, and they are VERY different. This beach has a TON of shade and plenty of good snorkeling up and down the beach, though you have to pick the sandiest places to enter. We were there early but like Hapuna, you don't have to show up by 9 or 10 to get parking. Speaking of ... there is a self-pay kiosk and it was $15 for two of us. I THINK it'll also get you into Hapuna if they are manning the pay kiosk there as it's part of the Hapuna Recreation Area. Good showers and clean bathroom and the reef keeps the swells down. If you want to sit in shade and/or snorkel, try it. If you want to frolic in the blazing sun on a fine sandy beach, it's Hapuna. There were a few families with small kids there.

When surf is rough, snorkeling is tough. Sandy bottom makes visibility was less. We did see sea turtles on the north side, but found out later that the south side of the beach is the best snorkeling.

Our group was invited by some local friends to meet them here. A few of us snorkeled and the rest played in the sand or relaxed. The snorkeling was great and we followed a turtle around and watched him east.

My vehicle was the first one there when they opened and the conditions where pristine. As we where leaving about 9:30 or so it started to get a bit busier.

We visited Waialea Beach, aka 69 Beach, in the morning, on a weekday. By 9am, the beach was already crowded and the parking lot was half full. The tide was receding so the sand strip was still narrow. There are toilets and showers available. All nonresidents must purchase a parking pass for the day, for $5, from an automated ticket machine and display it on the dashboard. The beach has a lot of dry thorns mixed in the sand, so make sure to wear shoes. The sand is soft and golden and there are many trees which offer great shade. The waves were strong on that day, and the ocean floor is very rocky, so swimming and snorkeling was not an option. Far out on the bay, surfers enjoy big wave breaks. This is a pretty beach and if it were a calm day, we would have snorkeled, but a rocky ocean bottom is not comfortable for swimming. We never saw a beach get so busy so early as this one. So we left before 11am.

Lots of shade. Ok snorkeling. Crowded on weekends. Check the tides - if high tide it can be rough. Beautiful and scenic

This by far was our favorite beach! It has everything! snorkeling, beach, shade from the trees and lots of sun. There are areas that are rocky but walking down there are places sandy areas. There is a restroom present and an area to shower off the sandy. Large parking lot stays full. Pack a cooler with drinks, sandwiches and snacks. It's a great place to spend the day!

This is a great spot that really gives you a tropical Hawaiian feel. Trees are low and near the water to provide some shade. Beautiful waves and sand. Great spot to watch the sunset.

If you are in the general area of the resorts along the west coast of the Big Island, there is a little strip of paradise called Beach 69. (Its also called Puako Beach and it is close to the Puako Boat Ramp off of Route 11.) Although officially part of the Waialea beaches at the resorts, this is a little strip of sandy beach that is perfect for sun bathing, snorkeling, sleeping and splashing in the surf on a gently sloping beach. At low tide, the beach is about 10-20 yards wide. At high tide there is 5-10 yards of sand. It's a little curve about 50 yards long bracketed by beautiful jetties of lava rock, palm trees and bleached drift wood. Erin, one of the owners of Luana Inn in Captain Cook (BTW, the Luana Inn is perennially ranked at the top among B&Bs and deservedly so!) recommended Beach 69 as the best location for an easy beach day with shade and bathroom facilities. This is where the locals go and it is never overly crowded. This is a great place for kids because of the sloping sandy bottom and protected area without the danger of hitting rocks. There are better places to snorkel and surf, but if you are like me and go in the water to relax and prepare to sack out in a beach chair, Beach 69 will guarantee you pleasant dreams.

We visited this beach last time that we were on the Big Island and liked it because of the shaded and private areas, so decided to return. It is located off Highway 19, where you turn off between mile marker 70 and 71 on to Puako Road. Turn right on the next paved road and then left on the short paved road, which takes you right to the parking lot. The secondary name of Beach 69 comes from the number on the power pole where you turnoff to go to the beach. It used to be pole number 69, but it has since been renumbered to 71. The parking is $5, which is paid to a machine. The charge is for tourists only and the day that we went, the machine was out of paper, so nobody was paying. There was no parking attendant.
It was quite windy on that day, so we just played in the waves at the far south end where it looked a bit calmer. We didn't attempt to snorkel or swim out too far. This is a long beach with some interesting lava rocks in the water and around the shore. There were quite a few people there, but there are so many trees and pieces of driftwood that you can claim your own private spot. If you like sun, find sun. If you like shade, find yourself a tree. It appears to be a beach that is frequented by locals and their families. There are washrooms and showers available.

A smallish beach with restroom and shower. Went snorkeling by 9AM and saw large quantities of fish near the large lava outcropping near the entrance path. Easy parking and access. Fair amount of shade available. Snorkeling at 2:00 again, dramatically fewer fish and cloudy water near shore (sand). $5 in a machine. Lots of people late AM, somewhat cleared out by early afternoon.

Also called beach 69. The parking costs $5. In March 2019 the restrooms were out of order and porta potties were there. It is a short walk to the beach. Nice and sandy with shade close to the shore. Have not snorkeled yet but here that it is good. It would be an ideal place if the restrooms get fixed and the had a fish taco stand like they do at Hapuna Beach. The upside is that because there is lots of shade you don't need to rent an umbrella. Enjoy!

There's great (for Hawaii) coral and fish near the end of the middle rocks, and at the end of the south section, and the whole south section has 10-20x the fish the north half does. Didn't see any sea turtles this time, but very good snorkling spot for folks in Waikola / Puako area.

There are no signs on the highway telling you it's there. In fact, I couldn't even see a sign when we got there! If it weren't for a guidebook, I never would have known about it. And if it weren't for the Trip Advisor App on my phone, we never would have found it! But thank goodness we did: it was the best snorkeling of our trip! Water is perfect--easy to get in and out of. Coral was great, lots of different fish, and we even swam alongside a turtle!

This beach has it all, the only difficulty may be in finding it. Queen's Hwy north to Hapuna exit, to dead end, left to telephone pole #69. Parking lot, flush toilets, and showers available. It is a shaded walk along the backs of lovely estates on one side, trees and ocean on the left. We walked south until the large lava pile. There were plenty of of colorful tropical fish and interesting coral formatios to snorkle through. Plus white sand to walk on. What's not to like?

As mentioned, $5 parking. We liked it because it because of the different feel that large trees near the water gave it.

We went a couple of days ago. The day was super windy and I was worried that it'd be hard to sit at the beach with sand blowing in our faces... but this beach was perfect!

There were so many trees close to the beach that they provided perfect little shelters from the wind, the sun and other beach-goers! When we went the tide was fairly high, so we started out with our chairs probably 6 or 7 feet away from the edge of the water, and it was perfect for keeping an eye on the kids.

My husband and I snorkeled a bit around the cove and saw a good variety of fish, they come very close to shore.

There's also a shower and bathroom with a changing area. Overall a great beach.

Very scenic beach and better snorkeling then Hapuna but the $5 parking and the localism of the beach makes you feel a little out of place. If you snorkel to the north and look at the beach you'll see some people still prefer it a nude beach....

This beach is unique in that it offers a lot of shade. There are trees right up to the water. Currently the bathrooms are out of order but there are a few port-a-potties. There is a lot of parking and it's a short walk to the beach.

This was our favorite spot with shade and snorkeling. Small enough to watch young children. Water can get rough if not a good swimmer. Bring a small boogie board or swimming floaty to help snorkel in the rough waves.

I prefer this beach to Hapuna beach. They share the same road, but this one is about 2 miles further down the road so it attracts less crowd. There is plenty of shade trees here. The reef on the north (right) side of the beach is awesome. It is very extensive and closer to shore than the reef at Hapuna or Maunakea, so it is easier to swim to for beginners.

Best snorkeling I’ve had in ages. Easy in and out w sand at your feet plus plenty of reef to watch the fish. Great shade. Private and family oriented.

The Big Island has a lot of great beaches. Each one is unique and worth a visit. Beach 69 is a nice beach in that it can offer a lot of amenities. IMO Beach 69 is not the best beach in any one category, but is near the top in many categories. Great for snorkeling, nice shading spots to escape from the sun when needed. Rockier than Hapuna, but still pretty sandy.