This Secluded Bay In Hawaii Might Just Be Your New Favorite Swimming Spot
By Megan Shute|Published June 02, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
With approximately 750 miles of coastline, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible beaches, beautiful inlets, jaw-dropping peninsulas, and breathtaking bays. Many of these devastatingly gorgeous spots are ideal spots to spend a summer afternoon soaking up the bright, Hawaiian sunshine, but one bay, in particular, stands out in a crowd. Featuring a series of glistening turquoise tidepools inside of a protected bay, Kiholo Bay might just become your new favorite destination this summer. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Nestled along Hawaii Island’s North Kona Coast is the Kiholo State Park Reserve, a striking slice of paradise just waiting to be discovered.
But that’s not the only history you’ll find here: in 1820, Kiholo Bay was created as a man-made fishing pond for King Kamehameha the Great, a recreational area bordered by rock walls six feet tall and 20 feet wide. During the 1859 lava flow, much of the structure was destroyed, and now, you will find the remnants as large stones surrounding the tide pools. The hardened lava from the eruption is also the cause of the bay’s black pebble beaches.
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At approximately two miles long, this is one of the Aloha State’s longest bays. It is also one of Hawaii’s most secluded and beautiful destinations as well.
This wasn't always the case, though. Some say the bay used to be "loved to death" by locals and tourists alike, but conservation efforts — including a ban on driving along the coastline — has aided in restoring this phenomenal bay to its former glory.
While the trailhead is found near the center of Kiholo Bay, you will need to hike to experience the bay's western and eastern sides. The trail is approximately 2.8 miles round trip, and you will need to carry in all of your beach gear. The trail surrounding Kiholo Bay takes hikers to a black sand beach, a flooded lava tube, and some incredible sights. Don't forget your camera!
On the northern end of the bay, you will find Wainanaliʻi Pond, a unique body of water nestled between a lava flow and a grove of coconut trees. This area is known to locals as the Blue Lagoon and is an oasis for Hawaiian green sea turtles who use this destination to feed and bask on the rocks.
Be warned, though: this is as primitive as camping gets. You will not find any facilities (or fresh water) in this remote bay.
There is something absolutely magical about the contrast between the stark, lava-covered coast and the crystalline turquoise waters, wouldn’t you agree?
Kiholo Bay can be found at 71-1890 Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. During the summer, Kiholo State Park Reserve is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Click here to learn about camping in this striking locale.
Where is your favorite summer swimming spot in Hawaii? Perhaps it’s one of these little-known beaches? Share your favorite Hawaii beach photographs with us in our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group! Who knows, you might even discover your new favorite beach!
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