Best Family-Friendly Beaches on the Big Island for Kids and Photos in Kailua-Kona
The Big Island is an incredible place to visit and bring your family to, especially if you’re dreaming of a Hawaiʻi beach vacation with your kids. The west side of the island around Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa, and the Kohala Coast has some amazing family-friendly beaches that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and photos.
One thing people often don’t consider is that because the Big Island of Hawaiʻi is the youngest of the Hawaiian islands, much of its lava rock and coral haven’t yet broken down into soft sand. Coarse lava rock and wana (sea urchins) that live nearby, combined with powerful waves, can cause injuries for those not used to navigating these Pacific waters.
Bringing your little ones to some of these beaches can feel stressful, especially when you’re constantly worrying they might get hurt on a rock or pricked by a sea urchin. Choosing the right kid-safe beaches on the Big Island makes a huge difference in how relaxed your Hawaiʻi family vacation feels.
My name is Grant, and I am a wedding and family photographer based in Kailua-Kona. I’ve brought hundreds of families to different beaches around Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa, and the Kohala Coast for sunset and sunrise photoshoots. Over the years, I’ve developed a list of beaches that are safe and fun for kids, so during my photo sessions, families can focus on fun and connection instead of safety concerns.
The biggest thing I look for in a kid-friendly beach is some kind of natural barrier—either a reef or lava rock formation. These barriers break up the waves and keep the water calmer for little ones to play in. I have two young children, and I never let them play in the water unless it has this kind of protection.
Beach #1: Kikaua Point Park – Calm Cove Near Kailua-Kona
Kikaua Point Park is located just below the Four Seasons Hualālai and is our top choice whenever we want a beach day on the Kona side. This beautiful spot has several shaded areas and a crescent-shaped white sand beach with minimal lava rocks in the water. The sand is soft, and the shallow water stays comfortably warm, making it an ideal Big Island beach for toddlers and younger kids.
For teens or adults, there are areas of lava rock and some light snorkeling just outside the shallow section. During low tide, tide pools form where your family can explore small marine life together. While this beach isn’t widely known for honu (sea turtles), I’ve spotted them here from time to time.
Every family I’ve brought here for a photoshoot has absolutely loved it and thanked me for showing them this hidden gem. The scenery captures everything the Big Island is known for—black lava rock, palm and banyan trees, and lush greenery—making it one of my favorite locations for family photoshoots, micro weddings, and elopements.
Amenities include clean bathrooms and shower areas, perfect for rinsing off before walking back to the car. If you’re staying at the Four Seasons Hualālai or in the Kukio residences, this beach is a no-brainer for a quick family outing or a relaxed Kona family photo session. There are no lifeguards on duty, so always keep an eye on your children. Parking is limited, especially during peak hours, but you can also walk down from Kukio Beach just north of Kikaua if you don’t mind a short hike.
Photo by: ELP Productions
Photo by: ELP Productions
Beach #2: Honokōhau Harbor – Quiet Sunrise Spot Near Kona
The Harbor (Honokōhau Harbor area) is a wonderful beach and a joy for family photoshoots. It’s my top spot for sunrise sessions near Kailua-Kona because the light is soft and the area is usually quiet.
Once you hike in, it feels like you’ve stepped into a different world. The sand is soft, and an old fish trap barrier helps break down the larger waves, creating a calmer area for kids. There’s plenty of lush greenery, and children love running around the A-frame Hale Wa‘a located here.
This is also a common place to spot honu resting or swimming near shore. Parking is simple—you can leave your car in the large Honokōhau Boat Harbor lot and walk in. Bathrooms are nearby but not quite as nice or accessible as other locations. There are no lifeguards, so be sure to stay engaged and supervise children closely. I can’t recommend The Harbor enough for fun, easy family memories and laid-back Big Island family photos.
Photo by: ELP Productions
Beach #3: Kahaluʻu Beach – Best Snorkeling Beach for Kids
Kahaluʻu Beach, a black sand and rock beach just south of downtown Kailua-Kona, is unique because it’s divided into two distinct areas. The right half is one of the most popular places to learn to surf on the Big Island, and the left half forms a calm cove protected by a natural lava rock reef.
It’s known as one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, with lots of fish and coral close to shore. For kids, though, it’s hands down one of the best options—easier to enter, less rocky in the shallow cove, and usually quite calm. Before you reach the reef, a protected area gives young kids a safe place to splash and play.
There’s a lifeguard on duty, which gives parents extra peace of mind. Amenities include paid parking, bathrooms, a water fountain, a pavilion, picnic tables, and other family-friendly facilities. If you want a mix of kid-friendly swimming and beginner snorkeling near Kona, Kahaluʻu is hard to beat.
Beach #4: Anaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay) – Waikoloa Resort Family Beach
Anaehoʻomalu Bay (A-Bay) in Waikoloa Village is one of the most iconic resort beaches on the Big Island. This long white sand beach is lined with palm trees and bordered by lava rock on both sides of the cove.
Behind the beach, you’ll find historic fishponds to explore, which kids and adults both enjoy. While waves can get rough during high surf because there isn’t a strong reef barrier, the flat sand and limited lava rock on the main beach make it generally safe for play when conditions are normal.
Located right in front of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott and very close to the Hilton Waikoloa, A-Bay is easily accessible if you’re staying in the Waikoloa resort area. After a beach day, you can enjoy dinner at Lava Lava Beach Club or explore Queen’s Marketplace and nearby shopping and dining options. Parking is fairly easy, and the beach has restrooms and feet-wash stations to help clean up your little ones after a great day in the water and sand.
This beach is a favorite and can get crowded around sunset. I often prefer to take families to quieter beaches for sunset photoshoots because of all the distractions with small kids, but A-Bay is one of the best options for sunrise photoshoots if you’re staying up north.
Photo by: ELP Productions
Beach #5: Kamakahonu (King Kamehameha Beach) – Downtown Kailua-Kona
Kamakahonu Beach is perfect if you’re staying in downtown Kailua-Kona and want an easy, calm swimming spot for young kids. The sand is soft, and the swimming area is very protected by a pier and the historic Ahuʻena Heiau, creating one of the calmest spots for babies and toddlers to experience the ocean.
Many local families bring their babies here for their first ocean swim. This is the beach where my wife and I brought our daughter to play before she was even a year old. You can often see canoe paddlers practicing in the afternoons, and around sunset you might hear live music from the Island Breeze Lūʻau across the water.
The beach sits in front of the King Kamehameha Beach Hotel, giving you easy access to snacks from King’s Coffee or the ABC Store, meals at Honu’s on the Beach or Billfish Bar & Grill, and cultural exhibits and experiences inside the hotel. You’re also right in the heart of downtown Kona, so it’s simple to explore shops and restaurants before or after your beach time.
There’s no lifeguard on duty, so please stay cautious. Parking is the biggest downside—paid parking is available directly at the hotel, or you can find free spots in a lot about a quarter-mile away. There are also other paid lots in downtown Kona that may be a slightly longer walk.
Beach #6: Hapuna Beach – Classic North Kohala White Sand
Hapuna Beach is one of the island’s longest white sand beaches and a longtime favorite for families. It’s located on the north end of the island, making it convenient if you’re staying at the Westin Hapuna, Mauna Kea, Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, or nearby vacation rentals.
Public amenities include picnic tables, pavilions, showers, and restrooms. The beach can get busy, but its size means you’ll usually find space to set up for the day. Lifeguards are on duty here, which adds a layer of safety. Hapuna isn’t as sheltered from waves, so this beach is better for your kids who are 10+ who have been itching to body surf, boogie board, or play in the waves.
Photo by: ELP Productions
Photo by: ELP Productions
Be Safe!
The water in Hawaiʻi can be much more powerful than you might expect. Especially in the winter season. The island’s steep volcanic slopes amplify wave energy compared to many mainland beaches, and even small-looking waves can pack a punch. If the water seems rough or you feel unsure, it’s always safest to stay out and choose a more protected spot.
Look for beaches with reef or lava rock barriers that break up the swell, watch for warning signs, and whenever possible, choose locations with lifeguards on duty when you’re swimming with kids.
Photo by: ELP Productions
Capture Your Big Island Family Vacation
The ELP Productions team! Grant, Eden and our daughter.
Photo by: ELP Productions
I hope these beach suggestions help you plan your Big Island family vacation and create unforgettable memories with your children on this beautiful island. These are the same kid-friendly beaches I recommend to my photography clients when they’re visiting Kona, Waikoloa, or the Kohala Coast.
If you’d like to capture some of these moments, reach out through the contact form below. I specialize in working with families with young children to make sure that even the wildest, silliest kids end up with joyful photos where everyone is smiling and having fun.
Even if you’re not planning a photoshoot, feel free to reach out for recommendations or local insight during your time in Kona and along the Kohala Coast.
Safe travels and mahalo nui,