Anaehoʻomalu Bay Guide

Aloha mai kākou,

My name is Kalani Miller, and for as long as I can remember, the beaches of Hawaiʻi have been my playground, my office, and my sanctuary. There's a certain magic to the place where the land gives way to the sea, a story in every grain of sand. But if you were to ask me for a spot that truly captures the soul of the Big Island, a place where you can feel the pulse of ancient Hawaiʻi and the relaxed vibe of modern island life all at once, I'd take you to Anaehoʻomalu Bay.

Most folks just call it A-Bay. It's a name that rolls off the tongue a little easier, I'll admit. Every time I pull up, I take a deep breath. The air is thick with the sweet smell of salt and plumeria, carried on the steady Kohala breeze. You hear the gentle lapping of the waves on the shore, a sound that has soothed generations. You see the iconic curve of the bay, a perfect crescent of salt-and-pepper sand fringed by a grove of coconut palms that have stood watch for decades. It's the postcard image of Hawaiʻi you've always dreamed of.

Hoʻomākaukau (To Prepare) – Your A-Bay Essentials

Before you can sink your toes in the sand, let's get the practical stuff out of the way. Getting to A-Bay is easy, but knowing a few local tricks will make your arrival smooth and stress-free.

Finding Your Way to Paradise

Anaehoʻomalu Bay is nestled within the Waikoloa Beach Resort on the sunny Kohala Coast. If you're driving from Kailua-Kona, it's a beautiful 40-minute trip north along the Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, or Highway 19. You'll be driving through vast, ancient lava fields, a dramatic scene that makes the green oasis of the Kohala Coast feel even more special when you arrive.

Keep an eye out for the mile markers. At Mile Marker 76, you'll see the main entrance for the Waikoloa Beach Resort. Turn left here onto Waikoloa Beach Drive. You'll pass the Queens' Marketplace on your left. Continue on, and just across from the Kings' Shops, you'll see a road on your left called Kuʻualiʻi Place. There's a clear sign that says "Anaehoomalu Bay," so you can't miss it.

Parking & Beach Access

This is a key tip: follow Kuʻualiʻi Place down towards the water. You'll see parking for the Lava Lava Beach Club, but unless that's your only destination, keep going. At the very end of the road, there is a large, free public parking lot. This is where you want to be. From the lot, it's an easy, flat walk of about 800 feet to the beach itself. Remember, all beaches in Hawaiʻi are public, and A-Bay has excellent access for everyone. The beach park is officially open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm daily.

The Lay of the Land

As you step onto the sand, you'll understand why A-Bay is so beloved. It's a long, sweeping crescent of what we call "salt-and-pepper" sand—a beautiful mix of fine white coral and tiny flecks of black lava rock that tells the story of our island's geology. The beach is lined with a generous grove of coconut palms, which provide that perfect tropical silhouette and, more practically, plenty of niumalu (shade of the coconut palms) during the heat of the day.

The bay itself is protected by a large offshore reef, which acts as a natural breakwater. This means that most of the year, the water inside the bay is calm, clear, and shallow near the shore, making it perfect for families with young children and for casual swimming.

A Heads Up on the Wind

The Kohala Coast is famous for its sunshine, but it's also known for its wind. In fact, Waikoloa has a local nickname: "Waiko-blow-a". Some afternoons, the trade winds can really pick up, whipping across the lava fields. But don't let that deter you! On windy days, A-Bay transforms into a playground for windsurfers and kitesurfers, and watching them zip across the water is a show in itself. The best time for calm water is almost always in the morning.