Waialea Beach (Beach 69)
A Local's Secret on the Kohala Coast
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerWhy Waialea is My Kohala Coast Sanctuary
The trade winds carry the scent of plumeria mixed with salt air as I write this, sitting under my favorite Kiawe tree at Waialea. Most people know the Kohala Coast for its sprawling resorts and perfect postcard beaches. But for those of us who live here, there are places that hold a different kind of mana. For me, that place is Waialea. It's not as grand as Hāpuna, and that's precisely its magic. It's intimate, it's wild, and it has a dual personality that keeps you on your toes. It's where I go to feel connected, not just to the ocean, but to the real, untamed spirit of the island.
Every morning, I watch the sun rise over Mauna Kea from my house in Hanalei on Kauaʻi. But when I'm on the Big Island visiting family or working on stories about the Kohala Coast, Waialea is where I come to think, to breathe, and to remember why I fell in love with these islands in the first place. There's something about this particular stretch of coastline that speaks to the part of my soul that still carries the stories my papa used to tell under the ironwood trees.
You've probably heard it called by its famous nickname, "Beach 69." That name is a relic of a time when this spot was a true local secret, a time before paved parking lots and official signs. The name came from the simple island custom of identifying places by the nearest numbered utility pole along the coast.
A Dual Identity: Beach 69 vs. Waialea Bay
This dual identity is at the heart of what makes this beach so special. Officially, it is Waialea Bay, and more specifically, it is managed as the "Waialea Bay Section" of the larger Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area. This reflects its modern reality as a beloved destination for visitors and residents alike, complete with facilities and state management. But for many of us, it will always be Beach 69, a place that feels a little more secluded and a little less tamed than its more famous neighbors.
The transformation from hidden local spot to managed state recreation area tells a larger story about Hawai'i itself. When I first started coming here as a teenager in the 1990s with my cousins from Waimea, we'd park on the rough shoulder of Old Puakō Road and make our way down a barely visible trail through the Kiawe forest. There were no signs, no facilities, and certainly no parking fees. You had to know someone who knew someone to learn about this place.
Forget the quick summaries you've read elsewhere. In this guide, I'm going to walk you through Waialea's two distinct seasons, map out the best snorkeling you'll find on this coast, and share the local knowledge you need to experience this gem safely and respectfully. This is the complete information I share with my own 'ohana when they come to visit from the other islands.
Explore Waialea Beach
Discover the seasonal personalities, world-class snorkeling, and local secrets of this Marine Life Conservation District.
ℹ️ Quick Info
- Official Name: Waialea Bay
- Local Name: Beach 69
- Best Season: May-October
- Parking Fee: $10 + $5/person
- Hours: 7AM - 8PM
📅 Seasonal Guide
- Summer (May-Oct) Calm & Sandy
- Winter (Nov-Apr) Wild & Rocky
- Whale Season Dec-Apr
🎒 Essential Gear
- Sturdy reef walkers (thorns!)
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Snorkel gear
- Plenty of water
- First aid kit
The Tale of Two Beaches: Waialea's Summer & Winter Personalities
One of the most critical things to understand about Waialea is that it is not the same beach year-round. Its personality shifts dramatically with the seasons, transforming from a gentle, welcoming haven in the summer to a place of raw, powerful beauty in the winter. This seasonal transformation is more dramatic here than at many other Big Island beaches because of Waialea's particular orientation and exposure to different ocean swells.
Understanding these seasonal changes requires a basic knowledge of how ocean swells work in the Hawaiian Islands. During summer months, the North Pacific is relatively calm, and the primary swells affecting the islands come from the south and southeast, generated by storms in the Southern Hemisphere. Winter tells a completely different story, with massive northwest swells generated by storms thousands of miles away.
☀️ Summer Bliss (May - October)
Summer at Beach 69 is pure bliss. This is the season when the beach lives up to its most idyllic image. The powerful winter swells have subsided, allowing the ocean to gently return the fine, white sand to the shoreline. The result is a broad, beautiful beach that slopes gradually into the water.
- Perfect for families & beginners
- Calm, clear water (100+ ft visibility)
- Ideal snorkeling conditions
- Natural Kiawe tree shade
🌊 Winter's Wild Side (November - April)
Winter is when the beach shows its power, reminding everyone who visits that the ocean is not just a playground—it's a force of nature that demands respect. The same waves that create legendary surf on the North Shore crash into Waialea Bay, scouring sand and exposing jagged lava rock.
- High surf & dangerous conditions
- Rocky, exposed shoreline
- Prime whale watching season
- For experienced ocean users only
I have a simple rule that I share with everyone, including my own family: if the waves are big, I don't go in. It's that simple. There's no shame in respecting the ocean's power, and there's no photo or swim that's worth risking your safety. There are no lifeguards on duty here.
Winter's Magic: Whale Watching Season
However, this wildness brings its own unique magic that I've grown to love just as much as the gentle summer days. While swimming may be off the table, winter is the prime season for watching humpback whales. From December through April, these magnificent creatures visit Hawaiian waters to breed and calve, and Waialea's elevated position and clear sightlines make it an excellent whale watching spot.
From the shore, you can often see whales breaching and playing just outside the bay, sometimes just a few hundred yards from shore. I've witnessed mothers with calves, competing males putting on spectacular displays, and solo whales just cruising along the coastline. The sound of their breathing can sometimes be heard from the beach on calm days, a reminder of just how close they come to shore.
