Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( ) Visitors often overlook this quiet 217-acre park, located a mile from downtown.
Admittedly, the swimming here isn't great, but this is a grand spot for a picnic. Just in-
side the southern entrance gate, one tidal pool is large and sandy enough to be the perfect
keiki
(child) pool. The beach area is studded with lava rock and other tide pools; the lat-
ter are occasionally occupied by napping sea turtles.
A few breaks in the lava allow entry into the water, but fishing is the main activity.
Scuba divers and confident snorkelers can make for Garden Eel Cove, a short walk from
the north end of the beach. The reef fish are large and plentiful, and a steep coral wall in
deeper waters harbors moray eels and small caves. When the surf's up, local surfers flock
to an offshore break here.
Facilities include rest rooms, showers and covered picnic tables on a lawn dotted with
beach heliotrope and short coconut palms. Runners enjoy a mile-long jogging track and
an adjacent complex has a playground for kids.
Oh, and you know what makes going to the beach better? Getting there by barreling
down an unused airport runway. There's still a tarmac at Old Airport Park, which once
was the area's airport until it was deemed too small. To get here, follow Kuakini Hwy to
its end.
THE BIG ISLAND FOR CHILDREN
»
Dance underwater with manta rays on a nighttime snorkeling tour out of Kailua
Kona (
Click here
)
»
Trek to the ends of the Earth (or at least this island) at Green Sands Beach
(Papakolea) (
Click here
)
»
Look at, but don't touch, the sea turtles sunbathing near Kiholo Bay (
Click here
)
»
Hop and swim among lava pools filled with tropical fish at Kapoho Tide Pools
(
Click here
) and Puako (
Click here
)
»
Fly over rainforest and waterfalls on a Kohala zipline adventure (
Click here
)
»
Watch molten lava pouring into the sea on a spectacular lava boat tour (
Click
here
)
»
Ride the range on a horseback tour (
Click here
)
Sights
