Hilo's Beach Parks
 
 Leleiwi Beach Park
 
Location - Approx. 4 miles East of Hilo on Keaukaha Coast.

Water Entry / Exit - Climb over the low rock wall onto the lava point. Enter the water to the right on the low shelf. Watch your step on the slippery lava rock,
and be careful of the waves when entering the water.
 
You may have to time your entry to right after the wave hits the lava shelf.
Do not attempt to enter in high surf.

Snorkel Route - Start off to the left of the rock wall and follow the reef. Hawaiian Sea turtles are very common in this area. A visit to Leleiwi Beach Park
without seeing turtles is very rare.

Extras - Picnic area; coral sea arch.
 
Directions - Take Rte 11 South / Kanoelehua until it ends (near airport) at Banyan Drive; turn right onto Kamehameha; drive along the coast approx. 4 miles. The parking lot and sign to the park will be on the left side.
 

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 Richardson's Beach Park

Location - Approx. 4.5 miles East of Hilo on Keaukaha Coast.

Water Entry / Exit - Easy via the black sand beach.

Snorkel Route - for beginners, stay in the enclosed cove. Watch out for surfers.
For the adventurous, swim out and around (South) the lava rock outcrops this will lead you to a nice reef and lots of fish and usually sea turtles.
Be careful during high surf conditions.
 
The protected cove attracts a multitude of colorful fish that swim around the coral reef. Out beyond the cove the water deepens.

Extras - Lifeguard on duty; showers and bathrooms, black sand beach;
take the time to venture South along the beach to the lava rock tidal pools.
 
Directions - Take Rte 11 South / Kanoelehua until it ends (near airport) at
Banyan Drive; turn right onto Kamehameha; drive along the coast approx. 4.5 miles (pass Leleiwi Beach) until just before the road ends.
The parking lot and sign to the park will be on the left side.
 
Leleiwi Beach Park and Richardson's Beach are located
adjacent to each other.
We suggest you try to snorkel both locations in the same day.
Start the morning at Leleiwi, bring a picnic lunch and drinks.
 
After snorkeling at Leleiwi, enjoy a relaxing lunch in the pavilion and then head down to Richardson's for the afternoon.
 

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Onekahakaha Beach Park
 
Location - Approx.2 miles East of Hilo on Keaukaha Coast.
 
For snorkeling beginners, stay in the enclosed cove.
This is a terrific spot for very little kids because a lot of the
area is shallow and has gentle white sand. For the
adventurous, swim out and around (South) the lava rock
outcrops this will lead you to a nice reef and lots of
fish and usually sea turtles too.
 
Be careful during high surf conditions.

Extras - Lifeguard on duty; showers and bathrooms,
white sand beach; picnic tables.
 
Directions - Take Rte 11 South / Kanoelehua until it ends (near airport)
at Banyan Drive; turn right onto Kamehameha; drive along the
coast approx. 2 miles. The sign to the park will be on the left side.
 
There is almost always lots of parking close to the beach.
 

Reservations & Availability
  Things to do in Hilo