The Kohala coast is where the Big Island's luxury resorts live: Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, Fairmont Orchid, Hilton Waikoloa. This sun-baked stretch of lava-field-meets-coastline between the airport and Waikoloa has the island's best beaches, some of its most interesting historical sites, and easy access to North Kohala's dramatic valleys and Waimea's cowboy country. If you're staying at a resort and wondering what to do beyond the pool, here's your playbook.
The Beaches: World-Class and Walkable
Kohala has the Big Island's best concentration of white sand beaches, and they're all within 20 minutes of each other.
Hapuna Beach is the headliner. A half-mile of wide white sand consistently ranked among the world's best. Great for swimming, bodyboarding, and just being on a beautiful beach. Mauna Kea Beach next door is slightly more refined (fronts the Mauna Kea resort) with excellent snorkeling on the rocky points.
Beach 69 is the local favorite with more shade trees, fewer tourists, and solid snorkeling. A-Bay at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott has easy water sports access (kayak, paddleboard, and snorkel rentals right on the sand). Spencer Beach near Kawaihae is the calmest water on the coast, ideal for families with little kids. Read our complete beach guide for details on each.
Ancient Petroglyphs: Walking Through History
The lava fields around Waikoloa contain thousands of ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs, rock carvings that are 500-1,000+ years old. Two sites are easily accessible:
Waikoloa Petroglyph Field (Kings' Shops Trail) is a 1-mile round-trip walk through lava from the Kings' Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort. You'll see hundreds of carvings: human figures, canoes, turtles, and abstract patterns. The trail is flat but exposed to sun. Go early morning or late afternoon.
Puakō Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve near Mauna Lani has the largest concentration of petroglyphs on the Big Island, with over 3,000 carvings in one area. A 1.5-mile round-trip trail through kiawe trees leads to the main field. It's more off-the-beaten-path than Waikoloa and feels more raw.
Both sites are free. Stay on the marked trails and don't touch or step on the carvings.
North Kohala: The Road Trip
A 30-minute drive north from the resorts takes you to North Kohala. One of the most beautiful and least-touristed regions on the island.
Pololu Valley Lookout and Hike
Pololu Valley is the end of the road (literally) and the beginning of a dramatic coastline of sea cliffs and hidden valleys. The lookout at the top offers sweeping views of the valley and coast. The trail down to the black sand beach takes 20 minutes (steep, muddy when wet, rugged). Guided Pololu Valley hikes add local knowledge and take you deeper into the valley.
Hawi Town
Hawi is a tiny plantation town at the northern tip of the island that's been reinvented as an arts community. Galleries, boutique shops, a handful of excellent restaurants, and a pace of life that makes Kona feel metropolitan. Stop here for lunch and a browse.
King Kamehameha Statue
The original King Kamehameha statue stands in Kapaau, near Hawi (the famous one in Honolulu is a replica). Kamehameha was born nearby at Kamehameha Birth Site. Small but historically significant.
Kohala Mountain Road
Highway 250 connects Hawi to Waimea along the spine of the Kohala Mountains. The views are spectacular, with rolling green pastures with the ocean far below on both sides. On clear days you can see Maui. This is one of the most scenic drives on the Big Island.
Waimea: Cowboy Country
Waimea (also called Kamuela) sits at 2,500 feet in the middle of paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country, with green rolling hills, cattle ranches, and a cool climate that feels nothing like the resorts 30 minutes south. Parker Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the US, has been operating here since 1847.
The Waimea Farmers Market (Saturday mornings) is excellent, with local produce, grass-fed beef, artisan cheeses, and Hamakua mushrooms. The town has strong restaurants (Merriman's is the standout, where he pioneered Hawaii Regional Cuisine).
Paniolo Adventures offers horseback riding through ranch land with views of three volcanoes and the coast below. It's a completely different Big Island experience from the ocean activities on the coast.
Water Activities from the Kohala Coast
Kayak turtle tours and sunset cruises launch from the Kohala coast. Kohala Divers' whale watch and sunset combo from Kawaihae Harbor is great during whale season. The calmer waters here are ideal for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
Day Trips from the Kohala Coast
- Kona: 30 minutes south. Coffee farms, historic Ali'i Drive, harbor activities. See our Kona guide.
- Volcano: 2.5 hours. Take a guided circle island tour to avoid the long drive.
- Hilo: 90 minutes via Saddle Road. Waterfalls, farmers market, authentic east-side vibe.
- Hamakua Coast waterfalls: 60-90 minutes. Akaka Falls and the scenic coast drive.
Unique Experiences Near the Resorts
- Slingshot rental: Three-wheeled open-air vehicle to cruise the coast road. Fun, photogenic, and available right in Waikoloa.
- Lapakahi State Historical Park: Ruins of a 600-year-old Hawaiian fishing village on the coast. Free, uncrowded, fascinating walking tour through restored foundations and canoe sheds.
- Golf: The Kohala coast has five championship courses (Mauna Kea, Hapuna, Mauna Lani North/South, Waikoloa). The ocean-front holes are some of the most scenic in the world.
For the full island picture, browse our 15 best Big Island tours and activities.