Carlsmith Beach Park, Hilo

Carlsmith Beach Park is a magical place straight out of a fantasy! Here, natural springs mix with the sea, making for a swim that gets cold then warm then very cold again. The water is a beautiful shade of turquoise. Mossy green grass covers the rocks at the water's edge. Most people enter on the right side where there are painful rocks (keep your flip flops on till you get to the stairs!) and then a metal staircase with a railing to enter the water. Sometimes, depending on the tide, you can also enter the water at a little cove on the left side. What a pretty spot!! If it's low tide, this won't work since it's too shallow to swim at the cove. Overall, it's nicer here at high tide, when more ocean water mixes with the spring water, warming things up.

Another nice place to explore is Richardson Ocean Park, a three minute drive to the east, where there's a tiny black sand beach plus ponds from natural springs.
Come at low tide when there is more spring water rather than sea water, since there is a sewer plant nearby. And don't swim if you have cuts.

Directions

Carlsmith Beach Park is located at 1815 Kalanianaole Ave, Hilo, HI 96720. There is a parking lot- come early to get a spot! Otherwise, you can walk around the corner to some more parking.
Carlsmith Beach Park is a seven minute drive east of the Banyan Drive hotels.

Click on map for interactive view