Waialea Beach (Beach 69), Kohala Coast

We stumbled upon Waialea Beach one day while we were lost looking for a snorkeling area nearby. We pulled into the dusty miserable parking lot, and almost turned around. I said, "Let's just see what's here," and ran to have a look. Through the trees a strip of deep vibrant blue emerged and I continued on. There, before my eyes, was the perfect beach I'd been dreaming of for the past year. I'd been longing for a swim in tropical waters. And this was it!

Stretching down to the shoreline was thick shade from the ironwood trees. The sand was a lovely cream color, and the water...well, the colors were indescribable. Tiny waves tickled the shore.
We all ran down to the water, fins and snorkels in hand, and swam out to the right, near the little cove. There we found a huge coral garden and colorful fish. Next, we snorkeled to the left (south), around the other side of the large rock formation. That was the best snorkeling I've found in Hawaii. There was a whole garden of live coral, pinks, purples, greens, and lovely little tropical fish. A turtle swam right past us. I've never seen so much live coral in Hawaii!
After snorkeling, I bounced about in the clear, clear water. Wow! What a swim! What bliss!
Sometimes the beach is not calm but windy and choppy, and then the snorkeling and swimming is not as good. Summer is the best time to find a calm day- winter brings choppy waters. You also have to choose where you swim since some areas are mostly sand while others have lots of rocks. Be careful with your feet, as you can step on a sea urchin.
This beach is also called Beach 69 because it used to be by the 69 mile marker, though nowadays it's by the 71 mile marker. Don't mistake it with Beach 49 which has a similar name but one numeral different!
There are restrooms and showers (with lots of wasps buzzing around them). Watch out for kiawe thorns on the sand, from the kiawe trees. These are long thorns on thin branches, and poisonous. They can cause a hospital visit. There were also mice on the beach, weirdly, so keep any food closed up. For this reason, I prefer this beach for a swim and quick exit, rather than a picnic under the trees.
After, have lunch at Hau Tree Cafe on Mauna Kea Hotel Beach and walk the oceanfront Ala Kahakai Trail. Or, have a meal and do some shopping at Queens' Marketplace and Kings' Shops.

Directions

To get to Waialea Beach: From Hwy 19 going north, turn left on Pauko Beach Rd (near the 71 mile marker), and then right on Pauko Rd. The driveway to the parking is the second on the left.
There are showers and restrooms. Parking is $5 in the pay machine but Hawaii residents don't have to pay.

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