Anaeho'omalu Bay
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
16 reviews for Anaeho'omalu Bay
16 reviews in English
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Review from Ruthie C.
Waikoloa, HI
Ruthie C.
0 friends
1 review
5.0 star rating
One minute ago
As much as I utterly dislike crowded, touristy beaches, I do like this one for several reasons.
It isn't very difficult to find. We found it using the Big Island Revealed app. There is ample parking. I was ready to pass when I saw all the tourists everywhere but I'm glad I gave it a chance.
As soon as you walk out to the beach, you are greeted by a grandiose tourmaline view of the water. I'll admit. I was awed. Still wasn't happy that there were people everywhere but it really wasn't that bad. Right but the restrooms (that are, by the way, decent, clean, functional) are several trees that offer shade and act as natural dividers so you can find a nook to claim and not feel like you're in the general population.
You can hike farther down to the left and follow the water line where you can enjoy the sounds of the waves crashing and watch the windsurfers. Once you pass the area where new construction is going on, you will pass endless rows of trees on your left where you can find many spots to sunbathe, reflect, daydream, etc without being disturbed except for the occasional explorer. I am writing this review under the shade of some trees, 10 feet from the gently rolling waves. The breeze is refreshing and the number of windsurfers have doubled since I started my exploration.
On my way here, I passed several turtles. After I took my 500 pictures of them, I moved on. The shore isn't all sand. I highly recommend shoes. There were areas where lava rocks formed crystal clear pools and those are worth checking out. Not so fun in bare feet unless you've got soles as tough as rubber tires.
I haven't gone in the water yet (me being a hiker explorer) but my husband (who is the sea monkey) tells me that there are lots of coral and the water is not as clear as other beaches in the area.
I'm giving it 5 stars inspite of my initial reluctance because I did find a quiet nook for myself away from all the others and I am thoroughly enjoying myself
Things I liked:
Beautiful, tourmaline color of the ocean
Numerous spots where it's possible to have some serenity
Lots of parking (though this has never been a negative for me if parking was not so readily available)
Working, clean bathrooms (although as a hiker, well, . . .)
Definitely the honu. I LOVE them
The other reviews gave a negative for the rough sand and lava rocks. I don't mind. It gives this beach character and a reminder that this island has been and is continually being formed by volcanic activity. I would definitely come back here and, yes, I would bring my guests here. -
Review from Sharon O.
4/2/2012
The part of the beach around the hotels is by no means the prettiest beach in Hawaii -- the beach isn't very big but the water is quite pretty. The area has a bit of boat traffic, so you need to be careful when swimming & snorkeling. We saw a sea turtle basking in the sun on the rocks at the northern end of the beach.
You can take a walk south along the bay for more beaches (that are more private and without the hotels) where we also saw a bunch of sea turtles out basking as well. -
Review from Vicky K.
La Jolla, CA
5/17/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Beautiful sunset beach. Must make the trip to waikoloa at least once to see the sunset here. The palm trees make the perfect background for sunset. Gorgeous beach! Just a note, the sand isn't soft.
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Review from Shannon N.
San Jose, CA
11/16/2011
Five star for the gorgeous beach with the palm trees for amazing sunset photos. (They did suffer damage with the 2011 tsunami, losing a bunch of those gorgeous palms...)
Two stars for the snorkeling. It's just too murky and rough out here. Nice beach facilities with shower and restrooms, but don't bother going underwater here. -
Review from Mary P.
5/20/2011 5 Check-ins Here
The best of Hawai'i all in one place. Volcanic rock, brambly trees, all kinds of flora and fauna (cool spiders, ferret looking animals, feral cats) and mostly white sand beach The sand is actually partially "black" sand which are fine particles of volcanic ash. The beach itself is a little bit rougher than a typical white sand beach due to the volcanic rock nearby. Laying on a lounge chair by the Pacific Ocean, having the waves crash you into sleep (wear sunscreen!) is awesome, as long as there aren't too many people yammering about stupid stuff.
If you go early in the AM before too many people scare them away you can see the middle aged turtles sunning themselves on the beach. I won't say exactly where cuz usually some stupid people scare them away by 10am even though there is a "no bothering the turtles, mahalo" sign.
There are various water activities available. Glass bottom boat rides. Snorkeling is probably fantastic as the sand is only 7feet down and if you find something like a giant conch shell that's empty its free for you to take. There are also younger turtles swimming all over the place and fantastic Pacific sealife. There are kayaks and canoes and various water sport things available via ocean sports.
The little garden area is a nice overlook of the beach and generally peaceful without much traffic. A good place to chill out and avoid the crowd. -
Review from Diane L.
Santa Clara, CA
2/19/2012
It's known as the A Bay by the local. Salt and pepper palm lined beach, calm water, snorkeling was average. We did see a rare Hawaiian monk seal there. There is a free public parking lot. Had outdoor shower and facility. Good spot to watch sunset.
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Review from Janelle W.
Detroit, MI
12/19/2007
Anaeho'omalu Bay is a great escape from the busier beaches on the Kohala Coast. Here, you can have your choice of prime real estate for your beach towel!
There is a rocky area between the petroglyph field and the white sand beach. This area is great for finding seashells, but you'll need to be patient. I've found many varieties of cowries and cone shells in very good shape. -
Review from Cecelia E.
San Francisco, CA
1. This beach , also known as A-Bay, is on the oceanside of Waikoloa Resort (about 27 miles from Kona). See directions and see website:
DIRECTIONS:
Take Highway 19 north from Kona toward the Kohala Resort Area. Turn left at Mile Marker #76. Turn left at the road across from Kings' Shops. Parking for the beach is at the end of this road.
http://www.destination...
2. Sunset weddings
Absolutely awesome place for sunset weddings! Almost never rains and if you get a photographer who is experienced at taking sunset wedding pictures, you will have spectacular wedding pictures!
(Yes, I am speaking from personal experience. My husband and I had our wedding on the beach there about 2 years ago. Besides the sunset pictures, we had great pictures in front of the flowers and park-like area!) -
Review from Kimthy D.
San Diego, CA
9/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rough rocks but did see a big turtle just hanging out. It was our fault we didn't have our snorkeling gear during our visit. But the rocks are pretty aggressive there.
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Review from Jessica W.
Phoenix, AZ
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Perfection. Didn't want to leave!
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Review from Nick K.
Tempe, AZ
3/8/2008
This is easily a better beach than the more popular Hapuna and Mauna Kea beaches, the only thing lacking is surfable waves. However, the snorkeling, the swimming conditions, the facilities, the parking, the crowds, the wildlife, the cleanliness, all are better.
The Marriott seems to have gone out of their way to hide the public access parking lot. Take a left after you pass the Queen's Marketplace. -
Review from Ashlee M.
San Jose, CA
7/21/2011
A Bay is a great place to go outrigger canoeing! If you dont know how the Waikoloa OCC is more than happy to show you. I love paddling with them every time I visit.
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Review from Daniela A.
Fremont, CA
1/4/2007 3 photos
This beach is off Highway 19, between Kona and Waimea. This is a more peaceful, less-touristy alternative to neighboring Hapuna Beach. A long crescent of white sand - fronting the Hilton Royal Waikoloa Hotel. A popular West Hawaii spot for windsurfing - location of many archaeological sites including two fishponds and a large petroglyph field. There are a lot of cool trees at this beach, as well and you can often spot turtles.
Listed in: My favorite places in Hawaii
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Review from Jenn S.
9/21/2010
This beach was the closest one to where we were staying and was great! We went here a couple times.
-Parking: There are plenty of spots in the public access lot and the walk isn't too far
-Restroom: The restroom by the public access parking is very nice and one of the best beach public restrooms on our trip. There is also a place to wash off after being in the ocean
-Snorkeling: There are a good amount of snorkelers in this area since the water is calm and there are coral beds. The visibility isn't the best since there are a lot of turtles and it can get windy
-Swimming: As long as you watch out for the rocky areas you can walk out pretty far and the swimming is nice
-Sea life: We saw a good number of turtles hanging by the shore and on the shore as well as all kinds of fish and other sea life
-Sand stuff: There are a ton of beach chairs that you can use closer to the Marriott for lounging and sunbathing. You can also follow the rocky path around along the shore
-Other activities: There is a glass bottom boat that does tours in the bay. You can also rent kayaks and other water equipment at the shop on the sand. If your have your own kite surfing equipment there were a few out there having a blast
-Ecological reserve: There is a small reserve area that adds beauty and peace to the scenery -
Review from Irene P.
Mountain View, CA
7/30/2011
Plenty of parking, lots of shade, and calm enough water for the keikis.
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Review from Gina B.
Sacramento, CA
7/4/2010
Our family took a stroll through the Mariott to find this great beach. Within 5 minutes a turtle swam near us and the kids were thrilled. There is a shower to rinse off on the walk back through the Mariott, and the beach was clean, quiet, and perfect for our first beach exploration on the island. We were staying in Waikoloa so this was the nearest beach to our condo.
