Palm Villas at Mauna Lani, Big Island, Hawaii
Beaches and Snorkeling
There are two ways to get to the Beach Club, a five minute drive or even better, a beautiful 15 min walk through the historic lava fields and fish ponds. Early morning and right before sunset are our favorite times to go. Simply walk out the pedestrian gate and take a left towards the shops at Mauna Lani. About 500 feet on the left is the public parking lot and pedestrian access to the historic area. There are some plaques explaining the area along the way. First you will see the lava fields and once you cross the golf cart path you will enter the fish ponds. The Mauna Lani Terrace Condos will be on your right. *Maps are located in the back.
If you go straight, you will get to the ocean and turn left along the shore to get to the Beach Club. Don’t forget to stop to see the huge eels along the way. The newly renovated Mauna Lani Auberge hotel and pool are a minute or two walk to the right. The Fairmont Orchid is just another mile past that.
Or take the second left and wander through the fish ponds to reach the Beach Club in a more meandering way. We like to take one path there and the other back for variety.
If you follow the green offshoot, you get to the Queen’s Pond. A unique freshwater pool you can swim in or just dangle your feet and let the schools of tiny fish give you a free pedicure.
If you don’t feel like walking, drive back to the rotary and take the first right and follow the road to the end. Refer to the map and the beach club is nestled on Makaiwa Bay. Access the gate to the Beach Club by using the sea turtle key card provided.
All beaches in Hawaii are accessible to the public, but the Beach Club provides a limited number of lounge chairs and cabanas on a first come basis for you, our guest. There are also outdoor showers, changing rooms, and bathrooms.
You can swim and lounge in the water, or snorkel at one of the Big Island’s finest snorkel reefs.
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mauna Lani Beach Club
There are two ways to get to the Beach Club, a five minute drive or even better, a beautiful 15 min walk through the historic lava fields and fish ponds. Early morning and right before sunset are our favorite times to go. Simply walk out the pedestrian gate and take a left towards the shops at Mauna Lani. About 500 feet on the left is the public parking lot and pedestrian access to the historic area. There are some plaques explaining the area along the way. First you will see the lava fields and once you cross the golf cart path you will enter the fish ponds. The Mauna Lani Terrace Condos will be on your right. *Maps are located in the back.
If you go straight, you will get to the ocean and turn left along the shore to get to the Beach Club. Don’t forget to stop to see the huge eels along the way. The newly renovated Mauna Lani Auberge hotel and pool are a minute or two walk to the right. The Fairmont Orchid is just another mile past that.
Or take the second left and wander through the fish ponds to reach the Beach Club in a more meandering way. We like to take one path there and the other back for variety.
If you follow the green offshoot, you get to the Queen’s Pond. A unique freshwater pool you can swim in or just dangle your feet and let the schools of tiny fish give you a free pedicure.
If you don’t feel like walking, drive back to the rotary and take the first right and follow the road to the end. Refer to the map and the beach club is nestled on Makaiwa Bay. Access the gate to the Beach Club by using the sea turtle key card provided.
All beaches in Hawaii are accessible to the public, but the Beach Club provides a limited number of lounge chairs and cabanas on a first come basis for you, our guest. There are also outdoor showers, changing rooms, and bathrooms.
You can swim and lounge in the water, or snorkel at one of the Big Island’s finest snorkel reefs.
At Uncle Gary’s shack, you can rent snorkel gear, boogie boards, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and more.
You can also schedule Scuba diving (boat and shore) at Mauna Lani Sea Adventures just north of Uncle Gary’s, with some of the best sites on all of the islands right off the coast. Request Scuba Steve if you can. He’s “My” Octopus Teacher!
https://maunalaniseaadventures.com
Or take one of their Winona Catamaran water adventures. Reservations are recommended well in advance.
Mauna Lani Sea Adventures
68-1292 S Kaniku DrAt Uncle Gary’s shack, you can rent snorkel gear, boogie boards, stand up paddle boards, kayaks and more.
You can also schedule Scuba diving (boat and shore) at Mauna Lani Sea Adventures just north of Uncle Gary’s, with some of the best sites on all of the islands right off the coast. Request Scuba Steve if you can. He’s “My” Octopus Teacher!
https://maunalaniseaadventures.com
Or take one of their Winona Catamaran water adventures. Reservations are recommended well in advance.
One of our favorite places to go is Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Cove) for snorkeling. Accessible by a hike to the monument which can be challenging, you may be better served by booking a guided kayak tour or you can take one of the charter boats. We prefer the smaller boats for a more personal experience. For a little more adventure, you can rent your own kayaks from https://www.baysideadventures.com or http://www.ehuandkai.com and go at your own pace. We like to get there at 7am so we’re snorkeling by 8am. If you’re there past 9am, it will get busy. Don’t forget to stop at Shaka Tacoz in Captain Cook after a full day of snorkeling and kayaking. The view is as good as the tacos. https://shakatacoz.com
Kona Boys, Iruka Kona - Hawaii Experiences, or Sea Quest Hawaii are good too. Both of these vendors also do Manta Ray Snorkel tours at sunset which is one of our favorite adventures.
89 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Kealakekua Bay
One of our favorite places to go is Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Cove) for snorkeling. Accessible by a hike to the monument which can be challenging, you may be better served by booking a guided kayak tour or you can take one of the charter boats. We prefer the smaller boats for a more personal experience. For a little more adventure, you can rent your own kayaks from https://www.baysideadventures.com or http://www.ehuandkai.com and go at your own pace. We like to get there at 7am so we’re snorkeling by 8am. If you’re there past 9am, it will get busy. Don’t forget to stop at Shaka Tacoz in Captain Cook after a full day of snorkeling and kayaking. The view is as good as the tacos. https://shakatacoz.com
Kona Boys, Iruka Kona - Hawaii Experiences, or Sea Quest Hawaii are good too. Both of these vendors also do Manta Ray Snorkel tours at sunset which is one of our favorite adventures.
Beach 69 (Waialea Beach) at mile marker 69 going north on the highway is a short drive to a shaded beach. The trees go right up to the water offering a natural umbrella to read a book under. The swimming and snorkeling is good as well.
109 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Waialea Beach
Old Puako RoadBeach 69 (Waialea Beach) at mile marker 69 going north on the highway is a short drive to a shaded beach. The trees go right up to the water offering a natural umbrella to read a book under. The swimming and snorkeling is good as well.
Hapuna Beach Park – is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and when there are waves can be a fun place to body surf and boogie board.
The main entrance is about 15 minutes away traveling north on the highway. There are signs and when you exit the highway to the left, you will follow the road and take a left at the T intersection. There is a charge for parking, but this provides you access to not only this world class beach, but public showers and a covered pavilion with picnic tables to get out of the sun.
241 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hapuna Beach
Hapuna Beach Park – is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in the US, and when there are waves can be a fun place to body surf and boogie board.
The main entrance is about 15 minutes away traveling north on the highway. There are signs and when you exit the highway to the left, you will follow the road and take a left at the T intersection. There is a charge for parking, but this provides you access to not only this world class beach, but public showers and a covered pavilion with picnic tables to get out of the sun.
Mauna Kea Beach is the next resort on the left after Hapuna Beach. You must get there early around 8 am to get a public parking spot, but it is well worth it. The halfmoon shaped beach offers great swimming, snorkeling off to the right, and public facilities. Pack for a picnic and enjoy the day relaxing here. It also is home of the Mauna Kea hotel which was built by Rockefeller in 1965 and has a Tiki bar on the beach. Don’t get discouraged if the parking lot is full. Ask the guard for a pass to Mau’umae Beach. This beach is not well known but is accessed through the resort. There are no public facilities here and you have to hike down a small cliff to access, but very beautiful.
70 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
Mauna Kea Beach is the next resort on the left after Hapuna Beach. You must get there early around 8 am to get a public parking spot, but it is well worth it. The halfmoon shaped beach offers great swimming, snorkeling off to the right, and public facilities. Pack for a picnic and enjoy the day relaxing here. It also is home of the Mauna Kea hotel which was built by Rockefeller in 1965 and has a Tiki bar on the beach. Don’t get discouraged if the parking lot is full. Ask the guard for a pass to Mau’umae Beach. This beach is not well known but is accessed through the resort. There are no public facilities here and you have to hike down a small cliff to access, but very beautiful.
Golf
The Mauna Lani Golf Clubhouse is located on the way to the Beach Club and it is a right turn after Champion Ridge. Refer to the map provided. It boasts 45 holes of golf along the famed Kohala Coast with breathtaking views. There are North and South golf courses as well as a short course called Wiki Wiki. Booking including rates and availability can be found at www.maunalanigolf.com. (808) 885-6655.
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Francis H. I'i Brown South Course
68-1050 Makaiwa PlThe Mauna Lani Golf Clubhouse is located on the way to the Beach Club and it is a right turn after Champion Ridge. Refer to the map provided. It boasts 45 holes of golf along the famed Kohala Coast with breathtaking views. There are North and South golf courses as well as a short course called Wiki Wiki. Booking including rates and availability can be found at www.maunalanigolf.com. (808) 885-6655.
Sightseeing
We love the walk through the Historic Kalahuipua’a Lava Fields and Fish Ponds to get to the Beach Club and Napua restaurant.
Kalahuipua'a Trail
Kalahuipua'a TrailWe love the walk through the Historic Kalahuipua’a Lava Fields and Fish Ponds to get to the Beach Club and Napua restaurant.
Although you can drive yourself up the mountain in a 4 wheel drive car for either sunrise or sunset and acclimate at the Visitor Center (where you must decompress for about an hour), it is recommended to use a touring group to get the most out of this adventure. Kapohokine Adventures or Mauna Kea Summit Adventures are two of the companies that offer tours.
161 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Mauna Kea
Although you can drive yourself up the mountain in a 4 wheel drive car for either sunrise or sunset and acclimate at the Visitor Center (where you must decompress for about an hour), it is recommended to use a touring group to get the most out of this adventure. Kapohokine Adventures or Mauna Kea Summit Adventures are two of the companies that offer tours.
While our Kona side is very dry and makes for the best beach weather and snorkeling on any of the islands, you don’t need to go to Kauai to see the tropical green Hawaii and waterfalls of the post cards. We have it all here on the big island. Maybe the most beautiful hike is Waipio Valley. It’s about an hour drive to the Hilo side through Waimea. If you have little ones or are not up for a strenuous mile climb back up 1000 feet of elevation, book a tour. They will drive you down and back up in a 4 wheel drive vehicle and show you the waterfalls, wild horses and other sights. If you’re up for the challenge, get your All Trails app, start your Fitness Tracker, pack a good amount of water per person, and go for it. One mile down, hang a right and hit the beautiful black sand beach. Be careful in the water, the currents are treacherous. If you’re inclined, head to the far side of the beach and find the trail to climb the other side of the valley wall. There’s a stopping point about ⅓ of the way up, which makes the round trip 4.7 miles. Or you can turn around any time.
*Waipio Valley is currently closed to foot traffic for maintenance.
201 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Waipio Valley Lookout
While our Kona side is very dry and makes for the best beach weather and snorkeling on any of the islands, you don’t need to go to Kauai to see the tropical green Hawaii and waterfalls of the post cards. We have it all here on the big island. Maybe the most beautiful hike is Waipio Valley. It’s about an hour drive to the Hilo side through Waimea. If you have little ones or are not up for a strenuous mile climb back up 1000 feet of elevation, book a tour. They will drive you down and back up in a 4 wheel drive vehicle and show you the waterfalls, wild horses and other sights. If you’re up for the challenge, get your All Trails app, start your Fitness Tracker, pack a good amount of water per person, and go for it. One mile down, hang a right and hit the beautiful black sand beach. Be careful in the water, the currents are treacherous. If you’re inclined, head to the far side of the beach and find the trail to climb the other side of the valley wall. There’s a stopping point about ⅓ of the way up, which makes the round trip 4.7 miles. Or you can turn around any time.
*Waipio Valley is currently closed to foot traffic for maintenance.
Restaurants and Food
Da Fish House is ten minutes north of the Palm Villas in Kawaihae. The poke bowls are the freshest you can get.
http://dafishhouse.restaurantwebexpert.com
If you’re hungry after they close at 5pm, you can get almost the same menu at the Kawaihae Market across the street. The scallop poke and the Bomb are spectacular! Call ahead in the afternoon, they often sell out.
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hale I'a Da Fish House
613665 Kawaihae-Mahukona RdDa Fish House is ten minutes north of the Palm Villas in Kawaihae. The poke bowls are the freshest you can get.
http://dafishhouse.restaurantwebexpert.com
If you’re hungry after they close at 5pm, you can get almost the same menu at the Kawaihae Market across the street. The scallop poke and the Bomb are spectacular! Call ahead in the afternoon, they often sell out.
Adventures and Activities
Na’alapa Stables at Waipio Valley offers a one-of-a-kind horseback riding adventure through the Valley which consists of tropical jungle trails, waterfalls, and beautiful vistas. If you are not up for a riding adventure, follow the Mamalahoa Highway north through Waimea exiting at Honokaa to get to Waipio Valley. You can hike down a steep paved road to the black sands beach and hike around. Bring plenty of fluids because this is a challenging hike with the 3rd steepest elevation for a road in the United States.
Kohala Na'alapa Stables
Highway 250 Mm 12Na’alapa Stables at Waipio Valley offers a one-of-a-kind horseback riding adventure through the Valley which consists of tropical jungle trails, waterfalls, and beautiful vistas. If you are not up for a riding adventure, follow the Mamalahoa Highway north through Waimea exiting at Honokaa to get to Waipio Valley. You can hike down a steep paved road to the black sands beach and hike around. Bring plenty of fluids because this is a challenging hike with the 3rd steepest elevation for a road in the United States.
Payo sa lungsod
Huwag palampasin
Why we love the Palm Villas
We chose the Palm Villas for its proximity to the Beach Club. The water is calm and safe for children and the snorkeling is some of the best on any of the islands, other than on the rare stormy day.
The Palm Villas is a private gated community of only 44 units, as compared to larger complexes on the resort and in the area with hundreds of units. We love the lava rock and waterfall surrounding the swimming pool. Although we don’t travel during peak holiday season, we’ve never seen it full and often have it all to ourselves.