Keaukaha Vacation Houses For Rent in Hawaii
Along the coastal edge of Hilo town lies the traditional Hawaiian neighborhood of Keaukaha. Located just seven minutes from Hilo International Airport, Keaukaha is a convenient home base for your stay on the Big Island. The charming neighborhood of Keaukaha offers a slow pace of life and in many ways, a step back in time. This is an area where residents still rely on the ocean for sustenance and health. In summer, whole families camp out for weeks on end at the shoreline, fishing and swimming to their hearts’ content. Keaukaha is an extension of Hilo, but feels more like a small beach community. There may not be much sand, but if you choose one of our great Keaukaha vacation rentals on the Big Island, you’ll enjoy the ocean as much as you ever have!
When people in Hilo refer to the “beach,” they don’t mean a stretch of soft white sand, as there isn’t any of that on the east side of the island. They just mean “somewhere you can jump in and swim.” And there is indeed plenty of that! Keaukaha is dotted with beach parks from one end to the other; on the way there, you’ll see local kids jumping in the cold water from the road, right next to Ponds restaurant. Keaukaha is full of freshwater springs, where cold mountain-filtered water seeps out into the sea. Swimming here is quite different than anyplace else, because the cold freshwater floats on top, while the salty ocean water stays below. The whole area is speckled with these fresh and brackish ponds, often in people’s yards. Sea turtles and monk seals love this area too, and if you get lucky, you might see some. Remember not to bother them!
Explore the Natural Beauty Surrounding Keaukaha
Just east of Keaukaha Beach Park is Onekahakaha Beach Park, an ideal enclave for families. A boulder break separates a sandy bottom cove from the open ocean, creating a shallow, protected swimming area perfect for small children. On-duty lifeguards add to the safety of this beach. Families will also enjoy exploring the tidepools, although this rocky area is not as protected and should be approached with caution. Sea urchins, sea cucumbers, brittle stars, cone shells, sea anemones, and even sea turtles can often be found in and around these pools. Carlsmith Beach Park, also nearby Keaukaha, is an additional popular place for swimming in the area. A reef and lava rocks form a barrier from larger ocean waves, creating a calm, lagoon-like swimming area. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the calm waters and keep an eye out for sea turtles who frequent the area. A large grassy expanse provides plenty of room for sunbathing, playing a game of catch, or picnicking alongside the ocean.
From Keaukaha, it’s a nice flat bike ride into town, with a bike lane the whole way that turns into a bike path when you get to the Bayfront parks. A bike makes it easy to stop and check out all the different beach parks along the stretch, as parking can be difficult at some of them. Keaukaha also tends to be a bit sunnier than Hilo town, though it’s so pretty here that you won’t mind swimming in the rain. Keaukaha’s proximity to Hilo town makes it easy to enjoy all of the top-notch shopping and dining this city has to offer. Although Hilo is a relatively small town, it has surprisingly large variety of local and international cuisines available. From upscale oceanfront dining, to fresh seafood, Thai food, traditional American fare, and more, you will have a large variety of options for dining when you stay in Keaukaha. Enjoy a different type of seaside vacation with easy access to all that Hilo has to offer when you book one of our wonderful Keaukaha vacation rentals on the Big Island today!
Contact Us
At I Love Hawaii, we have a variety of vacation rentals available on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether you’re exploring nature at its rawest at Volcano National Park on the Big Island, surfing in Oahu’s Waikiki, catching the sunrise at Haleakala on Maui, or gazing out over the Grand Canyon of the Pacific on Kauai, our vacation rentals will ensure complete comfort during your island stay. Many of our rentals offer full kitchens, island-inspired décor, breezy lanais, and swimming pools. Please contact us to book one of our Keaukaha vacation rentals on the Big Island and to get started on planning your ideal Hawaiian getaway!
