Kohala Coast Condo Rentals
On the northwest side of Hawaiʻi island lies the Kohala Coast, home to renowned, beautiful resorts, breathtaking sunsets, and one of the best places in the world to watch whales in the winter. Hawaiʻi Island doesn’t have a lot of white, sandy beaches, but this is where the best ones are located. Choose one of our great Kohala Coast, Hawaii vacation rentals, and enjoy all your favorite beach activities, along with the great amenities found near world-class resorts!
The consistently sunny weather in this dry part of the island is a popular reason for choosing to stay here, as are the great beaches. Enjoy a day spent at Hāpuna Beach, the longest stretch of white sand to be found on the island. It’s best to visit early in the morning, before the sun gets too hot and the waves too big. While there are lifeguards stationed here, exercise caution nonetheless. Other great beaches nearby include Waialea Bay, Spencer Beach, and Kaunaʻoa Beach at Mauna Kea Resort.
Especially during summer months when waters are calm and the beach is at its widest, Waialea Bay provides an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling. As a designated marine life conservation district, snorkeling in Waialea Bay offers opportunities to observe the vast diversity in the Big Island’s marine life. Snorkeling and SCUBA are options at many spots within the bay, although the best reefs are located along the south side. With plenty of shade along the beach, this is a great place to spend the day. Spencer Beach also offers an abundance of shade, as well as excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions. A long offshore reef protects the water near the shoreline from larger waves and strong currents, making this a tranquil swimming area and a great place to bring the kids. Kaunaʻoa Beach, also locally known as Mauna Kea Beach, is a great place to stretch your beach chair out in the sand and do some sunbathing. If it gets too warm, swaying palms backing the beach provide shady respite and the water is generally calm enough to take a refreshing dip. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, the restaurant at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is conveniently located right along the beach and serves up lunch and tropical drinks. There are so many great beach options along the stunning Kohala Coast!
Stay Active During Your Kohala Getaway
The Kohala Coast is also home to an excellent coastal hiking trail, the Ala Kahakai Trail. Following the coastline over ancient fishermen’s trails and Hawaiian Kingdom roads, hikers can enjoy excellent sea views while getting in some exercise. Allow time for plenty of stops along the way, because this trail meanders by several beautiful beaches. The trail has numerous access points, with one popular route stretching between Spencer Beach Park and Hapuna Beach.
The most prominent historical site on the Kohala Coast is Puʻukoholā Heiau, which overlooks Kawaihae Harbor. It’s the temple dedicated by Kamehameha the Great as he sought to unite all the islands under his rule. The stones for this temple were passed by hand in a vast human chain stretching from Pololū Valley, some 20 miles away. Admission is free, and there’s a nice interpretive center at the site.
Heading north from Kawaihae, you’ll find that the lonely and beautiful coastline stretching up towards Hāwī is an amazing place to watch for whales in the winter. Whale watching boat excursions are also available from ʻAnaehoʻomalu (A-Bay) at the Waikoloa Beach Resort, as well as a plethora of other ocean rentals and activities. At the north tip of the Kohala Coast, in Kapaʻau, you’ll find the original Kamehameha statue (yes, the one in Honolulu is only a replica!) near the place of the king’s birth.
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Choose one of our Kohala Coast, Hawaii vacation rentals and start planning your vacation today! 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 make your vacation rental booking and to get started on planning your ideal Hawaiian getaway!
