Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay Overview Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay is part of Kekaha Kai State Park and is a picturesque Big Island beach. The locals call this gorgeous little span of soft white sand and crystal-clear turquoise waters, Kua Bay; but, however you want to name it, the experience of boogie boarding, snorkeling and swimming here will be unlike any other. The bay has three sandy crescents of beach, separated by lava rock formations. The state parks installed a set of stairs down to the beach in 2018, however, they are on the south end of the beach and during the winter months this section of beach can get cut off from the main section beach, so you may still have to hike down a small outcropping of lava to reach the beach. Maniniowali is a popular beach for both locals and visitors and can get busy on the weekends and during peak seasons. If you’re trying to avoid crowds, it’s best visited early in the day, the morning often lends itself to calmer surf without the crowd. With an expansive view of the ocean, it’s a great beach to spot dolphins and (during the winter months) whales breaching the ocean’s surface. We’ve even been lucky enough to see Hawaiian Monk Seals resting on the farthest crescent of this beach. Sunsets are also nice at Kua Bay so a later afternoon visit can be quite rewarding as well. Maniniowali Beach is a sunny stretch of beach with very little natural shade, therefore a hat and reef-safe sunscreen is advised, also bringing an umbrella for an extended stay is highly recommended. Bringing along plenty of fresh drinking water and snacks will make your day at the beach more enjoyable too. There are a couple of shaded areas with picnic tables near the entrance, above the beach, and also bathrooms and outdoor showers.
Visit Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay
