Safe Beach Day
Safe Beach Day
White Sands Beach Park
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White Sands Beach Park

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This very small park borders Aliʻi Drive. Facilities - include restrooms, showers, a lifeguard tower, and a parking lot. A coconut grove in the backshore provides some shade for sunbathers and picnickers. A shallow sand bar that fronts the entire beach slopes gently to the deeper waters offshore, providing safe swimming area. Throughout the year, a small shorebreak on the sand bar produces waves suitable for novice bodysurfers and bodyboarders. The attractive white sand of the beach, the park facilities, and the gentle shorebreak combine to make this one of the most popular parks in Kona, a favorite with visitors and residents alike. During the summer months and on weekends and holidays throughout the year, the park is usually crowded from end to end with sunbathers and bodysurfers.

When high surf rolls into Kona, however, the shorebreak at White Sands Beach Park is very strong and generates a powerful rip current that usually runs north into the open ocean. This becomes a serious hazard and occasionally results in near-drownings. The county lifeguards and Fire Department rescue personnel who are called to help report that they treat more injuries at this beach than at any other in Kona. When the shorebreak closes out, experienced bodysurfers move to the break directly outside the point fronting the comfort station where some of the best bodysurfing waves in the Hawaiian Islands can be found. The point break can hold rideable surf up to 10 feet and spectators line the shore to watch the big-wave bodysurfers in action. During the winter months the annual Magic Sands Bodysurfing Championship, the only bodysurfing contest held on the Big Island, attracts large crowds. Just south of White Sands Beach Park is a small rocky cove. Snorkeling and nearshore scuba diving offshore the cove are excellent.

amenities

BBQ Grills

BBQ Grills

Boat Launch

Boat Launch

Picnic

Picnic

Restrooms

Restrooms

Showers

Showers

activities

Fishing

Fishing

Snorkeling

Snorkeling

Swimming

Swimming

Volleyball

Volleyball

prohibitions

No Alcohol

No Alcohol

No Camping

No Camping

No Cars on Sand

No Cars on Sand

No Cliff Jumping

No Cliff Jumping

No Dogs

No Dogs

No Fire Pits

No Fire Pits

No Smoking

No Smoking

hazards

Jellyfish

Jellyfish

Rip Currents

Rip Currents

Sharp Coral

Sharp Coral

Slippery Rocks

Slippery Rocks

Strong Currents

Strong Currents

Swim at your Own Risk

Beaches and oceans are dynamic natural environments.  Crowd conditions, currents, waves, wild animals, and other water and beach conditions can rapidly change. The risks and conditions shown on this site are informational only and not always real-time.  Actual conditions may differ.  Lifeguards are not always on duty or available.  Always remain aware of your surroundings and exercise due care for your own safety and the safety of others around you. 

Always check for water warnings or check with a lifeguard before you swim.