Makalawena Beach

"Traumstrand, es braucht 4x4 und gute Schuhe um dort hinzukommen"

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"Bumpy ride, men superfin strand!"

@anne_lauvdal

"Off the beaten path, but tranquility is bliss! With a 4x4, travwrse through black lava rocks, then hike 30 min over a lava field. Perfect beach. Great snorkel! "

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"Usually empty beach bc it’s a one mile hike past the parking for kekaha Kai beach park"

@kelseymfaulkner3

"Fun and easy off-road drive to a nice secluded beach"

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"Good for: Total solitude Hawaii’s Big Island is known best for its dramatic black sand beaches—but due to their popularity, they’re often pretty crowded and not that great for swimming, let alone relaxing. Makalawena, on the other hand, is as blissfully deserted as it gets, thanks to its (literally) off-the-beaten-path location—you’ll need a four-wheel drive vehicle to traverse the rough black lava rocks, then hike for another half-hour over a lava field just to get there. (It should go without saying, but you’ll want to pack plenty of water and sunscreen for the journey.) Fortunately, it’s worth the fuss: you’re rewarded with a string of postcard-perfect white-sand coves, lots of shady palm trees to laze beneath, and a beautiful coral reef just a few feet offshore that’s perfect for snorkeling. A heads-up: The southernmost cove is known for nude bathing, which—coupled with the arduous trek—doesn’t make this spot especially family-friendly."

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"45 mimute walk to get to but is really cool, watch out for nudists"

@rylerolson

"Y accéder par l’autre plage 1 heure de marche "

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"This is one of my favorite beaches in the state of Hawai'i, and not just the Big Island. It's private, stunning, and a wonderful place for sunsets. (Runjini)"

@jantonio

"Similar to maniniowai, but more secluded. 20 min walk down lava road "

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"Most beautiful beach! The northernmost cove is sandier and gentler"

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"Laura's fave beach with baby. Pronounced “MAHK-a-la-ve-nah” (the “w” sounds like a “v” in Hawaiian) this beach epitomizes hard to get to and ridiculously worth the journey that is the nature of many Big Island beaches. To get to Makalawena Beach turn off Highway 19 (towards the ocean) between mile markers 90 and 91. You will see a sign for Kekaha Kai State Park. This road is mostly unpaved, but just about any car and any driver can handle it. Just go slow and relax the white-knuckled grip on the wheel. Drive to the end of this “road” where you’ll likely see other cars parked on either side. Find a spot and get ready to walk. Whatever you want to take to the beach you will be carrying over lava fields for 20-30 minutes, so pack accordingly. From the parking area, walk north through a gate and along the path towards the trees that are a couple hundred yards ahead on the left. These trees form the back of Kekaha Kai Beach. You will be tempted to stop here. You will think, “wow this is a really nice beach, why keep going?” Resist the urge, an even lovelier beach awaits. The path continues to the north end of Kekaha Kai Beach and then crosses through the lava field for another 20 minutes or so until (finally!) you get to the sand dunes that mark your arrival at this Corona beer commercial-worthy beach."

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