The Best Swimming Holes In Hawaii

Hawaii has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Occasionally, you crave a little more daring, like a secret swimming hole with a breathtaking waterfall or a thrilling cliff jump. Here are a few Hawaii swimming holes that are certain to satiate your thirst for discovery in honor of the ideal summer spent in the water.

Mauna Kea Beach

The white, smooth sand that gently dips into the ocean and the palm trees that line the shoreline make Mauna Kea Beach a good choice for families. The beachfront is excellent for sunbathing, has excellent access to amenities, and fronts the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. 

This Hawaii beach is a fantastic place to go diving when the summers are calm. When the waves are larger in the winter, it might be dangerous to enter the ocean. They cause smashing shore breaks and powerful rip currents.

After sunset, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel illuminates the water with floodlights. Manta rays are attracted to these lights by plankton. Even an overlook dubbed “Manta Ray Point” offers a wonderful vantage point from which to observe these enigmatic nighttime visitors.

Spencer Beach Park

Spencer Beach Park is located directly below Puukohola Heiau, a well-known temple constructed by Kamehameha I. Ohaiula Beach, a sizable enclave of white sand with a relatively moderate undersea slope, is the focal point of Spencer Beach Park. 

The vast harbor landfill to the north and the long, shallow reef just offshore offer good shelter from the dominant winds and offshore waves. The options for swimming, sunbathing, and skin diving are superb.

The park’s amenities and the sheltered beach have made it a particularly popular destination, notably for families with young children. Washrooms, tables and chairs, showers, tennis courts, a covered pavilion, parking spaces, a campground, and a lifeguard station are among the amenities. Huge shade trees, open meadows, and a dense population of birds, especially sparrows and mynahs, may all be found in the park.

Waipi’o Black Sand Beach

Exploring the Waipio Valley Black Sand Beach has an ethereal quality; it’s a location that seems out of place in the best way possible. Your mood will be revived by a few hours of leisurely beach time while your body will benefit from the climb. 

On the Big Island of Hawaii’s northern shore, in the Hamakua District, is where you’ll find Waipio Valley. The coastline at Waipio Valley provides a breathtaking backdrop for numerous movies. A silky black sand beach created of water-worn basaltic lava lines the valley’s shoreline.

Due to the strong currents and high surf, this beach isn’t particularly suitable for swimming or snorkeling, although it is a favorite among exceptionally skilled surfers. Most locals spend here consists of laying on the beach, taking in the waves, and climbing or exploring the area near the water. You can trek up the first section of the Muliwai Trail, which leads to the Waimanu Valley if you travel all the way to the southernmost portion of the beach.

Maunawili Falls

We’ll begin with this very nearby waterfall that features a plunge pool deep enough that we saw several people perform a cliff dive! Even though it requires a strenuous hike with a few stream bridges and unmarked trail junctions, it was a very well-liked location and has been a local favorite for several years.  

The climb starts in a normally peaceful residential area, so we here at A to Z Animals can only imagine that its appeal has increased over time. However, entrance to the hike may be problematic as a result. It only takes a few disrespectful visitors to destroy it for everyone else. To avoid being that person, treat the area with respect and clean up after your stay. 

O’heo Gulch

The crater’s peak is the location of Haleakala National Park, which extends down. In 1969, Kipahulu Valley and ‘Ohe’o Gulch were included in the park. “Something Special” is exactly what ‘Ohe’o means. There are several amazing pools to swim in when the water level is rising!

All of the waterfalls in this region get their water from the Palikea and Pipiwai Streams. They begin about two miles inland. These streams converge to create a series of ponds along the Oheo Gulch. The best and most convenient swimming holes are just past the park ranger station, close to the water. 

In this area, there are several different hikes. Many of these are referred to as Kipahulu Area Trails. The Kahakai Trail, which runs a quarter mile through Kuloa Point and the Kipahulu campground, and the Kuloa Point Trail, which descends to the ocean for a fantastic view of the pools themselves, are two of the most well-known.

Old Kona Airport State Park

Just outside of Kailua-Kona lies a lovely beach park called the Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area. The lengthy stretch of beach has many intriguing tide pools and uneven sand. 

The 1940s-era old airport was demolished in 1970 to make way for the considerably larger Kona International Airport (KOA). Before the area was turned into a park in 1976, drag racing was held there for a number of years. The Kona Airport State Recreation Area now includes the beach park.

One of the best Kona beaches for seeing a Hawaiian sunset is unquestionably this one. A remarkable dive and snorkeling location on the Big Island, Pawai Bay features crystal-clear water, intriguing sea archways and caves, and an abundance of marine life. 

Only experienced snorkelers should try swimming here. Be warned that the water in and around the bay has a tendency to rise significantly. Proceed with the utmost caution.

Waimea Falls

It’s possible that this is the only swimming hole waterfall on the Hawaiian Islands to have both nearby restrooms and a live lifeguard on duty. If these qualities aren’t enough to convince you that this is a welcoming location for a waterfall swim, then perhaps a peak at video tours online will. 

There is plenty for the entire family to experience when on the North Shore of O’ahu. It is unquestionably at the end of the peaceful and picturesque Waimea Valley. The Valley has been transformed into a botanical paradise.

Hapuna Beach

Follow the directions to a stunning refuge that has become known as one of the best beaches on the island of Hawaii. Travel down the Kohala Coast’s western, volcanic coastline. Hapuna Beach, the biggest of the island’s white sand beaches, is frequently ranked among the top 10 beaches in the world. 

Additionally, Hapuna routinely provides ideal swimming, bodyboarding, sunning, and snorkeling opportunities. Also visible in the distance during the early portion of the year are migrating whales.

Hapuna is a fantastic spot to go swimming when the waves are calm. You can accompany the numerous people enjoying the waves as soon as the surf begins to pick up. Heavy surf does require caution. Given the perilous rip currents and severe shore breaks throughout these times, high waves are only for professionals.

Ching’s Pond

A bridge spans the Palauhulu stream on the Hana Highway around a mile past milepost 16. There are a number of spotless sapphire ponds below the bridge hiding from view from the street. A handful of the ponds are near the bridge in a narrow canyon where the water rushes through incredibly quickly. 

At this place, never jump into this or any other pool to help avoid any unwanted injuries. Locals utilize the pools often, especially on weekends, and there can periodically be crowds. Ching’s Pond or Blue Sapphire Pools are the ideal thrill-seeking activities to include in your day’s agenda. They are hidden gems along the Hana Highway in Maui. 

Enjoy this popular tourist spot in the area while getting to know some people intimately by visiting these undiscovered, untouristy falls. Take the ideal photo with the waterfall and lovely bridge in the background.

Summary Of The Best Swimming Holes In Hawaii

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Andrew Korson/Shutterstock.com