49 Black Sand Beach, Big Island: How to Visit in 2026 (Parking, Passes, Best Time & Safety Tips)

49 Black Sand Beach is a small, free public beach at Honokaʻope Bay inside the gated Mauna Lani Resort on the Kohala Coast. To visit, drive to the guard shack, ask for a free beach pass, and park in a lot of about 20 spaces. Passes run out early, so arrive before 9 a.m.

Below you will find step-by-step directions, how the pass system works, when to go, where to snorkel, turtle rules, safety tips, and what to do if the lot is full.

How we researched this guide: We checked official sources, including the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the National Park Service, NOAA Fisheries, and the Hawaii Department of Transportation airports site, then cross-checked recent visitor reports on access and parking.

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Is 49 Black Sand Beach open to the public?

Yes. All beaches in Hawaii are public, and this one is no exception. The catch is the road. It runs through a private, gated neighborhood, so the resort controls how many cars get in.

Its Hawaiian name is Honokaʻope Beach. You will also see it listed as Honokaope Bay Beach, “49s,” or 49 Black Sands Beach. The “49” comes from the 49 luxury homes built on the cliffs above the bay.

This is the only true black sand beach near Waikoloa and Mauna Lani. Most other black sand beaches on the Big Island sit on the southeast side, near Hilo and Volcano. So if you are based on the Kona side, this is your closest dark sand cove.

Don’t expect pure black powder. The sand is a coarse mix of black and gray lava pebbles, often called “salt and pepper.” Think crushed basalt.

How do I get there?

Most visitors fly into Kona International Airport (KOA). From the airport, the drive is about 20 miles north on Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (HI-19) and takes 25 to 35 minutes (Hawaii Department of Transportation).

Flying into Hilo International Airport? Plan on roughly 2 hours of driving across the island via Saddle Road.

You will need a rental car. No public bus stops near the gate. Rental cars at KOA often run $60 to $120 per day, with higher rates around holidays. However, premium vehicles, convertibles, or large SUVs regularly scale higher, starting between $125 and $145+ per day.

Step-by-step directions from Kona

1. Leave KOA and turn left (north) onto Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (HI-19).
2. Drive north past Waikoloa Beach Resort.
3. Between mile markers 74 and 75, turn left onto Mauna Lani Drive.
4. At the roundabout (Foodland and the Mauna Lani shops are on your right), take the third exit onto Kaniku Drive.
5. Take the second left onto Honokaʻope Place.
6. Stop at the guard shack and ask for a beach pass.
7. Drive to the end of the road and park in the public beach lot.
8. Walk past the restrooms and tennis courts. The sand is a 1 to 2 minute walk away.

Stock up on snacks and water at the Foodland by the roundabout. Nothing is sold at the beach.

Where is the guard shack?

You will find it at the entrance to Honokaʻope Place, just off Kaniku Drive at the south end of the resort. The road beyond it is gated.

Tell the guard you are going to the beach. If public spaces are open, you get a free pass for your dashboard. If the lot is full, the guard will turn you away or post a “Beach Parking Full” sign.

Do you need a pass, and is there parking?

You need a pass only if you want to drive in. The pass is free. The public lot holds about 20 cars, with a couple of spaces set aside for disabled parking.

That small number explains everything about this place. It is why the cove stays quiet, and it is why people get turned away by mid-morning.

Policies can change, so check with Mauna Lani Resort before your trip if you have specific questions about passes or limits.

Can you walk in if the lot is full?

Yes. You can hike in from the Mauna Lani Beach Club public access area along the coast. This route is part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, an old Hawaiian shoreline path (National Park Service).

Expect about 1.5 miles one way over rough lava rock. Wear real shoes, not flip-flops, and bring at least 1 liter of water per person. There is almost no shade.

When is the best time to go?

Go early on a weekday. Aim to reach the gate between 7 and 8:30 a.m. After 9 a.m., your odds of getting a pass drop fast, especially on weekends and holidays.

Sources list different hours. Some say sunrise to sunset, and others say 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Morning vs. afternoon

Mornings are best for snorkeling. The water is usually calmer and clearer before the trade winds pick up around midday. By afternoon, chop and stirred-up sand can cut your visibility.

Late afternoon suits photos and a short walk on the trail. The sun sets over the ocean on this coast.

Best months

The Kohala Coast is one of the driest, sunniest parts of Hawaii, so rain is rarely the problem. Surf is.

• April to October: Usually the calmest water and best snorkeling.
• November to March: Winter swells can bring big waves and strong currents. Some days the water is not safe to enter.
• Cheapest months to visit Hawaii: Late April to early June and September to early November often have lower airfare and hotel rates.

What to expect on the beach

This is a small cove, not a long stretch of sand. Picture a curved strip of dark sand framed by lava cliffs and tide pools.

Amenities and accessibility

• Public restrooms near the parking lot
• An outdoor shower near the path to the sand
• A few shade trees at the back of the beach
• No lifeguard
• No food, drinks, or chair rentals
• Limited wheelchair access: the lot is close, but the sand is coarse and the path is uneven

Pack everything you need: water, snacks, an umbrella, and snorkel gear.

Things to do at Beach 49

• Snorkel the rocky edges of the cove
• Watch for honu (green sea turtles) resting on the sand
• Explore the tide pools at lower tide
• Hike the coastal trail north toward Mauna Lani Point for high views of the bay
• Shoot photos from the cliff path in the last hour before sunset (the outer main gate locks strictly at 8:00 PM.)

Is it good for snorkeling?

Yes, on calm days it ranks among the best shore snorkel spots on the Kohala Coast. Water is often clear, and you can see coral, tropical fish such as yellow tang and parrotfish, and the odd turtle.

Where to snorkel

• Left (south) side of the cove: Follow the rocks outward. This is the best area for fish and coral close to shore. Good for confident beginners on flat days.
• Right (north) side of the cove: More rock and reef along the edge. Stay close to shore unless the water is very calm.
• Outside the cove: Strong swimmers only. Currents and wind can pick up quickly past the bay’s mouth.

How to get in safely

Enter in the middle of the cove, where the sand meets the water. Rocks line both sides, and sea urchins live in the cracks. Shuffle your feet, keep your hands off the rocks, and wear water shoes or fins with booties.

Gear tips

• Bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins. Rentals in Kona or Waikoloa usually cost $15 to $30 per day.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen. Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect coral (Hawaii DLNR).
• Wear a rash guard so you need less sunscreen.

Are there turtles at Beach 49?

Often, yes. Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) feed along the rocks and sometimes haul out onto the sand to rest. Sightings are common but never guaranteed.

Turtle rules: do’s and don’ts

Green sea turtles are protected under federal and state law. Touching, chasing, feeding, or harassing them can bring fines (NOAA Fisheries).

Do:

• Stay at least 10 feet (3 meters) away, on land and in the water (NOAA Fisheries)
• Give resting turtles a clear path to the ocean
• Use your camera’s zoom instead of walking closer

Don’t:

• Touch, ride, or block a turtle
• Feed turtles or fish
• Use flash photography up close

If you see a turtle that looks hurt or tangled in fishing line, report it to the DLNR or NOAA marine wildlife hotline NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline / DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources at 1-888-256-9840.

Can you swim there? Safety tips

You can swim on calm days. There is no lifeguard, so you are on your own. When in doubt, stay out.

Ocean safety

• Check the surf forecast before you go. Big winter swells make the cove dangerous.
• Watch the water for 10 minutes before entering. Look for waves breaking over the rocks or a strong pull at the shoreline.
• Never swim or snorkel alone.
• Stay inside the cove unless you are a strong, experienced swimmer.

Land safety

• Hot sand: Dark sand absorbs heat and can burn bare feet by midday. Wear sandals until you reach the waterline.
• Sharp lava rock: Cliffs and tide pools have jagged edges. Water shoes prevent cuts.
• Sea urchins: Their spines break off in skin. Avoid stepping or grabbing near rock cracks.
• Sun: Shade is limited. Bring a hat, an umbrella, and more water than you think you need.

Leave No Trace

Pack out all trash. Do not take sand, rocks, or coral home. Keep voices low near the homes above the beach, and keep drones grounded. Being a good guest keeps public access working for everyone.

What if the lot is full? Backup beaches nearby

Getting turned away at the gate is common. Luckily, good options sit within 15 minutes.

49 Black Sand Beach vs. nearby beaches

Hapuna Beach: One of the widest white sand beaches on the island, with lifeguards and restrooms.

• Non-Resident Parking Fee: $10.00 per vehicle.
• Non-Resident Entry Fee: $5.00 per person (children 3 and under are free).
• Hawaiʻi Residents: Free entry and parking with a valid state ID or driver’s license.
• Payment Method: On-site kiosks are credit card only or payable via mobile QR code. Cash is not accepted.

Mauna Lani Beach (Makaiwa Bay): The walk from the public lot is longer, but the lot is rarely full.

Spencer Beach Park: A protected, shallow beach that works well with young kids. It often has the calmest water on this stretch.

Our pick: if you get turned away, go straight to Hapuna for a full beach day. If you mainly want to snorkel, try Mauna Lani Beach instead.

Before you go: final checklist

Book your rental car first. Without one, reaching this beach is close to impossible. Then check the surf forecast the night before, and set an alarm so you reach the gate by 8 a.m.

• Reef-safe sunscreen, hat, and rash guard
• Water shoes or sandals for hot sand and sharp rocks
• Mask, snorkel, and fins
• At least 1 liter of water per person, plus snacks
• Beach umbrella for shade
• A backup beach in mind if the lot is full

Keep 10 feet from the turtles, pack out your trash, and you will have one of the best mornings on the Kohala Coast.

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