You'll find this small strip of sand just a mile south of Kona and just a 15-minute walk from the Coconut Grove Marketplace. The rocky beach is perfect for a west coast sunset where you can watch the sun dip directly into the ocean. So, head down to the Coconut Grove Marketplace for some afternoon shopping, grab a bite to eat and then walk down to Honl's Beach for a picnic at sunset. Make sure to bring your camera.
The picnicking is perfect at Honl's. There's a grass berm on the north side of the beach that has plenty of palm trees for shade. You'll find picnic tables and bathroom facilities, so you can enjoy the sunset without getting your feet sandy.
The sand at Honl's isn't perfect. From a distance, it looks like soft white sand, but, when you get up close, you'll find a mix of sand and larger rocks. This can make throwing down a beach towel rather uncomfortable.
The swimming isn't very safe at Honl's either. There is a strong current and a reef on the north end of the beach, so, if you can't resist the water, make sure to swim the shallows.
Despite all of this, Honl's is the birthplace of modern boogie boarding. When the surf is up, the waves just past the reef are perfect for an exhilarating ride. Tempted by these waves, longtime surfer Tom Morey crafted the first makeshift boogie board out of a piece of polyethylene foam back in the 1970's. He hit the waves and started a sensation. Later, he would name his invention the Morey Boogie. Hence the name boogie board.
The Polynesians have a long history of boogie boarding. Riding waves on palm fronds or reeds, ancient Hawaiian's have been catching waves for centuries. Tom Morey is simply responsible for bringing the boogie board to the masses, and you might find some boogie boarders down at Honl's today. They make a great silhouette against the warm oranges and reds of a Hawaiian sunset.
Honl's Beach isn't the best place to learn the sport of boogie boarding. The waves are rather ferocious at Honl's and the current can be dangerous. It's best to learn the craft somewhere else before paying homage to Tom Morey with a boogie boarding sessions at Honl's Beach. But, until then, you can always enjoy the sunset from the grassy berm while watching the boogie boarders ply their craft.