Ho'okena Beach, also known as Pebble Beach, is an incredibly welcoming piece of Hawaiian history. When you arrive on this speckle-sand beach, you may notice the remnants of an old fishing pier on the north end of the beach, and you’ll surely see canoes strewn about the sand. Ho'okena Beach is home to one of the last traditional fishing villages on The Big Island.
It’s a treat to see a local fisherman haul his canoe back up onto the sand with a haul of fish. It really adds to the nostalgia of the ancient Ho'okena Village ruins that can be found here. And don’t be shy when it comes to talking to the fisherman. The locals here at Ho'okena Beach are very welcoming.
The beach has earned the nickname “Pebble Beach” due to its odd sand. The sand is soft underfoot, but it is a mixture of crushed grey coral and white sand. The water at Pebble Beach can be glass calm when there is no wind. And snorkeling is incredible on a windless day, especially on the south side of the beach where you’ll find colorful coral and equally colorful tropical fish.
The water at Ho'okena Beach can get a bit choppy when the wind is up, but that might not be a bad thing. During periods of medium surf, you’ll find locals enjoying the choppy waves on boogie boards. And you can rent a boogie board to practice your wave-catching skills from a concessionaire at the north end of the beach. You can also load up on drinks, snacks or rent snorkel gear. The concession stand makes it easy to make a day of it at Ho'okena Beach.
You’ll also find outdoor showers, public bathrooms and picnic tables at this friendly little beach. And you may notice a few tents pitched on the grass behind the sand. This is where you’ll find a public campground where tourists can pitch a tent for $20 per night.
Take Highway 11 south out of Kona. You’ll see a sign on the ocean side of the road for Ho'okena Beach between mile markers #101 and #102. Take the ocean-side turn and follow the road two miles to its end. The road will drop steeply before reaching the beach, and you’ll want to bear left through the small fishing village to find the parking lot.