White Sands (La'aloa State Park)

Just north of White Sands about 100 yards is a popular kids ocean front park with tables, plenty of shade and grass. Click here for Pahoehoe Park details.

Located about 3 miles South of town on Ali'i Drive, Whitesands is a popular sun bathing, swimming, body surfing & boogie boarding spot. The beach is also known locally as Magic Sands because shore line sand can be sucked out and under the water during Jan & Feb winter storm surges. This leaves exposed rocks along the shoreline . When the storm resides, the sand is then moved back onto shore.
For you sun bathers , there is always sand up by the palm trees and the volley ball court area.
This beach always has a nice sandy bottom under the water . This is the best beach on Alii Drive for no rocks/coral on the bottom . If you like to swim and play in the water, a sandy bottom is great for swimming.

The 2 to 4 foot waves usually here , make this the best boogie board & body surf beach around. The swimming is usually safe here. However , when the 5 foot and larger waves arrive , inexperienced swimmers should pay attention to the signage posted by the life-guards and stay out during high surf. January storm waves can sometimes exceed 10 ft . Only the extreme very best boogie boarders go out on these days. As usual exercise caution and consult with the lifeguards where available.

Not only does Whitesands have great swimming and body surfing, but there is also some excellent Snorkeling. You can swim out 30 yards from Whitesands Beach and see coral reef. Sea turtles frequently visit the beach and Moray Eels can be found in the rocks near Jamison's restaurant, not to mention numerous colorful fish.

On the South side of the parking lot is the often overlooked La’aloa Cove, a popular shore entry for experienced Scuba Divers and Snorkelers. A grassy, tree shaded path leads down from the parking lot to a rocky beach. The beach is usually empty, save the occasional sunbather, and is a perfect place to sit and quietly watch the ocean.

 

Directions: Located off Ali'i Drive between Kailua & Keauhou

View Whitesands Beach & Pahoehoe Park in a larger map

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