Hilo-Beachs south

[travel1]

We will be arriving on POAM and driving to VNP. In the afternoon, we would

like to do a beach (snorkeling ? ) before heading back to the ship. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

[MichTraveler]

LELEIWI BEACH PARK

From Hilo, take Kalanianaole Avenue to its end at Keaukaha Town. Proceed to beach. (South Hilo District)

A small pocket of black sand beach fronts this popular snorkeling area on the Hilo side of the island. Dolphins frequent the area. Picnic area. Lifeguard services (weekends only). The protected waters are home to a large variety of fish and other marine life. Great for surfing, kayaking and diving. And black sand. Next to Richardson's Ocean Park

 

http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/beaches/richardsons.html

[spleen93]

FWIW, if you take the time to explore VNP at Hilo, you really won't have much time to do anything else. None of the beaches in Hilo area are all that (unless you really have a burning desire to see a black sand beach which would be quite a distance from port). You probably won't really have time to do VNP justice and expect to spend enough time at a black sand beach to make it worthwhile (unless all you want to do is take pictures). If I had extra time in Hilo, I'd spend the time checking out the tropical gardens and the waterfalls which are probably the most easily accessible of any port in Hawaii (Akaka and Rainbow). Or going into Hilo Town and checking out the Tsunami Museum for some history.

 

Spleen

[beachchick]

Ditto to what Spleen said.

 

beachchick

[Glamourgal]

Are the Falls near VNP?? I would like to do both of them.

[tg_lindo]

nope, Akaka and Rainbow (not to mention boiling pots and Peepee Falls) are the opposite direction from VNP.

[xpcdoojk]

We did the VNP on our first trip to Hilo on a cruise and the second trip we did Hilo town and the beaches and waterfalls to the west and north. There is a lot to see without a very long drive. It is really very beautiful. There is a cove just a few miles from Hilo where you can drive along the coast line and we watched some local kids jump off a bridge into a pool (freshwater) and saw several turtles in the ocean in an absolutely gorgeous setting.

 

VNP is the more interesting trip, and we included visiting the Volcano winery after the tour around the park. The year we didn't go to VNP we did a flyover with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters where we got to see hot spots and the the lava flowed into the seas.

 

jc

[kapoho2]

I agree with everyone here. VNP is a must and you can easily spend the day there. This side of the island is not known for it's beaches...and the ones that are here usually require a full day unto themselves to explore and enjoy.

 

Do the volcano park and then if you have time left over, head back into Hilo and look around the town. It is cute and sits right on the bayfront. Many folks enjoy a quick stop at the Macadamia Nut Factory just outside of town. A stroll out to Coconut Island gives you a nice vantage point to see the layout of the town and also the cruise ship.

 

Hilo is also very convienient for shopping for those little things you may have forgotten to pack....or picking up a few things to take home.

 

I agree that the Volcano Winery is a fun stop.....even though the wine is not world class ;)

[xpcdoojk]

The wine at The Volcano Winery is hard to even categorize. I remember drinking one wine their that was made based on the flowers that grow in the area and the honey produced from them. The wine is quite unusual, but having said that still a fun spot! Good place to kill 30 minutes.

 

jc