Hilo Breakwater Shoreline Access

Breakwater Beach is a small public shoreline access at the Hilo Breakwater. It’s useful if you want to walk on the breakwater or go paddling next to it.

This park has access to Hilo Bay inside the breakwater via a tiny beach which is just big enough for launching hand-carried watercrafts like kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. The larger sandy beach next to the park is part of Palekai and is off-limits to the public. Palekai (pale kai means breakwater) is an area used for youth development related to activities like canoeing and swimming. The Port of Hilo piers are adjacent to Breakwater Beach, so stay out of the way of boats and ships if you decide to get onto the water here.

This park also has access to the ocean at Puhi Bay outside of the breakwater. The shore outside of the breakwater is almost all lava rock, but it can be good for snorkeling when the waves allow easy entry and exit of the water. Kayaking and SUPing the shore here can be good too if the water is calm enough.

To get to Hilo Breakwater Beach, drive east on Kalanianaole Street and look for a “Shoreline Access” sign posted on a fence just after passing the Hilo Sales Terminal. Parking is available outside of the vehicle gate which is signed to be open daily from 6am to 8pm but rarely is. It’s a short walk of about 300 yards from the gate to the shore so it’s not a big deal unless you are carrying watercraft. Pedestrians are allowed access to the beach 24-7.

Address

1017 Kalanianaole St
Hilo, HI 96720

Park Name

Breakwater Beach Park

Other Names

Bakers Beach, Puhi Bay

Owner

State Harbors

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Snorkeling

Amenities

Breakwater, No Facilities