Pebble Beach at Kona Paradise

Pebble Beach is referred to as a black sand beach but it’s mostly rocks and pebbles (one small patch of sand). You’ll find it at the bottom of the Kona Paradise housing community, which is about a one-hour drive from Kailua-Kona. Because of the uniqueness and opportunities to explore the shore, Pebbles, as it is affectionately known, is highly recommended.

Pebble Beach is a gorgeous setting, but on sunny days it gets hot because the black rocks absorb the sun’s rays and because there is no shade on the beach. If you have a shade device be sure to pack it. We recommend beach chairs and good shoes for walking on the beach too. Also since hiking is a good option here, bring sturdy shoes to hike in.

North of Pebble Beach there’s a small beach nicknamed North Pebble Beach which is about a half-mile hike each way. It’s not a big or special beach, but if you want to hike, this is a unique option.

South of Pebble Beach you’ll find the remnants of an old trail that is presumably part of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. This intermittent and crude path meanders along the shore for miles and passes by many ancient rock walls from former settlements and farms.

The waves at Pebbles can be violent and the current in the middle of the cove is usually strong. An orange safety flotation ring is conspicuously placed at both entrances to the beach so visitors will know where they are if someone in the water needs help. For this reason, we don’t recommend swimming in this cove if you don’t have swim fins.

Getting to Pebble Beach means driving one of the steepest public roads on the island. Use your car’s low gears and minimize using the brakes. The road access starts from Highway 11 between mile markers 96 and 97 and descends almost 1100 feet in just over a mile. The road is signed Kaohe Rd and you won’t miss the Kona Paradise signs on both sides of the entrance.

Parking areas are provided at the end of Kaohe Road and Mapuna Road (the last left at the bottom of the hill).

The beach is open during daylight hours. Do not remove any of the rocks, pebbles or sand as it is illegal (and uncool). And don’t venture onto any of the properties adjacent to the beach and parking areas as those are private and we are lucky to be able to park here and visit this lovely beach.

Address

Kaohe Rd
Captain Cook, HI 96704

Other Names

Pebbles Beach, Kona Paradise Beach

Owner

Public beach (private subdivision)

Pet Details

Dogs allowed on leash, but the black rocks are hot on their paws

Fees

Free parking

Activities

Sunbathing, Photography, Scuba Diving, Hiking, Swimming (with fins for safety)

Amenities

Black Pebbles, Trails, No Facilities