Onekahakaha Beach Park

Onekahakaha Beach Park. Courtesy Big Island Visitor Bureau.

A favorite with local residents, this small, shallow, sand-bottomed ocean pool is one of the safest swimming areas along the Hilo coast, with tidepools and inlets, so there are lots of families and small kids. Although there’s no actual beach, this park is a perfect place to play, picnic and people-watch, with pavilions, restrooms and lovely views of Hilo Bay.