A 1,642 acre coastal state park with some of the best beaches on the island, Mahai‘ula Beach is an exquisite white sand beach great for swimming and snorkeling in the well-protected bay. About a 30-minute walk north of Mahai‘ula Beach is Makalawena Beach, one of the most stunning beaches on the island, with silky white sand and beautiful, crystal clear turquoise water with sand dunes and trees as a backdrop and a shoreline made up of intricate coves. Located about 2 miles north of Kona International Airport off Hwy 19 between mile marker #90 and #91, take the rough 1½-mile road down to the beach. Part of Kekaha Kai State Park and just a mile or so north on Hwy 19 is Kua Bay, a gorgeous, pristine white sand beach great for swimming and body boarding.