This overlooked national park between Kona airport and town preserves incredible ancient Hawaiian settlement sites along a gorgeous stretch of coastline. The engineered fishponds here are mind-blowing — Hawaiians used lava rock walls and ocean tides to trap and farm fish centuries ago. You'll find heiau (temples), petroglyphs, pristine tidepools, and a beautiful lava rock beach where green sea turtles regularly haul out to rest. There are three different entrances: the visitor center entrance has restrooms and info but requires a longer walk, while the harbor entrance gets you to Honokohau Beach and the turtles in just 5 minutes. The whole park can be explored in about an hour, and it's completely free — one of those hidden gems tourists speed past without realizing what they're missing.
💡 Insider Tip
Skip the main visitor center parking and drive straight to Honokohau small boat harbor for the quickest beach access. Visit at higher tide for better turtle viewing, though you'll see fewer tidepools. The concrete path is uneven, so watch your step.
8 AM – 4 PM daily
Free
Free lot at visitor center
Morning for wildlife and cooler temperatures
