Visit Maniniowali Beach at Kua Bay

The locals call this gorgeous little span of soft white sand and crystal clear waters Kua Bay, but however you want to name it, the experience of boogie boarding, snorkeling and swimming here will be unlike any other. The bay has three sandy crescents of beach, separated by lava rock formations. Speaking of lava rock, you will have to hike down a small outcropping of lava to reach the beach.

Maniniowali is a popular beach for both locals and tourists and can get busy on the weekends and during peak seasons. This is typically a sunny stretch of beach with very little natural shade, so packing an umbrella for an extended stay is recommended.

If you are a more advanced snorkeler or if it’s pretty calm out, there’s a really interesting reef with deep canyons off the right side of the bay. You have to swim around the rocky point to get there and it can get pretty strong surges, so a calm morning is usually your best bet for snorkeling here. We’ve seen turtles, dolphins and quite a few fish while snorkeling in this area and the reef itself is worth a look.

Much of the sand at Kua Bay washes away in the winter months, exposing layers of black lava rock, so a visit during the spring, summer or fall is ideal for those wanting to enjoy the soft white sand abundant along its shores. When the sand is out it also creates a bit more hiking along the lava rocks to get to where you can enter the water so access can be an issue at this time of year.

During the winter months, the water can also get a bit rough so you should watch conditions closely before going in the water as there aren’t any lifeguards on duty at this beach. Even if it’s too rough to swim, it’s always a treat to relax on shore and watch the locals out riding the waves.