A beach that I’ve been going to for years—and one that is also a personal favorite of mine—is Kua Bay. Located on the west side of the Big Island, Manini’owali, also known as Kua Bay, has breathtaking views and sand as soft as flour. I especially love coming here to watch the sunset because the sky’s vivd hues of red captivate all of my attention.

During the winter season, waves at Kua Bay can get quite large, perfect for body boarding. Although the waves can get rough, Kua Bay is normally quite calm, which is why I think it’s the perfect beach for a day in the sun. For anyone who wants to view the beach without actually walking down to it, right off the parking lot is an open area with some tables that overlook Kua Bay.

But the main reason I come to Kua Bay is to play in the soft sand so I climb down the lava rocks and find a nice area to relax. The last time I was here, we were able to spot some whales breaching in the distance.

The road to Kua Bay is paved and provides a decent amount of parking. However, due to the beach’s growing popularity, parking can be hard to come by if you arrive during peak hours. Nonetheless, cars still line the sides of the road when the parking stalls do get filled up.

Kua Bay is part of Kekaha Kai State Park and is located near Kona International Airport. Equipped with bathrooms, showers and tables, Kua Bay is a perfect family-friendly beach. Although Kona has so many beaches to choose from, Kua Bay will always be my favorite.