Where We Swim

 If you are planning a trip to the Big of Hawaii to enjoy some beautiful open water swimming, you certainly have picked the right spot.

Hall of Fame swimmer and swim technique coach Karlyn Pipes moved to Kona from San Diego in 2004 for that very reason. As a long-time open water enthusiast, Karlyn fell in love with Kona’s warm, crystal clear water available year-round. There is also an abunance of marine life…whales, turtles and dolphins to keep you wildly entertained as you swim!

Below is a list of a few of Karlyn’s favorite open water venues on the west side of the Big Island.

Keep in mind that Karlyn offers week-long, small-group Faster Freestyle Swim Camps in Hawaii where you can explore this gorgeous water while improving your technique, speed and endurance. Camps are also offered in Fiji, Mexico, Sicily and British Columbia.

Or, you can sign up for a private or semi-private Adventure Swim. Karlyn will swim side-by-side with you while offering swim technique tips and open water skills and drills designed to help you become a better open water swimmer.

Safety Basics:

 •   Ask the lifeguards about water conditions and potential dangers.

•    If no lifeguards are on duty (like at the Pier), ask a local.

•    If in doubt, DON’T GO OUT!

•    Never swim alone, especially in unfamiliar water. At the Pier there are always people around, so this is the one place you could swim alone. However, do try to join a group and you will feel safer and have a lot more fun.

•    Wear a brightly colored swim cap and a safety SWIM buoy. Hint: In the dry bag portion of an XTERRA swim buoy you can place a squeeze pack of applesauce (or gel) and a small bottle of water just in case you get thirsty or hungry.

•    Please do not touch the turtles or chase the dolphins. If a pod dolphins happens to swim under or around you, please float and enjoy the beauty of this wonderful gift of an experience!

•    Please wear REEF FRIENDLY sunscreen!

Open Water Swimming in Kailua- Kona, Hawaii:

Kailua-Kona Pier: Also called "Dig Me Beach" due to the posturing that goes on during Ironman. However, no LOCAL will ever call it by this name. We simply call it the “Pier.”

This is the #1 swim spot because it’s conveniently located in the heart of Kailua Village and it’s easy to meet up with your friends for coffee afterwards. It is also ICONIC since it’s the official start/finish of the Ironman Triathlon World Championships held every year in October.

The swim begins at a small, sandy beach (pictured below) and offers clear water, coral reefs, tropical fish and sometimes a pod of wild dolphins or a manta ray. If you are new to open water swimming, please stay inside the bay and swim out and back. As you gain confidence, try venturing further out to one of the marked buoys.

1.2 mile “Kings Buoy” swim: Swimmers of all ages and abilities love to swim to the Kings Buoy. This is 1k each way swim, and 2k or 1.2 mile round trip. It’s pretty straightforward. When you leave the bay you will notice a line of buoys that (somewhat) parallel the shore and are a few hundred meters apart. Use these buoys to direct you…one has a cat face, one that says "half way" then "1500” and lastly, the round Kings Buoy. If you swim back to the Pier, you have just covered half of the Ironman swim course or approximately 1.2 miles/2k.

2.4 mile “Ironman” swim:  This is a great swim to do with a buddy, kayak or SUP support. As a SUGGESTION…swim halfway to the Kings Buoy and take a break. Hang out and see if you notice a current pushing you one way or another. If you have a noticeable current pushing south (away from the pier), you will be fighting the same current on your way back. Consider conserving your energy or return to the Pier. If you do decide to carry on, sight on the point in the distance and just keep swimming until you look down and there is no more reef. By that time, you should be only a couple of hundred yards away from the turnaround. FYI There are no additional markers or buoys past the Kings buoy until you reach the Ironman buoy…and it’s not often easy to see! On Sunday’s at 7:30 am, there is a small group of decent swimmers that do the full course. You’re welcome to join in. Swim fins are suggested.

Best time to swim The PIER: Any day of the week from 6 am to 10 am. However, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday there are a few informal groups that meet up 6:00, 7:00 and 8 am that head out to the King’s buoy (1.2 miles round trip).

If you are alone: please know that you are always welcome to tag along. Don’t be shy. Introduce yourself and make a new swim buddy. Of note, the afternoon is also a nice time to swim at the Pier, but hardly anyone goes out due to canoe paddlers training in the same water were we swim.

Safety: Swim with a group or a buddy, wear a safety buoy, be mindful of boat traffic and stay to the mountain side of the Buoys.

Amenities: Bathrooms (sometimes open), showers and a place to stow your Towels/shoes ETC. PLease do not LEAVE Valuables Unattended. Free public parking is nearby. No lifeguards. Coffee Shops nearby.

More Kailua-Kona Open Water Venues:

Here are three amazing open water swims just a few miles south of the Pier on Ali'i Drive. They offer free parking, bathrooms (sometimes) and showers.

• Magic Sands - A great pocket-sized beach mid-point on Ali’i Drive with white sand that disappears in the winter (hence the name). This beach has gorgeous, aquamarine water and sometimes a dangerous shore break. You can swim south to Kahalu’u, or north to Living Stones Church with both swims about a mile each way. Tip: Never, EVER turn your back on the water at Magic’s. Walk out backwards, facing the waves and keep an eye on small kids if the surf is up.

• Kahalu’u Beach Park - Also called “Turtle Beach” this lava sand beach at the south end of Ali’i Drive is one of Karlyn’s all-time favorites! The calm bay inside the reef is like an aquarium teaming with tropical fish that are very close as the water depth is only 3-4 ft. deep. Please keep your feet off the bottom as you might damage fragile coral.

  If you would like an escort to take you outside the reef, Karlyn is available to guide you on an Adventure Swim. Swimming side-by-side, you will see even more fish, stunning lava benches and an interesting underwater archway. If you are a solid swimmer capable of a two-mile (round trip) swim, Karlyn would love to take you to a hidden sea cave. Please NOT attempt this swim by yourself.

• Keauhou Bay - If you are planning to swim at night with the manta rays (highly recommended) this is the bay where you will most likely depart. Keauhou is also a great place to swim during the day because the bay is calm and the manta rays like Keauhou and might just swim right underneath you. Please make sure to seen by wearing a safety buoy and pay attention to BOAT traffic.

A few more Big Island beaches with beautiful open water swimming!

North of Kona:

• Kua Bay (~12 miles north of Kona) gorgeous aquamarine water and white sand. During the winter pay attention to high surf advisories.

• Waikoloa (~25 miles) Anaeho’omalu Bay. Also called A Bay. Offers calm, water, great for kids, nice snorkeling with frequent turtle sightings.

• Beach 69 (~30 miles) Out of the way “secret” beach with beautiful water and nice shade trees.

• Hapuna Beach (~31 miles) This award winning beach offers a long stretch of white sand and stunning water. Avoid during high winter surf.

• Spencer Beach Park (~35 miles) A safe bay, fun for kids, easy water entry and a nice park for a picnic. Camping also available with permit.

All of the beaches listed above offer free parking (except Hapuna where non-residents pay $10), bathrooms and showers. County lifeguards are on duty at Kua, Hapuna and Spencer at 9 am.

South of Kona:

• Kealakekua Bay/Manini Beach (~12 miles south). This historical site is where Captain Cook lost his life and WAY across the bay there is a white, obelisk monument in honor of him. Sure, you can swim across and back, but do keep in mind that it’s over a mile each way. This is also a great place to snorkel, have a picnic, but has limited parking, porto-potties, and no lifeguards.

•  Two-Step (~16 miles south) some of the best snorkeling on the island. Gorgeous, clear water, sometimes a pod of resting dolphins (do not disturb) and you are right next to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, also called Place of Refuge. Limited parking, porta-potties, and no lifeguards.

• Ho’okena (~20 miles south) a unique beach with clear water, free parking, bathrooms and showers.

Local Pools…swim for free!

Kona Community Aquatic Center

Address: 75-5530 Kuakini Highway, Kona, Hawaii 96740 Phone: (808) 327-3500

The Kona Community Aquatic Center (KCAC) is located near the Old Airport and next to a large recreation area with ball fields and a gym. This state-of-the-art 25-yard by 50-meter pool is open to the public and totally FREE. The pool is set up with two 25-yard courses (never long course). Closed on Sunday! Current hours of operation:

Monday 6:15 am to 10:00 am

Tuesday - Friday 6:15 am to 11:45 and 1:00 to 6:15 PM.

Saturday 8:30 am to 12:00 and 1:15 to 4:15 pm

For updated hours or closings, call first (808) 327-3500

Konawaena High School Pool

Address: 81-1080 Konawaena School Rd, Kealakekua Hawaii 96750 Phone: (808) 323-3252

Konawaena High School pool is a ~20 minute of drive south of Kona to the small town of Kealakekua. The pool is tucked behind a high school gym making it somewhat hard to find (look for backstroke flags), however, once you DO find it, you will be glad you did!

This eight lane, 25-yard pool is uncrowded, the water is super clean, there’s hot showers and the staff is awesome. You will love the 1,700 foot elevation and it’s a much cooler pool than Kona, especially in the summer. As of 7/01/22 adult lap swim pool hours are: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-12 and 1-4 pm.

US Masters Swimming and USA Youth Swim Practices at KCAC:

Kona Aquatics Club - US Masters

This adult program currently trains five times a week at KCAC. Practice times are Monday thru Friday mornings from from 6:15 am -7:15 am. If you would like to swim with the team, please contact Dave directly by email or just show up. For the most up-to-date information, please visit Kona Aquatics Club Masters website.

First workout is FREE with Aloha, additional training is $20 per week. This group also meets at “The Pier” on Sundays at 7:30 for a group ocean swim…ok to wear fins!

Kona Aquatics & Kona Dolphins USA Swimming Club

Yes! Your kids can stay in shape while they're on vacation! This is a competitive USA swimming team coached by Dave Gibson and Joyce Follis and VISITORS are welcome. The younger kids train from M-F 3:00-4:00 PM. Older kids swim M-F 7:15-8:15 am and 4:00-6:00 pm. If your child would like to swim with the team, please contact Dave directly by email Cost is $20 per week. Kona Aquatics Visit team website here Kona Dolphins Team website here