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Koki Beach

Haneoʻo Rd, past Hāna

A small county beach park on Haneoʻo Road just south of Hāna, backed by the red cinder cliff of Ka Iwi o Pele and looking out to the offshore islet of 'Alau. The setting is dramatic, but with no reef and strong rip currents, it's a place to look and picnic rather than swim.

⏱ 10 – 25 min at stop 🚗 133 min from Pāʻia ✓ Free to access

At a glance

In the water: Not for swimming — There's no reef, and strong rip and alongshore currents pull out past the rocks. Drownings have happened here. It's best treated as a viewpoint, not a swim spot.
What to expect: Red, black & white sand — A short beach of mixed cinder and sand below the eroding red cliff of Ka Iwi o Pele, with the small island of 'Alau half a mile offshore.
Access & parking: Small roadside park — A grassy county park with picnic tables and ironwood shade sits right off Haneoʻo Road. There are no restrooms or lifeguards.
Wildlife & cliff: Seals and loose cinder — Hawaiian monk seals sometimes rest here — keep well back. Don't hike behind the cinder hill; it's loose volcanic rock that breaks off onto the shore.

About Koki Beach

Koki Beach lies on Haneoʻo Road just south of Hāna, a short loop off the highway that also leads to Hāmoa. It's a small county park with a strikingly colored shore — a mix of red, black, and white sand created by the eroding cinder cliff that rises behind it. The red here is not as vivid as the famous Kaihalulu cove, but the combination of cinder, dark sand, and blue water is memorable.

The cliff behind the beach is Ka Iwi o Pele, "the bones of Pele," tied in Hawaiian tradition to the volcano goddess. Out to sea, about half a mile offshore, sits the cone-shaped islet of 'Alau, a seabird sanctuary topped with a few coconut palms. Together they give Koki one of the more distinctive backdrops on the coast.

The ocean, however, is the catch. Koki is fully exposed, with no reef to soften the swell. Currents run strongly along the shore and then out past the rocks, and drownings have occurred here. Local bodyboarders and surfers who know the break come for the steep waves, but for most visitors this is not a swimming beach. If you want to get in the water nearby, Hāmoa, less than a mile down the road, is the safer choice.

Good to know

Treat Koki as a lookout and picnic spot rather than a swim. The currents are strong and there's no lifeguard; if you want to swim, Hāmoa Beach down the road is far safer. Give resting monk seals plenty of space and stay off the loose cinder cliff.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim at Koki Beach?
It's not recommended. Koki has no reef and is exposed to strong rip and alongshore currents, and drownings have happened here. Only experienced local surfers and bodyboarders go in. For swimming, nearby Hāmoa Beach is much safer.
Is Koki Beach worth stopping at?
As a viewpoint, yes — the red cinder cliff of Ka Iwi o Pele, the mixed-color sand, and the offshore islet of 'Alau make it a scenic, quick stop for photos or a picnic. Just don't plan on swimming.
Why is the sand red at Koki Beach?
The red comes from the eroding cinder cone behind the beach, Ka Iwi o Pele, whose iron-rich volcanic rock breaks down into reddish sand that mixes with black and white grains along the shore.
Is there anything to eat at Koki Beach?
A Huli Huli Chicken stand frequently sets up near the beach, serving grilled chicken plates that are a local favorite. There are picnic tables and shade in the park, but no restrooms.
Does Koki Beach cost anything?
No. It's a free county beach park right off Haneoʻo Road, with roadside parking and no admission fee.