Hawaiian Petroglyphs at Holoholokai Beach Park
The Holoholokai Beach Park is a place like no other. Your first impression of this area may not evoke a ceremonious shriek of glee when you encounter a mostly lava rock beach consisting of golf ball to baseball sized chunks of black lava mixed with the same sized chunks of white coral instead of sand but your excitement level will undoubtedly rise when you cruise the beach to the north and encounter hundreds of Hawaiian petroglyphs along the Malama Petroglyph Trail. It is rare to have this ease of access when viewing petroglyphs in Hawaii and for whatever reason the ancient Hawaiians felt that this particular area was a place just designed for petroglyphs to be chiseled into rock.
Coral and Lava Strewn Beach at entrance to Holoholokai Beach
As far as the beach and ocean here are concerned, this is definitely not the place for a good swim. Rocks are everywhere making a water entry very difficult at the best of times when the water is flat, and with any kind of current and wave action you could certainly end up in some trouble. If you’re wanting to get into the water for a swim you’d do best to head a few hundred yards to your south and walk down to the beautiful beach in front of the Fairmont Orchid Hotel.
The Beautiful Fairmont Orchid Beach
The Fairmont Orchid Hotel beach is generally a great place for beginning swimmers or snorkelers because it is protected by a series of large lava rocks surrounding the beach. A sand bottom entry into the water makes it all that more desirable. When the ocean conditions are favorable venturing outside the protective rock semi-circle will provide some good snorkeling opportunities but keep in mind that there is no life guard on duty here and if you have any hesitation about the water conditions you should ask someone working at the hotel beach for their assessment prior to entering.
Ocean Caution
Be advised that all beaches and ocean locations in Hawaii can be dangerous including this one. Be completely aware of the ocean conditions prior to entering any Hawaiian waters however it is not advised that you enter the water at this location. Also, all shorelines and beaches in Hawaii, including this one, can be frequented by sharks, jellyfish and other sea creatures which can provide potential harm to people entering the water. There are no lifeguard towers at these locations.