Waikoloa Beach – Anaeho’omalu Bay

Location: Waikoloa Beach at Anaeho’omalu Bay, Hawaii 96738

Very IMPORTANT Directions: From Kona, take Highway 19 north toward the Waikoloa Beach Resort Area. Turn left at Waikoloa Beach Road (near Mile Marker #76). Turn left at the road across from Kings’ Shops (Follow the signs for “Lava Lava Beach Club.”  Parking for the beach is at the end of this road. HOWEVER, dogs are NOT allowed in the main beach parking lot, and security is strict.  This can be confusing.  You can either drop off your dogs at Lava Lava Beach Club with a friend to hold them while you go back and park in the main parking lot OR you can park at Lava Lava Beach Club (LLBC) in the gravel overflow parking lot.  Currently LLBC is open daily for lunch and dinner 11:30 am – 9:00 pm with weekend (Saturday and Sunday) brunch starting at 10:00 am, but LLBC recently (in early 2015) hired a security guard to keep beach-goers and paddlers out of their small parking lot immediately adjacent to the restaurant.  Please respect the restaurant…They are HUGE supporters of our island animal shelters and DO offer dog-friendly dining and lodging and complimentary poop bags for us doggie beach-goers, so we love them!  My review of LLBC and more information can be found at this page: https://lavadogshawaii.com/lava-lava-beach-club-anaehoomalu-bay-hawaii/  Once you park, walk through LLBC green lawn to access the beach, and turn LEFT (South).  In early Summer 2017, a “No Dogs Allowed” sign was posted along the boundary south of the Waikoloa Outrigger Canoe Club.  You’ll notice that it’s turned in such a way, so that people do not enter the north side of the beach with their dogs.  I do not believe this means that dogs are no longer permitted there (at the entire Bay) period, but I’m checking into it.  Please stay on the south side (at Lava Lava Beach Club and the undeveloped south side portion) of the Bay.  Mahalo!

While this is not a “dog beach” and does not have any dog rules per se, I do keep my dogs on leash at all times and let them run when there is no one around.  Please be courteous of others…Some people love dogs, and some people are scared to death of them.  There are a few different pockets of beaches with lots of honu (sea turtles) laying along the shore or on the rocks, so watch out for them especially if you have a prey-driven dog.  I prefer the two sandy beaches toward the end of the south side, one of which is called Kapalaoa Beach/Cove.  Even on a weekend morning, there are not many people here, mostly a few adventurous tourists and local fishermen.  More often than not, we have the beach to ourselves.

Kapalaoa Beach Cove is located at the very south side end of Anaehoomalu Bay

Does it get any better than this?!

Lucky we live Hawaii!

General Beach Etiquette for Dog Owners

Dogs SHOULD be on a leash at all times.
Take your dog home at the first sign of unfriendly behavior.
Puppies and dogs should be vaccinated and healthy.
Keep close supervision of your dog and do not let them near honu (sea turtles) that frequently sunbathe on the rocks and beach.
Dogs in estrus/heat should be left at home.
Pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste.

How to keep your dog safe at the beach
When taking your dog to the beach, make sure there is plenty of fresh water and shade. Dogs can get sunburned just like humans, so limit your dog’s exposure to the hot sun and apply a zinc-free sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
Be careful not to let your dog spend too much time on hot sand or asphalt. Dogs can burn their feet just as easily as we can.
Cool ocean water is very tempting to a dog. Don’t allow your dog to drink too much seawater. This can cause diarrhea or vomiting and quickly dehydrate them.
Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs, but don’t let them overdo it. They will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.
Running on a beach is strenuous exercise and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament. If your dog is out of shape, don’t encourage him to run on the sand.
The beach can present many hazards for your dog. Things to watch out for include boats, fishhooks, dead fish, honu (sea turtle), Keawe tree thorns, wana (sea urchin), garbage, and broken glass. Lava rock can be very sharp and can easily cut you and your dog’s feet.