Honuapo
- Fall asleep to the sounds of the surf at Whittington Beach Park, less than 10 minutes from Ka Lae. Morning almost always brings sunshine, with a beautiful view of Honuapo Bay. The quality of light at Honuapo deeply saturates the coastline's colors, from its tropical flowers to blue water crashing on black rocks. Dirt roads lead to viewing points and large ponds. The Hawaii County campground provides fire pits, grills, shelters and restrooms. Unfortunately, as with many coastal campgrounds in Hawaii, theft is not uncommon, so don't leave belongings unattended. The park's history is of special significance to the local community and Native Hawaiians, and the estuaries and coast protect and provide habitat to many native and endangered flora and fauna. The ocean is too rough for swimming here, but many of the ponds are large enough to swim in.
Punaluu
- When visitors speak of “the black sand beach,” you can bet they mean Punaluu Beach Park in Puna District. Most beaches on this windward side of Hawaii Island have gray to black sand -- a mixture of glassy, jet-black lava rock and eroded coral and shells -- but Punaluu's high content of lava rock makes the sands shimmer, contrasting with vivid blue water and green palms. Punaluu is kissed with more sunshine than most windward beaches, and its main beach is one of Hawaii's few nesting grounds for the endangered hawksbill turtle. The campground, about 30 minutes from South Point, perches on a lawn overlooking the main beach and the first of a series of coves children and green sea turtles often share. You can pitch your tent on an open lawn adjacent to the restrooms. School days are quietest at this popular campground.
Hookena
- Kayaking and spinner dolphins headline at Hookena Beach Park in South Kona District. Concessionaires at Camp Hookena rent a variety of kayaks, as well as snorkeling and camping gear. When the water's calm, paddle in a peekaboo kayak or snorkel over the reef to see turtles and colorful fish. Spinner dolphins are seen early in the morning before they retire after a busy night fishing. Bring binoculars to enjoy the dolphins from a distance. As with most Hawaii beach campgrounds, tents are pitched in an open area. Hookena has restrooms, outdoor showers, campfire rings and picnic tables. Friends of Hookena manages the Hawaii County beach, which is about a 40-minute drive from Ka Lae.
Volcanoes National Park
- The most peaceful campground near Ka Lae rests at Kilauea's summit in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Fragrant eucalyptus trees shade Namakanipaio Campground, where you can pitch your tent on the open lawn or rent a camper cabin and have access to hot showers. The temperate rain forest, averaging 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, offers respite from hot and arid Ka Lae. At night, under a starry sky, enjoy your outdoor fireplace when temperatures plummet to the 40s and sometimes lower. Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, sends rivulets of lava toward the sea, not the campground. Halemaumau, though, glows at night, and you can get a closer look from Thomas Jaggar Museum. The museum in the park has a mural depicting the early Hawaiians landing at South Point. Namakanaipaio Campground is in northern Kau, about one hour from Ka Lae.
