Ho'okipa Beach Park
Ho'okipa Beach Park
4.5
About
This stretch of white sand beach on the north shore is the favorite of professional windsurfers. Visitors might even spot Hawaii's green sea turtles.
Duration: < 1 hour
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- JoeNathan9249Saint Paul, Minnesota6,025 contributions5 star, free attraction that's great for people of any age. Turtles are incredible.People living on the island including staff at our hotel described this as "must see" if you'd like to see giant turtles, some of them 1000+ years old. They were right! The area were the turtles climb onto and rest on the beach is roped off and fortunately at least when we were there, people respected this. The turtles are incredible. LOTS of people know about this and the parking lot isn't huge, so you may have to walk 5-10 minutes. But that's ok. This is a free, 5 star attraction. We had 11 year old grandchildren who were fascinated. This is one of those rare free attractions that that is great for people of any age.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 14 February 2024
- Sherry E16 contributionsWell over 100 turtles on the beach!We arrived around 3:30 or so and stayed for an hour sitting on a beach blanket and watching the gorgeous waves and surfboarders. I was hoping to see 40-60 turtles. There were way more than that! Turtles covered an area of the beach. I stopped counting around 50 and I hadn't even counted 1/2 of them yet.Visited February 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 February 2024
- kman1130Windham, Maine180 contributionsAmazing beach to watch turtles and surfingWas really looking forward to seeing the Giant Green turtles. It was truely wonderful. The beach was beautiful, nice bathroom, nice covered picnic area. The lifeguard was interactive with people educating them about the living reef and where they should go to enter the water without damaging. The were alot of signed due to the waves size that can be dangerous for swimmers. Great place to watch the surfers and the kite boarding.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 14 March 2024
- shazaca43 contributionsTURTLES!!!THE.TURLES.WERE.AMAZING. When one of the ladies in our group wanted to stop to see the turtles, we were so surprised to see how many there were. This was a treat for us! It was also very nice to see the surfers in the water. Cool location.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 12 June 2024
- AliciaDenver, Colorado68 contributionsAmazing sightAmazing sea turtles. There we about 50 sea turtles basking on the beach. Easy parking and short paved walk to where you can see the turtles. There are signs saying to not pass a certain area. People were not following the sign and were to close to the turtles.Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 25 July 2024
- GreekipinaArvada, Colorado383 contributionsBeautiful sunsets and so many turtles!We stopped here on our first night to watch the sunset and it was amazing. Parking was easy and there were lots of families with little kids wading in the water. The waves were lapping softly and the night turned beautiful golds to blues to purples. It was the perfect way to start off our vacation. Several days later we stopped here on our road to Hana and the whole beach was speckled with TURTLES! We had thought they were rocks! It was fun to watch the surfers as well. Great beach with lots of activity.Visited June 2024Travelled with familyWritten 21 August 2024
- ImmerWandernPalos Park, Illinois13,373 contributionsVisit to see both green sea turtles and surfers.Ho’okipa Beach totally lives up to its reputation. Ho'okipa means "hospitality," but that is not the reason to check it out. As has been mentioned by prior TA reviewers this is a fantastic to observe surfers, kite-surfers, and wind-surfers. It is also a reliable place to spot green sea turtles and apparently seals as well. We never did any pinnipeds, however, on several visits to the beach. The beach is a well-known surfing destination, reportedly the “World capital of windsurfing”. I do not surf at all, but I could appreciate the skill and stamina it would take to handle those impressive waves rolling in. The prevailing winds from the east combined with the reefs offshore make for a consistent surf break. Those same conditions that made this perfect for international surfing competitions also make this a beach that is less than ideal for regular swimming or snorkeling. that is not to say that you can’t give it a try. I tried snorkeling just off the beach in the shallow waters, and the rocks just offshore. I didn’t get to share the water with the green turtles a pair of which were grazing on algae on the rocks. For a non-surfer the green sea turtles were the star of the beach. they were easily seen coming into the beach from the viewpoint atop the cliff just off the parking lot. Their main gathering spot on the beach was just below the cliffs so to get a good view of the turtles, one had to take the short walk down to beach level. There is a barrier between the visitors and the beaching area of the turtles. unfortunately, it was not uncommon for some to literally cross the line and try to get closer to the turtles. Please do not do so and enjoy the sight from behind the barrier. We saw turtles both coming out of the sea and a smaller number heading back out. If you look out to the water, you may see some turtle swimming just offshore, their heads poking out of the water surface.. We saw turtles both in the morning as well as late afternoon. It appears that most travel writers recommend visiting the beach in the afternoon to maximize the likelihood of seeing turtles.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Bonzai
Vietnam3 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We stopped by this area to check out the picnic area and the beach but then discovered that this place was the famous sanctuary place for the turtles. In the evening the turtles come in to the beach to lay their eggs and rest. The turtles feel safe here as the place is barred from humans coming too close to them. The beach is very nice. It has high waves as I can see the surfers out in the ocean.There's a beach area for swimming and a very nice picnic area. It has a restroom to change to your bathing suits and a shower place to clean your feet from the sand. There is a parking lot on the side of the beach but can be a little hard to find as this place can get popular during tourist season. Overall I would recommend seeing this place on your way back from the Hana tour in the evening as this is the time the turtles come in so you can see them. If you stop by this place in the morning the turtles may not be there.
Written 28 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fireweed25
Edmonton, Canada267 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We stopped for a look late afternoon on a Saturday. It was very busy with many surfers and windsurfers as well as families in the water. The water was too rough for us novice ocean swimmers, but there was a lifeguard onsite directing people on how to get in and out of the surf.
We managed to get a parking spot at the top of the cliff and after watching the surfers for several minutes, walked down to the beach. We saw a handful of sea turtles, many of them active - some coming into the beach, others timing the waves to get back into the ocean and others flipping sand on their backs to cool themselves off. It was a fun stop with lots to see that made it worthwhile.
We managed to get a parking spot at the top of the cliff and after watching the surfers for several minutes, walked down to the beach. We saw a handful of sea turtles, many of them active - some coming into the beach, others timing the waves to get back into the ocean and others flipping sand on their backs to cool themselves off. It was a fun stop with lots to see that made it worthwhile.
Written 5 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NJR12345
Lincoln, NE46 contributions
Mar 2022
We stopped to see the turtles - definitely something to see. The stop itself only takes about 30 minutes - there is plenty of parking but you must get out of your car and you might need to even go onto the beach to see them (not viewable from the car for sure). You're not allowed to touch them so don't get excited and think this is a petting zoo experience. Experience surfers are fun to watch as well with the huge waves.
Written 21 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mayandollar
Reno, NV247 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Sun, surf and turtles. Turtles coming and going in and out of the water are endlessly fun to watch. There can be giant waves or medium waves but there’s always a few really proficient surfers to watch. If you stay long enough you will get to see the lifeguard go in after some newbie in the water. Great place to picnic and wade.
Written 11 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine B
7 contributions
Jan 2023
A great place to see Sea Turtles, especially if you're not a scuba diver willing to brave the ocean surf. They come and rest right on the beach. No daunting hike required either. An added bonus is the beautiful ocean break and rock formations. I believe this is where they do the JAWS surf competition. We also saw wind surfers, wildflowers and painters. There is a BBQ area for families if you want to make a day of it. Or just stop in for a quick photo op with the turtles. And there is a local sea lion that inhabits the beach as well near the lifeguard surf shack.
Written 3 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gwen H
New Orleans, LA48 contributions
Jan 2022
If you love huge, beautiful sea turtles, or if you’ve never seen one, DO NOT MISS this opportunity. Not far from the world-famous Mama’s Fish House, this beach is known as a “resting spot” for sea turtles, who come ashore to rest & sunbathe. We’ve seen 60+ in the past; on today’s visit there were about 40 when we arrived. Piled on & around each other among the rocks, they look like boulders at first. It’s an amazing thing to watch as they labor from the water to haul themselves over sand, rocks & other turtles to their chosen spots. Even more mesmerizing is watching them reverse the process to get to the point where the surf will carry them out to sea. It takes three to four waves, then they stretch their heads way up for a deep breath, and they’re gone!
This area is also known for big waves and is a favorite spot for surfers & wind surfers. Bring your binoculars and enjoy an amazing show.
This area is also known for big waves and is a favorite spot for surfers & wind surfers. Bring your binoculars and enjoy an amazing show.
Written 24 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen M
Idaho Falls, ID33 contributions
Feb 2020
This beach is amazing! On one end of the beach there are 15-20 windsurfers playing out in the ocean; surfers are on the other end of the beach with sea turtles coming up onto the sand to sleep - we even saw a few seals catching some sleep. There were about 25 turtles basking in the sun. Fortunately the park has roped off the area where the turtles and seals lay in the sun, but you could get close enough to take great pictures. We came back to this beach twice just to watch the windsurfers and surfers. It's nice to see a lot of women surfers! Mama's Fish House is not far from this beach so make it a day. There are lifeguards, but I really wouldn't recommend going swimming unless you are a good swimmer - the waves were high when we were there. Awesome beach!!!
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HikerBob66
San Rafael, CA515 contributions
Apr 2022
This is a wonderful stop if you're in the Paia vicinity. The feature is the incredible number of turtles you can see close-up, as this seems to be a landing/gathering place for them. In addition, it's fun to watch the Paia surfers and kite-riders take off from here.
Written 30 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane B
Hollis, New Hampshire, United States24 contributions
Jun 2022
Such a great beach to see so many great sights! Went back twice and the second time, saw 30-40 turtles on the beach. The were protected beyond a rock wall. The kite boarders/windsurfers put on a great show!
Written 21 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aehall7
Columbus, OH233 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We were actually at the Ho’okipa Lookout watching surfers, kiteboarders, and turtles on the beach. We walked to the north end of the parking lot and walked out on to the rocks. It was a beautiful evening and we listened to the currents hitting the rocks and the activity on the water. Took some short videos to keep the water vibrant in our minds.
Written 6 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is it easy to park there and do you have to pay to park?
Written 5 April 2024
There's a parking lot at the view point above the beach that had spaces (no charge) both times we visited (in March). There are spaces along the beach itself - but those spaces were full when we visited. It is a very short walk from the overlook lot to the beach.
Written 15 April 2024
Big and variable! Lots of locals surf and windsurf here. Not for the beginners!
Written 14 April 2023
Well, if you want the sun totally behind you I would get there between 10am and 1pm. That way the sun is shining on the waves and brightens things up a bit for photos.
Written 26 March 2022
What are bathroom facilities like here? Are showers available? Is it toddler friendly?
Written 27 June 2019
Sorry, we were there only briefly—just to see the green sea turtles so I did not use any of their restrooms or bathroom facilities.
Written 10 July 2019
Great posts on turtles! Best time of day to see them?
Written 8 April 2019
Turtles are there all day long. They haul out onto the beach to rest. If you don’t see them, take another look at the boulders strewn all over- those are turtles!
Written 17 May 2019
Consigo ver as tartarugas em dia de chuva?
Written 16 February 2018
Consigo ver as tartarugas em dia de chuva?
Written 16 February 2018
Consigo ver as tartarugas em dia de chuva?
Written 16 February 2018
the weather doesn't matter to see turtles. It 's a lucky shot to see turtles in the water or on the beach.
Written 19 February 2018
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