Our Kehena Beach vacation rentals provide the perfect island retreat for a relaxing and luxurious Hawaii vacation. Enjoy close access to great beaches, outstanding views and the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Things To Do
Watch for dolphins swimming offshore from the picturesque Kehena Beach, and also humpback whales during the winter months. Visit Pahoa town for fun exploring. Take a drive to Kalapana at the end of Highway 130 in Puna to see where the lava flowing from Kilauea Volcano enters the sea. Conditions change from day to day, though when flows are entering the ocean it is quite a spectacular sight as clouds of steam are sent high into the air. Explore Hilo town and the thundering Rainbow Falls just above town. Head up to the summit of the volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see huge craters, walk through Thurston Lava Tube, and take in the amazing sights along Crater Rim Drive. Stop in for a visit at the Kilauea Visitor Center to learn more about the Park, and also Jaggar Museum which overlooks the impressive Halemaumau Crater.

Nearby Beaches
Kehena Beach is a scenic beach with fine black sand set beneath the Puna cliffs in a sheltered cove with rocky peninsulas jutting out into the ocean on either side. Ironwood trees and coconut palms line the beach providing shady areas for relaxing. The trail down to the beach is quite rocky so sturdy shoes are recommended. Kehena Beach is known by many as Dolphin Beach due to the spinner dolphins frequently seen there often leaping into the air doing flips and spins. Sea turtles are often seen here also. Be aware that there is a "clothing-optional" tradition at this beach even though it is not legally permitted, so visit at your own discretion. There are no lifeguards at Kehena, and during times of high surf this beach can be particularly dangerous due to currents and strong waves so swimming is not recommended. Fun snorkeling beaches can be found in Hilo town.

Restaurants
From Kehena Beach you have easy access to the restaurants of Pahoa town including Kaleo's Bar & Grill which is open for lunch and dinner, serving up innovative Hawaiian-inspired cuisine and with live entertainment nightly. Pahoa has a range of eateries from cafes to Italian food and Thai food, and also a fish market, grocery stores and bustling weekly Farmers Market. A wide range of dining choices can be found in Hilo along the vibrant waterfront on Hilo Bay.

Shopping
Pahoa has a variety of interesting stores to browse from surf shops and beach apparel to modern fashions, a pharmacy, boutique gift stores and art galleries. Historic Pahoa has the feel of an Old West cowboy town and you can stroll along the raised wooden sidewalks and Victorian-style storefronts in restored buildings that are home to shops and restaurants. For more shopping explore downtown Hilo set on scenic Hilo Bay.

Getting Around
A rental car is recommended when staying in Kehena vacation rentals to you have easy access to nearby beaches and attractions as well as day trips to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as well as the Kona Coast and historic Kailua village. The island's bus service, called Hele On Bus, is free and stops at various points around the island including transportation between Kona and Hilo every day except Sunday.

Weather and Ocean Conditions
Kehena is known for its sunny weather with average daily temperatures around 77 degrees F., perhaps a bit hotter in the summer and a bit cooler in the winter, with nighttime temperatures dropping about 15 degrees. Expect sunny and breezy days with occasional showers. Overall the Big Island weather remains relatively stable all year around with the Kona and Kohala coastlines on the western shore being the warmest and driest and Hilo on the northeast shore being cooler and wetter. The temperature is also cooler at higher elevations like Kona Coffee Country and atop Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, though these areas still can be quite warm during the days. Ocean conditions vary widely at Big Island beaches with many areas exposed to strong currents and potentially dangerous surf, particularly during the winter months. Numerous beaches provide good protection from the open ocean and provide safe areas for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors are urged to only visit lifeguarded beaches for water activities and heed all posted warnings. Check with lifeguards about the safest areas to participate in the activities you choose.

Vacation Info
Kehena vacation homes provide the optimal way to enjoy your Hawaii vacation with all the luxuries of resort living and all the comforts of home including nearby shopping, dining and entertainment. Browse through our Kehena vacation rental listings to get an understanding of the different amenities and property features we offer. Our goal is to provide you with a with an unforgettable Kehena accommodation for your dream Big Island vacation. Hawaiian Beach Rentals takes great pride in having the largest selection of high-quality vacation rentals in Kehena, and also in the fact that we stand behind our product and make sure only the best of the best properties are listed on our site. If you have questions about our Kehena rentals or which destination is best for your vacation needs, please give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.

History
A lava flow in 1955 created the Kehena Beach area as well as the rocky point of land at the eastern end of the beach. An earthquake in the 1970s caused the beach to drop nearly 3 feet. The residential area of Kalapana at the end of the road was engulfed in lava in 1990 destroying 182 homes, a popular black sand beach and several miles of the highway.