You cannot visit the Big Island of Hawaii without visiting some of the the best secret Sunset Kona spots on the tropical island. Hawaiian Sunsets are what dreams are made of. With orange dreamcicles and lavender clouds that are beyond gorgeous and dreamy. They’re romantic and a feast for the eyes, perfect marriage proposal locations. Hint hint! Wink wink!
I’ve found several great Secret Sunset Kona locations around the Kona Big Island area for you. And I’ll show you how to find them and get to them without spending a single dime. Yes, for free!
Secret Sunset Kona Spot #1 – Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa
We had the pleasure of staying at the Sheraton Kona Resort during the first couple of days of our Big Island Hawaii trip. As soon as we landed, picked up our rental car and made it to the resort, it was already in the late afternoon. We got cleaned up, grabbed our camera gear and made a mad dash to go out and explore the resort’s property, searching for the best sunset spots.
Here’s the address for the Sheraton Kona: 78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Don’t worry, if you’re not staying on the resort, you can still visit the property for free. There is free parking at the bottom of the small hill driveway that leads up to the Sheraton, on Kaleiopapa Street or in the boat docking parking area. This way you won’t have to pay for valet or their guest parking fee. Just take the short walk up the driveway, walk past their valet and their lobby area. And you can explore the restaurants, pools and lava cliffs.
The Sheraton Kona also has an award winning Hawaiian Luau on their property that is open to the public. Make sure to get tickets to the show early before they sell out!
The Sheraton Kona Lava Cliffs
Make your way to the edge of the Sheraton property, towards the ocean. You’ll pass lush gardens and walking trails. Suddenly, the tropical foliage stops and you’ll be met with the majestic Pacific Ocean in all its glory. Rimmed with black shiny lava rocks and a few green bushes, you have found the secret spot. It’s railed off with a metal bar for your safety, but the bar is mostly ignored. The secret spot is not really super secret because we witnessed 2 marriage proposals and a handful of photographers while we were there. But still secret enough.
Here you can admire the sea, the waves crashing onto the side of the lava cliffs and of course, the slowly setting sun. If there are dark heavy clouds, even better! It’ll make for a glorious sunset like we had!
You may also catch some boats close by in the harbor. These are tour operators preparing their Manta Ray Snorkeling Excursions. Yes, that’s right, snorkeling at night with the gentle giants in the big ocean! Read my post on how our tour went and how we risked motion sickness but still had a great time!
Secret Sunset Kona Spot #2 -Fairmont Orchid Luxury Resort
The Fairmont Orchid Resort is one of the most glamorous luxury resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii. But it’s also one of the best kept secret for lucrative spots for sunsets in Kona. Don’t let the price tag and glam scare you away. The resort has certain areas that are open to the public. You can visit the property for free, dine at their Luau and explore their public beaches.
This is the address for the Fairmont Orchid: 1 N Kaniku Dr, Waimea, HI 96743
Once, you arrive at the property, take the first left into the parking lot after turning off the highway. There is a mound of lava rocks off to the left. Those parking spots are open to the public. Look for the naupaka (kinda like a big hedge) growing along one side. There is a sidewalk there and that takes you down to the public beach spot.
The Fairmont’s Hawaiian Loa Luau
One of the best things to do at the Fairmont Orchid is to attend their highly rated Hawaiian Luau, the Hawaii Loa Luau. This will afford you access to a delicious Hawaiian meal and authentic entertainment with local dancers and performers. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the Fairmont Orchid, enjoy a beautiful sunset in Kona, and witness an entertaining Hawaiian Luau.
Secret Sunset Kona Spot #3 – Puako Secret Beach
There is a secret beach located just North of the Fairmont Orchid resort called Puako Beach. Its lava rock beaches are littered with scattered white coral and lined with tropical foliage and palm trees. This is also a favorite spot for discovering giant sea turtles during sunset. (Remember to always keep at 20-ft distance from sea turtles, it’s the law in Hawaii.)
To get here, locate the Puako General Store on your GPS map which is located on Puako Beach Dr. Once you get to the store, go less than half a mile further SW on Puako Beach Dr. until you come to a tiny little turn off in the road. Here you can park your car, or you can park close by on the street. You can enter Puako Beach from here.
The area is comprised of jagged black lava rock so be careful where you step. Honestly, all of Kona is like this, so wear GOOD SHOES wherever you go in Kona, Hawaii.
We had the chance to visit this beach and had a great time traversing the terrain and exploring the beach. It’s quiet and not many people around. There are private homes that line the shoreline so make sure you are not trespassing at certain areas. Make sure to visit Puako Beach for its secret sunset Kona spot and to also search for sea turtles.
Beach 69 – Spot #4
Another location for perfect sunsets in Kona, Hawaii, is Beach 69. It’s a local beach ideal for snorkeling, beach trekking and exploring.
The beach itself has a lot of drift wood and old tree branches. Even an old rope swing is tied to one of the branches that you can reach during low tide. It’s a perfect spot to wait for the famous Hawaiian sunsets.
It’s also easy to get to. Simply search for Beach 69 on your GPS. Pack a picnic, bring your snorkel gear and sunscreen, catch sea turtles swimming along side you during sunset and enjoy this beautiful beach!
Puakō Petroglyph Park – Spot #5
The Puako Petroglyph Park is a unique exploration site located right on the shores of Puako Beach. It is family friendly and full of interesting history and facts about the petroglyphs made by people of the Hawaiian culture hundreds of years ago. It is considered an official archaeological site. The location is situated right along lave rocks with the island waters rushing up at high tide. If you stay just late enough, you may catch a glorious Hawaiian Sunset.
If you know of any other great locations in Kona Big Island Hawaii to catch the perfect sunset vibe, let me know! I would love to add it to the list here and of course, give credit! Aloha!
Hawaii is a huge bucket list destination for me and these sunset spots would be absolute must do’s when we get there!! Dreaming of Hawaii now!!
Hawaii is definitely a dream. I hope you get to visit it one day soon.
Now I want to see all these places!
Hawaii has been on our bucket list for so long! Thanks for sharing these amazing spots, watching the sunset together is our fav thing to do!
I hope you get to visit Hawaii one day soon!
These photos are amazing, desperately want to visit Hawaii and was looking at big island trips recently, so this is perfect!
Thank you so much. I hope you get to visit it one day soon!
Hawaii looks so peaceful and romantic. It’s been on my bucket list for ages!
Awww, I hope you get to visit it soon one day.
Wow you’ve found some brilliant sun set spots here! That cliff picture makes my heart pound though haha. Can’t wait to visit Hawaii one day and discover places like this 🙂
Hehe thanks! It was a scary cliff but not too risky.
Hi! To reach the Sheraton cliffs, is it on the north or west side of the property? Thanks!!
It’s on the West, try looking up the hotel resort on google maps 3D.
Your photos are gorgeous! I’m impressed, this is a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing
Thank you kindly!
Ohhhh my goodness these photos are absolutely beautiful! <3 Hawai'i is definitely forever on my travel bucket list (revisiting included)–I love sunsets! Thanks for sharing these!! (Free is even better. <3)
Don’t wait forever! Must go soon!