Black Pebble Beach

Shore Diving and Snorkeling Site

Black Pebble Beach

(Black) Pebble Beach, named for the County Beach and the large black pebbles that cover it.

 Dive Site Maps:

    

Two Step Dive Site Map, Big Island Hawaii 

Site Briefing: 

  • Accessibility:  Drive South on Highway 11, South of Kailua-Kona (about an hour). Make the turn down into the village of Kona Paradise. The road is very steep, (use low gear!) and dead-ends at one of the two parking areas that provide access to the beach.  Be mindful of the locals that live here and show respect.

  • Nearby Facilities:  No public facilities here, no potable water, so make sure to bring your own.  Nearest facility is a gas station about 10 miles away towards Kona.

  • Features:  The pebbles extend out, turning into fine black sand. If you turn to the North, there are lots of beautiful canyons and walls with a healthy diversity of marine life including nudibranchs, scorpionfish, eels, and reef fish. If you time the entry of your dive right and then leave around sunset, watching the sun go down from the top of Kona Paradise on a clear day is absolutely gorgeous.

  • Entry/Exit:  Beach entry can be difficult when there is heavy surge. Do NOT try if there is heavy SurfExit can be more difficult than entry because of the weight of your gear.

  • Depths:  0-100’: Typical Hawaiian dive site with beautiful coral in the shallows and a sharp drop-off along with the canyons and walls to the North.

  • Special Concerns:

    • South & West Swell:  Watch for surf here, waves can get large with West swell.

    • SurgeCombination of surge and pebbles can make this a difficult exit.  Do NOT try if there is high surf.

Site Photos:

  • Coming soon

General Info:

  • Check the weather, surf, and tide reports:  Plan ahead for safety

  • Know your limits: Diving and snorkeling from shore means you have minimal help if something goes wrong.  Know your limits, and consider taking a snorkel lesson, a scuba refresher, or book a guided trip to increase you experience before considering diving and snorkeling from shore.

  • Use a Dive Flag:  These are required by law for both scuba and snorkeling and we have them available for rent.

  • Rent gearWe have a full line of rental snorkel and scuba gear, and air and nitrox tank fills.

  • Check Your Gear and Bring Spares:  Whether you rent or own your own gear, inspect it thoroughly before heading to the dive site.  Many are in remote locations, so save yourself the long trip if you forget something.  Jack's Diving Locker is the best dive shop on the island to help restock your save-a-dive kit with spare o-rings, mouthpieces, and tools.

  • Use the Buddy System:  Dive and Snorkel with someone capable of assisting you in an emergency

  • Be Reef Friendly:  Please use reef safe sunscreens, don't stand on the reef, don't touch marine life, and don't feed the fish.

  • Be Respectful of Our Community:  Act with aloha, pick up litter if you find it, and be helpful to others.