Please note: · 45-day state permit required (you apply, we guide you) · High-clearance vehicle recommended · Rocky black sand · Stunning sunsets
⸺ Watch a Real Ceremony ⸺
See a Wedding at Kiholo Bay
A real Kona Wedding Officiant ceremony filmed on-site at Kiholo Bay — the rocky black sand, the ocean, the sunset.
Filmed on location at Kiholo Bay · Kailua-Kona, Big Island
LOCATION
Kailua-Kona
BEST TIME
8–9 AM (Mornings)
BEACH TYPE
Rocky Black Sand
PERMIT
45 Days Advance
⸺ Secluded Black Sand Beach
About Kiholo Bay
Kiholo Bay is a rocky black sand beach in Kailua-Kona, offering a secluded black sand setting with ocean access and stunning sunsets. It's one of our favorite spots for couples drawn to the dramatic look of a black sand beach.
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The road to Kiholo is a little rough, so a vehicle with clearance is recommended. Plan accordingly when choosing a rental car.
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Unlike most of our beaches, couples must apply to the State of Hawaii 45 days before their wedding to use this location. The application is yours to submit, but we'll provide guidance on the process so you know exactly what to do.
⸺ Before You Choose Kiholo ⸺
What to Know About Kiholo Bay
A rough-road drive, a 45-day state permit, and a dramatic black sand setting with sunset views. If those fit your plans, Kiholo is a one-of-a-kind spot.
What Makes Kiholo
Special
What to know before you choose Kiholo Bay for your wedding or elopement.
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Rocky Black Sand
Dramatic, photogenic shoreline
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Ocean Access
Right at the water's edge
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45-Day Permit
You apply · we guide you through it
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Secluded Setting
Private and quiet
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Stunning Sunsets
Stunning Sunsets
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Rough Access Road
High-clearance vehicle recommended
⸺ About the Location
Planning Your Kiholo Bay Wedding
Kiholo Bay sits along the Kona Coast of the Big Island, between Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast resorts. It's a secluded black sand beach known for its rocky shoreline, direct ocean access, and some of the most striking sunsets on the Kona side of the island.
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Getting to Kiholo
The access road to Kiholo is a little rough, so a vehicle with clearance is recommended. It's not a long drive, but a low-clearance rental car will have a hard time with it. If you're renting a car for your trip, plan around this when you book — a small SUV or similar is a safer bet than a sedan.
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The 45-Day State Permit
Unlike most of our ceremony locations, Kiholo Bay requires a State of Hawaii beach wedding permit, and the application must be submitted at least 45 days before your wedding date.
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The permit is applied for directly by the couple — not by us — but we'll provide guidance on the process so you know exactly where to go and what to submit. Just make sure you book early enough to stay inside the 45-day window.
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Best Time of Day
The best time for a Kiholo ceremony is 8 or 9 AM — mornings are the most secluded and the coolest. Late afternoon and sunset are also beautiful, but in summer the gate closes between 6 and 7 PM, so a true sunset ceremony isn't always possible during long-sunset weeks.
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For couples set on a sunset ceremony during summer, we can hold the ceremony at Kiholo and then move to KukiÊ»o Beach for sunset photos after we need to exit for the gate. During late fall, winter, and early spring, we're happy to hold your sunset wedding right at Kiholo — sunset falls earlier in the day during those months, well before gate closure.
⸺ The Kehena Experience ⸺
Six Reasons Couples Choose Kiholo Bay
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Rocky Black Sand
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A true black sand beach with a rocky shoreline — a dramatic, one-of-a-kind look on the Kona side of the island.
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Secluded Bay
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Kiholo is tucked away from the main tourist strip — the rough access road keeps the beach quiet and private.
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Direct Ocean Access
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​You're right at the water's edge for your ceremony — ocean sounds behind every vow, with the open bay in the background.
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Secluded Mornings
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Mornings around 8–9 AM are quietest and coolest at Kiholo — the best window for a secluded ceremony. Late fall through spring sunsets also work beautifully.
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Guided Permit Process
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Kiholo requires a 45-day State of Hawaii permit. The couple submits the application, but we'll walk you through exactly where to go and what to do so it's not confusing.
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Truly Unique
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Few couples choose Kiholo, and that's part of its appeal — a one-of-a-kind spot for couples who want something different.
⸺ COMMON QUESTIONs ⸺
Kiholo Bay Wedding FAQ
Kiholo Bay is on the Kona Coast of the Big Island, between Kailua-Kona and the Kohala Coast resorts. It's a secluded rocky black sand beach on the Kona side of the island.
Yes — Kiholo Bay requires a State of Hawaii beach wedding permit, and the application must be submitted at least 45 days before your wedding. The permit is applied for directly by the couple, but we'll provide guidance on the process so you know what to do.
The road to Kiholo is a little rough. A vehicle with clearance is recommended — a small SUV or similar. A standard low-clearance sedan will have a hard time. Keep this in mind when you book a rental car.
8 or 9 AM is our top pick — mornings are the most secluded and coolest. Late afternoon and sunset are beautiful too, but in summer the gate closes between 6 and 7 PM, so a true sunset ceremony isn't always possible during long-sunset weeks. In those cases we can do the ceremony at Kiholo and then move to KukiÊ»o Beach for sunset photos. During late fall, winter, and early spring, sunset weddings at Kiholo itself are a go.
Yes. Like all beaches in Hawaii, Kiholo Bay has public shoreline access. The 45-day state permit is what allows a wedding ceremony specifically to be held there.
Yes — Kiholo accommodates intimate elopements and small guest ceremonies. Keep in mind that each guest will need to make the same rough drive, so travel-friendly vehicles are a good idea.