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Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!

Beachfront vacation home near Mauna Kea Beach

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Photo gallery for Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!

Outdoor dining
Exterior
Terrace/patio
Dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61350 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Kamuela, HI
  • Place, Waialea Beach
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Puako Beach
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Airport, Kailua-Kona, HI (KOA-Kona Intl.)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Puako

On the beach.Stay at this Kamuela vacation home and you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Waialea Beach and 2 miles (3 km) of Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area. Puako Bay and Puako Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Vacation Homes in PuakoOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Waialea Beach - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area - 10 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Puako Beach - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Puako Bay - 19 min walk - 1.0 mile
  • Hāpuna Beach - 12 min drive - 1.9 miles

Getting around

  • Kamuela, HI (MUE-Waimea-Kohala) - 28 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hawaii’s Ultimate Donut - Hot Malasadas - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪CanoeHouse - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Hālani - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Tommy Bahama Tropical Café - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Ikena Landing - ‬11 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!


The “Lalamilo Beach Bungalow” has been a labor of love for the owners, who have taken a personal interest in the restoration and preservation of this historic,1930’s beach front home. Originally accessible only by boat (there were no roads to the beach) the owners vacationed there with just their family and friends. Now a vacation rental, the three bedroom house is available to beach lovers from around the world. Nestled against a gradually sloping hillside and overlooking Waialea Bay, one of the Big Island’s few white sandy beaches, the house epitomizes Old Hawaii with its simple, open architecture that invites ocean breezes and frames spectacular sunsets. Original hardwood floors and Ohia (a native Hawaiian wood) counter tops add to the charm as do the authentic Hawaiian furnishings and artwork throughout.

The close proximity of the house to the water make this an ideal spot to snorkel, swim, sunbathe, surf, dive and whale watch. From the kitchen, dining and living areas, you can watch children playing in the water and building sand castles on the beach. Designed for three couples or a family, the house sleeps up to 6 adults. Two of the bedrooms can made up into either king or twin beds while the third offers a double bed. All three bedrooms open out onto a lanai and have ocean views.

Please note: As desirable as this property may be due to its charm and remarkable location, the Bungalow is not a hotel. There is NO AC. We keep the property as clean and secure as possible but please understand that this home is located on the beach in a natural, tropical environment. While the house is fully screened, and we maintain a regular pest control service, guests may encounter insects. If you love the sounds of the ocean and the beauty of the great outdoors, you won't find any place better! But if you prefer a climate-controlled, manicured, hotel-like environment, this may not be the place for you.

STVR-19-359909 // NUC-19-1261

Transient Accommodations: TA-20-140-682-01

Starting January 1, 2026, Hawaii's Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) will increase from 10.25% to 11%. All guests booking in advance for 2026 reservations will be charged for the increased tax rate once it goes into effect.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Outdoor shower
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Lanai
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the ocean
  • On the bay

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Whale watching nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,350 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

NO STREET PARKING Guest vehicles must be parked in designated onsite parking.
Quiet hours shall be from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., during which time the noise from the STVR shall not unreasonably disturb adjacent neighbors.
The STVR shall not be used for commercial purposes.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Property Registration Number 366002003000, GE-087-716-0448-01, TA-087-716-0448-01

Property is also known as

Waialea bay White Sand Beach Authentic Hawaii House Kamuela
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Authentic Hawaii House
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Authentic Hawaii Kamuela
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Authentic Hawaii
Waialea bay White d Authentic
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Authentic Hawaii
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Od Hawaii Getaway
Waialea bay White Sand Beach Currently NOT Available
Waialea bay Currently Available FOR Inter island Travelers Only

Frequently asked questions

How close is Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! to the airport?

This vacation home is 15.3 mi (28-min drive) away from the Kamuela, HI (MUE-Waimea-Kohala) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! to the beach?

This vacation home is on the beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling!?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! to downtown Kamuela?

This vacation home is 0.4 mi away from Puako.

Historic Bungalow On Idyllic White Sand Beach w/ Great Snorkeling! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful spot on a beautiful beach. Unique bungalow with lots of character and charm. Breathtaking views, one of a kind for sure! Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026

10/10 Excellent

Douglas Y.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a lovely stay. the sound of the surf all day and night, plus the breeze, makes it all worthwhile alone. The beach and surf are great fun. Thank you for having this house available. Best place in Hawaii
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2026

8/10 Good

Debbi B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Location, Location, Location

Overall a fabulous stay! If you are a beach bum and escaping town is your goal, this is the place to stay. Leilani was great to work with via VRBO. Bungalow is very well stocked with kitchen supplies and beach/water equipment. Laundry machines were top notch. Plenty of towels and comfy beds. Wifi worked very well - even on the lanai. Did not use the tv so can't speak to that.I know bugs are hard to control in this climate, so no shade on property management, but future renters should be aware they will encounter bugs, especially in the bathroom.Depending on time of year, do not expect to have the beach alone except when the park is closed and the neighbors aren't out. During open hours, the public beach can get busy, but most were respectful of the lanai being private, and we felt it added to the atmosphere, like a chill neighborhood gathering.The ocean is LOUD. We found it to be white noise, but felt I should mention it - it is persistent through the entire house including the bedrooms. Make sure your rental car has clearance. Gravel road from park/st entrance to bungalow.Overall, great combo of being a laid back cabin, but with all the necessary modern amenities.
Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Awesome beach bungalow

Great beach, great old Hawaii bungalow, loved it.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Melissa G.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Nude beach

The house is great. It is like staying at a summer camp. Full of cockroaches.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Rustic Beach Cottage

I've been intrigued by this cottage for years and am grateful that I had the opportunity to stay there. I'll be back! <3
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hilary H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Paradise

Location is everything! Bungalow on the beach made for amazing memories. We loved being able to enjoy meals on the patio and then pop back down to the beach. Not packing up for all day beach outings was an absolute joy! We used the recommended company for groceries upon arrival which was a life saver! Thank you for letting us stay at the bungalow and enjoy such an amazing piece of Hawai’i! What a treat! Mahalo!
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick F., Scottsdale Arizona

Liked: Cleanliness

Bungalow right on the ocean

If you love the waves crashing, which did take some getting used to because of the winter storm sizes. The bungalow is a100 years old and has its quirks and mostly charm. If you like to cook the kitchen tools etc and equipment is a C. Your outdoor patio is a A. Enjoy it’s a once in a lifetime experience.
Stayed 9 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Danielle W., Where do you live?

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect beach house

This home is the rare Big Island single family home that is directly on the beach. It’s such a beautiful location that is secluded during the time that the park is closed. Since it is in a park, people do come use the beach as soon as it opens in the morning, but it really didn’t bother us and there were plenty of times when we had it all to ourselves. This is such a unique property that was perfect for our family. We’d love to come back!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan Q., Seattle

Liked: Cleanliness

Still wonderful!

What a hidden gem of a place, just as wonderful and relaxing as it was in 2018 when we’re last there. Can’t wait to return!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ryan W.

Liked: Cleanliness

A wonderful stay

We had a wonderful stay in this bungalow on the beach. Thank you so much.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Joe F.

Liked: Cleanliness

True Hawaiian Experience

We loved the beach location and the day of Iron Man we had the whole beach to ourselves. Rustic and very Hawaiian type of experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kari T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Hawaii Getaway

This home on the beach provides all the amenities and opportunities you could wish for. It's a spectacular spot for a getaway. While the beach gets crowded during the day (like all nice beaches in Hawaii), between 7 pm and 7 am when the state park gate is closed, it's empty. We loved eating on the beachside lanai and swimming early in the morning before anyone else arrived. The water is safe for children and perfect for swimming. Leilani has thought of every detail, from extra towels and boogie boards to quality furnishings, a cooking-ready kitchen, and more things than I can name. We loved our stay and would come back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nathan W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing property

Look back at my review 1 year ago. Nothing has changed. Very pleased with my stay. Family had a great time. Prince had a great time. Feel free to look forward one year from now and read my review then. Good luck renting this place as it is crazy popular.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely Beach Vacation

We so enjoyed our week staying in this charming beach bungalow. As others have stated, it may not be for everyone, but it was exactly what we were expecting - charming, a little rough around the edges, and beachy! The side yard was perfect for a little seclusion and morning yoga. Sunset cocktails on the patio were breathtaking and the sound of surf at night lulled us to sleep (and occasionally woke us from sleep:) So glad we were able to enjoy this speacial place! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

Megan C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Place

Best vacation yet. The house allows you to actually relax because you don't have to go anywhere to enjoy the beach and ocean. We had Connor and Kristin cater our stay with pre-prepped meals and one meal where they came and cooked and served. We also recommend the masseuse Angelica.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gina D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing bungalow

WOW simply sums it up! This was our 1st stay here and we cant wait to go back. The beach bungalow was perfect for us. The property was just like described. The beach is public but still had plenty of privacy in the morning and evenings. Leilani was great to work with too. I highly recommend this place.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Best Vacation Ever

This little bungalow nestled at the end of the beach is all we needed for rest and relaxation. We snorkeled and slept and enjoyed the stars. Feels like summer camp! Love this place! Thank you Leilani for everything! We will be back!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nathan W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing location

Sad to see the price go up for next year, but I will be reserving 2022 happily. This should speak for itself. The location, and atmosphere cannot be beat. The kitchen and living room was amazing and well equipped. We really appreciated the hot shower right off the beach to wash off between beach sessions with our child. The white noise provided by the ocean meant we could hang out without worrying about our 3 year old waking up at night. The amount of toys and beach equipment in the rental is impressive...snorkel gear, flippers, body boards, shovels, toys, umbrellas, extra chairs, you name it. Things you should know, but are not negative: 1. This unit is at the end of a public beach/park. It opens from 8-8, so expect a crowd during the day, but fairly private after sunset and in the mornings. This is especially true on weekends. 2. The house is old. Very clean, but you can see signs of wear such as certain wooden structure rotting. This makes it feel very authentic, and is not a problem in a beach cottage that is probably at least 70 years old and located directly next to ocean spray. 3. The bathrooms are a little separate from the house, due to needs of the septic system. You just step out the back of the house and walk a few steps. The facilities are very nice, and this would only be an issue I think if I brought my elderly parents who would be nervous about navigating to the restroom in the dark. We had no problem with it. Overall, best stay I have ever had in Hawaii. Highly recommend you rent the stand up paddle boards for the week that the owner suggests.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Shannon B., Where do you live?

Liked: Cleanliness

Lovely stay

We would return to this bungalow in a heartbeat. It was well represented in the images online and may not be for everyone, but for our family it was perfection.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sharlane C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing, amazing, amazing

This is the only home we ever want to rent in Hawaii! It is right on the best Big Island beach. It is decorated in a charming, vintage Hawaii style but has all the modern facilities you could want. Leilani went out of her way to make our stay comfortable and fun. It was an absolutely amazing vacation and we only left to buy groceries; there was no need to go anywhere else!
Stayed 13 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect relaxation!

Loved our week there at our little piece of paradise! Having the beach right outside the door made everything so easy. Mornings and evenings when it was totally ours were blissful. The snorkeling was surpringly good, even swam with a sea turtle! Whales even passed the bay a couple of days. The screened in house really kept you right in the ocean feel night and day. Would happily return to this perfect world!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Great time!!

Great location and great view. Snorkeling was superb most days. The bungalow itself had all the amenities and then some. The beach got a little crowded at times, however, having our own beach side patio was wonderful.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Heather R.

Breathtaking

From the moment we walked in the front door until the moment we departed ... the Lalamilo Beach Bungalow took our collective breath away. We have stayed in amazing places around the world and the bungalow is a new favorite. If you’re looking for poolside service and views of the golf course this is not the place. If you’re looking to kick off your shoes, bury your feet in the sand, grill your own fish and make your own cocktails then this place is heaven. Our family of 5 needed to get unplugged and that we did. But don’t worry- the WiFi works! Not to mention: The sound of the surf — The gorgeous beach— The moonlight on the water— The sunlight on the sand— And the friendly people! It’s a vacation to remember :) We plan on returning! Thank you Leilani! Mahalo!
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

brian h.

great location!

Leilani was very helpful and responsive. A vacation we will never forget!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2019