Visiting Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii (2025)

Planning to Visit the Big Island, Hawaii? and wondering where to find the black sand beaches? I’ve got you covered! In this post, you’ll find a complete travel guide to visiting Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii.

Black sand beaches are very rare. Because of constant volcanic activity, you’ll find white sands and black sands on the island of Hawaii. There are seven black sand beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii.

But among all, Punalu’u stands out as the most beautiful, largest, and most accessible, black sand beach in Big Island Hawaii. In this post, you’ll find why the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.

Here’s everything you need to know before visiting this incredible, beautiful black sand beach on the Big Island of Hawaii. but before that let me share you few important things about Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

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What Does Punalu’u Mean?

In the Hawaiian language, Punalu’u means “Spring dived for” i.e. underwater freshwater springs in the area.

The beach is named Punaluu because underground freshwater flows into this beach, mixing with the salty ocean water. As the water from these springs is colder than the seawater and drifts on top of the salt water, you can see the separation of the different types of water, one cool, one warm, like how oil separates from water.

Legends say that, in times of drought, the ancient Hawaiians living in and around Punaluʻu dove underwater with a jug to get the freshwater.

Also, Punalu’u Beach was where ancient royal Hawaiians once lived. Petroglyphs can also be spotted around Punalu’u. It is still a popular sacred place for native Hawaiian people.

History of the Punaluu Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in the Big Island of Hawaii is very close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where two active volcanoes — Kilauea and Mauna Loa — reside. The Kilauea volcano is where the Hawaiian volcano deity Pele dwells and Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on earth, rising more than 30,000 feet from the bottom of the sea! Read more about it here on the National Park Service.

These volcanoes have erupted dozens of times within just the last century.

During an eruption, the hot lava flows into the ocean through vents, which eventually cools and turns into lava rock. Sometimes the lava rock adds to the island, extending it in the area.

The rough waves at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach further turn the lava rock into small particles that look like sand.

There are only a few black sand beaches in the world, and many of them are rocky. But Punalu’u black sand beach is unique among all! The black sand here is soft, making it one of the famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.

Why Visit the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in Big Island Hawaii?

The Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in the Big Island of Hawaii is well worth a visit — for its natural beauty and its rarity. Also, the beach is very large and not crowded like other beaches on Big Island. This means you can enjoy enough space to enjoy the beach. We visited it in the afternoon, and it was like a whole beach to ourselves!

Read my 5 day Big Island Itinerary to plan your trip!

How to Get to the Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Big Island Hawaii

The easiest way to get to Punalu’u Beach is to drive. To get to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach from Hilo or Kona, take the Hawaii Belt Road (Mamalahoa Highway Route 11) south. Then turn onto Ninole Loop Road, which is also the entrance to the Sea Mountain Resort. There is a car park right by the beach. 

Once you park your car, simply walk to the beach, NO HIKING is required. So, you can say Punalu’lu Black Sand Beach Hawaii is a very easily accessible beach on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Driving from nearby cities in the Big Island:

• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is about an hour‘s drive from Hilo, HI.
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is about a half-hour drive from Volcano, HI.
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is about 1.5 hour drive from Kona-Kailua, HI

We visited this beach after exploring Hawaii Volcanic National Park. So, if you have a few hours in hand when driving towards Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, must include this beach in your itinerary for that day.

Opening Times and Prices

While the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is open all day, every day. Also, lifeguards are on duty daily during daylight hours, typically from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. It’s free to enter and Park.

Facilities Available at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

The Punalu’u Black Sand Beach has restrooms, showers, water fountains, picnic tables, grills, and a campground.

Note: Camping is permitted with a permit which you can book online at the Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park. The permit fees vary depending on age and residence — can vary up to $21 for adult non-residents.

How to Visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Without a Car?

If you’re spending maximum of your time in Kona and not renting a car, it’s still possible to visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach on a day tour. Booking a day tour of Hawaii can be one of the best ways to see all the island’s highlights in a day. I’ve listed the best comprehensive day tours which include Punalu’u Beach below:

• From Hilo: Big Island Volcanoes & Waterfall Tour
• From Kailua-Kona: Volcanoes National Park with Black Sand Beach Tour
• From Waikoloa: Ultimate Big Island National Park Tour

Best Things to Do at the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in Big Island Hawaii

1. Walk Along the Beach

The first thing you must do while at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is walk the length of the palm-tree-lined shore, soaking in the beauty of this black beach. The black sand is truly incredible. Also, note that sand was once lava, it can be hot during the afternoon, so wear appropriate footwear when visiting the black sand beach in Hawaii.

2. Watch the Sea Turtles at Punalu’u Beach

The main reason people visit Punalu’u Beach is to see the green turtles. Hawaiian green turtles flock to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, seeking the warmth of the sand. Punalu’u is one of the only places in the world where a colony of endangered green turtles can be seen basking and sunbathing on the beach.

If they’re not on the beach, chances are they’re swimming in the bay. If you’re lucky you may even see a Hawaiian goose or Hawaiian monk seal too!

You can find sea turtles on Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in the afternoon until they leave around dusk, anywhere from about 11 AM to 6 PM.

Sea turtles are protected under Hawaiian state and federal laws. Don’t get within 20 feet, and never touch or feed the turtles. It’s illegal and carries a fine of up to $10,500. Just admire the beautiful creatures from a distance if you see them.

3. Swim Or Snorkel at Punalu’u Beach Hawaii

Okay, Punalu’u is not the best beach for swimming or Snorkelling. The waves can be strong and rough with moderate to poor visibility at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, so it may not be ideal conditions for swimming or snorkeling.

But it is still possible to go inside the water on calmer days, provided you are careful! So, bring your snorkel gear and explore the underwater world! If the surf is high, don’t enter the water.

4. Enjoy Picnic Lunch on the Beach

Pack a lunch with you and make a day out of your trip to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. There are lots of picnic tables scattered around the beach for you to make use of. Be sure to clean up all of your trash before you go.

If you didn’t bring any food with you, consider driving 10 minutes to the nearest town, Na’alehu, and purchase food items from Punalu’u Bake Shop. It’s the southernmost bakery in the USA. They offer Hawaiian sweet treats, such as Hawaiian sweet bread, Cookies, and Taro Chips. You can also pick up a bag or two of Atebara’s Hawaii Island Chips. This family-owned and operated company was the first producer of chips (crisps) in Hawai’i.

So, buy the food and come back to eat with a view!

5. Take Many Photographs

When you’re visiting Black Sand Beach in Hawaii, you must get all the beautiful pictures at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, I mean, how you not? It’s gorgeous and so photogenic.

Whether you’re a photographer or not, you are sure to be inspired at this beach. Take some time to photograph Punaluu Black Sand Beach Hawaii — capturing everything from the black rocks and the ocean waters to the palm trees and sea turtles.

6. Camping

There is a campground at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach if you’d like to stay the night in this beautiful area. The campgrounds have restrooms, showers, picnic tables, potable water, and grills. There isn’t much privacy, but the year-round warm weather and beautiful location make it a great place to camp.

7. Visit the Southernmost Point of the USA

Just 30 30-minute drive from Punalu’u black sand beach, you can visit South Point Park. South Point Hawaii (also known as Ka Lae) is a remarkable place that is famous for being the southernmost point in the United States (nope, it’s not Key West).

This is the best place to get away from more crowded areas of the Big Island and experience the vast beauty and power of the ocean. It’s well worth the trip and makes a good detour on the way to the Punaluu Black Sand Beach.

FAQs about the Black Sand Beaches in Hawaii

Can I take home the black sand?

You can’t take any black sand home with you. It is illegal in Hawaii to take lava rocks and sand from the beautiful beaches on any of the islands. It’s precious and rare and can’t be reproduced until the next eruption. Some black sand beaches in the world are expected to disappear entirely for this reason.

Additionally, Hawaiian custom says that taking home lava rocks or black sand would anger Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, and bad luck is supposed to follow anyone who removes lava rocks from Hawaii.

How Many Black Sand Beaches Are in Hawaii?

There are several beautiful Black Sand Beaches in Hawaii to explore. There are 10 major black sand beaches located on the Big Island of Hawaii.

On the Big Island, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach and Richardson Ocean Park are the easiest to access as they don’t require hiking or 4*4 drive to reach them. The one black sand beach in Maui is along the Road to Hana and requires a minimum two-hour drive on a windy road to reach it from the Kahului Airport.

List of black sand beaches on the Big Island, Hawaii:

• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
• Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo
• Waipio Valley Beach
• Pohoiki Black Sand Beach
• Pololu Beach in Pololu Valley
• Kehena Beach in East Hawaii
• Kaimu Black Sand Beach
• Kapoho Black Sand Beach

What is the best black sand beach in Hawaii?

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is the best black sand beach in Hawaii. It is easily accessible, large, gorgeous, and even has sea turtles.

Why are there so many black sand beaches in Hawaii?

Big Island known as youngest Hawaiian Island, has the largest share of Black Sand Beaches which are created from volcanic activity. The black sand is made up of particles from cooled lava. During an eruption, the hot lava flows into the ocean through vents, where it explodes, eventually hits cooler water of ocean, and then turns into lava rock. The rough waves further turn the lava rock into small particles that look like fine black sand. All the black sand beaches have formed from all the eruptions around the Big Island over the time.

Where to stay on the Big Island to visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach?

We visited Punalu’u Beach on our way from Hilo to Kona, and I’d recommend that you do the same. The Punalu’u Beach is not very close to any major city.

Recommended Hotels in Hilo, Hawaii

• Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
• Hilo Bay Oceanfront  
• SCP Hilo

Recommended Hotels in Kona, Hawaii

• Royal Kona Resort
• Outrigger Kona Resort
• Pacific 19 Kona (Budget)

I hope I’ve convinced you to visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach in Hawaii. If you’re visiting the Big Island, Hawaii, don’t miss to include in your Itinerary!

Read Best Beach Destinations of the USA:

• Florida 30A Beaches (Gulf Shore Beaches)
• 2 day Miami Itinerary
• How to visit the Crab Island, Destin
• Best things to do in Pensacola

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