The Punaluu Beach on Hawaii’s Big Island is one of the most unique beaches in the world! The beach is a black sand beach that has been made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which cools almost instantly as it touches the water.
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- The black sand
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- The Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii
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- The black sand, up close, at the Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Big Island, Hawaii
In other words, the beach is literally made up of tiny pieces of lava.
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Black Sand Beach Directions
Punaluu Beach is located between the Volcanoes National Park and the small town of Naalehu. It took us roughly 45 minutes from the Volcanoes National Park to get to the beach. The drive for the most parts is pretty peaceful with not much scenery. However, that changes closer to Punaluu.
Tip for parking
If you’re approaching the beach from the Volcanoes National Park side, I’d recommend taking a turn to the beach before the main car parking. Keep an eye out for the signs, the narrower road is a few hundred metres before the main exit. It gets you off right at the beach, next to the turtles’ resting area.
Click here to open the location in Google Maps.
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- The black sand beach at Punaluu
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- The wetlands next to the black sand beach
Turtles Basking On The Black Sand
Sleeping honus
If the black sands weren’t already an attraction for most tourists, add giant green sea turtles (known as “honu” in Hawaiian) to that list. The turtles in the area come to the beach everyday to eat (sea weed) and enjoy their siesta, basking in the sun.
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- Green turtles resting on the black sand beach
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- Green sea turtles (honu) resting on the black sands
Keep in mind the green turtles are a protected species, and under no circumstances are you suppose to touch them, or get too close to them. Usually volunteers build a boundary of rocks around the turtles to keep people away.
Volunteers build a rock wall to keep people away from the turtles
Do Not Swim
Another thing to keep in mind is that it is not advisable to swim in the waters at the Punaluu Beach. The sea bed is still full of volcanic rocks, and the waves are extremely strong! The beach also has a large amount of underground fresh water that flows in it. This fresh water is very cold and looks almost like gasoline mixing with the water.
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- The rocks are a clear sign of how the lava cooled upon reaching the water
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- The power of the icy blue waters
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- The icy blue waters at the Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Punaluu Beach – Tiny Pieces Of Lava
Here are a few more photos of the Black Sand Beach In Punaluu. A MUST see for anyone planning to visit the Big Island in Hawaii anytime soon. In fact, this is one of those unique beaches in the world that you have to put on your bucket list.
Also, thanks to all the volcanic activity on Big Island, there is another unique beach. A green sand beach.
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- The sand on the beach is jet black
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- No sun, but black sand, and a powerful sea
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- The black sand provides a lovely contrast to the colours around it
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- Green sea turtles (honu) resting on the black sands
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- Right above the Punaluu Black Sand Beach
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- From further away, the black sands and the volcanoes
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