Kehena Beach  | Hawaii |  | Hawaii County |  |
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Address Highway 137 The Kalapana, HI |
Hours Never Closes |
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Highway 137, just south of the 19-mile marker.
Description:
The Puna district, which has some of the newest land on the Big island, is known for pounding surf crashing against towering sea cliffs and rough lava benches, rather than for swimming beaches. While here, anyone looking for a sandy, shady swimming beach is urged to visit Kehena Beach, which is the only black-sand beach in the district with easy access via a short hike down a cliff on a well-worn and easily followed trail. The beach is located on Red Road, immediately south of the 19-mile marker. Look for the small parking lot on the makai side if the road. If it is full, parking is available on the side of the road, along with the other cars.
Kehena is popular with Puna locals. Here you can enjoy a day at the beach, with the option of hanging out nude with other like-minded folks. Public nudity is illegal in Hawaii, but this beach, located at the far end of Puna, is rarely visited by police. They have recently begun an on again-off again patrol of the parking area, but do not hassle those on the beach seeking full sun exposure.
For those not inclined to full expose, sunbathing and swimming in suits will not make you stand out. There is always a mixed crowd of nude and clothed and neither group seems to mind the other. In fact, Kehena seems to revel in the eclectic mix that it attracts. On any given day, you will find old hippies, gay men and women visiting the nearby Kulani Honua, local families and, always, a smattering of tourists, each laying side-by-side and all enjoying this beautiful, tree-shaded patch of paradise.
If the water is rough, stay out. The best gauge is to watch the water. If there are few souls venturing in, you probably want to stay out. When the water appears calm, you will see lots of folks hitting the waves. If you see a swarm of folks diving in all at once, look out, keep your eyes peeled, and you’ll most likely see a school of spinner dolphins swimming into the little the bay. Locals love to paddle out and try to catch a swim with these playful mammals, which are frequent visitors that can offer a spell-binding display of acrobatics, whether or not you decide to join then in the surf.
Home-spun vendors often ply the sand, selling cold beer and freshly cut coconut. If you visit on any Sunday, you will be treated to a large group of local musicians of various types and talents. Mostly drummers, the group offers the beach hypnotic rhythms played out on every type of known percussion instrument. Sunday is the most crowded day to visit Kehena, but also offers one of the most uniquely local experiences to be found in Puna. Week days are less crowded, but the beach is always entertaining, even in the pouring rain, which only serves to make the water warmer and more inviting, although the water is never truly cold.
Written By: Jonathan Botticelli
Photo Credit: Pete Baer
Features
Parking
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Sandy Beach
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Swimming Areas
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Shady Areas
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