Hawaii, HI : Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

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Directions
Off highway 11, approximately 4 1/2 miles from Pahala, if you are coming from the Volcano direction, or 4 1/2 miles from Na'alehu, if you are coming from the Kona direction. A large sign is posted at the turn-off on the ocean side of the highway announcing the "Black Sand Beach".

Description:
Punaluu Beach is the most famous, most visited and easiest to access black sand beach on the Big Island. A trip to this stunning place requires about an hour and a half drive from the Kailua-Kona, and about an hour from Hilo. Consider a visit here in conjunction with your plans to see Hawaiian Volcanos National Park, which is only another 25 miles further up the highway in the Hilo-bound direction. The pay-off is well worth it!

Punaluu Beach is a popular site and you will not have it to yourself. With this said, you can be one of the few souls here if you come early in the day. This is the best time to avoid the crowds while getting to see the other main attraction at Punaluu...the Honu (sea turtles).

The sand here is truly black. Not gray or salt and pepper, but a deep, pure jet black.. The blue Pacific Ocean breaking on the black sand is an amazing sight. The sand can get hot, since it is usually sunny in the Kau District. If so, there are plenty of beautiful, swaying coconut palms under which to spread your towel. Jumping into the ocean is a matter of taste. The water is typically pretty chilly, since the bottom of the bay has many fresh-water springs pumping cold water into it. Also, the water can be very rough. So, if you think a dip will be refreshing, you are probably correct, but beware of the surf. If there is no one else in the ocean, it is safest to refrain from going in yourself.

When the sea is calm, there is always the opportunity to swim or snorkel with the turtles. This is one of their favorite spots and early in the day there can be many of them paddling around, or sprinkled along the shore, resting after a seaweed breakfast. Photograph these beautiful and gentle creatures to your heart’s content, but do not touch them. Turtles are an endangered species and it is illegal to tough or harass them in any way. Also, avoid the temptation to take some black sand back to the mainland as a souvenir. Hawaii legend has it that Pele curses anyone taking lava from her island and, since the sand is not being continually made, taking it away will eventually lead to the disappearance of this stunning and unusual place of beauty.

Located in the far off Kau District, Punaluu Beach is located just of Highway 11, between the towns of Na’alehu and Pahala (approximately 4 .5 miles from either town). There are two access roads with well-marked signs for Punaluu Black Sand Beach/Sea Mountain Resort, so if you miss one turn, there will be another coming up in less than a mile.

Written By: Jonathan Botticelli

Features
Bathrooms | Fresh Water | Parking | Picnic Area | Picnic Tables | Sandy Beach | Shady Areas | Snorkeling | Swimming Areas | Phones

Comments
u should keep writing dude
- misael on Fri, April 13, 2007

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