Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Nāʻālehu, HI
A beach of black volcanic sand on the Big Island's south coast, where green sea turtles often rest on the shore. Keep a respectful distance from the turtles and leave the sand where it is.
Punaluʻu Beach lies on the south coast of Hawaiʻi, the Big Island, between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu. Its black sand is basalt: where lava flows into the sea, it shatters as it cools into fine grains that the surf carries onto the shore. Underground fresh water seeps into the sea along the shoreline, and people once relied on it during droughts.
The beach is famous for its sea turtles: green sea turtles and hawksbills often rest on the sand. Keep at least 3 m (10 ft) away and please do not take any sand with you. Allow roughly one to two hours for the beach and a stroll. The beach is reached via the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11). Camping is possible in Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park; check the conditions with the county beforehand. Take care if you swim, as the shoreline is rocky and the ocean is open.
- Nearest town
- Nāʻālehu, HI
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 19.1367, -155.5050
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Black Sand Beach Park CampCampsite0 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand BeachTents
- Whittington Beach ParkCampsite5 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
- HalapēCampsite19 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
- Kulanaokuaiki CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand BeachTents
- ’Apua PointCampsite22 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
- Namakani PaioCampsite24 mi from Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
All campsites in Hawaii · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach?
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is in Nāʻālehu, HI, at GPS 19.1367, -155.5050. It is about 27 mi from Volcano.
Can you camp near Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Black Sand Beach Park Camp, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 6 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach?
Places worth a stop nearby: Kīlauea caldera (24 mi), Rainbow Falls, Hilo (48 mi), ʻAkaka Falls State Park (55 mi) and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (65 mi).
When is the best time to visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach?
The most pleasant months are usually December–February. Still fine, with some compromises, in March–June and September–November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)