Best breathtaking black sand beaches in Hawaii [ 2024 ]

Now that I live in Bali and more precisely Canggu, I still experienced Black sand ( as Indonesia is a very volcanic region ) and it reminds me of my time in Hawaii . There is a very particular vibe about those black sand beaches . Something unique, pure, mystical .

In your mind, the first scene that comes to mind is getting down at a beach with sand, which is the color of coal. Think about Hawaii, its beaches covered by black sand – it is a natural wonder, the creation of a volcanic activity that results in initial eruptions and the following flow of molten lava falling into the sea. The result? This was about golden sand-like polished black stones in Hawaii.

These are distributed on Hawaii Island, although there are seven favorite beaches and one in Maui, each offering a unique experience.

Punaluu Beach and Richardson Ocean Park, close to Hilo, are the most accessible sites for visitors to swim with, ideal for families who want to embrace this natural beauty.

Beaches are fascinating and equally significant in indicating the forces that shaped Hawaii. Watch out for sea turtles laying on the sand or sunning on the beach; again, the sand is black and a natural asset.

7 Best Hawaii black sand beaches

Punaluu Beach

The Big Island’s Punaluu Beach indeed provided the exotic look of a perfect Hawaiian postcard view worthy of framing. This black sand beach, created by volcanic movements and sheer lava, clearly contradicts what other regions of Hawaii have – the lush white sands. As one of the best places to relax amid incredible nature, Punaluu Beach has many amenities, including picnic tables, which make it perfect if you have a family event or want to spend a day in the beauty of the outdoors.

It was my greatest joy to observe the tropical wildlife, especially the Hawaiian green sea turtles that sunbathe on the black sand. These enormous creatures that are a food source to families in the area and are part of the country’s biodiversity enriched the experience with their majestic presence.

The ocean waters are so turbulent that, at times, swimming becomes an arduous task, but then, one can never complain about looking at the beauty of this beach.

Punaluu Beach is near Highway 11 at the 56th milestone and can be beneficial in observing and admiring the peculiarities of Hawaiian geography. Compared to the renowned beaches of Waianapanapa State Park, the green sand beach of Papakolea, or even the black sand beach of Punalu’u in the southern part of the Big Island, this beach is not well known. Still, it is one of the best black sand beaches in Hawaii. The convenience of the tourist shops and services combined with spectacular views and the opportunities to observe the Hawaiian green sea turtles crawling through the black sand make Punaluu Beach a must-visit spot for travelers who want to stop by the black sand shores of Hawaii.

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Richardson Ocean Park

One beauty that I happened to get a chance to visit is Richardson Ocean Park, located on Hawaii Island. The black sand beach fascinated me on my first impression, as the black sand contrasted with the blue water. Again, its features are not just the black sand and blue water; it has fresh-water ponds to stress the fact that all the water in the world is salty.

I also had the opportunity to witness green turtles in their natural environment, which made my trip more memorable. It is well suited for a long leisurely walk as it isn’t very big, and also to propound the appreciation of the creativity that has guided the shore’s formation largely by the lava rocks and the other volcanic configurations that build the shore.

Kehena Beach, like other black sand beaches, might lack fame. However, it still has a serene atmosphere and beautiful scenery, making it a perfect vacation spot hidden from tourists’ eyes. Contrary to Richardson Ocean Park, which is simply a beach, it is an attraction that abruptly transports visitors into the Hawaiian terrain.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6U6JcvcHNgzqUQDm8

Pohoiki Beach

Pohoiki Beach, also known as Isaac Hale Beach Park, is one of the youngest beaches in Hawaii, and it has black sand because of recent volcanic activities. As I walked on the grains of black sand, I realized how young this island is regarding plate tectonics and how active its volcano is. The black sand here is only black volcanic sand, which is very fine and sandy, unlike the stiff black sand of Oia, which is sharp to the touch.

It is well complemented with steep black lava triangles and beautiful vegetation abundantly filled around the seashore.

Also rich in nutrients, the anchialine pools near the park are ideal for swimming and blending fresh and saltwater. It is a powerful reminder of nature’s continual influence on our world, in this case, adding a new black sand beach to the Hawaiian Islands. There is never a dull day when exploring the Hawaiian Islands. One trending Hawaii destination is Pohoiki Beach, which allows you to Black Sand Beach.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4DygfCJcCaUUfBVX9

Kaimu Beach

This was felt especially when I was walking on the Puna coast area of Kaimu mainland; it felt like I was in another world. This black sand beach was created by the eruption of volcano Kilauea in 1990 and looks like a gorgeous, powerful creation of nature. I pulled over near the Kaimu Korner Country Store, and then it took me about, I guess, 10 minutes to walk through this black sandy trail that leads to the coast. The billowing flames of the geysers combined with the enormous field of black lava was an eyesore.

You can not swim or snorkel around the area because it’s the open sea with sea urchins, but it is one of the best places to attack Hawaii’s young geology. This new black sand beach is impressive, and despite the lack of people around, I am glad to walk along the fine grains of sharp black sand beneath my shoes. Although I never witnessed any volcanic activity, I tried to imagine how such a setting evolved. The area has no coverage; therefore, people sensitive to sunlight should carry along some protection from the sun and arrive early in the morning so that they do not feel the worst of the heat.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nat22V1SxddNVuYH9

Waipio Valley

Visiting the Waipio Valley on the north coast of Fresh Island was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It took approximately an hour to arrive at Hilo, and the sightseeing from 800 feet above the valley floor grounded me. I pondered for a few moments how beautifully green the valley was compared to the dark sand beach and the worst of the rocky coastline. The lookout also had benches, making it ideal for lunch at the various picnic tables.

The rocky and slightly inclined slope on the side of the valley was something that one had to cope with, but the view was gorgeous. Next to the black sand beaches of Hawaii, the best one we saw was at Waipio Valley: watching wild horses run across the plain and a couple of waterfalls were fabulous experiences and a must-visit place. The dark sand beaches, created by the volcanic archipelago, and the sprinkle of olivine crystals enhanced the beauty, making it a famous tourist attraction on the ‘Big Island.’

While there, I could also hike to other locations around the island, such as the Pololu Valley and the little-known anchialine pools. This aspect made the experience even more fulfilling because learning that these environments host animals that are on the list of endangered species, such as the hawksbill turtles, made the learning process even more fulfilling. A visit to Waipio Valley is mandatory for visitors intending to find a true touch with Hawaii’s natural surroundings.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qdbbCwt6JtQVJAmy7

Pololu Valley

Pololu Valley, which can be found in the northern part of the island, on the Kohala coast, is a place I will never forget. I took this trail starting from the end of Highway 270 with a strenuous 25-minute climb from the black sand shoreline car park at the Pololu Valley Overlook. The Awini Trail is a short hike that covers half a mile, is 300 feet steep, and is steep to the valley floor, where the beach and sea sand are after crossing the volcanic islands. At the same time, walking down, I enjoyed looking at the cliffs covered with green vegetation and the rocks shaped by the powerful waves; I also saw some wild horses feeding on the hills.

While Pololu Valley Beach comprises the black sands of Hawaii, the beach is not conducive to anything related to water, such as swimming, because of the currents and lack of lifeguards. There is no overhauling with a restroom or other facilities at the Overlook; sometimes, there is no cellular signal outside the parking lot. Nevertheless, the natural conditions can be considered successful, and this place’s beauty makes me mention that I saw one of the most gorgeous beaches in my life.

Pololu Valley is one of those places in Hawaii that tourists may want to visit in search of adventure and great views. A worthwhile part of the route includes the large black rocks and the magnificent vegetation on the way down. It’s a great black sand beach that one would need if one were planning to visit Hawaii because it has unadulterated natural beauty.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/z31jxMrDZnwuuf8T9

Kehena Beach

Located just along the Puna Coast within walking distance from the Kaimu black sand beach, this is more famously known as the Dolphin Beach or Kehena Beach. This is because I had a sense of adventure as I descended the steep slope through the narrow path from the main tarmac along Highway 147, also known as Kalapana-Kapoho Road. The many steps involved in going down the slopes may be a little tiresome, but the view at the bottom is breathtaking. This is a long beach, not a wide one, made entirely of black sand and trees lining the beach, meaning there’s plenty of shade, ideal for a rest.

Remember that Kehena Beach is one of the places where people often go naked as freedom, meaning you have to expect nudity. This is on top of the powerful waves of the sea, which further complement the exciting view of the beach. While swimming is allowed in the lake, care must be taken due to its forceful nature. It contains black sand and lava fragments, which include beautiful volcanic rocks found here and there.

Kehena Beach is one of the black sand beaches in Hawaii, and it has a beautiful view. One must remember that a beach is much more than a place to get a tan or nap; it would be a good place to watch the ocean and maybe even the spinner dolphins. The favorite sea creatures, especially the sea urchins, enhance this beach’s beauty. However, if you are on an expedition to Hawaii island and looking for a thrilling excursion, Kehena Beach is one place to be.

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What Makes Black Sand Beaches Black?

Black sand shores are remarkable geological features in regions with volcanic associations. It is caused by volcanic activity, and the sand is black; that’s how it looks in the picture. Explosive episodes of a volcano entail the release of molten lava substance from underground. This molten lava moves to the ocean and cools as soon as it touches the water. This cooling process puts the lava under pressure, thus breaking it into small fragments. These particles are termed lava fragments, and when they pile up, they create black sand beaches.

These sands comprise several volcanic materials, including basalt, a fine-grained, dark-coloured rock formed from cooled lava. Moreover, G200 sand may occasionally contain minerals like olivine crystals that contribute to its uniqueness. Eventually, due to natural erosion processes caused by the day-to-day interaction between the waves and these volcanic rocks, the rocks disintegrate into fine black sand.

Punaluʻu black sand beach, situated on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the most well-known, and this process is perfectly illustrated. The beach on this beautiful island is black sand and pebbles formed by one of the most active volcanoes globally, Kilauea. When the lava of Kilauea erupted and began to spill into the ocean, this gave rise to breathtaking scenes that are now some of the important tourist attractions.

These materials are artistically rich and possess a high environmental value, such as black sand beaches. The blackened beach grains get hot when exposed to direct sunlight, causing a preferred climate condition to prevail. For instance, Punaluʻu Beach of warm black sand is conventionally used as a nesting site for the hawksbill turtle and green turtle, both considered endangered species.

Nevertheless, to certain eyes, these beaches may look radically different from the stereotyped white sandy beaches commonly associated with beach tourism. The beaches are made up of black sand from various volcanic eruptions, providing aesthetic value that should interest any tourist.

Conclusion

Visiting the black sand beaches of Hawaii has to be one of the most enthralling experiences one can have in this part of the world as it demonstrates the power of creation that begets these volcanic islands. Kehena Beach stops, and spinner dolphins feed to the Pololu Valley simultaneously.

The challenging rock trails accompanying each beach provide a glance at the extraordinary geology in the Hawaiian Islands. The volcanic black grains and molten lava from the sea depths engulf the scenes of azure seas on the island. Suppose you are fascinated by the endangered hawksbill turtles at Punalu‘u Beach or have a momentary pause at Pohoiki Beach. These beaches are picture-perfect moments on the bucket list.

WHO AM I ?

Hello !

I am Eric, a French Australian citizen based between Australia, Asia and Bali and I love to travel and experience the world. I generally like outdoor activities, wellness, great food and venues , party and real local adventures ! I am a Yoga practitioner and fitness lover

I created this blog because I love to travel and I want to share my experiences with others. I’ve been traveling since I was a child, and I’ve been to over 50 countries. I’ve seen some amazing things and met some amazing people, and I want to help others experience the same things.

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