Is Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii Worth It? An Honest Review
This post is all about Is Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii Worth It? An Honest Review
Whether it’s your first time exploring The Big Island or you’re finally visiting after seeing this place all over Instagram, welcome to the Black Sand Beach or Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii.
Located almost 2 hours from town, it can be challenging to figure out how to get there, how much it costs, and if the Punaluu Black Sand Beach is even worth visiting.
I remember our first time here. I had no idea what to expect, and I regretted not being more prepared and brought all the wrong things.
Well, have no fear, I’ve put together the ultimate Punaluu Black Sand Beach guide. From how to get here, what Punaluu Black Sand Beach is really like, how much it costs, and if it’s really worth your time.
This post is all about Is Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii Worth It? An Honest Review
How Do You Get To Punaluu Black Sand Beach, Hawaii?
The Punaluu Black Sand Beach is a pretty long journey to reach. Located at the southern tip of Kona, it requires about two hours of driving for just one way.
The route, however, is easy to drive, and once you get there, Punaluu Black Sand Beach is super easy to find and park.
Pro Tip: If you didn’t rent a car, you can still visit the beach! Take the Pahala bus 90, which makes nineteen stops, to Punaluu Punaluu Road.
Can you swim at Punaluu Black Sand Beach?
You CAN swim at Punaluu Black Sand beach, but honestly, it’s not the best place for swimming. There are a lot of rocks, and the beach is pretty tiny, so there isn’t much room to spread out.
There is a lifeguard on duty and one thing we really regretted not bringing was snorkel gear! We saw so many people having a lot of fun snorkeling in the water.
We also saw so many Hawaii Green Sea turtles (3!) lying on the shore, which was such an amazing sight.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach Cost
Punaluu Black Sand Beach is free! Even the parking is free, and most outdoor public activities on the Big Island are free. If you want to purchase food, flipflops, or coconuts, bring some cash.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach Tickets
Unlike the Black Sand Beach in Maui, you don’t need a Punaluu Black Sand Beach reservation to go!
I would recommend trying to arrive a bit earlier, however, as the parking lot was all filled besides one spot by the time we got there at 2PM. I imagine it fills up quickly in the Winter/Spring/Fall Season.
Why Is The Sand Black?
The sand at Punaluu Black Sand Beach is black because it comes from lava!
The process happens like this:
First lava from the volcanos nearby, like Kileauea and Mauna Loa, flows into the ocean, forming a volcanic rock called basalt.
Then, once the hot lava touches cold water, it’ll explode into tiny pieces. Over time, the waves break those pieces into tiny lava rocks, sand, and pebbles, turning them into “black sand”.
This means the black sand beaches constantly change, and they can even disappear or become bigger depending on the lava flow.
What To Bring To Punaluu Black Sand Beach Hawaii
If you decide to journey all the way to Punaluu Black Sand Beach make sure you’re prepared!
You’ll want to bring the following:
1. Bathing Suit
2. Towel
I love bringing travel towels because they’re easy to pack, lightweight, and absorbent. Especially if you decide to go to another town after or take the bus, you won’t want to bring a huge hotel towel. These two are my favorite travel towels!
3. Snorkel Gear
We really regretted not bringing our own snorkel gear since everyone seemed to be having the best time snorkeling! Make sure to bring some not to miss out. Here are my two favorite snorkel masks.
4. Sunscreen
The sun is STRONG in Hawaii, and you’ll most likely be outside for at least 4-5 hours with little to no shade.
Add face and body sunscreen to your Black Sand Beach packing list.
Ensure they are reef-safe to protect marine life and preserve the unique environment.
Things To Do Near Punaluu Black Sand Beach
There are so many things to do near Punaluu Black Sand Beach which makes this beach even more worth visiting.
About a 40 minute drive is one of the only 4 Green Sand Beaches in the WORLD. It’s extraordinary but does require some planning before visiting.
Next to the Green Sand Beach in the Southernmost point in the entire USA! At Ka Lae, or South Point, you can see some amazing views or even go cliff jumping from 5 to 100 feet.
Lastly, about a 20 minute drive from Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one of the main reasons that people visit the Big Island! You can plan to visit all four in one day, which is what we did, with some careful planning. All of them are worth a visit!
Is Punaluu Black Sand Beach Worth Going To?
A nearly five-hour round-trip drive and walk JUST to see this beach… is it worth it?
If you’ve already seen a black sand beach and are driving JUST for this…no.
However, if you’ve never seen a black sand beach, or if you’re visiting Green Sand Beach or Hawaii Volcano National Park and are stopping here along the way, then yes!
The reason I don’t think it's worth driving all the way for because it’s not really a place you can spend that much time at. The water isn’t super clear compared to the rest of the Big Island, and the rocks make it hard to swim here.
But to make your trip even more worthwhile, I recommend exploring the Green Sand Beach(40 minutes away), Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and South Point Hawaii.
Besides, when is the next time you'll be back on the Big Island?
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii, including how to get to the Punaluu Black Sand Beach, WHY the sand is black, and my honest thoughts on if the Punaluu Black Sand Beach is even worth visiting.
I hope this guide prepared you for everything you need to know. Have an amazing time!
Related Post: Is Green Sand Beach in Hawaii Worth Going To?
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