Discover Punalu'u Black Sand Beach in Hawaii

So incredibly beautiful! It was fun to walk around, watch the waves crash, and just be awestruck by how stunning it was. Unfortunately, we went shortly after a tropical storm had come through, and the beach/facilities was technically closed. There were warnings about high bacteria and surf, so swimming not recommended. There was also a ton of storm debris and wash up, and the community is raising funds for clean up and repairs

Beautiful black sand beach and unforgettable turtle sighting Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach was one of the most memorable stops of our trip. The black sand alone makes it worth visiting, but seeing a sea turtle resting peacefully on the shore made the experience even more special. It’s a beautiful place to slow down, take in the ocean, and appreciate something you don’t see every day. The contrast of the dark sand, the waves, the palm trees, and the wildlife made it feel like a true Big Island moment. Definitely worth the visit. Just remember to respect the turtles, give them space, and enjoy the view without disturbing them.

As part of our Big Island Loop 3. Day Road Trip Guide for our travel brand Full Time to Travel Time, we HAD to see the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles. We went here twice and saw turtles both times!! They have a designated area for them to lounge and sunbathe which I love. They ask for a 20ft distance out of respect for the sea turtles and they often will swim in the public beach area of this beach so definitely bring your snorkel gear! The black sand is very comfortable near the water and a bit rockier around the designated turtle area. There's also a little shack of about 5 shops selling merchandise, jewelry, and souvenirs. They do have an outdoor shower to rinse off and bathrooms nearby.

This is a lovely kind of secluded beach. The black sand was something different. I didn't see people in the water, and I would not let my kids go in FYI. The scenery is typical Hawaiian. Black sand, coconut trees and sea turtles. Great stop yo stretch our legs.

There is limited free parking on the beach itself, but there’s parking just up the street for about $15 for 6 hours. If you’re looking for a turtle encounter, this is the spot- but get reef safe sunscreen so it can stay that way! The turtles congregate near the lava rocks in the middle of the beach to feed, but they also swim around the rest of the beach as well. The best entry is the sandy part of the beach right after the parking lot, but there is some surf there. At the far side of the beach, enter close to the lava rock on the right, as this is the sandiest area, and easiest on your feet. Rock shoes seriously recommended. Not too many reef fish at this beach, but we did see a few snowflake moray eels, and some striking red parrot fish. Note: fresh water mixes with salt here, so the clarity will vary; swimming another 10 feet may become drastically clearer. If you don’t want to get in the water, you’ll be able to see turtles by walking out onto the lava rock and peeking over the edge. Sometimes they even go into the tide pools, or on the beach. There is a small store with gifts, and on some days, a food stand with local and classic fare. There is a lifeguard here, and they will tell you not to swim out past the buoys, as the surf is rough after that point. Some people were surfing that area, pretty cool to watch. The beach itself is large with plenty of shade. I recommend wearing rock shoes, as the black sand and lava rock gets very hot, and the entry into the water can be rocky and hurt your feet.