Punalu'u black sand beach black sand beach is a short detour from the Belt Road on the South part of the island.
Green sea turtles, Hawksbill turtles, and sometimes Hawaiian Monk Seals frequent the beach. (Warning - federal penalties for touching turtles or seals.)
The water here is usually rough and the sand shelf does not extend far into the water, making this a bad place to swim or snorkel. Come to the beach for the scenery, turtles, etc.
Mahalo to Rick Bramm- Edmonton, Canada
Punalu'u Beach Park has restrooms, picnic tables, pavilions, and showers.
Modern restroom facilities
Mahalo to Rick Bramm- Edmonton, Canada
Below this sculpture of a child on the back of a turtle is a plaque that reads:
"KAUILA AND THE SEA TURTLES OF PUNALU`U"
"The mystical turtle Kauila makes her home in the Ka`u District at Punalu`u Bay. According to Hawaiian mythology, Kauila was empowered with the ability to turn herself from a turtle into human form and would play with the children along the shoreline and keep watch over them. The people of Ka`u loved Kauila as the guardian of their children and also for her spring that gave them pure drinking water.
The presence of Kauila can still be felt today by the sea turtles that inhabit this special place, The Hawaiian Honu (green sea turtle) can be regularly seen in the bay feeding on limu growing in the shallows. In addition, the Honu`ea (hawksbill turtle) sometimes enters the bay at night to crawl ashore and deposit eggs in the black sand. Both species of sea turtles are fully protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act and wildlife laws of the State of Hawaii. Enjoy watching these marvelous creatures but do not touch or disturb them in any way.
Created in 1995 in honor of the turtles of Punalu`u through the cooperative efforts of the community of Ka`u, Th Hilo Marine Option Program, County of Hawaii,m NMFS, and the Honu Project.
Made possible by the generosity of the Cummow family and artist Dale Zarrella."
The water is often choppy and rough...not a good place to swim.
The view from the south end of the beach, looking north.
Camping is allowed at this county park. Permits are available online here and here.
Directions to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach: Located just over 7 miles from Na`alehu off Hwy 11 (the Belt Road). Take a right at the sign for Sea Island Resort; Punalu'u is 1.2 miles down the road.
View Punalu`u Beach in a larger map
