Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

The Basics

Time your visit to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach for afternoon, and spend a leisurely few hours on the coconut tree–lined beach observing the sea turtles that frequently dot the shoreline, especially so near dusk. The beach is a common stop on island tours, and visiting on a guided tour enables you to skip the hassle of driving and more freely enjoy watching and photographing the sea turtles. Tours that stop at the beach typically also include other Big Island highlights such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a coffee plantation, and waterfalls.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Picnic areas, bathrooms, and an on-duty lifeguard make this spot family-friendly.

• The jagged, rocky shoreline means the beach is not ideal for swimming, but you can sometimes snorkel when the waters are calm.

• Admire the turtles from a distance, but don’t touch the protected species.

• You can camp at the beach if you have the required county permits.

How to Get There

Set on Hawaii’s southeastern coast, Punaluʻu beach is just off Highway 11 and a 20-minute drive from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Head southwest on Highway 11, turn left onto Punaluʻu Road and then follow Ninole Loop Road to the beach. To avoid renting a car and driving, visit the beach on a guided tour.

When to Get There

The popular beach is busiest on weekends, so if you want to avoid the crowds, visit on a weekday morning. To see the turtles at their most active, visit around dusk.

Where to Find Sea Turtles on Hawaii

While Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is one of the best places for observing sea turtles, these creatures can be found in numerous locations across the island. If you want to see more sea turtles after visiting Punaluʻu beach, head to Kiholo Bay, Kahalu’u Beach Park (a great spot to snorkel with the turtles), and Carl Smith Beach.

Ways to explore

Many tours of Hawaii’s Big Island visit Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where you can stroll along the gritty black sand, admire the ruggedly beautiful coastline, and spot endangered hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles, and Hawaiian monk seals.

Most tours combine a visit to the beach with a scenic drive through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where you can take in views of Kilauea Volcano and Mauna Loa, or explore the Nāhuku Lava Tube. Some tours also include a visit to a local coffee plantation and nearby natural wonders such as Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls State Park.

Accessibility

The beach isn’t easily accessible unless you have an all-terrain wheelchair. Some tours are wheelchair accessible, and the Punaluʻu Beach campground is ADA accessible.

Age limits

None, but children and less confident swimmers should take care in the water as the waves can be strong.

What to pack

Camera, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, water shoes (it’s rocky underfoot), towel

What to wear

Lightweight, breathable clothing, sandals or shoes (the black sand can be hot)

Not allowed

It’s prohibited to touch or interact with the turtles in any way (fines apply) or to remove any black sand, rocks, or plants from the beach. Pets, open fires, and camping without a permit are also not allowed.

Amenities

Lifeguard patrol (only at peak times), campground (permits required), picnic pavilions (day-use only), restrooms, showers, drinking water, boat ramp, parking

Address

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is located along Hawaii’s southeastern coast, about 67 miles (108 kilometers) southeast of Kailua-Kona. You’ll need your own wheels or to join a tour to visit the beach.

Driving

From Kailua-Kona, head southeast along Highway 11 for about 1.5 hours, then turn right along Ninole Loop Road and follow it down to the coast. It’s an additional 20-minute drive to reach Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Public transportation

There’s no public transportation to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, but there is a wide selection of group sightseeing tours and island day trips that include the beach.

Best times to visit

The best time for turtle sightings is usually between 11am and 3pm, when the turtles often come ashore to bathe. If you can’t spot them on land, there’s a good chance they’re in the water.

Best days to visit

As with most popular attractions, the beach gets busiest on the weekends, so choose a weekday morning to visit if you want to avoid the crowds.

Best months to visit

The shoulder seasons of spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are when you’ll find lighter crowds, mild weather, and calmer waters for swimming.