Ka'u

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

This is a true black sand beach. Looking closely, each grain is a small glass-like grain that can only be formed by hot lava shattering on contact with seawater. As the only lava flow on the big island at this time is in Puna, the only true black-sand beaches are on the southern coast. Further north the black beaches (actually more like gray beaches) have sand from lava rock erosion. Because the black sand is a limited resource there are many signs on the beach asking people not to take souvenirs.

The other thing about Punalu’u are the sea turtles grazing in the surf, heads down munching on algae and oblivious to the tourists taking pictures a few meters away.

The beach actually looks scrappier than any of the guidebooks show – the photos always avoid getting the rocks in the frame.  But the sand is something and it’s easy to stop by on the way through. I would think it’s a really bad place to go swimming. Cold water, rocks, waves, rips (and turtles.)

South Point

I did not visit this southern-most point in the island. If you have time then it may be worth the detour down the access road between the 69 and 70 mile markers. At the south point are cliffs, a walk to the famous Green Sand Beach and some beautiful but challenging snorkeling.