Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Naalehu, HI
Punaluu Black Sand Beach lies in the Kau district on the Big Island's remote southeast coast, its sand a deep volcanic black formed where lava once met the sea. Green sea turtles haul out here to bask most days, close enough to feel like they're posing, though everyone is expected to keep well back and let them rest undisturbed.
The black sand and the near guaranteed turtles make it genuinely unique, but the uncertainty around who's managing the park right now makes the visitor experience less predictable than it used to be.
How we score beachesThe old park facilities changed hands in 2026 when the county's lease on the land lapsed, so don't count on restrooms or a staffed lot being open. The black sand itself stays public no matter who manages the surrounding grounds, reachable by the road at the beach's north end.
A gravel lot near the beach has served visitors for years, though its status is in flux since the county parking lot and facilities reverted to the private landowner in 2026. Check current signage before making the drive.
The road leads right up to the sand with no stairs or long walk involved, though the black sand itself gets hot enough by midday to make sandals worth carrying.
The Kau coast stays warm and relatively dry most of the year compared to the wetter side of the island, though ocean conditions here can turn rough with little warning regardless of season.
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