Kehena Beach, Black sand beach in Puna District, US

Kehena Beach is a black sand beach on the eastern coast of Hawaii Island in the Puna District. The narrow shoreline is framed by steep cliffs covered in thick vegetation, creating a striking volcanic landscape.

Kehena Beach was created by a lava flow in 1955 that reached the ocean and built the narrow black-sand shoreline. A point of rocks at one end of the beach marks where that flow stopped.

Kehena Beach is listed in many guidebooks and websites as a clothing-optional beach, and nudity has been documented there. However, nude beaches are not legal in Hawaii, and officers have issued citations for nudity at Kehena. The beach is also known as Dolphin Beach because spinner dolphins frequently swim in the water.

Access to the beach requires descending a steep staircase from the parking area, which is tiring on the return climb. There are no restroom facilities or fresh water available on site, so bring everything you need with you.

Spinner dolphins swim close to shore throughout the year, making this a prime location for watching marine wildlife. Sometimes you can see them playing and jumping directly from the beach.