Punalu'u Beach

Punalu'u Beach is a stretch of dark volcanic sand on the southeastern coast of Kau in Hawaii. Fine black grains cover the shore where lava once flowed into the ocean, cooling quickly and forming a smooth surface framed by coconut palms and turquoise water.

Hawaiians used this bay for centuries as a landing point and a place for offerings before missionaries arrived in 1833. Their presence changed how the shore was used and influenced local ways of life for generations afterward.

Freshwater springs still bubble up through the sand near the shore, creating small pools where visitors can feel the cool water mixing with the warm ocean. This natural feature gave the area its name and continues to shape how people experience the waterfront today.

The park offers parking, restrooms, outdoor showers, and covered picnic tables for day visitors, plus designated spots for campers who obtain a permit. A boat ramp provides access to the water for small watercraft.

Hawaiian green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles come ashore regularly to rest on the warm black sand. Visitors can watch them from a few meters away as they regulate their body temperature.