Explore the black sand beach at Punalu’u (updated 2021)
On the southern part of Hawaii island is a large black sandy beach called Punalu’u, a favorite spot for Honu or Hawaiian green and Hawksbill turtles often basking out in the warm sandy beaches. This area is also frequented by Hawaiian monk seals, humpback whales, spinner dolphins and many types of sea life found in the tranquil bay. It’s a fantastic experience to explore the black sand beach at Punalu’u on the Big Island now.
Visiting Punalu’u beach on the Big Island’s South coast area
Anchialine pools
Anchialine pools
The rocky coastline at Punalu’u
Large anchialine pools within the vicinity of the black sand beach with brackish waters that are rare and endangered ecosystems in on the Big Island. The area is also fed by underground aquifers with spring fed waters mixing into the salty ocean waters, creating an ideal habitat for a variety of fish that thrive in these koa or fish environments. It is still a very popular fishing spot for fishermen on the shore and fishing out on boats along the shorelines.
Welcome Aloha sign at Punalu’u
Fishing on the bay
The rugged coastline surrounding the black sand beach is marked with large areas of lava rock that have poured into the ocean and are centuries old formations and create interesting cracks, patterns and jagged formations flowing in many directions and into the ocean.
The rocky coastline at Punalu’u
More turtles basking on the beach
The beach at Punalu’u is sometimes treacherous because of rip tides and currents entering the bay. If you do go swimming in the beach, stay closer to the shallow areas and other protected spots along the beach. Hope you enjoyed the tour of this scenic and wild coastline along the southern shores of Hawaii Island. Meanwhile, please enjoy other bloggers sharing their Travel Photo Monday links below.
If you enjoyed this post, please check out these other Big Island stories
East Hawaii attractions and places to visit
Big Island key attractions on the West side
Things to do on the Big Island with kids
Big Island locally grown foods
Visiting Keauhou on the Big Island
Road trip to the Hamakua district
Have you visited Punalu’u?
Have you been here and enjoyed a unique experience in the area? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Awww turtles! Beautiful photos as always 🙂
Gorgeous photos, I have never experienced black sand, it’s on my bucket list :).
Love that turtle! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler! 🙂
how interesting – we have larva rocks like this at our beach. I’ve put images up about it this week in my blog post. The waterlilly pond looks like the ones in Monet’s Garden in France.
Love, love, love those turtles!
Beautiful photos! We didn’t make it to this beach but what a gorgeous area. It’s always fun to see the turtles.
Love the black sand and turtles. Gorgeous photos!
Back – to say I changed the title of my post this week to Travel Conundrums:)
Love the colors of the captures because of the black sand:) The fisherman is my favorite, and the turtles!
Well, we both focused on Hawaiian beach scenes this week, Noel. I love those turtle shots on the black sand beach. Nothing more magical than honu!
How beautiful!
The turtles are so cute, love them 🙂
I really like how the fisherman’s bright green shorts and the yellow vegetation stand out against the black beach. That Aloha sign is fun. Yet another set of wonderful photos from you!
OMG this is one of my favourite places in the world to stay!! We have stayed at the resort right there at least 5 times!!
Those black sands beaches most be scorching hot for those turtles to be laying on it. I walked on black sand beaches in Spain and burned the bottom of my feet.
Lovely pictures, especially the last one of the two turtles! 🙂
Another beautiful collection of photographs. The turtles look amazing. Must be pretty exciting to find them on the beach
and the sand is pretty dark too
Ohhhh that turtle looks so sweet ! Thanks for linking up with us to #SundayTraveler