When we first arrived in Hawai’i we did a lot of traveling around the island to see what was where and what peaked our interests for future visits.  One of those places was Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.  We decided to make a couple extra trips there recently.  This time, the kids got to have lots of fun playing in the water and I got to not only enjoy the weather but also the sites.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Visiting Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the sand is black and the Green Sea Turtles come to bask in the sun. Fun for the entire family.

Visiting Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the sand is black and the Green Sea Turtles come to bask in the sun. Fun for the entire family.

Xavier making a black sand angel

Visiting Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the sand is black and the Green Sea Turtles come to bask in the sun. Fun for the entire family.

Visiting Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the sand is black and the Green Sea Turtles come to bask in the sun. Fun for the entire family.

Thaddeus walking to the ocean

Thaddeus walking to the ocean

Wild Life at Punalu’u

There’s so much more than the ocean to see at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach.  You don’t just have the beach area. You can also see the Green Sea Turtles baking in the sun and swimming in the ocean. Another great thing is you can check out the nature area where there is a fresh-water pond with Lily Pads and so much more.

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Swimming Green Sea Turtle

Swimming Green Sea Turtle at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Green Sea Turtle

If you are lucky and visiting at the right time, you can even see whales from the beach. You might even get lucky enough to have one wave to you!

Waving Whale

It takes us about two hours to reach this beach from where we live, but it is definitely worth the visit. Thaddeus can go out swimming and body boarding in the water, Xavier can play closer to shore in some little “tide pool” areas within the lava rock so we don’t have to worry about him going out too far, and mom and dad can relax on the black sandy beach.

Visiting Punalu'u Black Sand Beach where the sand is black and the Green Sea Turtles come to bask in the sun. Fun for the entire family.
The black sand at this particular beach is a grainy sand, more like crushed rocks. I like the sand though because it is easy to wipe off unlike most of the other sand here in Hawaii that just stick to your skin.