
Instead of swimwear and sandals, make sure you’re wearing decent shoes and are covered from the sun. It’s a sobering reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature on a volcanic island such as Hawaii. For those with an active imagination, it’s easy to think of the lava that once flowed here, melting everything in its path. To get to the black sand beach, you can park in the designated lot and walk for ten minutes across the solidified lava that takes you down to the water’s edge. After an eruption in 1990, the once golden beach lined with palm trees was covered with molten lava, and the infrastructure in the surrounding areas was destroyed.

Visitors to the beach are able to witness firsthand the destructive power of the nearby Kilauea Volcano.


Located on the Big Island, Kaimu Beach Park is a nascent black sand beach in Puna District, and in spite of its unsuitability for swimming and snorkeling, it is one of the most intriguing beaches found anywhere in Hawaii.
