Hawaiian Beaches HawaiiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaii.
1. Pohoiki Beach
NATURAL BLACK SAND BEAUTY
Pohoiki Beach is a relatively new black sand beach formed after the 2018 Kilauea eruption. Visitors can enjoy swimming, surfing, and picnicking with stunning volcano viewpoints in the background. The beach also features thermal hot springs, making it a unique natural attraction on the Big Island.
2. Thurston Lava Tube
ANCIENT VOLCANIC WONDER
Thurston Lava Tube is a fascinating natural tunnel carved from ancient lava flows located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can walk through this 500-year-old lava tube surrounded by lush rainforest, experiencing a unique geological formation. The well-lit pathway makes it accessible for most visitors and provides insight into Hawaii's volcanic history.
3. Lava Tree State Monument
VOLCANIC TREE SCULPTURES
Lava Tree State Monument features a forest of lava molds created when molten lava swept through the area and cooled around tree trunks. Visitors can take a peaceful 0.7-mile loop trail through this unique landscape of eerie volcanic formations. The park offers a glimpse into the island's volcanic past with informative signage and beautiful native vegetation.
4. Kehena Beach
SECLUDED BLACK SAND COVE
Kehena Beach is a stunning black sand beach tucked away along the Puna coastline, known for its dramatic scenery and clothing-optional atmosphere. Visitors can often spot spinner dolphins playing in the offshore waters while enjoying the natural beauty of this crescent-shaped cove. The beach requires a short but steep hike down to access, adding to its secluded charm.
5. Isaac Hale Beach Park
SURF AND THERMAL POOLS
Isaac Hale Beach Park is a popular recreational area featuring natural thermal pools, a boat ramp, and excellent surfing spots. The park survived the 2018 eruption and now offers visitors a unique combination of volcanic hot springs and ocean activities. Local food trucks often line the parking area, providing delicious meals to enjoy after swimming or surfing.
6. Pahoa Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Pahoa Museum showcases the rich history and cultural heritage of this unique Hawaiian region. Exhibits highlight the area's volcanic activity, plantation era, and the diverse communities that have called Pahoa home. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays that tell the story of this resilient town.
7. SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center
COASTAL CULTURAL HUB
SPACE Seaview Performing Arts Center is a vibrant venue showcasing local talent and cultural performances along the scenic Puna coastline. The center hosts regular concerts, theatrical productions, dance performances, and community events throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences while supporting local artists in an intimate setting.
8. Kapoho Beach
TIDE POOLS AND SNORKELING
Kapoho Beach was once famous for its unique volcanically-heated tide pools perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Though the area was transformed by the 2018 eruption, visitors can still explore newly formed features and witness the power of nature's ongoing creation. The surrounding coastal area offers beautiful views and a glimpse into Hawaii's ever-changing volcanic landscape.
9. Carlsmith Beach Park
TURTLE WATCHING PARADISE
Carlsmith Beach Park features protected lagoons with crystal clear water ideal for swimming and snorkeling year-round. Visitors frequently encounter Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) resting and feeding in the calm waters. The park offers grassy picnic areas with coconut palms, making it perfect for families seeking a safe beach experience on the Hilo side.
10. Onekahakaha Beach Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY PROTECTED SWIMMING
Onekahakaha Beach Park is a favorite local spot featuring a shallow, sand-bottomed ocean pool perfect for children and beginner swimmers. The protected swimming area offers safe conditions even when surf elsewhere is rough, with tide pools for exploration and snorkeling. Picnic facilities, showers, and restrooms make this an ideal destination for a full day of family fun near Hilo.
11. Hāpuna Beach State Park
PREMIER WHITE SAND BEACH
Hāpuna Beach State Park is the largest white sand beach on the Big Island, stretching half a mile along the Kohala Coast. The beach offers perfect conditions for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing, with lifeguards on duty year-round. Visitors can enjoy the contrast of brilliant turquoise waters against the pristine sand, making it consistently rated among Hawaii's best beaches.
12. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
TURTLE WATCHING BLACK SANDS
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is one of Hawaii's most famous black sand beaches, created from lava flowing into the ocean and exploding as it cooled. The beach is known for the Hawksbill and Green Sea Turtles that frequently bask on its shores, offering spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities. Palm trees provide shade along the dramatic shoreline, where freshwater springs mix with saltwater to create unique tide pools for exploration.
13. Diamond Head State Monument
ICONIC VOLCANIC LANDMARK
Diamond Head State Monument features a popular hiking trail leading to the summit of this iconic volcanic crater with panoramic views of Waikiki and Oahu's south shore. The 0.8-mile trail ascends 560 feet through switchbacks, stairs, and a tunnel, culminating at a former military bunker. Visitors are rewarded with breathtaking 360-degree views that make this one of Hawaii's most photographed landmarks.
14. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
HISTORIC WWII SITE
Pearl Harbor National Memorial commemorates the fateful events of December 7, 1941, and honors those who lost their lives during the Japanese attack that launched America into World War II. Visitors can tour the USS Arizona Memorial, accessible by boat, which rests above the sunken battleship where 1,177 servicemen lost their lives. The site includes museums with compelling exhibits, historic photographs, and personal stories that bring this pivotal moment in American history to life.
15. Waimea Canyon State Park
GRAND CANYON OF PACIFIC
Waimea Canyon State Park features a spectacular gorge stretching 14 miles long, one mile wide, and over 3,600 feet deep on the island of Kauai. The canyon's dramatic landscape displays vibrant red soil contrasted with green vegetation and cascading waterfalls, earning it the nickname 'Grand Canyon of the Pacific.' Multiple lookout points and hiking trails offer visitors breathtaking panoramic views and opportunities to explore this natural wonder up close.